I was going to get a new ATV this weekend and I thinking about which one I should buy. I was wondering if you experts could help me out.

400EX - Pros/Cons? ... And is there really no reverse? Is there a way to get reverse?

And then for the Rancher series... Which one out of the Rancher bikes is the best? Fastest?
4X4/4X4 ES/ES... And I can't go over a $5,500 budget.

 

Give us some more info. What kind of riding are you going to do? Trails, snow/mud, technical stuff, desert, etc. ????? And, are you trying to decide BETWEEN these two machines? Or are you looking for one of each (you did say OR)? Because, they are very different machines, with very different applications!!!

 

I'm going to use it for Trails, Snow, Mud, and just racing against my friends in empty fields. And yes, i'm only buying one. I'm trying to decide which one is best. I need some help.

 

Even the best utility bikes, handle poorly compared to the sport machines. My rule is to never ride a utility anywhere I can ride a sport bike! My utility bikes (2 Ranchers) are just "go anywhere sport bikes". If the rocks are to big, or the streams are to deep, or there is snow, etc., then (but only then) I will chose a utility. You need to decide what your specific riding requirements are.

That said, the 400EX is a very rugged, capable machine, and will handle a variety of conditions. Handling is excellent!!! It has no reverse, but I have never missed it.

The Ranchers give the advantage of high ground clearance, racks, and the ability to handle more rugged terrain. The 2X4 Rancher, will do things you wouldn't think a 2wd could do, but the 2X4's fall short in the snow/mud (snow/mud aren't a big deal for me, here in the desert). But, the utilities are BIG AND HEAVY, compared to the sport bikes, so they just don't have the same feel.

 

And, the 400EX has a fully manual clutch, where the Rancher has an autoclutch. I prefer a manual for most situations, but an autoclutch is superior in slow, technical terrain. Personally, I would avoid the ES......just one more thing to go wrong! One of the magazines had 3 ES bikes fail on them. Check the posts. A lot of people have trouble with them, but then a lot of other people don't.

 

Thanks for the info... I'm leaning toward Sport since it sounds like you've used it a lot more and it works better than Utility. I also liked how my friends ATV handled manully compared to his automatic Atv... Just more fun in my opinion. But, do you know of a sport atv that actually has reverse? Where me and my friends ride, there's a lot of backing up involved while on some trails (getting lost/turning around in tight spots/etc..) and I would really feel more comforadble knowing I have a sport Atv with the feature of reverse also. Any ideas?

 

Suzuki sat around for years, without a sport bike in their lineup. Then, they did a bike that was basically a knockoff of the 400EX, with a more modern water cooled engine and reverse. Handling is excellent, and the feel is slightly lighter than the EX. It is the Z400, but it will cost you a little more than the EX.

However, the Z400 likes to rev, and it has a more pipey powerband than the EX. The EX can be lugged down and pulls better at low speed. So, I pick the EX for tight trail rides, and the Z for more open country. Sounds to me like you ride very tight trails???

 

Buyer Beware!

http://forums.atvconnection.com/mess...did/407817.cfm