I just bought my first ATV after owning MANY motorcycles. It is a low mileage (237) 2007 Honda Rancher 420fe. My question is this: Is it normal for the ATV to "jump" a little whenver you shift the trans into gear (either first or reverse)???? I adjusted the clutch per the owners manual and it did not change anything......

 

Your idle is a little high. This makes the autoclutch's centrifugal clutch engage as soon as you shift into gear, rather than feathering up like normal.

This issue has come up before, and I think that the consensus was that the idle is not user adjustable on this fuel injection system. However, I would get a service manual and see what it has to say (there is nothing on this I can find in the owner's manual), and talk it over with the mechanics at the dealership.

 

Thanks- that makes sense and I do have a shop manual coming... The idle sounds like it may be around 1200 to 1300 (from my motorcycle tuning days) which should be normal. I was hoping there was some other common cause.... I have automotive test equipment and don't know if I can hook up a tach and get a good reading from this one cylinder 4 stroke with two firing pulses... guess I'll go try...

 

I use a Fluke 88 automotive for RPM ...

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I don't have a shop manual yet... Obviously I need one.... From your excerpt it looks like an air leak is my most likely culprit although valves out of adjustment could be also..... Thanks!!!!

 

Still....not really "adjustable" is it! No **** to turn it up or down like a carb.....

 

I have two 420 Rancher ( 1 is ES and 1 is MS) and both will jump "a little" as you mentioned when first put in gear. My neighbor has a 420 and a friend has a 420, both of those are ES and they also jump "a little" when put in gear.

I would say this is a normal operation, Just hold on to the brake lever when putting in gear. As you probably do your car or truck when you put them in gear.

 

Thanks for the info. I found out that if you let the engine warm up enough (been raining here - not afraid of mud, but don't want to bring it into my shop) the idle slows down and the 'jump' is not as pronounced.. I can live with the situation.... Only rode ATV briefly, but I am going to have to develop a shifting technique different from my (manual clutch) lifelong motorcycle experience.... This site is great - keep up the good work!!!!!

 

mine when brand new did it, its normal hold the brakes tighter like he said. i tried idle screw i thought the same it doesnt matter i tried the adjuster for the clutch too didnt change a thing.