I know the Rancher has the larger engine, but it is over 100# heavier too. Does anyone know which is faster? How close are they? This would help a purchase decision for a friend. Thanks a lot.

 

My friend has a Recon, we ride together alot. On a straight, flat road the Rancher has about 5 mph more top speed. But we never ride straight, flat roads. So on the trails it's not the machine that matters but the person riding it.

 

The power to weight ratios are similar on the Recon and the Rancher 2 x 4 models so for the Rancher to be faster I would assume it has a taller fifth gear. As far as going through the woods a Recon will hang with most any ATV out there except when its deep mudding time. Chet

 

The 2X4 Rancher is a pretty fast bike for a utility. Our stock 2X4 will easily outrun our K&N and piped Recon. The 4X4 has a reduction gear that the 2X4 doesn't have, so it is somewhat slower.

 

jeff, I have a STOCK rancher 2x4, top speed 53 mph, 190 lbs rider.
I also know the recon well, top speed 49 mph and is a little slower on take-offs.
Hill climbing and mud running the rancher easily and efficiently has the upper hand 9.7" ground clearance and all. Depending on the size of the driver , me included the recon feels and is much smaller and less comfortable, plus unless he gets a new 2002 recon w/ the ES version (lcd instruments) w/ full floor boards are hard to beat for the extra $200. If he can float the extra cost GET THE RANCHER ES.

happy hunting

scott
01' Rancher ES
91' KX 80 (race ready)

 

LogLeaper;

I have two 01 Ranchers, would a K and N filter help in the top end? Would it effect low end/mid range? Would I have to change the jetting?
sgtmp5

 

sgtmp5, yes cubed, it will do all that, but to get real performance out of the K&N system you will need a pipe also to notice any gain at all. Supertrapp IDS-2 makes a nice system for the Rancher and cost a little over $200+, (cheapest pipe I found others up to $300+, look at options). Then and only then will you see some performance gains.

 

Thanks logleaper for advice!