I've been thinking about selling my 97 Foreman 400 and getting a new machine. the 400 has been a good machine, just itchin for a new one. My Foreman is paid for, is in good condition ( Original tires have about 3/4 of the tread left, never tipped over, few scratches, no dings, tears or cracks.) It has a warn 2000 winch, heated grips and throttle and a cycle country plow. I like the weight of the Rancher and the new front differential sounds promising. I like the idea of 450 cc's on the Foreman. Can anyone recommend one machine over the other ? Should I just keep the 400 and be satisfied ? Any rough ideas as to what my 400 might be worth if I do decide to sale ?

 

Get the Rancher. Its a better machine overall. The rancher will go through more mud because it has about 2 inches more ground clearance, its faster, sportier, and weighs less and cheaper too. Go for the rancher you won't regret it.

2000 Recon
Great Quad, No Problems yet

 

I am partial to the Rancher.

To me the 450 front end seemed heavy or hard to steer compared to the Rancher. The 450 will have more low end power, both quads top out around 50-51mph. Up here in the NorthWest they are making some really good deals on the 450, sales are slow since the Rancher came out.

Drive them both, & see which one fits you better.

 

I have a friend that has a 450 ES and he uses it in his business....he's in the woods, fields, marshy areas alot! When he rode my Rancher ES he stated that it has plenty of power, handled and turned easier and just overall was an easier bike to ride than his own 450 ES. If the Rancher was available when he bought the 450, he would have bought the Rancher, he said.
My advice is to ride both... one right after another on the same day if possible.
Oh, and BELIEVE what you hear about the new Honda front differential. IT WORKS!

Lablover
Rancher ES green
AP stick guards

 

i bought a rancher in late march and just bought a new 450 es today. i rode the 450 es alot today and can say that i don't think it steers any heavier than the rancher. i think there both great machines. the 450 has a little more power but it should. the rancher is lighter and is also a great machine with it's own share of power. which ever you go with, you want be dissapointed. best of luck.

 

i recently sold a 400 foreman, it was a 96 model with winch and pretty clean. i got $3950 and it was to the second guy who looked at it. you might do a little better but that should be close. as far as choice if i were going for a 450 i would just keep my 400 you have pretty close to the same bike with the exception of the es shift and i don't think that would be worth the $2200 differance. on the other hand the rancher with the new frontend plus es and a differance of around $1000 might be more tempting. if you got a 2x4 it might be close to even money. i hve owned a 450es and it felt like a tank to me, especially when compared to my rancher.

 

I have just recently gotten my 450ES, and love it. I can't offer an opinion between the two though, as I haven't had a chance to ride the Rancher. I looked at the price (they wanted full sticker for the Rancher at 5399, versus the Foreman out the door for only 5900.00)and decided to go with the foreman. It was also alot harder to come by the Rancher at the time. With some of the add ons I plan on, tires, lift, etc., the added power will be nice. I love mine. Just my two cents worth. Either way with a Honda = winner.

 

Aredneck makes a good point. There are many extras out there for the 450 such as K&N, pipes, skid plates, etc. Extras for the Rancher are just now coming out. Many Rancher owners are waiting for K&N to get off their butt & make a filter for us.