Looking to purchase a 2003 Honda Rancher. Can anyone give me there point of view on this machine?

 

very dependable, great resale. theride very well on trails hills mud, just about antything. for the price you couldnt ask for more

 

Is it 4wd?

 

My neighbor has a 2000 model 2x4 and that is one amazing quad. I think he beats on it and it still runs and runs and runs.

 

As you can see below I have three of them. The 2004 is very touchy with the es. Other than that I like the a lot.

 

I just bought a 2005. Runs great, although I don't like having to mess with the manual choke while it warms up. Same with my sons 90.

It also has an automatic push button tranny. Don't get that option. It makes it hard to bust the tires loose and occasionaly it gets stuck in this mysterious neutral gear. It shows up on the display as a dash. I then have to rock the quad a bit to get it to shift into gear.

Other than that it goes where any 4x4 quad can go... Just kidding. But I have had water up to the seat in some soupy creeks and as long as I stayed on the gas it goes thru about any thing. I don't think I have the trail riding fever as much as I do the need for speed. So I'll be handing this one over to the wife as soon as I can get the mula for a 450R.

 

The mystery gear is not exclusive to the ES model, and not exclusive to ATV's. I've experienced this my entire life on Honda bikes. Currently have a pair of XR50R bikes that can do the same thing. Just that it so happens my 05 Rancher tells me what the problem is with the blinking dashes. The problem arises when there is too much pressure on the shift fork when the gear selection is being made and the alotted shift time isn't long enough to account for the added pressure while under load. Can happen up or down shifting. I find it happens mostly down shifting, but have only experienced it once on the ATV, and as mentioned a little body english and press of the button gets it going again.

 

i was skeptical when i bought my 2004, it was my first quad and i was planning to do some mudding... Was worried that it wouldnt have enough power. Boy was i WRONG...... This thing pulls like a tank and has the power down low like a utility quad should have. Then i totalled it by rolling it down a 30ft pile of black tar. I drove it back home though... but my insurance totalled it. I got the check back from the insurance company and went right down to the dealer to put a down payment on another one!!!

Great machine.

Pros-
Low end power and 1st gear is extra low, good power from low through the mid range for doing work and mudding.
Stable, doesnt feel tippy in the least bit.
Cool body style 2004 and later
Straight rear axle for durability

Cons-
Lacking some power up on the top end, but it's a utility quad. enough said.
Low ground clearance, needs bigger tires and a lift
no 3rd headlight (aftermarket sells them though)
No front diff lock, but does have some limited slip by design. Better than nothing
drum brakes. would be better with disc brakes.

 

I just sold my 03 rancher this month. I now ride a SP700. however I still think the rancher is a great machine. I could go anywhere on mine that my uncle could go on a SP500 I just had to ride a little harder. It's power to wight ration is good. The only thing I didn't like aboutit wat that in low gear on a steep hill you had to be careful no to endo, but once you get use to it you will be fine. If I were buying another 350 cc machine I would definatly get a rancher.

 

You will find that if you've owned a earlier model 300 fourtrax, you will be a little dissapointed with the reliability. The fourtrax starts better hands down. Seems the ranchers are more cold blooded. But other than that it is a hands down reliable quad. Not a whole lot of power, but it is a 350. I don't think you can go wrong with a Honda.