I visited the local dealership this afternoon and rode both. I am new to ATVs and I thought the best bike for me would be the Rancher. But after checking out the Big Bear, now I am really leaning more that way. My use would be some light trail riding and a little bird hunting a few times a year. No speed demon here so that's not an issue.

 

My Rancher has been a superb little quad. Snappy throtle response, good handling and suspension, simple manual transmission (my preference), seems to be as bulletproof as all the other Hondas I have owned.

I don't know much about the BB. It has IRS I think??? People obsess about the Rancher only having 6.5" ground clearance...but it's just a number. Never held me back anywhere I ride, including lots of rock crawling (I don't ride mud however).