I need some advice about a new ATV purchase and would appreciate any help. I'm looking to either get a Honda Rancher 350 manual shift w/Warn 424 Select or a 2005 Honda Rancher AT 400. When answering these questions, keep in mind that I will always keep the stock size tires on it and will be doing very little mud riding. Also, by the time I add the Warn 424 and maybe sometype of speedometer I'll only be a few hundred dollars off from the Rancher AT. What I need to know is the following:

1.) Which would you prefer to own and why?

2.) Does the AT in ESP Mode "1st Gear" have more or less power than the 350 in 1st gear...for tree pulling, etc..?

3.) Is the AT as reliable as the 350's?

4.) Does the transmission need time to warm up before it will work properly?...Because I know of a Rincon that is unable to pull itself up a hill for the first 15-20mins of riding no matter what the outside temperature is.

The reason I ask these questions is because my brother has a 2001 Rubicon that will spin the tires in mud until you let off the throttle, but will not turn them again no matter how much throttle you give it and his is all stock. I have also seen it be unable to spin the tires while trying to drive up a creek bank and get into a bind. FYI, this was in normal Auto Drive mode. This to me is a fairly big issue since I've never had any problem spinning my tires on my old 1988 Honda 300 2x4 under any condition when in the proper gear.

Thanks!

 

i would rather have the rancher AT because it does ahve more power than the 350 rancher and because you can switch 2wd to 4wd. i also like the option of choosing auto or ESP. get the racnher AT.

 

I do not have any experience with the AT but can tell you that our 350 ES is nimble, agile and works flawlessly. We were thinking about getting the Warn 242 but really do not have a need for it in our applications, trail riding and hunting.

 

I have a 2002 Rancher es and have had no problems so far.1st gear is low enough that it will spin the tires on pavement pulling my utility trailer fully loaded.Just recently put the 424 on it and what a difference,totally different bike.I have heard that the AT wasn't geared low enough for some but it is a Honda so it still should be a good machine.

 

02 es with 424, different machine with the 424, the es comes with a speedo, and if u do the 424 yourself, its like 230, both machines are prolly perfect for you

 

I forgot to ask this in the original post, but does the transmission need time to warm up before it will work properly?...Because I know of a Rincon that is unable to pull itself up a hill for the first 15-20mins of riding no matter what the outside temperature is.

 

Just wanted to let you know my opinion on the rancher, I have had both the ES and now have the AT. The ES has more pep than the AT
but the transmission is alot more smooth. that said the power is about the same but in a different way. I liked the ES for its off the line
speed but the AT is a much better ride and you can switch from es to auto very easy. I haven't had any problems with either models.
The transmission on the AT will work fine at start up but doesn't have the wheel spin torque your looking for, but it's a very good machine. Only thing a wish it had was a softer seat. Hope this helps.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/img]

 

Little Bill, framer,

What types of differences did you notice with the installation fo the 424? Acceleration, top speed, maneuvering?

Is the installation straightforward and simple? How long did it take you?

Thanks in advance for the info.

 

Little better acceleration, ALOT easyier to steer. I took my and my father about 3 hrs. I thought installing my moose handwarmers was a bigger pain than to install the 424. If you get the 424 you will definatly think its a new machine and will not regret it.

 

Like CBR310 said it is much easier to steer.I've found that it turns a little tighter with the 424 installed.Relatively simple to do and well worth it,makes it feel like a sport quad.

Framer