NH has lost most of its trails, so Riding is VERY limited. I have the chance to trade my 400ex in for a new 04 Rancher 4x4, do you think I'll be happy with this decision? I went from a Recon that I rode for 3 years and loved it, then to the 400. I'm just curious about the weight difference. I like mudding and we'll probably still be doing small hill climbs, nothing the Recon couldn't handle. I just liked the Speed of the 400 "When I could use it" and it got me everywhere very quickly. I was usually the *** in front. Will this be able to keep up with the larger Yammys and Polaris machines (my buddies don't ride red) because I don't miss being in the back of the pack like the recon. My wife and I just thought this would be the way to go because if more trails are shut down I can always just slap a plow on it for the driveway instead of letting the 400 sit like it has since springtime 03

 

You might end up towards the back depending on what your friends have. I think the 400AT has a top speed of around 52 mph (not sure) while your 400ex was around 65 mph. You will probably feel like part of you is missing for sometime. (the fun faster part) The 400AT will be easier to drive through more dense areas and you can do more things with it. The AT is going to weigh a lot heavier than the EX.

I really wanted a sport quad during my last purchase. I decided that a utility would be better for where I ride. It was nice to have the Foreman the other day when I needed to move my boat back into the driveway. I used to move it by hand and now I move it by Foreman.

It's a shame you couldn't just keep the 400ex for those times when you want to go faster.

 

I'd love to keep the 400, but I have to think about practicality if I only ride a few times for the year. There are not too many places left in NH where I can reach 65mph, especialy since the rated trail speed in NH is between 15 and 25mph. I can deal with a 50-55mph top speed as long as it doesn't take 10 minutes to get there

 

You also could consider the Wolverine! It's very fast for what it is but I am assuming you are brand loyal so the 400AT may be the ticket for you!

 

I'm not so much brand loyal its just I have to go with the brand that has broken down the least out of my buddy's. I remember years ago pulling out QuadZillas, Quad Runners, Mojavies and Yammies with my ancient 1983 185 Trike. Even last year we spent more time in the woods waiting for our friends Yamaha to fire back up than we did riding [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] Plus Financing makes up my mind for me, I tried getting Yammy Financing and couldn't get it but Honda apparently wanted my moula enough to take a risk. I'm on my 4th Honda machine without ever experiencing one problem. I'd love a Rincon or even a Forman but for the amount and type of riding I do I can't justify the money

 

Picked up the Rancher Friday night. Got Hosed big Time on the trade in for my 400ex though. I only got $3000 for it. They kept on Saying low trade of $2800 and High trade of $3300. They pulled all of the tricks in the book, the only one that was true was that the battery was dead. They tried deducting another $430 off the trade because they said the Valves were clanky, it needed new Rear brake pads and a full tune up cause it looked like I rode it HARD. That machine got 3 maybe 4 months total ride time since I got it. I had every piece of protection on tha tbike you could imagine. I was kinda ticked about the trade in valuse so I made them take off My new set of maxxis that were on it and put the flat stockers on [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] I figure the old man could use the nice rims and tires on his quad. So far I love the Rancher, I really havn't had a chance to ride it, our 1st big ride will be this weekend 3/14. This is my 1st 4x4 quad so it will be interesting, how have you all broken in your 4x4 machines? How soon should I have its oil changed after the 1st ride? I've been told 20 hours.