the rancher is an awsome quad, very reliable, easy on gas, and tough as nails. i have an es and it works perfect, the trick is waterproofing all the connecters. take apart every connecter and put a generous amount of dielectrick grease in and put it back together. of all the guys i have talked to this will fix and prevent 99% of the problems on the es models. as for the digital dash both the foot version and the es have it, the only difference is it doesn't show what gear you are in on the foot shift model. you will not be disapointed with a rancher!

 

The ES model has the digital dash...the Canadian version of the S model has the digital dash but the American model does not.

 

The Ranchers main advantage is that it is a mid size machine. Just enough bigger than the Recon to carry a load or pull something, but not a hulking beast either! As a sport quad rider, I just cringe when I see one of those huge 600+ pound utility tanks. No thanks!!

I spent the weekend bashing snow drifts in the mountains, and a bigger machine would have been a DEFINITE DISADVANTAGE. The front diff is pretty good. BOTH front wheels pulled fine in the snow. It's not a locked diff, but then again it has more VERSATILITY. This is a great trail machine.

The machine is dead solid reliable. Have you considered the new Rancher 400??? I'm no fan of automatics, but I'm not a fan of ES either (simpler is usually better).

 

the rancher,wolv, and eiger all all good machines

 

Ill trade you my 02 2wd Rancher ES for your 96 shee, Iv had it for less than a year and it only has 200 miles on it, its on its third tank of gas and comes with a 3year extended warranty, Ill include some extras.

If not the 96, ill think about the 89

 

Well, I think someone is picking up my 96 This weekend, If it falls through i'll let you know, one guy is interested in the 89 but I dont think there is much hope there.... I was really looking for a 4x4, have any pictures of yours though ?? I'll post a pic of my 89 on here tonight, it's in mint condition, original plastics etc....

 

JEEPERS!, I was just sort of kidding, you would actually think about trading? that would be so cool. I have been trying to sell mine but would love to trade for a shee, Its in perfect condition, never been ridden recklessly, kept under 23mph, always taken to the dealer for routine maint., washed after every ride, NEVER seen water or mud and has only been ridden around the yard, the reason I want to sell it is because I would like to ride in my friends gravel pit, jumps and hills, but never wanted to hurt my baby[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img] you can send me a private message, or post on here with your e-mail address, and Ill send you as many pictures as you want [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] name the place you want and Ill take pictures for you.
If you get some good tires on it Im sure you can go through alot of mud, Im not sure if I want to have a 89 in trade for my rancher cause I paid 4800 for it and have had it for less than a year out of the box, but if its in good cond. ill think about it, how long will a 89 last if I take good care of it???

Thanks,

Mark

 

If you need a utility quad and money isn't an issue get the Honda Rincon. I just got mine a week ago and took it trail riding - what an awsome machine. I love the thing. Some people comment that the 4x4 isn't really a true 4x4 but it definitely came in handy on some steep rugged terrain that we crossed over. The only downside to the whole thing is that the maintenance on any of the newer quads is expensive. The Rincon requires a valve clearance check every service interval so that can add up. The initial 100 breakin checkup was $280 but they change all the fluids, check the valves, alignment, all the normal breakin stuff. I bought the 3 yr prepaid service contract so I just drop it off and sign, don't pay anything.
anyway, I am going to pick up the April issue of ATV sport that had the article on the Baja 1000 Rincon mods.