First, just wanted to say hi - I'm new to this site. I am about to purchase my first ATV - I've chosen the above new 2004 Rancher AT - I was wondering how everybody that has one, likes it? I am going to be doing some light riding for now - using it on a trapline - mostly open fields - some woods and not alot of water - occasional mud puddles I'm sure. In the summer - some trail riding near some reclaimed strip mine land down in Perry County. I looked at the Foreman - but it's just too big for my Toyota Tacoma to haul. The Rancher AT will just fit. I was attracted to the ability to select 2 or 4 wheel drive - a 400 engine and the instrument display.
I go to pick it up this Friday. Hope I made a good choice!!
Laters,

Don

 

bought a 400 at for the wife about 6 weeks ago . Great machine ! I had itp 589 's & c-series wheeels installed on it when I got it. The tires make it ride ROUGH ! Put the stock tires back on for easy riding & the 589s for serious trails...lol...the atv is very comfortable & easy to handle & has done everything we have asked it to do . She only rides in the fully auto mode but I've tried it on some serious hills & like the esp mode better for control ( seems to bog down before it shifts in auto )..

 

ive out a few hrs. on the rancher, i like it its fun to ride, doesnt seem to complain, and is light riding and you can throw the back around easy.. i love it its really fun.. and you made a good choice out of the 400cc class...ENJOY [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

Thanks for the replies - again being new - what does "throwing the back around" mean? Not that speed is everything - but how fast do the rancher at's go in 2wd and how fast in the 4wd mode? Those of you that have them - do you normally drive them in 2wd on trails and then switch to 4wd when it gets really steep or nasty terrain?
Thanks in advance!

Don

 

throwing the back around is pretty much that... i can get it to slide when i want to which is fun and helps sometimes, but i have noticed it will roll kinda easy but itsnt much of a problem.. as far as speed, ive gotten it up to about 50, but that wasnt toppin it off... so im noit sure.. and i like to be in 2wd.. it just seems like more fun plus it has lighter steering, and yea 4wd is good when the trail gets nasty.. you'll know when you need it, but if you know your comming up to a mucky part then put it in 4wd before you get to the bad stuff..
and having the ESP makes it even more fun, ive seen wheelies pulled on the AT, i havent done any, but you will love this bike.. it is major fun...and i would buy one except for the fact that i can get a Praire 700 for about as much as the rancher your getting... but you'll love it...
HAPPY TRAILS
-tim

 

Hey thanks Tim. It sounds like the machine that I want - Thought about bigger - but not with the Toyota Tacoma - and I can't afford a trailer or the hitch and all that right now either. Probably after gaining lots of confidence in my own abilities - I may have to try that throwing the back around trick.
Good luck with your 700!! They look awesome as well.