Everything works fine but at 16 mph in 3rd and at the same rpm in other gears there is a harmonic howl. A change of speed up or down of 2 mph and it goes away. It just started when the weather got cool up here in MN. I have about 500 miles on the bike. All the fluids are full and again everything runs just fine. Thought I might get some help from fellow Rancher Owners before I go hunting in the back country. Thanks.........

 

My rancher does that when i shift from 4th into 5th and it starts accelerating, there was a similar post about the whistle on here before and it is normal..

have fun!

 

Mine does the same thing I am convinced its normal.

 

Well the louder than normal Howl or Whine turned out to be a full skid plate that was getting a little loose after a few stump and rock encounters. A few turns of the wrench on all the bolts and wala.... no more harmonic noise. It was reverberating off at a certain RPM on the engine, because it is a full skid plate it kicks all the noise up at the driver. My wife has a Sportsman 335 and this was looking like all those lectures about Honda reliability were going to come home in SPADES....... Well thought I would let you know...

 

How do you like the SP 335?
Do you like the rancher or the 335 better?

 

The Rancher is my choice by a lot but that is based on utilization. I hunt with the atv in Canada and encounter all types of conditions including water. The rancher is lighter by 100lbs and has a smaller footprint. It is easier to jump off and assist out of a problem you know gas-pull-and go. Full time 4 wheel is better when you are always using it no electronics to go haywire like the Guide's Sportsman last year. Any water and the 4+4 wouldn't work. The Rancher is simple, reliable, and easy to use. Had a 300 before and neither Honda has ever failed to start up right away and go.
The Sportsman 335 was purchased for my wife. She really likes the ride and yes on trails to moderate tough stuff it is quite a bit better. She also feels more comfortable on the heavier machine and is a Automatic advocate. The Sportsman has been a good bike and problem free for 2 years since we got it. Oue son says he likes the Rancher for the rougher rides and the Sportsman for crusing. They are both good products with a different application, however I feel better about taking the Rancher in to the Back Country........

 

Thanks for the info, when I was buying my rancher I did research on the SP 335 and the Rancher and ended up going with the Honda, for the Japanese construction, reliability, and the killer Honda engine.
Thanks again! And ride HARD.