For those who were hoping for a new sport quad from Honda, you have my sympathy. For others who were salivating at the thought of a new or updated sport/utility, the frustration might be even higher. Can anyone explain why Honda, obviously recognizing the competition had passed them by miles, would go to the trouble of updating the Rancher with a bigger engine, the best transmission in the world, and the traxlok, but decide to stay with the same crappy suspension and brakes? Why only go half way? DUMB!!

 

Suspension and brakes??? I didn't see any details on these. How do you know these are the same?? The word "Rancher" may just be a name!! The "Foremans" (450 and Rubicon) are nothing alike, but they call them "Foremans". We may see the same thing with the "Ranchers". I wouldn't jump to any conclusions on this one.

Just a thought, I bet we see the 450 gone in a couple of years!! It has an older wet sump engine, and doesn't really fit in the line anymore. Anybody taking bets??

 

The specs, pictures, etc. are on their website

 

Actually, Honda did exactly what I told them. I got a questionaire from Honda way back when (strictly utility stuff), and I told them: 1)absolutely no bigger than the Rancher, 2)keep it light (a 600 lb quad is just disgusting!) 3)a bigger engine 4)selectable front end and automatic if you insist, 5)better suspension of course. Guess now I'll have to buy one.

 

<< Just a thought, I bet we see the 450 gone in a couple of years!! It has an older wet sump engine, and doesn't really fit in the line anymore. Anybody taking bets?? >>



YZGUY,

I am not betting on that. There still making the Foreman 400 and I thought it would have left the line up by now and I would think it would go before the Foreman 450.

Chet
VP KNOWSALOT FACILITY

 

I thought the 400 was finally gone from the list (although they may still appear on dealers floors). Honda takes forever to clear out its inventory of old bikes. We were still seeing 300's a couple of years after the Rancher (its replacement) came out.

 

I checked out there web site to make sure and they have it listed as a 2003 model at $5,899.

Chet VP
KNOWSALOT FACILITY

 

YZGUY is right about the name &quot;Rancher&quot;.

The 400 is all new and only carries the name.

I guess they realized that they had too many quads that had names beginning with the letter &quot;R&quot; and all sounded the same......LOL

 

YZGUY, maybe not exactly. It still seems that the suspension (and brakes) is still the same. My question is, why not do it right all the way?

 

Even more evidence that the old 450 Foreman will have to go, because it doesn't start with RRRRR........

It's probably way early to be speculating on the AT. Wait for some review articles in the mags.