Hi Guys, I am still on the hunt for an ATV that is only a year or 2 old. I like the Rancher alot but, I am also seeing some 450 Foremans for sale. What are your thoughts on the Foreman and what is the difference in the designated models. I realize the ES is the electric shift but, what is the difference between the 450S model and 450 no s model?

As usual, thanks for the expertise!

 

Greetings,

The "plain Foreman" is a substantially different ATV from the 450S or 450ES. It is a much older design with a 400 engine, more limited to straight utility use. They have a reputation for being a solid, no frills workhorse.

The 450S and ES came out in 1998 and have a bit more more performance in them. Aside from the electric shift, the big difference is that the ES comes with full floor boards. I bought the ES for the boards and the ease of shifting. I still like the floor boards and the electric shift is neat, but, now with some foot shift experience (on my Recon) I could just as easily like the S model as well.

The one complaint I hear from 450 owners is that the turning radius is a little bigger than they would like. You get better manuverability with a Rancher.

One thing to consider, the ES takes two hands to operate. If you are going to run down a fence line with a hammer and a bucket of nails, its nice to have a free left hand to hold stuff. So oddly enough, I find that I take the Recon out to do simple chores just for that reason.

But I've never come up short on power with the 450. I tow a mower, a loaded cart, logs, and all sorts of stuff and it always has power to spare. Plus it has a nice solid feel on the trail.

 

DrRod makes a good point about the es being a two hands riding machine, I chose the s for that very reason. Carrying a squirming kicking calf across your lap limits you to one hand operation for sure. Taller people will like the s/es better because the the increased leg room, I had a Foreman and my knees would contact the handlebars. I had the Foreman for a year, racked up about 5000 miles and had no problems. Sold it and have had an s since 98 14300 joyfull miles. The s/es does have more power then the Foreman, I had forgotten just how much till I had to ride a friends Foreman up a technical grade for him. Quite a bit of difference.

Go forth and ride.

98 Foreman s
14300 mi stock
Blackwaters

00 Kodiak
stock

 

RancherES vs. 450ES is your real issue. more nimble vs. bigger and more lumbering. To me the ES is the easy choice for a new rider (like me) floorboards and ez shift not a debate. OH and by the way,it will make even more sense when you go threw your first really big water or mud and need to shift.