I'm posting this in the Honda forum because that's what I'll most likely be purchasing, I'm just looking for something that would be good to ride around my farm and do minor work, carrying things around, mount a sprayer on, stuff like that mainly, my tractors do the really tough stuff. So would the Rancher 4x4 be a good choice or the Recon? I really know nothing about atv's and I'm not stuck on any particular brand. Any suggestions??

 

I think the rancher would serve you well. My father-in-law has the 2wheel drive version and hasn't had any complaints. They are very reliable and very stout to only be a 350cc. I wouldn't go below the rancher because I think you wouldn't be happy with how little power the recon had.

 

Hey, thanks for the advice BigRed, does your father-in-law ever wish he gotten the 4x4 ?

 

I'm pretty sure he does. He has only gotten it stuck a couple of times though. He uses it pretty much for the same reasons that you are describing, and there is a few places he can't go because he knows he won't be able to make it back out. Make sure you ckeck out the extended racks that you can get. He has one that you can put two five gallon buckets down in on the back.

 

Thanks again BigRed, the racks are something I've very interested in and maybe a hitch for pulling my small trailer around.

 

I would absolutely reccomend getting a 4X4. You are not talking about a great deal of money between the two and if you ever do need the 4X4, you will be glad that you have it. The 4X4 not only helps in mud but if you are pulling something fairly heavy on dry dirt, the 2X4 may still spin. This is just my opinion but I can't see why anyone would buy a 2X4 over a 4X4 if they are going to work with it. The Rancher is a nice quad and you may want to look at the Rancher 400 AT. It has a bit more power and auto mode that the other Ranchers don't have. It would be worth looking at anyway.

Good luck and welcome to the forum!

 

I just bought a 2005 Rancher 4x4 last Saturday only mine is a manual tranny. First gear seems pretty low and the machine starts fine in second gear. This is my first Honda atv and I love it.

 

Thanks for the info guys, the best price I've gotten so far is $4800.00 out the door plus tax for an 05 Rancher 4x4 ES. How's that sound to everyone?

 

That's not a bad price but I know people that have gotten one for 4800.00 out the door <U>including</U> tax in North Carolina.

 

i have a Rancher 2x4 and i wish to death i would have gotten the 4x4, my uncles a farmer, and he's had his '98 Foreman 450 ES 4x4 since it was brand new in '97, no problems with it, and he's glad he went with the 4x4. And I would DEFINATELY recomend the 4x4. Good Luck.

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2K4 Polaris Sportsman 700
3000LB. Warn Winch
'27 ITP 589 M/S Tires

2001 Honda Rancher ES (FOR SALE)
2.0 Warn Winch