AFAIK the original Sportsman 400 and 500 had the same system as now. I think the 500 came out in '95 or '96 and the 400 is older than the 500.

 

I backed off of my 4x4 "requirement" - don't know why I thought I needed it for my first quad... Anyway, I found what I thought was a good deal on an 05 Rancher 350 ES 2WD. About 30 seconds into my test ride I knew I was gonna buy it. PLENTY of punch for what I wanted, and the electronic shift (if it holds up) is even more what I wanted than a foot shift.
I test rode an automatic Polaris Sportsman 400 - plenty fast/strong, but this one looked pretty rough... And an automatic Eiger 400 - also pretty strong and looked really good... But when I started riding the rancher I couldn't stop grinning and didn't want to get off... Now given, the test ride was just on a dirt road, but still. I think it's all I need for now.

 

Congrats on the new quad.

 

I currently ave two 07 yamaha wolverine 450's and they feel sporty but still have 4x4. Its really a blast to ride and the rear swing arm makes it feel more sporty than the ones with IRS because it drifts out more than one with IRs (expecially in 2 wheel drive.) I think 2,999 is high of an 01.

 

How's that? Link please. ATV Comparison - Budget 4x4 ATVs Reviewed.
Without hp or low range or diff lock or IRS your left behind.

Rancher is a ok ATV but not a leader , just like my 350 Grizzly will never be.

 

Did you LOL like I did TLC?

 

Rancher 420 is the top selling atv in its class, is it not? They let you choose what you want in a atv. Solid/irs , auto/esp/foot shift, power steering, by far the nicest looking bike in the class. Look at the AT. Dual clutch 5 speed push button or auto option. Like any honda, super reliable. The 420 engine is as powerful as anything in its class. What other company puts as much work into their mid bore class?

I see you posted another review from your website TLC . You believe that any atv company would send free bikes to a company that cheap and pathetic? They don't even post pics of them riding these bikes lol

 

The 96 Sportsman 400 4x4 has something called the Demand4Drive,
which seems to be an all-mechanical unit utilizing chains and a brake.
That's from the parts diagram. It seems the LSD clutches are in each
wheel hub, too. Different.

Anyone been inside that system?

 

No, its a OHV and rated at 26hp, the 400 Outlander is 30hp, the 450KQ is 35hp and the Sportsman 400H.O is 32hp.

As long as Honda wants to be the odd man out and sticks with the OHV on their "Utility ATVs" they will always be at the bottom in the hp per cc ratings.

OHV only allows 2 valves per cylinder and has a slow valve response time (RPM) . A lot of newer ATVs are moving to DOHC from SOHC and Honda is not even making the jump to SOHC multy value heads. http://mechanics.stackexchange.com/q...ed-horse-power
Its why a Rincon 680cc big bore only makes 38hp. Yet a 400ex OHC makes 34hp.
Don,t shoot the messenger. LOL

 

I forgot that Crank HP is the most important thing in a utility mid bore . You forget that the rancher is lighter than its competiton? That along with its 5 speed transmission gives it a better power to weight ratio then most atv in its class. Like you said, maybe the power drain from a cvt is hardly noticed in a 800-1000 twin but in a 400cc with 30hp , not so much.
You must not care much about the quality of the build. That's fine, but reliability is more important than flat out acceleration to 90% of the buyers in this class. Bottom line, the rancher sells more than any other bike in the class because it's a proven design that keeps getting small improvements . Also, have you actually seen a 400cc class drag? The honda will be in the middle of the pack from a speed aspect and you don't have to worry about a whining belt burning up just because you went over a log in high gear. That's not quality, just cheaper to build.