I really like the ES model rancher. I just don't want to have any problems with it. I thought that I would ask you guys what yuo thought about the two.

 

The es has full floor bords and it is nicer in the winter when you need to get huge boots under the shifter and you dont have to worriy about haveing problems i have 1998 foreman 450 es and i havent had one problem yet i would get the es but thats just my 2 cents

 

Both the manual and the ES have full floor boards now started in 2004. They are nice to have. I bought an ES because 1. I can shift without my feet getting wet in deep water by lifting them. 2. They have a neat little display which I never use anymore and 3. I thought my wife would be able to drive it easier. I like it alot and have had no troubles so far at 400 miles. My friend has a manual and likes it because there is less stuff to break and he can shift if there is a problem with the battery. The motors and transmissions seems to be exactly the same so I might be able to buy a floor board from the 2004 manual shift and a shift lever and have the best of both worlds. It's all about what you prefer.

 

I think that is a good statement.

Going by what is written on these forums it would be the manuel shift model.

I would rather shift and not have to worry about the electrics. My first auto clutch by Honda was back in 1969 so I will continue to shift with it.

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I'm not telling you what to buy. But I will share with you what I have seen with the ES Ranchers in regards to what comes into the shop since they were released 4 years ago.

If you use yours for true utility use, you will likely not have any problems with it. If you use it for more recreational purposes and "hard" trail riding, the ES model does not have a reliability rating even close to the S model. It's not the same reoccuring problem either. The 450ES models have been great, but for whatever reason, Honda hose not to share one single part of the 350ES system with the proven 450ES system. Honda has been updated them since 2000. Nearly every electrical shifting piece is changed each year. You wouldn't believe the differences.....but they still have yet to make it as bullet proof as the 450ES.

 

I have a 450 es and it is bulet proof

AMEN

 

I bought a 2001 rancher fe new and beat it to death for 3 years. It has been rolled, dropped, buried, hit, and completely submerged for an extended period of time. I've never done anything to it but change the oil and clean the air filter and change the choke cable once. Never had a problem with the es, worked like a charm and kept my feet dry a few times.