It's going to have to have shaft drive. I don't think there is any way around that, and that is what the utes already have which the sport quads don't. Things like an aluminum subframe, etc., would lower the weight even more as well. All this weight savings, drives up the price though.

All they really need to do is create a 250EX version of the 4X4 Rancher, and improve the suspension.

 

I would love to see honda come out with something like this. I love my rancher but I am lookig at the renagade now. If Honda cam out with a hybrid I would deffinatly be in.

 

i think the rancher right now is a close competitor to the older wolverines, '05 and earlier. With sportier suspension and a better engine it could be a little better. The ute suspension is ok, but it could have more travel and be a little squishier. The engine has a lot of power down low, but lacks on the top end, i think honda has to re-design the cam profile on this engine to wake it up a bit. That, and make the engine more free-revving, and get rid of the vacuum carburetor. It already has the looks of a sport-ute, I like the new body style, it just looks cocky. But it needs to walk the walk too, maybe in a couple years we'll see a new 350 rancher sport-utility, with trax-lok.

 

I would like to see them use the 400 engine for more power than the 350, but with a manual trans. You are right, the 350 grunts real good down low, but has no top end.

 

ive been on board for an OEM to do something like this. allot of people say its impossible, blah blah blah...

if they used aluminum a-arms like the YFZ (and lard @ss renegade) and lighten it up everywhere possible with aluminum, including swingarms, shafts- (my truck has an aluminum driveshaft) subframes, etc. the weight could easily be down to the 450lb range on a 400+cc bike.

its only a matter of time before they make one. it doesnt have to be a 6-700lb monster that tows 2000lbs - thats not what a quad of this nature is about, nor would they have to stop making the gigantic utes that others want. its a wide open market. and this is a market that people have been wanting.

the rancher idea is good and is something you can do allot of yourself. from taking the racks off- to wheels/tires, exhaust, skid plates...there are even lighter (and better) suspension components available. but they really have the parts and engineering know how to start with a 400EX frame or create another one. it wouldnt be difficult either way for them to do this. its called R&D!

what would really shock people is if they had an all aluminum frame! I know for a fact that they tried to buy the rights to the design of the Cannondale frames but something happened and they didnt get it.

id love to see any reputable oem do this 4x4 sport bike. no matter if its from honda, yamaha, suzuki, Can-am, Kawasaki....

Speaking of Can-AM, i'll give them points for trying with the renegade. 60+ hp in an ATV is going to be fast, no doubt about it and will go prob anywhere. BUT, if they really want to dominate, they would make a renegade 500; but it HAS to be WAY lighter than the 800cc. 500, or 600lbs is not good enough. 450-475 is the target and very obtainable.

C'mon OEMs get to work. If you build it, it will sell!