Ok heres the deal im looking for new quad as you can tell its between the Bruin and the Rancher. I own a 98 recon and that thing is put through 15 times more than its spost to be so i have a pretty good idea of hondas durability and reliability, but the Bruin has so many more things over the rancher such as 20 more cc's, liquid cooling system, 2 and 4 wheel drive selection, auto(which im really not to fond of but i can live with it), more suspension travel front and rear, adjustable suspension, disk brakes up front, better turning radius, and more ground clearance, but im not sure about how tough yamahas are. CAN ANYONE HELP ME???????????

 

i too have a recon and i totally agree with you. anyways i would suggest the new rancher 400at. theyre truely honda reliable. the only thing i would be worried about is that the 400 is a first year bike.other than that if i had the money to get one id pick one up right now

 

The Rancher has a 8.5' turn radius in 2x4 model. The Bruin is 9.5'.
The high ground clearance makes it rather tippy. The Rancher is not
at all tippy. I ride mine around tight curves on three wheels lots.
The Rancher out-handles and out-manuevers the Bruin by quite a
degree.

However, dollar for dollar the Bruin is a better deal. A freind has one
and it is a very nice quad. More powerful engine and higher top
speed, but a tad slower in acceleration, maybe from belt slippage.
I can beat him by about 1.5-2 quad lengths in 200 feet, but he catches
up at the 300 foot mark.
But a lot more features for the money than the Rancher, but then that
is why Yamaha made it, to compete with and hopefully outsell the Rancher.
(not likely though)

If they made it with a geared trany
I might well have one myself, but I would
have to lower it a bit. LOL

 

I just looked at the rancher 400 and it about a grand more than i want to spend. Even the bruin is pushing it.

 

Also about the turn radius im going by the 4x4 rancher i want a 4 wheel drive for my next machine

 

thebruin does not have liquid cooling. more suspension travel is just a cop out for not having "quality" suspension tavel if you will. the belt auto tranny is unreliable , especially compared to a manual tanny. the disc brakes arent sealed on the bruin so in time will wear out and fade fater than the triple sealed drums. the rancher has better turning in 4 wheel drive

 

More suspension travel is not a cop out for inferior suspension. More travel = better ride at greater speed.
The Auto tranny is VERY reliable, simple and puts the most power to the ground that is afforded by the engine. There simply is a no more effecient tranny. This is why you do Not see Polaris 700 5 speeds, or prarie 700 5 speeds. The Auto tranny handles abuse VERY well, look at the 150 hp snowmobiles in production.
One of the top complaints of any of the Honda utes is the drum brakes that leak, leak, leak.
look it up.
The rancher has a VERY low first gear that affords it a great pulling capacity for its size.
Either one is a good and reliable ride that should bring years of enjoyment.

Ron
04 Sportsman 400

 

when i first bought my recon (used) the front brakes didnt work it turned out that they were out of adjustment and the rear ive never had a problem with.

 

On my recon i barely ever use the brakes i just downshift

 

i would look at an 03 rancher es for the money it was a no brainer i paid 4400$ for my rancher and when the bruin was next to it the rancher was by far a better deal for me 4999$for the bruin