Hey, I just started really getting into ATV's. I have always wanted one but now I am really getting serious about getting one. I want an all-around good ATV. I will be using it mainly for recreation riding and some moderate utility around the house. The main ATV I have been considering so far by reading and comparing specs, and of course looks, is the Honda Foreman 400 or 400 S. What are the difference between these two? What other brands are comparable? How much do they usually go for? Has anyone ever owned or rode one of these? And one very simple question because I'm new to ATV's, are these ATV's manual or automatic and if they are automatic, isn't there a special way to accelerate on all ATV's? I know these are a lot of questions but its because I'm new. I just want some strait forward comments please. Thanks guys.

 

You won't regret buying the Rancher . I have owned alot of bikes and so far I would say the Rancher has been the best so far . If you are going to buy a used bike I would recommend the 300 4 x 4 Honda Fourtrax . I have had 6 of these in the past and they never gave me any problems . Right now I own a 450s and my wife has a Rancher ES . When I trade my 450s in I will replace it with a Rancher .
AS far as price the 450 is about $1,000. more than the Rancher . I live in Canada and up here we pay about $1,000. to $1,500 more for our bikes than you do in the US .
For example I paid $8,300 for my 450s all taxes included .
You won't go wrong with the Rancher but you will have to decide whether you want to shift with your foot or your thumb .
If you want to drive in snow or mud I would deffinetly buy a 4 x 4 .

 

There are a few things you need to take into concideration.Ask yourself?Do I want auto trans or do I want to shift?Do I want 4x4 or 2wd?I have been ATVing since 1984 [new 3 wheeler] and I presently own the Auto trans 4x4 Polaris Sportsman.I think after owning the auto trans,that I'll probably never go back to shifting again.But that is all personal preferance.If you can afford 4x4,I'd spend the extra $$ for it.There are tons of very nice quads out there,but I need to know if you want auto trans and 4x4 before giving you any Ideas on quad selections.Are you completely stuck on buying just a Honda or do other manufactures come into play to?The new Rubicon certainly comes into mind.====BILL

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DG,Im glad you said ''just my two cents worth'' ,because thats the exact worth of a post like yours.He ask for something to use around the house for moderate utility and recreation, you suggest a 300ex.Your inexperience at ATVing really shows.You stated that a 3wd Honda is not much better than a 2wd.How incorrect you are.In fact,there is NO conparing the two.It's obvious your stuck on your 300ex.Thats perfectly fine.But your post offers NO help to someone who wants utility.Why suggest something that will be of little value to him just because it is your personal prize?====BILL

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that is a very good point Bill
guy your best way to go would be either with a sportsman 500 or honda 450s or es...depends if u want to shift(like bill said)and how deep your pocket is
Another thing to consider is the very plush suspension on the sportsman and better 4wd and disc brakes
Also....has anyone heard of the Sportsman 625cc????someone was talkin about it over in the high lifter forums!!