I need another fourwheeler. I have a 450 es foreman already. We move cattle pretty often from pasture to pasture and pull little mineral feeders to the next pasture. I am not too sure what one I should be dealing on yet? I am thinking about the Rubicon because it is automatic like the AT, but has more power. It also has a nicer shifter from reverse to neutral and high or low or whatever than the AT. I like the At cause it is a smaller atv and is better for manuevering as people say. I dont really wanna be underpowered or anything, but I dont really pull anything much. I would like to have an automatic, but i hear they take a little bit to get used to, but when you do you will never use manuel shift again. Any info appreciated. Thanks

 

Well the thing is, you can still shift on your own with the Hondamatic tranny if desired. I would say Rancher for you.

 

I would go with the Rubicon. I have an 05 and I absolutely love it. It has a lot more power than the AT. It is a little larger than the AT but I have no trouble turning mine. If you do ever pull anything heavy, the low range on the Rubi will more than do the job.

I would suggest that you ride both and see which one fits you better. I am 6'4" 230lbs so the AT feels a little small for me. If you are not as big as I am than the AT might fit you better. Either way you will be happy with both. They are great machines and the automatic is very nice.

Good Luck!

Cirviver

 

When the Rubicon first came out, there was a flood of posts on electronic problems with the transmission controls. Those have now dropped off to nothing, so I assume that Honda has worked out whatever the problem was with the early models.

On the other hand, if you look around there are a number of posts on the same type of problems with the AT. Maybe Honda will work those problems out, and maybe not.

I am in the market for another 4X4. I am partial to the Rancher (small and agile), but can't see paying an extra $1,000 for an automatic transmission that I neither need or particularly like, and might give me trouble somewhere down the line. I am also going to take a good look at the new Foreman 500 manual.

 

Buy the Ruby. This coming from an AT owner.

 

Cirviver
you have a nice rubicon keep it up on the mods.

 

Thank you very much!

It is an awesome machine.

 

Cirviver, yeah im buying another quad, and seeing your rubi somewhat decked out has persuaded me to get one, but green, with 26' Mudlites. Nice quad.
--------------------
2004 Polaris Sportsman 700
27' ITP 589 M/S Tires
3000 lb. Warn Winch
High Performance Dayco Belt - NEW! (on the way)

2001 Honda Rancher ES (2wd)
2.5 Warn Winch
(For Sale)

 

i would go with the rubicon also i have an 04 and i use it around my little farm and i plow my horse corral and snow in the winter and i have over 2000 miles on it and i havent had any problems with it yet.
its a great work horse and plays just as well.

 

How is the down hill engine breaking on the rubicon compared to the foreman’s manual transmission?