I'm looking to by a foreman S. Could anyone tell me any problems they have had and esspecially any disadvantages. Thanks

 

On my ES which is similar, the only complaints that I have are the three wheel drive, and the bad front brakes--same as all the other Honda's. Get a gearless diff lock and the disc brake conversion kit and you will have the most solid atv on the market.

 

sorry i'm a neabie but ive never been sure if the foreman is a full time 4 wheel drive or not. Is it?

 

stock...its not...more like a 3 1/2 wheel drive with the limited slip front diff....

 

the only thing I dont like about them is they seem under powerd to me. Maby it was just the one I was riding, the one I was riding was stock and gets beat on pretty hard

 

Up until 2002, (2002 being the first year) the Foreman 450 was a fulltime 4x4. From 2002 to date the Foreman 450 is a switchable 4x4. In 2002 Honda made a couple changes to the Foreman 450. They changed the shocks a little, made it switchable and I believe Honda made it so the tire with the traction gets more power instead of the one that is spinning. I have never had a problem with the 4x4 system and have never been stuck. (So far) My brakes work fine but I would like to have disc at least in the front. The main reason is because disc are easier to change. The idea of limited slip (as I understand it) is that all wheels are driving until you turn the wheels. This makes it easier to steer than true 4x4's. Look how many vehicles have limited slip on them. The Jeep CJ's and Wranglers are among the few vehicles with a true 4x4. I have read that eventually the rear bearings might wear out.

 

limited slip allows for the outter wheel to turn faster than the inner wheel...while turning.....when both front tires are in some goo....or offcamber situation...the tire that will spin with less force will be the one recieving engine power...while the other doesnt recieve power from the engine...

 

Actually your last statement is false.....the limited slip now uses a gear set instead of a clutch so the wheel with the most traction or most resistance gets the power...its a torque sensing diff. that they use in rally cars.

 

I Love my 2001 foreman, the only thing or problem is they seem to develope a tapping/rapping type noise in mid to top end of engine. been told it is from being over reved, possible valve guide, common, or push rods?? I haven't taken mine apart yet to find out? just something you mihgt wnat to listen for when buying it used.

 

I have a 1999 Foreman 450s and so far the only thing I have changed are the front and rear bearings and brakes and the battery. I would like to see Honda put disc brakes, front and rear. A friend has a 2003 model and he says mine seems to have a little more power compared to his (we both have 27" Mud Bugs"). I love mine and put it through the ringer during hunting season since I ride it to my duck blind in about 18" of water then it stays parked in the water for about 3-4 hours. I also use it for trail riding.