EDIT: I decided that EFI is a requirement, so I am down to which Rancher.
Second EDIT: I have moved this to the Honda section. Please delete.



I had a 2007 Outlander 800 XT a while back, but circumstances had me sell it. Now I'm looking to buy another atv, hunting first, trail riding second and infrequent. I don't go riding looking for mud holes, but sometimes have to cross them. I don't think I ever HAD to use 4X4 but engaged it a few times out of convenience. Never used the winch. In fact I'm even debating if I even need 4X4. If the Rancher 4X2 had IRS I think my decision would be easier. The only other atvs I have owned were Honda and Polaris, and both experiences were positive. I live in south Louisiana, so it's flat and occasional swampyness.

My Can-Am experience for reference: Solid, reliable, way overpowered for what I used it for, but fun to ride. I didn't like the high engine rpms cruising at 25 mph, feeling top heavy, and not having a good dealership within an hour of home.

I would prefer to purchase new, as I plan this one to be a long term investment. My budget is, as most folks, as low as I can get it, while getting what I need. $5500-$6000 is about my limit.

1. If I go 4X4, my top 2 at the moment are the $4,300 Rancher 420 manual (SRA) and $5,300 Rancher 420 AT (IRS).
2. Am I crazy trying to save $1000 by going with a 2X4, and/or another $1000 for IRS on a Rancher? If I go SRA Rancher ($3,200 2X4, $4,300 4X4) I would get the manual shift.
3. Is power steering worth the extra $300?

Thanks for you help, especially from deer hunters.


Kendall

 

Kendall, first off, definitely invest the extra $1000 for 4x4 if you can afford it. Better to have it in case, than not.

If you don't need a ton of power but like 4x4 and IRS, you should take a look at the Sportsman 400 (the old Hawkeye). Its a little smaller than the 500.

Also, you should look into the Grizzly 550 and the Suzuki King Quad 450/500.

One nice things about Japanese quads is that they have the tube racks, which are easier to find generic hunting accessories for. But if you go Polaris w/ the composite racks, Polaris has one of, if not the best in-house accessories line-up. They'll fit perfect and probably be a little nicer and more integrated seeming, but will probably be more expensive than the generic accessories.

 

I forgot to ask, does power-steering interest you? If it does, look into the KQ 500, Sportsman 550XP, and the Grizz 550.

 

The Rancher engine is superb! I think the IRS model is probably worth the extra money. On the other hand, the 2wd Rancher is a real peach as well.

Several of my buddies have Sportsmans, and to me they look like a quad designed by some snowmobile guys who didn't really know what they were doing.......

 

lol, I was going to say.....cue reconranger's "Go Honda" post in 5....4....3....2....1....

 

The Polaris 500 Sportsman is a great quad and a staple in the Polaris lineup. If you want a workhorse it does not get any better than the Polaris Sportsman's due to weight IMO. If you want a better allarounder look at the Japanese quads as the all are pretty bulletproof units with allot less weight to throw around while riding at faster speeds! Whatever you do, do yoursef a favor and buy one with EFI you won't be dissapointed!

Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

I guess that is where my struggle is right now, is the value of 4X4 and IRS. I could almost buy a Rancher and a Recon for the price of the Rancher AT.

Where I hunt I don't think I need 4X4, but what if I start hunting somewhere else and might need it. Is a 2X4 and a winch just in case a reasonable compromise? Say I get a 4X4, then I start all over again with or without IRS... AAARRGGGG!

I have a really bad case of "Analysis Paralysis" right now!


: )

 

A 2wd with a winch will guarantee that you will not stay stuck. Winching out of a mudhole can be a pain but it sounds like this would rarely happen to you. 4wd is much easier to get through the rough stuff than winching out with a 2wd, but even 4wd can get stuck. If you ride alone in remote areas you need a winch.

If you ride with others, then you can base your requirements on what the other bikes are like. My current ATV (Outy) is the first one that I have had with a winch. I almost always ride with my brother and his bikes have always had a winch. For the few times that I rode my Eiger without any Aother ATV's with winches, I would strap a comealong to the front rack - just in case.

As for other features:

EFI is great. I'll never get another ATV without it.
IRS gives a much more comfortable ride. If you tend to come home sore after a ride, get IRS.
I haven't used power steering but can see where it would be nice. However, on a mid-sized bike like a 400 a steering damper could give you much of the safety benefits of PS - although not the easier steering.

My 2 cents worth.

 

The huge advantage of a 2wd is that it does not have all that extra hardware on the front end adding weight where it does the most harm. You throw a winch on up there, and you are defeating the advantage of the 2wd.

I packed a come-along winch for a while when I first started riding and didn't have much experience. Quickly learned that it was abolutely unnecessary. I can pick up and carry a Rancher out of anything it gets into...and more so with the 2wd model! This is where not being on a 700+ pound Outlander will be a huge huge advantage....

 

I don't have a clue about the cost of Artic Cat but I rode with a guy yesterday that had a 400 IRS and it really surprised me. He hung with my 700 Grizzly all day and I only had to pull him out once in really extreme conditions. I was impressed, and they are really good looking as well. Like I said though, I don't know about their durability and the like but it seemed like a nice machine to me. His was an 06 and according to him he hadn't spent any money on it at all.