My friend is finally getting rid of a 89 2wd Yamaha Moto4.We just came back from the dealer and it came down to a 2001 non-es Rancher(FourTrax350) or a 2000 Foreman 400 with floorboards for $400 more.This guy could care less about speed and uses it mostly for Hunting and fishing.His old moto4 was capable of hauling what he wanted but he wants 4wd so both Hondas will do what he wants of them.The dealer said they both have a good ride because the Ranches has more travel in the suspesion but the Foreman has a longer wheel base which helps it out.It come down to the price and the ride qualitity to make up his mind.

 

I'm assuming the 400 with floorboards must be ES? Tell your buddy to save the $400 and buy the Rancher with the surtrac differential.

 

The rancher has a better every thing.

 

The 400s have no ES,he is dead set against it anyways.

 

Tim1: I might get a little flack for this, but I personally like the Rancher better. However the Rancher to me even with more travel is rougher riding in my opinion. If your just riding around and hauling etc. the 400 would be this guys ticket. It will pull, and do it with a bit more ease than the Rancher. However if he is flying around jumping and hitting deep ruts, the Rancher will be better riding due to longer travel. To sum it up, the Rancher is a sportier ride compared to the 400 in my experience. Hope this helps,later.
Scott

 

The Rancher also has more ground clearance if that matters to him!

 

I agree 100 % to that.

 

I just sold my 96 Foreman 400 and bought a 2001 Rancher ES 4x4. My 400 was a great machine other than it rode rough. I haven't got a whole lot of saddle time on the Rancher but I believe it rides better than the Foreman 400. I also wanted the floorboards and digital display. The 400 does have more torque but it seems to come mostly from lower gearing. I've put 30 miles on my Rancher so far and it doesn't seem to lack for power. I think the Foreman 400 is the ultimate pure "utility" machine where the Rancher is more of a "sport utility" machine. You can't go wrong with either one and until the 28th there are some pretty good deals to be had.

 

The Foreman 400 is a utility quad, not sporty at all. The Rancher is faster, better handling, better differential, more ground clearance, its utility & sporty. The Rancher is new technology, the Foreman 400 is old.