First ATV
Nov 26, 2002 | 01:28 AM
#2
Pro Rider
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 307
Likes: 0
First ATV
Awesome machine. Great reliability, GOES EVERYWHERE!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ours is scientifically proven to be indestructable. It survived my husband's abuse, and now mine.
Most importantly, though, what kind of riding will you be doing? Your weight, height, experience? (This is your first ATV, but have you ridden before?) You'll get better feedback with the answers to those questions.
Most importantly, though, what kind of riding will you be doing? Your weight, height, experience? (This is your first ATV, but have you ridden before?) You'll get better feedback with the answers to those questions.
Nov 26, 2002 | 01:29 PM
#3
Thread Starter
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Pro Rider
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 251
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From: Midcoast Maine
First ATV
I've never really ridden. Once a long time ago (so it doesn't really count). I have experience with motorcycles, so I'm used to rear and front brakes (is that what ATV's have? If I'm wrong I apologize), shifting with my foot, and having to use a choke. I expect to go riding in mud, snow, bumpy rutted trails, and things of that nature. I weigh one-hundred thirty five pounds, five foot eleven inches.
Nov 26, 2002 | 01:48 PM
#4
Trailblazer
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
First ATV
Rancher247:
Go look at all the brands, then make a list of what you like on each one. Sort the list to the most likes, eleminate the don't likes. Then buy a Polaris.......or.... the Rancher.
Most of all having ridden a motorcycle, KEEP your feet on the pegs. A question like that is asking Ford, GM, Dodge, ride any and all you can, you will find the one that fits. I have Honda, Polaris, a wee Yameee for the grandkids, all of them are great.
Pullerguy
Go look at all the brands, then make a list of what you like on each one. Sort the list to the most likes, eleminate the don't likes. Then buy a Polaris.......or.... the Rancher.
Most of all having ridden a motorcycle, KEEP your feet on the pegs. A question like that is asking Ford, GM, Dodge, ride any and all you can, you will find the one that fits. I have Honda, Polaris, a wee Yameee for the grandkids, all of them are great.
Pullerguy
Nov 26, 2002 | 02:36 PM
#5
Pro Rider
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 219
Likes: 2
First ATV
Rancher 247, don’t waste your time with other ATVs do it right the first time and buy the Rancher. Given your expected riding environment, age, height, and weight, the Rancher seems like the perfect fit for you. I too am 5'11" and weigh about 162 and my Rancher seems to be made for me. It has great balance, its nimble, and not too heavy. My first ATV purchase was my 2001 Rancher 4x4 (manual/foot shift). There is only one thing I wish different about my Rancher, is that I wish it had selectable 2 or 4 wheel drive. If you wait until next spring Honda is coming out with the RancherAT 400. The RancherAT 400, has basically, the same chasse as the current Rancher with a 400cc engine and Honda's TraxLok system which allows you to select 2 or 4 wheel drive. But again it all depends on how much money you want to spend.
Nov 26, 2002 | 03:45 PM
#6
Pro Rider
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 307
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First ATV
Thanks for answering those questions! After your answers, I would say the Rancher would be a great machine for you. I grew up on dirtbikes and this was our first ATV.
Pullerguy gave some great advice: keep your feet on the pegs!!!!!!!!!! Or risk breaking your ankle, leg, etc. Your back tires just run right over ya! The back break on the rancher is at your right foot (like motorcycle) and at your left hand--where your clutch would be. Front brake is the same. And the ES is super easy to get used to. I also had a Prairie 360 that had selectable 2 or 4 wheel drive...I liked that a lot but now that I'm on the Rancher again, it's kind of nice not to have to think about it.
As for the terrain you're on, the Rancher is great for all. We use ours in mud, on ice, nasty trails, snow, plowing snow, loaded down for camping, it has crossed crazy deep rivers, been in races; basically we've used it for everything it was intended for and then some and it's been great. Never had problems with it at all. We've had it for 14 months and it has 1600 miles on it. The shaft drive is a huge plus and the thing is sealed up tight!
I could go on and on, so in short, there are a lot of good machines out there and it is so exciting to buy an ATV right now. Shopping around is fun, too. But since you just asked about the rancher: it's a great machine, and sounds good for you, but that's for you to decide.
I, personally, am thinking about getting the new Rancher AT that's coming out this spring. (I think we just think we have to get a new fourwheeler every 6 months) I'm lazy about shifting after having the prairie, and want another automatic. Since you're used to motorcycles I doubt it will bother you at all. Compared to them, the ES is like auto. ES is cool for times your feet aren't on the floorboards and you need to shift (deep water, mud, akward situations).
Good luck in your decision!
I'm windy today, so I'll shutup now.
Pullerguy gave some great advice: keep your feet on the pegs!!!!!!!!!! Or risk breaking your ankle, leg, etc. Your back tires just run right over ya! The back break on the rancher is at your right foot (like motorcycle) and at your left hand--where your clutch would be. Front brake is the same. And the ES is super easy to get used to. I also had a Prairie 360 that had selectable 2 or 4 wheel drive...I liked that a lot but now that I'm on the Rancher again, it's kind of nice not to have to think about it.
As for the terrain you're on, the Rancher is great for all. We use ours in mud, on ice, nasty trails, snow, plowing snow, loaded down for camping, it has crossed crazy deep rivers, been in races; basically we've used it for everything it was intended for and then some and it's been great. Never had problems with it at all. We've had it for 14 months and it has 1600 miles on it. The shaft drive is a huge plus and the thing is sealed up tight!
I could go on and on, so in short, there are a lot of good machines out there and it is so exciting to buy an ATV right now. Shopping around is fun, too. But since you just asked about the rancher: it's a great machine, and sounds good for you, but that's for you to decide.
I, personally, am thinking about getting the new Rancher AT that's coming out this spring. (I think we just think we have to get a new fourwheeler every 6 months) I'm lazy about shifting after having the prairie, and want another automatic. Since you're used to motorcycles I doubt it will bother you at all. Compared to them, the ES is like auto. ES is cool for times your feet aren't on the floorboards and you need to shift (deep water, mud, akward situations).
Good luck in your decision!
I'm windy today, so I'll shutup now.