I have had no problem with my belt drive. I've gone through water as deep as the bend in the fenders, and have never slipped a belt. Say I do get water in my clutch housing, I simply remove the plug, let the water drain, and be on my way. I'm not band bashing or anything, but Polaris has a great transimission, belt or not, I dont care what anybody says. Polaris belt drive trannys have proved themselves effective. I'm sure that the other brands with belt drives are good as well. I will say that I think that the auto tranny on Ranchers hurt them. They dont have the power a Rancher S or ES has, even thought they are aprox. 70 more cc. I just think you would be satisfied with a belt tranny. JMO. Good luck.

 

Belt trannys cause an even more significant drivetrain power loss than a mechanical cvt. If you dont believe me, take a look at some of the bigger atvs. Vinson especially comes to mind.

 

I have had mine for 2 months. I was at my local dealership today talking about trading it in on a 500 Vinson manual. My tranny on the Rancher had already given me grief. I went with Honda for reliability, I guess that was the good old days though.

They are tearing my motor apart on Monday, I will keep you posted on what broke.

Spud
2004 Rancher

 

Can't Honda just make a autoclutch manual foot shift option for all these autos they are coming out with?

 

Spudnick,

What went wrong with your quad? Just wondering if it was the tranny or the motor itself? I think you and I bought our bikes around the same time last year.

 

Hey Yoda,

Yes I remember we did buy at the same time. All that research, what a waste. Ummm, well I'm not really sure at this point what the problem is, clutch, tranny? Something let go when I was climbing a steep hill on Sunday, just about rolled over trying to save the bike..damn instinct.

The bike just slips out of gear when under load. I have been in touch with a guy that has a 2002 Rubicon, exactly the same issue. Goes great on the flats, jumps into neutral climbing the steep stuff. I just had it in for my 500 K service. Have an appointment on Monday at the shop, will keep you posted.

Talked with the manager at dealership and Honda Canada. Thinking of trading for a Vinson Manual, will cost me about $500 to $750. Will make a decsion when they tear it apart.

TTYS,

Spud

PS How is you Rancher doing? I really liked mine until this happened. I think it's an isolated case.

 

Found this on the Suzuki site. Are there any quads without problems?

2002 had a problem with the autos. They have a shift kit that needs to be installed. The problem is; it takes 11 hrs to do(per dealer) and at $74 an hr....OUCH!! I am having the same problem on my 02. the 03 works great, but they installed the kit on them. Try and find a dealer that will work with you on getting Suzuki to pay for it. That's what I am in the process of doing. Goood luck!

Doug

 

SPudnick,

My rancher is fine. I don't get to ride that much. Between work, two little boys, a puupy, and grass cutting, I never get out that much. I only have around 270 miles on mine. The engine is a little loud. Kinda like the valves tapping, but I think it is the tranny. The only problem I had was in the winter when I was plowing. I was plowing snow and working it pretty hard and it did not want to shift into reverse. I had to shut it off and restart it and it seemed to reset the computer.
I wish it had a little more low end.(just like everybody else) I had a choice to buy a Rubicon for $20 less than my AT. I wanted traxlock and wanted something a little smaller for manuevering through the wooods for hunting. I now wish I had the rubicon. But hey, if I had the rubicon, i would want the rincon. We are never happy with what we have. I can't complain to much, before this quad I had a 88 Quadsport.