I know that I should have posted this message on the BUYING AN ATV PAGE but I already did and didn't get much response from it so if you guys could help me out with this. Well I am wanting to buy an atv but I have never bought one before but have ridden two different ones. I have rode my uncles 1992 Honda Fourtrax 300 4x4 and I love it. The 300 was small and just the right size. I will be doing trail riding mostly for fun. I will not be hunting or anything. I have ridden my Grandpa's Polaris Sportsman 500 which I think is a 1997 model. I didn't like the 500 because it was so big, I didn't like the EBS(Engine Breaking System)and I didn't like the fact that it was fully automatic. The ATV I really want is the new 2001 Honda Rancher 4x4. Its just a little bigger than the 300 but not a big as the 500. I have been looking at the Rancher for along time and its the one I really want but I don't know if it is really the one for me. I don't know if I should get a 2001 Honda fourtrax 300 4x4 or the one I really the 2001 Honda Rancher 4x4 and oh by the way no Rancher ES just the manual foot shift. What do you guys think?? Any input would be much appreciated and if you have any other atvs you would like to suggest please do so but I would rather stick to a Honda just to let you know. Thank you, and I am sorry for such a long message.

Matt

 

If you are wanting to go with a smaller Honda, then you can't go wrong with Rancher, it is a very capable bike, I would definitely go with the Rancher over the 300. I was looking at the same quad that you are but decided to go with the 450 instead, at only $400 more I thought going with it was a no brainer. I, like you, was looking at a smaller quad, but am very satisfied with the larger bike. So my advice is that the Rancher is a great quad, and could fit you well.
Later

 

I had a 300 4-trax and now i have a 2001 rancher
4x4 es. you could not go wrong with either one .
I'm just a old grampa, but i even had more fun on these machines than someone should be allowed.
GRAMPA JONES
(rampin at the old folks home)

 

I am glad that you two thaught the Rancher would be better. I love the fourtrax 300 but the Rancher from what I have heard is just a tad bigger and jas more power over the 300. Thank you two for your help. Matt

 

I love my 300 also. My uncle has a Rancher, and they are unreal. They are the 300, but better in every way. You cant go wrong with a Rancher. Wait, what am i talking about? You cant go wrong with any Honda.

 

Sorry for the bad news but honda discontinued the TRX300 2x4 and 4x4 and replaced them with the rancher series. I think the 2000 models were the last ones they came out with if i'm not mistaken. But anyways the rancher is really solid built quad but it's not quite as fast or as snappy as the yamaha wolveriene but it's still a very nice quad.

 

Being a Rancher 4x4 ES owener I really feel that it is a better bike than either the 450 or the 300. For one the front differential makes all the difference in the world.

It also has more torque and overall speed than does the 300. However, at this moment the 300 has more aftermarket options availible, but that is soon to change.

I have been pleased with everything about the rancher, including how the recall fix was handled at my local dealer.

Good luck.

 

The Rancher has more power than the 300. The Rancher & 450 have the same top speed off around 50 mph or so. Rancher has better shocks. The 4wd on the Rancher is the Sur Trac which is also better than the 300 or the 450. The 300 is cheaper however 2000 was its last model year.

Almost 800 miles on our quad & the only problems so far has been 1 rivet was popped out after "bumping" into a tree.

I wouldn't trade the Rancher for anything.