I thought it would be a good time to start another comparison.

 

BZIZZI,The Rancher has'nt really been out long enough to make a comparison yet.

 

If the Rancher is anything close to a four-trax, it has nothing on a Sportsman 335. I've had EXPERIENCE with both.
BushHog
'99 Sportsman 335

 

As a new Rancher owner that has ridden a 335
Sportsman i can say that the Honda is alot
sportier quicker and now that it also has true 4WD and is alot easier to steer than
the old Fourtrax and has almost ten inches of
ground cleareance i can't wait until DW does
a Shootout.The only place the Sportsman will
win is in the ride Quality category.If you
don't believe me go test a new Rancher for yourself.

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Please understand that as a new Rancher owner "I LOVE MY RANCHER"! But, it does not have "True 4WD". I have tested this in the mud on several occasions and was a little disappointed.
I do like everything else. Yesterday I rode both a Rancher and a FourTrax on some of the same trails. WOW, Honda did some good things for power, ride, ground clearance, turning radius and, did I say Power!

 

I had three wheels in the air and pivoted the Rancher until one wheel touched the ground and it pulled me off the log.I tried this several times and the results where the same.
I still need to do the mud test like you did,
i like the way it pulls the front end off the ground when i shift into second what a difference over the old 300.What do you think of the steering effort ?

 

Uh huh. Sounds as if the new Ranchers have an edge over the old four-trax's. That's what I thought. I'd love to have one if it had switchable True 4wd.
BushHog
'99 Sportsman 335

 

bizzi,
Was it one of the front wheels that pulled you off?

 

Yes

 

Bushhog,go test drive a new Rancher with the AP front differential and it is amazing how easy and tight it steers compared to the old Fourtrax,its like your on a 2wd machine.

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