I am new to ATVs, but have descided to get one. I will be using it for riding trails mostly, but will pull a few logs and haul some rocks. I would appreciate pros and cons on both machines. I live in the Kansas City area, does anyone know the best place to purchase a unit without driving to Union Tenn.

 

It took me a lot of investigation to decide on a 2005 Rubicon (125 miles on it;

Used for hauling wood logs and trailer pulling loaded with rocks; Rough trail riding; straight through the wood rides and cool night rides along the lake;

Here is what I found:

In automatic mode (D1 & D2) this machine starts on appox. 2nd gear equivalent, so you never get the frustrating first gear over rev for nothing;
In LOW automatic mode; you realy get the smouth pulling power required for hauling heavy load or climbing very steep hills;
Automatic D2 is a pleasure to use for around the place rides at night because the trany works on the torque of the engine instead of the HP; This keeps the rev (and the noise) way down with no loss of power on hilly terrain;
Using ESP for electric gear selection, you can call the required power with all the associated pleasure.... lots of power;
Its hard to beleive what steep slopes it will climb; it sticks to the ground; the low center of gravity is a big plus;
The head lights are bright and effective (no pod light switch) + good effective 2x brake lights;
Steering is easy on 4x4 selection;

I dislike the fact that this machine does not accept the Syntetic oil; nether does the 400AT ;
I dislike the fact that you have to replace 4 bolts of 2x different sizes to remove the ABS skid plate and get access to 2x drain plugs + 1x filter center bolt;
I dislike the way that oil level has to be measured ( 2x sequences required);
Rust is leaking from inside the back-rack tubing, but I don't know if it is normal or covered by the waranty; I will have to check with the dealer at my 100 h check
This machine is cold blood but once break-in is over (100 miles), it is easier to shift in gear and go, during the warm-up period on choke;

In my opinion it is the best overall machine in the market and the out of the door price was $6600 + tax in Vermont

I can't compare with the 400AT because I only drove it for 10 minutes and I felt it was a bit light and bouncy compared with the Rubicon; I just did feel that this was a work machine.... (only 10 minutes...!!!)

 

I just bought the 400 Rancher AT GPScape and I think its good. My impression of the Auto and ESP is that the Auto starts in a 2nd gear type mode. It is used to tow debris from the remodeling on my house, and it definetly does better in ESP mode when towing the cart. It is a little on the heavy side, but gets the job done effectively. It is very smooth and well suspended but that is what I expect from a Honda product. I almost wish that the dealer had a Rubicon put together, because I might have been swayed to it! I haven't ever ridden one, but from all I have heard it is an excellent machine, and I may yet get one, someday!

 

First of all....welcome to the forum. I suggest doing a forum search for the different models you are intersted in. It seems like users keep on asking the same questions when there is a TON of information already here. I just wrote about how I use my rancher AT and how it is the perfect machine for me. The key is to take what other people write and apply it to how you intend to use the machine. The real reason I am replying is that I live in st. louis and I can help in the dealer department. There are two dealers in our area that work on the basis of "volume" selling. That, of course, is good for the consumer.

1. Ted's motorcycle world- they are located in Alton, Illinois which is right across the river from north saint louis. This is where I bought my rancher AT. I paid $5018 (includes a $200 rebate from Honda) for the AT which has a list price of $6099. Like all dealers, they did tack on freight and set-up which totaled about $300. I do not know what their price was for the rancher or the rubi.

2. Procycle USA- they are located in columbia, missouri. the only reason I am bringing them up is that they are closer to you. The bad thing is that they lied to me not once, but twice. I think their moto is to get you in and then tack on extra charges. The salesman told me over the phone that their out-the-door price was the price of the machine. It was then suggested to me to call them back and talk to the business department and ask about there out the door price and that is when the issue of freight and set-up came about. It is a technicality that really pissed me off.

Both outfits have comparable prices...I bought mine from ted's because of the price, location, and the procycle issues.

If you have any others questions you can pm me...i would be happy to help you with whatever.

 

Do you by any chance have the phone number of the two locations you mentioned, or do they have web sites? Thanks for the information, I hope I can get a decent price, as I was not looking forward to driving to Union Tn.

 

Yes, they both have web sites.

 

I should have provided this info before.

www.tedsmotorcylcleworld.com
www.procycleusa.com

 

If your doing much hauling or pulling, you'll be much happier with the Rubicon. For trail riding, you'll be happy with either bike.
The big difference between the two bikes, besides 100cc's, is the Rancher AT has no low range pulling power. The AT is more of a trail bike, and the Rubicon is more of a work bike.

 

Thanks for the websites. the procycle web site must have been changed as I cannot connect with it.

Thanks again for your help, columbia or alton is a lot closer than union city tn.

 

I was able to access procycle's website. Here is the link

myurl