i'm not dissing the Forman.......i tested one before i bought my Vinson. take a look at the Suzuki Vinson next time your out. you might be impressed.........quick coparison:

Vinson
-493 (actual cc)
-10.2:1 compression (more torque for towing, and pulling loads, better acceleration)
-low geared (1st is like a granny low) you can take off in second the majority of the time!
-rids kinda stiff (like a jacked up 1 ton 4x4 truck)

Forman
-473 (actual cc)
-8.9:1 compression (works harder to pull loads, moderate acceleration)
-geared higher than a vinson
-rides alittle smoother (more like a stock 1/2 ton truck)

i have nothing against the Forman, but the one guy that we ride with notices that he has to be in 1st to pull up hills, and i can normaly pull up them in 3rd or 2nd is the lowest gear needed!

i got my Vinson for $450 less than the honda dealer would go!

good luck with the purchase!

 

The Visions has a low range so its gear ratio surpasses the Foreman's super low 1st gear option easily. I cant,t imagine why a mid size or over Utility ATV would not have a low range,if Honda thinks a super low first gear is nice than imagine how nice a super low 1st,2nd and 3nd would be,that the options a low sub transmission offerers.

 

it took me a while to get used to the Vinson gears........when i could leave in 2nd, when to use first ect.......but now it's almost a reflex!

as for the low range, that was one thing i HAD to have! that's one of those things that it's better to have it, and not use it..........than to need it and not have it!!

i've used mine a few times to tow some stuff around the house......when you combine low range with 1st gear, that thing is torquie!! i've used it a couple times on the trails to clime sorry i ment creep up some pretty steep hills! i told my wife to lean forward and 2nd-LOW took us upthe hills with ease!

 

Really? What are the numbers?

 

honestly, i've been searching on google to try and find ATV trans/final drive ratios.........needless to say i've come up empty handed, rare on google, hahaha!

all i can tell you is that my Vinson aparently has apx a 3.75:1 rear axle ratio! the only reason i know that is i just had to try and find out! the drive shaft turns apx 3-3/4 turns to every one turn of the axle. i havn't got into the LOW range or what the gear ratio is threw each range and each gear...........but it woun't be long, it's already eating at me to find out!

it is geared low i know that, 6-7mph in 1st is wound up pretty high, LOW range and 1st is a serious crawl ratio, about 2-3mph wraped up. in LOW range i can start off in 3rd with me and my wife riding, and in 4th when it's just me! i don't use LOW all the time but it's nice to have the option!!

if there is a site with ratio's i'd like to find it!

 

These ratio's are out of my '06 Vinson 5 speed owners manual.

Primary Reduction Ratio-------2.032 (63/31)
Final Reduction Ratio----------4.080 (17/15 x 36/10)
Sub-Transmission,
High-------1.592 (43/27)
Low-------2.419 (22/23 x 43/17)
Gear Ratios,
Low---------------3.090 (34/11)
2nd----------------1.750 (28/16)
3rd----------------1.200 (24/20)
4th----------------0.875 (21/24)
Top----------------0.724 (21/29)
Reverse----------2.636 (29/11)

 

The Vinson is not an option. I am looking in the used market. Honda 01-04 models less than 3500.00 Will probably never tow anything. Mostly be used to trail ride in WVA on the Hatfield-McCoy trails.

I also want to buy a more common bike, since I need a pair for the Wife and I. Much easier to work on the same bike. Then having to learn about different brands then have different parts etc etc

 

If you want Honda I would look a a used 350 Rancher. My friend had a 350 Rancher and I had a 450 Honda Foreman and I enjoyed riding his Rancher alot more than my Foreman. The Rancher rode smoother turned easier and was even quicker.

 

for utility i like CTV, a Polaris sportsman will pull a house down. i don't care if it is fast or slow or quik to engage... its a UTILITY for Gods sake...... nobody expects a 18-wheeled semi to be a speed demon...


for sport quads i love shifting! i do hate the auto clutch tho... for me its either full auto or full man...


i can shift from 5th to 2nd in the blink of an eye if i need too, it all has to do with how skilled you are and how alert you stay! if your riding too fast for your ability, then yes a man trans will make it hard for you when you have to jam the brakes on to save your ***...

 

For mid sizes Utility ATV the only manuals I can think of are.

Suzuki 400 Eiger (comes in auto also)

Suzuki 500 Vinsion (comes in auto also)

Yamaha 400 Big Bear

Honda 420 Rancher

Honda 500 Foreman

Arctic Cat 400 (comes in Auto also)

Artic Cat 500 (comes in Auto also)

To type out all the Autos would give me typer's cramp, but it is ever other Utility ATV made thats not on the above list(not counting 250 2wds). For people who count out autos as a option they should know they just eliminated 90% of the Utility ATV market.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif[/img]