Well, I just went over the lunch hour and bought a Rancher...had to be the ESP since the floor shift model doesn't come with an odometer/speedometer display. So no big deal...I will have to put some of that stuff (can't remember what someone called it) to seal it up from water. What was that called and could someone steer me to how to do that please...thanks. And a huge thanks to all that helped me decide to go the way I did...I couldn't of, or better yet, wouldn't have made my decision without you guys...so thanks so much. You saved me a lot of time and money. Hopefully I can be around enough to pay back someone else on here that needs some help.

Thanks again,

 

Hey no worries, congrats on the purchase. At least that model comes with the dash. Now you can share your experiences with it and if its not worth the money lol (esp).

-Krait

 

One bad point to consider here: It sounds like you are planning on trading out normal vehicle usage with your new quad. Even if your truck gets 15 MPG and the new quad averages 30, it's going to be difficult to run the ATV at a cheaper price per mile due to the much higher routine maintainence needed for the ATV. Tires wear out in a few thousand miles, especially on roads, oil and brake changes are much more frequent. The maintainence will not kill you, but you need to consider those extra costs if your main modavation is to save $$$$ while driving to town.

As for convincing the wife, the best thing to do is to start weaving keywords into your everyday conversations. Drop a few references to being "middle aged" or the other "M" word (mistress) and pretty soon she'll be recommending that you get an ATV so you can have a new hobby.

Jaybee

 

Hey Coach, what the heck ever happened to:

Ability to ride two comfortabley?
It's illegal to ride double on a one-person ATV everywhere in the U.S. and Canada that I know of.

Storage? It doesn't have the built-in storage of a Sportsman.

Power? My Sportsman 500 EFI has almost the same horsepower as a Rincon 680, so the little Rancher 420 can't even be in the same category as a 500. It must be like the power of a Polaris 330.

Cost? Two ATVs to ride both of you will cost a lot more than a Sportsman Touring or X2.

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Gas mileage? I'll concede that one. It should be better, but I don't know how 400s are with us big guys on them.

Out of your original 5 priorities I think you met 1 out of 5, the gas mileage.

 

I've got a Foreman TRX500FM and get an easy 25mpg+, mostly wood trails but some logging roads. I must admit I don't raunch it much but I'm no slowpoke.

 

I think the Rancher was a great choice. I have one and ride 2-up all the time with my girl. Just put a rear seat on and your got a lot of storage and ability to ride 2-up. The power is plenty for riding 2-up. The machine is really great on gas as well. It is also fairly cheap. You get a big bang for the buck with this machine. Very reliable as well. the reviews are really great as well. Wise choice.

 

Capita,

Is riding 2-up on a 1-person quad legal where you are? It's a big $$ ticket every time you get caught in most states. The last person I talked to had to pay $100 and one person had to get off and walk. It they got back on it was another $100. That would suck if you're 50 miles from a trailhead and they tell you get off and walk.

 

No it is not legal here but its not really enforced as of yet anyways. Enforcement are really picky on road use and helmets for now. Once they get picky I'll just go buy another Honda for my girl. I love the machine. I can't say enough good about the Rancher

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: jumbofrank

Hey Coach, what the heck ever happened to:



Ability to ride two comfortabley?

It's illegal to ride double on a one-person ATV everywhere in the U.S. and Canada that I know of.



Storage? It doesn't have the built-in storage of a Sportsman.



Power? My Sportsman 500 EFI has almost the same horsepower as a Rincon 680, so the little Rancher 420 can't even be in the same category as a 500. It must be like the power of a Polaris 330.



Cost? Two ATVs to ride both of you will cost a lot more than a Sportsman Touring or X2.



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Gas mileage? I'll concede that one. It should be better, but I don't know how 400s are with us big guys on them.



Out of your original 5 priorities I think you met 1 out of 5, the gas mileage.</end quote></div>

Good questions...first of all the Rancer handles my wife and I quite well. If it is illegal here no one gets pulled over for it. I do it and many others here do it...apparently our officers don't enforce it if it is illegal.

Second, I put a seat with storage on the quad so that takes care of one and two.

Third, the power is plenty for me and my wife. Especially for the work it is doing for us.

Fourth, the cost of the Rancher was ideal in the end. It truly is paying for itself already.

Lastly, I just filled up my tank for the first time. 28 mpg, 7 hrs riding...perfect!

In conclusion, I met all five of my priorities and most importantly is the sixth one...I am happy with it!

 

If people think ATV use gas don't ever get into snowmobiling LOL.

I do this 100 mile loop trail on my 500 sled and 500 ATV ,the sled needs 7-8 gallons of gas to do it while the ATV needs just 4-5 gallons.