You know after reading this forum for the past several months, it seems to me that all new machines are problematic. Especially the Auto Trannies. If the frame does'nt crack then the transmission slips, belts slip, 4x4 locks etc etc.

Do you think simple is better? My bikes over the past 20 years rarely gave me grief. Kawi, Suzuki, Honda, it didn't matter. I guess I just have a bad taste of these things now. I want to trade in my 04 Rancher, but honestly don't know which bike to trust.

Any opinions? or am I just bitter.

Spud

 

Yes

My next utility quad will be a Honda Foreman 450 shift model or 2004 Vinson Manual 500 4x4

Simple and efficient

 

Spudnick, I know what you mean but you will generally only hear about the bad things. People don't talk about their rides on these forums if they are happy and problem free. I really think that all in all brands are improving all the time, everyonr has something to offer or they would'nt be in the market. Anymore it comes down to what you like and are comfortable with and if you have a dealer that is willing to work with you a help you out when you have a problem, and it does'nt matter what make it is if you use it enough it will break.

 

Just wondering why you are looking at the Foreman and not some of the other 450/500 machines? I was looking at the same class but went with the Vinson and love it. My friend on the other hand got the Foreman and is kicking himself. Not that it is a bad machine because it's not but as far as power and cost the Foreman is way off. I think the Vinson and the Kodiak is a better choice. Just my opinion.

 

Believe it or not, reliabilty...what a joke that turned out to be. My new Rancher is on a bench in pieces at the Dealership !

 

I agree with Tork about the fact that you mostly hear is what has gone wrong with a certain quad rather then how great it is with out any problems. I had King Quad and it was a manual and of course I did not have to worry about the belt slipping(not one) but it it liked to eat brakes and occasionaly a drive shaft when I would try to get the front drums to release, so even the old reliables as we call them had some faults too.

I have had water in my belt housing and after fixing the problem I am very happy with my Kodiak and do not miss the old one. There are lemons out there and it does not matter if it is an old one or a new one. If you hear of one bad one just think of the hundreds or even thousands out there that have had no problems.

I have always been told to buy a Honda because they are reliable but for the money they want I can not justify going that route. Too bad that your is in pieces, what failed on it? AlaskaBoy.

 

Sometimes less is more and I am happy with my Foreman 450S.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

It is on the bench today, not sure what the prob is yet. I have heard of 2002 Rubi having same problem, I guess it's the same driveline as the Rancher.

Tranny looses all power when climbing hill, grinding noise then slips into neutral.

Will keep you posted.

 

Agree that most people only talk about the bad things. Same thing happens on most all of the other forums I read, Ford Diesel, Turbo Buick...All the same. Man, the Ford board is bad. One guy has a problem, 4 or 5 jump on board, next thing you know people are wanting to call Ford, the truck is junk, the problem exists in every one ever made, I am never buying one again...........and on and on. Sad thing is most of the time these guys cause their own problems. You can only abuse the thing for so long before it says no more. Other than that there is still good info out there but you have to try an not get caught up in the hype.

Brent

 

What a load of crap buddy. You should be a counselor. This is the whole idea of a forum, to express YOUR opinion. When I researched my Honda, I came to this site everyday asking questions. I got peoples feedback, both good and bad, then tesy drove to see if what they said was accurate.

Spud

04 Rancher
04 F-150
00 KDX 220
01 Compaq Presario
02 Husqavarna Chainsaw
02 Ping Putter
01 Maxfli irons
82 Wayne Gretzky Rookie Card