I noticed the Grizzly 450 is roughly 1k more than the Honda Rancher 420, that raised a few flags seeing how I thought it would be just the opposite. Anyway I heard Honda finally listened and copied a lot of Yamaha's better qualities. So my question is, is the new and improved 2014 Honda Rancher as good as the Grizzly, or is it still better to pay the 1k extra for the Grizzly? I'm a hunter and most the roads I drive on are logging roads that a regular 4x4 truck could drive on. I'm not into high abuse driving and major off road stuff. Just long term reliability and the ability to take the atv in a long trip stash it in the woods while I hunt. Thanks

 

Both have excellent reliability. I think the Rancher is a smaller quad than the 450 Grizzly which I believe is the same full sized chassis that the 550 and 700 use. If you're a bigger guy you might be more comfortable on the Grizzly. If the Grizzly has IRS and the Rancher doesn't you'll have a more comfortable ride and more ground clearance to get over obstacles. Just random thoughts. Also, check to see if the rear shocks have any adjustment available. I'm a bigger guy and have been on Hondas with non-adjustable shocks. Lot's of squatting and no way to make the pre-load on the springs stiffer.

 

don't get a 2014 Honda. 2015s will be out very soon and Honda has added IRS to the 420 and upgraded the racks and towing but even better the 500 Rubicon has IRS and diff lock so depending on the price difference you're probably better off with the 500

 

The 450 Grizzly has the smaller mid chassis like the 420 Rancher.
Both have the same 420 and 421 displacement.

The Grizzly always cost more because it always had IRS, Dif lock, low Range, larger 25" tires and better hydraulic rear disc brake which the standard SRA 420 rancher never had .

There is a IRS Rancher with hydraulic rear disc brake now called the (AT). It cost a little more then the standard Rancher.

 

Thanks for the help, I'm leaning towards the Yamaha grizzly. Much appreciated.

 

Also I think most Yamaha 4x4s have a factory Yamaha/Warn winch already on them.

My 350 Grizzly did and my friends 350 Bruin,660 Grizzly and 450 Grizzly since the day they were new.
A installed winch has to be a $400 plus option atleast.