I was not real savvy when I bought my Rancher AT. Bought it for 5799.00 plus State Tax 7.5%, I paid 540.00 for extended warranty. Hope I never have to use the extended warranty. I figured first year for this bike and it should be protected.

I will know better next time. Another dealer is listing them in the paper for 5299.00 and extended warranty for 349.00. Live and Learn.

This is my first Quad. Love it though. My dealer wants around 150.00 for oil change and valve adjustment and they say they adjust all cables, brakes, check tranny, I have adjusted the brake levers. When they put it together one was nice and level with the handle bar and the one on the right hand side was much lower.

I do not have any trouble with it pulling left or right. I did notice in reverse it has 4wd. Someone earlier claimed their was no 4wd in reverse. I can attest to it having 4wd reverse. I had to switch it into 4wd and reverse to get it out of the snow piles.

 

Hey RancherAT400,

I paid $70.00 for my first service. They did everything you had talked about. You may want to show your dealer the add in the paper for the other dealer and see if they will cut you a break. If they want your business in the future they should be willing to work with you.
By the way, if you plow alot, which it seems you do, buy some Moose heated hand grips. What a difference it makes plowing with warm fingers. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

I bought the rancher 400at 5 month ago got 600 km and used some oil about 1 quart and I find the motor makes alot of noise has anyone else had this problem? I had the rancher 350 before and loved it.

 

I have about 600Km also. motor make a bit of valve noise, but this can be normal for a Honda. It does not pull either. Now if I could only get it back from the shop, that would be great. Based on my experience I will try and buy the extended warranty. I would not ever buy a new model again and should have baught the Rancher 450, but I wanted the auto tranny this one had. Like many have said it is really great.
Just check those swing arm bolts boys....

 

I talked to my salesman today, he sent me back to the service department. They charge 1.5 hours for valve adjustment that is 96.00, they get 20 dollars for oil change plus parts. If fluids have to be added, I imagine brake fluid, that is extra.

They say they check alignment, brakes, cables and any adjustments for the 96.00. I know they are in a very expensive building, just bought it brand new one year ago. I will sure try to get them to come down.

Yoda I just wear a pair of non insulated leather gloves. My hands never get cold. I am an old fart 52. I wear tennis shoes and one pair of socks. Feet stay warm. I have on a pair of jeans, sweat pants over jeans, a sweat shirt and a jacket and face mask.

I put on 18 miles on her yesterday, most plowing of sidewalks and driveways. When you guys talk about swing arms, what are they and where are they. I am not a mechanic, but can check the bolts myself. Hope you all get yours fixed and up to par or better.

 

The swing arm is a strait rear axle on your honda.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

I would of replied sooner but I couldn't find my password - lol - I bought my rancher AT in November and used it for trapping - I haven't had any trouble with it yet. I have about 17 hours on it and not sure how many miles - maybe a little over 60 miles. It sure has been a back saver for hauling out beaver and trapping gear. I've had it in 4wd a few times and that seems to work flawlessly. I mostly ran it in 2wd - varying speeds , nothing over 35 mph - This is my first quad and it's a little odd going that fast on something with that short a wheelbase - like a big riding lawnmower only faster!! I'll probably take it in at 20 hours to get serviced - but the dealer said 30 hours when I bought it and also when I called to say I had close to 20 hours. I was quoted about 180.00 for the oil change and valve adjustment if a valve adjustment is needed. Saving my pennies up for that. Seems kind steep - but I don't know the first thing about quads or adjustments of anykind. I will also buy the extended warranty as well, as recommended by the dealer - he said on anything new model/first year out - it's better safe than sorry.
I really do enjoy the rancher AT - just been too dang cold to ride it!! Will be glad when spring arrives and I can take it to the strip mine pits.
later,

Don

 

Hi. Regarding your problems, here's my input for what it's worth. I don't think you can count the cut wires that disabled the shifting as a "new model" problem. That's just wear and tear like a CV boot that gets torn by a branch, or a CDI wire that gets cut by a branch and causes the ignition to stop firing. (saw this on an 86 TRX 350 today) It can happen on any machine at any time. Chalk this one up to bad luck. As for the swingarm problem, if I understand your post correctly, I would assume that one of the swingarm bolts came loose and caused the whole rear end to basically pull away from the frame, bending and breaking everything in sight in the process. This one is definately Honda's fault. I would assume that the right side of the swingarm was the culprit. This side has the swingarm bolt basically just snugged down, and the lock nut which is threaded onto it, is tightened to a very high torque. I think maybe the person who assembled your ATV either forgot, or didn't tighten this locknut down enough, and the swingarm bolt (not having anything to hold it there) just worked its way out. I wouldn't call this one a "new model" problem either, as Honda has used this exact setup for many years and very rarely do you see a problem with these bolts coming out. Again, this one is certainly Honda's fault, but don't worry about it happening again. I have a fair amount of seat time on both the Rancher AT (Fourtrax AT in Canada) and Rancher 350 (Fourtrax 350 in Canada) and can say that if I had to choose between these two models tomorrow, it would be the AT hands down. That transmission is absolutely silky smooth, and puts this machine in a class all its own.

Sullivad, I can relate to you not being satisfied with your machine's reliablilty to this point and wishing you had bought something else. Please don't let these isolated incidents take away from your enjoyment of this great ATV. Things will get better, I promise.

 

I have 2 04 400 at ranchers with about 175 miles on both. My wife and I had no problems at all.

 

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