Bill,
I'm going to answer your question about what I like better about my Rubicon. I know there will some smart--- out there who will have something wise to say. Just to let you know, I am addressing Bill not you.
First of all I own a 1988 Foreman 350 and have had absolutely no problems with it, so Honda quality and reliability is one reason. This is a 12 year old machine and still running strong. I will tell you this, I did buy a 42 month warranty on my Rubicon just because it is a new machine that has not been proven. This is the cautious side of me. I like the straight axle over the IRS for the kind of riding I do. I constantly carry heavy loads on the atv as well as pull heavy loads over rutted terrain as well as mud(when it rains). The IRS gives a plush ride over this terrain,but I don't like the way the IRS gives under heavy loads decreasing ground clearance. The Rubicon pretty much stays the same. The ride of the Rubicon is very good for a straight axle machine. For my type of riding the 2wheel-4wheel drive feature is no big deal. So this was not a factor in buying the Rubicon. I am also maticulus when it comes to the machines I own. I keep them in as good shape as I can considering my work schedule. I did not like the 25 zerks on the Polaris that had to be greased. I also broke one off while riding one day. Also, performing maintenance on the Rubicon will be more convenient. It is easier to get to get to the necessary locations to perform fluid changes on the Rubicon. The maintenance is a matter of time for me as much as anything else. After riding the Rubicon I felt it steered easier than the SP500.
I also felt throttle response was better, both on flat ground and going over obsticles. There is no hesitation at all. I also noticed on my SP500, that when I put on breaks hard the front end would dive with me. The Rubicon will not. I also like the fact that when descending a steep hill all 4 wheels will break on the Rubicon, they will not on the SP500 causing the rear end to have a tendancy to slide around. I know that with proper riding this can be overcome. Having ridden both, I feel that the Rubicon is more stable in off-cambered riding situations. I could care less which one will out run the other since speed is not that important to me. I will admit that the main reason I bought the Rubicon initially is because of Honda's reputation for reliability and toughness.
I hope I have answered your question.
As I stated earlier, I am adressing Bill. Any bashing or smart--- comments are not welcomed and will not be addressed.
Thanks Bill, for a perfectly legitimate question.
Have a good day.

 

Rugione,
I respect your answer to my question.I also thank you for a civilized response as well.

I really try to ride all the differant quads that I can get my butt on.I enjoy making my own little personal evaluation [for whatever it's worth]and not depending on everything we see and read in the ATV books ect.I have to admit,I cant wait to ride the new Rubicon.Thank you,===Bill

 

I rode with a guy that has a Honda Rancher this weekend at Fun Wheeler. His works basically like any other limited slip. He says it has never worked as advertised. He wasn't really disappointed though. He says he is real hard on it and has had no problems other than brakes.

I do beleive they steer lighter than my SP500. I watched several other Ranchers also, they all worked the same. The Ranchers did do well in the mud race. With the exception of the SP500s, they were the best.

Don't get all worked up and bash me, I am just passing on what I saw.

PS I did see a Rancher on sunday being towed back with what we thought was a broken rear u-joint. It could have been the rear differential though. It happens to all of us occasionally.


Greg

 

IT WORKS.Whats real cool about it is going up a real step mud trail with a lot of trees you have to manover around.The out side wheel in the turn pulls you right around the trees.Try that with a positive lock front end. GOOD LUCK

loving the N.Y.mud

 

Try going up something really steep that is slick with water running on it with leaves all over it and when that limited slip starts slipping and you start pumping the brake which is a great thing to do when you are going up something so steep a goat would have trouble climbing it and turning your wheels on a path barely big enough to get your atv on it and then you start slideing backwards I will go to the top on my sportsman and winch you up or throw you a line...I just couldn't resist this one fellows and yes I have both machines one with limited slip being the AC and the other the Sportsman. Never the less seems like they are more people having trouble with the Rancher front end than people who bought it for what it is suppose to be...

 

man i wish i could get you on some of my trails!

 

Hmmmm.

Going up a steep hill with leaves covering the ground. That sounds like fun.

I would love to get you up here on some of the hills with rocks & see just how good the "true" 4wd really is. Correct if I am wrong but the "true" 4wd doesn't engage unless the rear wheel spins a little. Now that is exciting going up or down a hill NOT knowing if my 4WD is engaged!

I might give you that the Polaris is a better mudder, due only to the ground clearance. The IRS suspension dips down an inch or two when you sit on it. So what is the real ground clearance? I am asking, I don't know. Do not tell me it doesn't dip down when you put a 200 pound rider with an additional 100 pounds of "equipment" on the back. A solid axle machine will dip down a little but not much.

food for thought.

 

if you don't own a rancher, or have spent alot of time riding one.....how do you know if the diff. is working correctly?????

IT WORKS!!!!!!! IF YOURS DOESN'T, YOU EITHER HAVEN'T READ YOU MANUAL OR IT'S BROKEN!!!!!11

 

atving, one thing that makes me pi**ed off about you is that your allways bashing things that you prob. have never even riden, your just saying you have because you are stuck in the dark rut of thinking "Polaris is the better quad" my friend just bought one of those Polaris things, 335.. (Pfft) 5 days ago and when I went over his house yesterday to try it out it wasnt at his house.. Why??? Because they had to BRING IT BACK TO THE DEALER WITH A BENT AXLE!! thats what happens when you take it on big pointy rocks with an exposed axle like that.. Cheap craftsmanship! I took my rancher on it and went over them nice, didnt even hit.. I just love that 10" of ground clearence. He told me when he sat on that thing' he lost like 4 inches of shock play.. You call that a good suspension?
Please.. I would take that off a jump and bash the things flat.
I will stick with my rancher, thanks anyway... Ha!

 

Oh yeah atving... Another thing, just a little tip that i hate to see when people wright..

DROP THE E AND ADD ING...
slide=sliding
ride=riding
hide=hiding
drive=driving
Thanks, just a little lesson.. I know.. Ahh I cant say it. Dont want to start a brawl'

Keep R*I*D*I*N*G hard.