350 Rancher or Foreman? 4x4 or 2x4?
 

Well, I'm in the market for my first ATV and I'm pretty sure Honda is the way to go. I know for sure that I at least want a 350. But, I'm still undecided on wether or not I should spend the extra dough for a 4x4. I was hoping that all of your opinions would help me decide. First, let me tell you that all I'm going to do with it is ride through the woods with some buddies, go through some mud and muck every now and then, maybe even go the mud bogs a time or two[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img], and joy ride with my wife on her parents property. Now that you know that...what do you think? Is it worth the extra $800-1,000 for the 4x4? While we're on the subject...which would you prefer, the 350 Rancher or Foreman? Is there any pro's and con's concerning either of them? If I'm going to spend the money I want to make sure it's what I want. I would greatly appreciate you veteran's opinions and/or suggestions. Thanks!!

350 Rancher or Foreman? 4x4 or 2x4?
 

Get the Rancher 4x4 for sure with a warn 424 select,excellent trail bike if thats what mostly are going to do.The Foreman is a better workhorse but I find the Rancher great on the trails and even working it. You can;t go wrong with either machine.

Framer

350 Rancher or Foreman? 4x4 or 2x4?
 

Ditto Framers comments. Save the money for the trailer, etc. 4x4 is the way to go for rough terrain.

350 Rancher or Foreman? 4x4 or 2x4?
 

If you can swing it, you may want to look into the new Foreman 500. They can be had for a little over $6,000. You get TraxLoc selectable 2x4/4x4, front disk breaks, 475cc engine, 2 oil coolers(one mounted up high incase the lower one packs with mud), new suspension design for a better ride and a nice digital instrument package.

If you can afford it now, you might as well get it. Because sooner or later, you're going to want more power than a 350 can provide, especially if you want to mud with it. I've heard that Florida has some thick, sticky mud almost everywhere, so the 500 would be a fine choice.

Best of all, it's a Honda. If you ever want to sell it, you'll get top dollar for it.

If you don't want to spend that kinda money, get a Rancher 400AT.

If you still don't want to spend that much money, get the 350 [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

350 Rancher or Foreman? 4x4 or 2x4?
 

Look at it this way. If you get the 2WD , you will wish you had got the 4WD.......BUT.............. if you get the 4WD you will never wish you got the 2WD. Get the 4WD. If money isn't a problem, I'd look at the New 500 foreman 4WD. You could get the Rancher now, then later on if your wife likes riding, give it to her and get the Foreman for yourself. Decisions, decisions!

350 Rancher or Foreman? 4x4 or 2x4?
 

Depends on the type of mudding you plan on doing. If the mud is going to be less than a foot deep I would say 2wd. 2wd will be a lot more fun to spin in the mud, the lighter front end will make jumping more enjoyable. With the money you save on the 2wd, buy some good tires. What do your buddies ride? They will probably know what to get more than we will. I bet 95% of the people I see with 4x4s could easily get by on a 2wd. IMO.

350 Rancher or Foreman? 4x4 or 2x4?
 

I agree with you MHWASH. My brother-in-law has a Rancher 4x4 and sometimes playing in the mud to him is too easy. I think with some good tires in the back, I would be able to get throught most anything. Thanks for the replies. It's always smart to listen to some opinions.

350 Rancher or Foreman? 4x4 or 2x4?
 

Kind of outa the price range as the rancher, but look at the Rubicon. The 05 Rubicon is very nice it alows to switch from 2wd to 4wd and it has a different 4x4 system. I have a 04 Rubicon and it is great. I push alot of snow with it and never had a problem.

350 Rancher or Foreman? 4x4 or 2x4?
 

I have owned both and still own the Foreman 4x4. I definately recommend the 4x4. Just this week I purchased the best I have seen yet. Got my girlfriend a Rancher 400AT 4x4. It has everything you could ever want. The nimbleness of thr 350 with a larger engine, automatic or esp shifting transmission, 4x4 and back to 4x2 at the touch of a button. It will start in gear if you hold the front brake lever in. It even has brake lights! If I could back up on my own atv, I would go with the Rancher 400 with the bigfoot kits and accessories that I have on the Foreman...This new Rancher is awesome and so so easy to ride..My dealer sucked,, but Honda did a great job on this one.

350 Rancher or Foreman? 4x4 or 2x4?
 

If you spend the extra money on the Foreman you will know where the money went. If you are a big person and plan to go with bigger tires later I would probably go with the Foreman. I would consider getting a winch if you go with the foreman because when you do stick it, its STUCK. I just bought the 05 Foreman ES and I love it. That being said the Rancher is a very good bike and you will get a lot of enjoyment out of owning one.

350 Rancher or Foreman? 4x4 or 2x4?
 

I was going to get the rancher 2x4 but then I went to a dealer and they were explaining all the features on the 04 Foreman ES 450 with selectable 4x4/2x4 ESP electric gauge with gas monitor,also shows what gear your in miles traveled speed,hours used(gas gauge shows fuel amount left!) You might wanna try these web sites they have ATV's for wholesale which are a lot cheaper!! www.southernhonda.com or www.ritchiepowersports.com

350 Rancher or Foreman? 4x4 or 2x4?
 

Reliv007,
Did you purchase your ATV from either of those dealers? I've been looking at southernpowersports.com for quite some time now, wish they would ship. That's about a 10 hour drive from Florida!

350 Rancher or Foreman? 4x4 or 2x4?
 

IF you are riding mostly wood trails, and looking at a 2x4, take a look at the Recon. It's very responsive in tight wood trails and just plain fun to ride. I own a Recon and a Rancher 4x4 with the Warn 424 unlocker. I would rather ride the Recon than the Rancher in the wood and light mudding.

350 Rancher or Foreman? 4x4 or 2x4?
 

I havnt bought a quad yet, the dealer just convinced me to get the foreman 450 when I buy one which should be in october or earlyer!(I have to get a job and save every penny so that I can buy one)CANT WAIT[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

but I do plan to buy my quad from southern honda, unless I can find a good deal on a used one!!!!

350 Rancher or Foreman? 4x4 or 2x4?
 

Reliv007,

Just remember the dealer is going to try to move you up to the next bigger more expensive toy to make more profit off of you. There is nothing wrong with buying a bigger toy. But if you are struggling to save money to buy your first ATV, buying a cheaper one will allow you to start having fun sooner for less money. Those expensive bells and whistles that cost another couple thousand won't prevent you from having fun.

350 Rancher or Foreman? 4x4 or 2x4?
 

I want to get an 04 Foreman ES do you know if there are any differences between the 04 and 05?
I might go with the Rancher 2x4 ES just because I dont have alot of money, but if I do get enough money by my 16th birthday(October 4 2005)I will go with

350 Rancher or Foreman? 4x4 or 2x4?
 

the FOREMAN ES 450!!! I am currently saving up all my money so that I can get a HONDA fourwheeler. (sorry it wont let me edit)

350 Rancher or Foreman? 4x4 or 2x4?
 

There are major differences. The 05 has front self cleaning disc brakes, has 475cc engine vrs 425 on 04, has dual oil coolers, better suspension, better body style, new and improved 2x4 to 4x4 switching, improved cylinder head valve arrangement, longer wheelbase. I think you would be dissapointed if you bought an 04 now that 05's are out.

350 Rancher or Foreman? 4x4 or 2x4?
 

Yeah but what about the price change?(what was the old price and what is the new price)So you cant buy an 05 450/425cc, only the 500/475cc? Do you have any pics?

350 Rancher or Foreman? 4x4 or 2x4?
 

My friend owns a 04 Forman ES. We have switched a few times to see the difference. Right off the bat you can tell the 05 has noticeable power difference. You can feel the suspension difference but I don't go often enough to really know the difference (or make it a deciding factor). The guy in the previous post pretty much covered it all. It is a different bike (not just a 433cc bored out to 475cc). I like the 04 also and if you had the money to spend I would get the 04 Foreman over a 05 Rancher. This same friend's girl friend has a 05 Rancher AT and it is a lot of fun to ride but like I said before you know where the money goes when you test drive both of them.

350 Rancher or Foreman? 4x4 or 2x4?
 

How much does an 04 cost verses an 05? Is an 04 more or less expensize than an 05?

350 Rancher or Foreman? 4x4 or 2x4?
 

When I bought my '05 foreman S I picked it up for $5620 out the door, granted I didn't have to pay sales tax because I claimed farm use. At the same time, I could have bought an '04 450 S for $5000 out the door. I've ridden both, and I gladly paid the extra for the '05. The suspension and motor changes alone were worth the extra 620. Add in the better styling and brakes and it was a no-brainer, but I had the money to cover the difference. If this is going to be your first bike, I don't think you will be dissapointed with a 350 rancher unless you have access to ride the bigger bikes. Power and a little more speed are addicting. Hope it helps.

_____________
'05 Honda Foreman 500 4X4
Ramsey 2500 winch

'94 Honda Fourtrax 300 4X4
25" Gators

350 Rancher or Foreman? 4x4 or 2x4?
 

Thanx that helped a lot and I would have access to either an 03 or 04 ForemanES 450, I not sure what year it is! I am trying to get a job at Chick-fil-A so that I can get my first quad. If I save up enough money by the time im 16 to get the Foreman then I will get one!Sort of want the 05 but then again the 04 would be just fine! (I turn 16 October,4th,2005)