The 400 motor is currently mated to a questionable automatic transmission, so what it would do (or not do) with a manual transmission is an absolute unknown. I would be willing to take my chances, just the same........

What will IRS add in terms of weight?????

 

That is very true. I thought about that right after i posted... I think that would be great to bump the cc's up to a 400cc and let you choose, kind of like the Foreman series, between the "rincon" type transmission, footshift, or ES.. and yes i think with the manual transmission's you'll get ALOT more out of the engine. So yes i think this is a great idea. Also, i think its a great idea if they put IRS on the Rancher. Atleast have it as an option, SRA or IRS.. And no, i really doubt it will add that much weight. I mean look, they kept the 700cc 4wd Rincon under 600lbs.
----------------------------
2004 Polaris Sportsman 700 (Green)
'27 ITP 589 M/S Tires
on ITP Type 5 Wheels
3000 lb. Warn Winch
3-Way Headlight Mod
High Lifter Lift Kit

2004 Polaris Sportsman 500 Mossy Oak - STOLEN
2001 Honda Rancher ES 350
Sold

 

You know, if you dont know what you are talking about, then don't say anything.
The AT transmission is similiar to the Rubicon transmission except that it has no low range. It is nothing like the Rincon transmission. I dont know where you get that Rincon transmission "sucks"! It is very reliable and has no piece of crap belt. It is the same type that you probably have in your car.

 

Foreman Dan. Their transmission's are similar. And the fact that they both only have one "foward" gear in Auto. They both only have 3 gears for ESP. You choose you're transmission by the same little toggle switch thing above the throttle, and thats on both the AT and the Rincon. So with no low range, i dont have respect for that transmission. I have all the respect in the world for the Rubicon's transmission. So far my belt hasnt had any problems. And my quad in general hasnt had any problems at all. You looked in my post and found like the only negative thing i said and tried to use it against me. Everyone i know dislikes the Rincon's transmission because of its main two faults. No low range, Not enough gears in ESP. I dont care if a transmission would last forever, if it dosent have a low range, i dont have much respect for it. Every other detail of the Rincon is great. And i PROMISE you if Honda put the Rubicon's transmission in the Rincon i would buy one in a hearbeat.
----------------------------
2004 Polaris Sportsman 700 (Green)
'27 ITP 589 M/S Tires
on ITP Type 5 Wheels
3000 lb. Warn Winch
3-Way Headlight Mod
High Lifter Lift Kit

2004 Polaris Sportsman 500 Mossy Oak - STOLEN
2001 Honda Rancher ES 350
Sold

 

Again, you are wrong. I happen to have both and I think I know. The Rancher 400 AT has 5 selections in ESP just like the Rubi. It does not have low range or the D2 D2 option. It has no gears. It is a fluid drive (hydrostatic). The Rincon has 3 gears and a torque converter and will pull so strong that it broke my Warn 2.5 cable while backing up. Can you stand your quad on its back rack from a standstill while sitting on the seat!? First gear is plenty low enough. The Foreman does not have a low range, but I dont hear anyone saying it wont pull. Yes, I have one of those too, as well as a Polaris 600 and my Rincon will waste that machine. You need to stop listening to people that dont have one.

 

Are you serious? I honestly thought it was the same as the Rincon, except for how you select the gears, it has the thing on the side while the Rincon has the lever under the main pod. I thought i knew every feature about every ATV, that amazes me. Is the 400AT buttery smooth like the Rubicon in ESP? Or do you feel that clunck? But still, i've heard from so many people saying the 350's have just as much power as the 400 and that the 400 was lacking power....... And yes, the 2003 model year was one of the worst for Polaris. It was the slowest year for each machine. If i had a 2006 700 EFI Rincon i would expect it to waste an '03 discontinued SP600. And it seems like you're offended when you're answering or stating back to what i post... yeah
----------------------------
2004 Polaris Sportsman 700 (Green)
'27 ITP 589 M/S Tires
on ITP Type 5 Wheels
3000 lb. Warn Winch
3-Way Headlight Mod
High Lifter Lift Kit

2004 Polaris Sportsman 500 Mossy Oak - STOLEN
2001 Honda Rancher ES 350
Sold

 

Man, I am not offended. I just hear this so much about the Rincon.
Yes the 400 is just as smooth as the Rubi. If you leave it in auto, you never feel anything. In ESP, for each of the five selections, it moves a swash plate that varies the flow of the fluid(oil) and you feel something then. Not really a clunk though. The Rincon you feel all 3 gears whether it is in auto or ESP. Just like in a car.

If you would really like to learn about the Rincon, check out RinconRiders.com. Yeah, some of the guys there would like to have a low range and most are happy with what they have. They have tons of knowledge there. One guy in Canada has done quite a few mods to his. He has a snow plow that he puts on it and can still pull the front up about a foot while sitting on the tank!
He and another guy down on the gulf coast are also testing a new CDI box for the Rincon made by Dynatech I think. It is supposed to be released next month.

 

Easy there Dan. Take a couple of deep breaths. He's not bashing the Rincon. This started as a Rancher thread.
In the imortal word of Rodney King Can't we all just get along.

 

Ughhh.....I hope they dont compare the new rancher to the likes of the wolverine. I think the automatic was the worst thing done to the wolverine, and I hope they keep the manual trans at least an option. I agree that it would be nice to get the 400cc engine in a manual or ES trans other than the auto trans. I would consider trading my 350 in to get one if they did, IRS or not. Last year I wasnt really excited for the dealer show in September, but seeing that it looks like there will be changes for the Rancher, I can't wait now.

 

The worst things about the Wolverine is its foo foo automatic transmission, and it's quite a bit to heavy. Anything that calls itself "sport" (even a hybrid 4X4), needs a manual transmission and has to be reasonably light. Still, I am sure their marketing research tells the manufacturers that automatics are what the unwashed masses want. After all, any inexperienced idiot can operate one. And people who are use to riding a 700 pound Polaris or something, think 500 pounds is "light".

So. Calif. is pure sport quad country. For the most part, here one would usually only buy a utility as a "second" quad for some specialized purpose like hunting or work, and not as ones primary ride. Yet, I am seeing a surprising number of Wolverines out there on the trail, so Yamaha may be onto something big here???? And last week in Oregon, I saw a fair number of them as well (along with a surprisingly huge number of Ranchers). There is an emerging marketing niche here, and Honda is going to regret it in the long run, if they ignore it!