Looking to add a new ATV to the stable and wondered what you guys thought. I went to the dealer today and left a bit confused. ES. AT. Manual. 4x4. 2x4. Some with. Some without???
I own a Recon. My friend has a Rancher 2x4 We go just about everywhere. What would make one better than the other when money IS an issue. The Rancher 2x4, manual shift, seems to be the best value at $4,000. The Ricon... double the money.
Any thoughts? We have plenty of mud down here.

** Just purchased the Rancher! It's an 05 ES. $3,700 otd! How could I turn that down? This thing has nice ergonomics, too!
YEEEHAAWWWWWW! I'm getting muddy tonight for sure! (have to ride at night because thanks to county land purchases with taxpayers $$, we are now outlaws)**

 

How much can you spend?

The new Foreman 500 (475cc) looks good. I would buy a new 2005 Foreman before a Rincon.

The Foreman comes in 2 wheel drive, 4x4 foot shift and 4x4 ES.

Will you also be considering used models?

 

Is Honda pricing itself out of the market???

The 2X4 Rancher rocks! Got mine for the price of a Recon. If you don't need 4X4, why haul around the extra weight? The Foreman comes in 2X4 also, if you need more power. I need another 4X4, so my next purchase will probably be the Foreman.

I like sticking with the good old simple foot shift manual. No ES or autos for me.

 

ES is the way to go[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

Money always seems to be an issue with most of us. If you and your buddy ride for fun with utes, I would suggest getting a similar ATV like his. A rancher would be the middle of the road price machine and ride similar to his rancher. Advice on a post some time ago talked about having both machines similar in size. That posting talked about the advantage of allowing both of you to ride together without one having to wait on the other because of disparities between machines.

As far as shifting types, choose what you are most comfortable with. There are good arguements for manual, ES, or automatic. I choose ES because of the friends who do not have much experience in riding. An automatic would be better but again $$$$ is a factor for me. I can use the manual just as well but choose ES to make it easier for novices to ride with us.

 

** Purchased the Rancher! **
It's an 05 ES.
$3,700 otd! How could I turn that down?
Truth be told it is my friend that bought it for his family. I just helped with the purchase thanks to reviews I read here and questions asked here.
This thing has nice ergonomics, too!
YEEEHAAWWWWWW! It's getting muddy tonight for sure!
05 Rancher ES $3,700 otd! Best deal Honda has.
It is an awesome machine. It is like my Recon on steroids. It turns and handles great. It has plenty of power and speed. I only wish Honda would bring back the High/Low transmission. That would give them all power beyond belief!
Tonight she get's Christened!

 

Congrats, you wont be dissapointed. They are as tough as any other honda I've ever owned, and more fun than most too.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]