Ok I really would like to know which fourwheeler has the least problems. I kind of like the ES but I don't want to have problems with it because i'm not going to buy an extended warranty when I buy one. I have heard of the angle sensors going bad on them. Right now I can get a pretty good deal on an S model here in my state. What do you guys think.?I like them both just having a hard time decididng.

 

I guess it depends on which one you like better. I have never seen any threads about problems with the foot shift. There has been a few about the ES button shift. There are also a lot of people that haven't had a problem with the ES. Less is more to me.

 

If it were you I would stick with the S, less worries.

Even if it doesn't break, with an ES you'll always have a bit of worry on the back of your mind. When I ride I prefer not worrying about anything and just having fun.

Good Luck.

 

I thought all of Honda's ES models came with an emergency shifter in the tool pouch, and if theres a problem you just install it because the splined shift rod is still protruding from the crank case.

 

it is protruding, but the "petal" is more like a handle petal, it doesn't lock on it can fall of easily and is extremly close to the casing of the engine to shift it, only time i used it, was when i was stalling out in gear, the es hates that and alot of times won't go back to N i have had the same problem with the manual shift too, other then that i would take the es any day of the week over the pedal, and i have ridden both machines

 

I thought I had a major problem with my es, I was wrong. I just got it fixed around Thursday. it was weeks be4 then that it broke. I wasn’t gonna go take it to the dealer that charges 65 and hour. I worked on it and I worked. well it turns out a stick went through the wire(outer coating and one electrical wire) for the speed sensor. once the problem was found it took about 5 min to fix it.

 

S, stands for Simpler is Better. If there is a more reliable ATV than 450S, I am not aware of it. When the electrics in general or the shifter in particular glitch, the party is over with ES models. The little auxilliary foot shifter falls off the shaft and hides in the dirt, mud, water, snow, when you hit the first bump. Even duct tape can't fix it!

 

for me, i have never had a serious problem. 3,800 rough miles of perfect smooth shifts. this is no serious problems. the only problem i have had was last sunday we were using it to skid trees that fell last winter. i was towing a log that was definantly exceeding the towing rating, spining all 4 in 2nd gear, when i stoped the gear indicator was blinking. luckly i knew what to do, jsut turn the key off and back on, shift to neutral and restart it. i figure thats not too bad figuring what i've done to the machine. the only other problem i have had has nothing to do with the ES. If you ride like me you will always be switching in and out of 4, and once in a very great while the indicator will flash. also no biggie. jsut switch it again or stop or blip the throttle. all in all, i have had almost no problems, and absoutlely no serious problems. its also been a life saver when you have to shift when crossing a creek in the middle of no where with big chunks of ice floating down it. either way i'm sure that you will be happy.

 

Thanks for all the replys guys