if it's so important he should take his skirt off and get on a bike

 

You were probably in diapers when I was ironmaning Baja......on a bike!

 

[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

That was before dispoable diapers too. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

so now you must be part of AARP and in diapers yourself. you sure whine like someone I know in diapers

 

My whole point to this post is to point out that the 420 would make a very good starting platform for a "hybrid" machine......the machine is that good! Any machine in this class is going to have to have a front differential, so stripping down and lightening a ute is the logical place to start.

Lose a few pounds and tune the suspension, and you have a whole new breed of machine! Just can't figure out why some of you think that is "bad news"?????

 

I don't see anything wrong with a new sport utility class of Honda 4WD using the existing 420 motor bumped up to say a full 450 and then provided with higher output tuning. The motor would not need a 50,000 mile life expectancy like the Ranchers; 25,000 miles would be OK. I would give it IRS for ground clearance, a rear disc brake, and longer travel premium adjustable suspension. Very light weight would not be as important to me as ultra reliable running gear and chassis protection. I think most trail riders care more about having decent racks on a 4WD than worrying about the few ounces the racks would add. I would also prefer to have a 3 way front diff with 2WD,3WD limited slip, and full lock 4WD.
The selection of tranny type would be critical in defining who this new model is competing against. I think I would rather see a 5 speed and be creating a whole new class rather than coming up with an auto and going after the 450 King and Griz. I just don't see much market in going after the Wolverine or Polaris Scrambler.
I have many miles on a Polaris Scrambler and I think my old 400EX beats it out as a trail ride in everything I have ridden in.

 

I'm glad you like your rancher. I don't think it would be a good base (with the limited travel) and Honda doesn't normally do stuff like what you are talking about. I would expect them to come up with something totally different. I guess if you want something like that that, you can always take the racks off and put some alloys on it, throw a lighter - but quiet exhaust on, etc. I just think it's unreasonable to complain because they don't make the exact machine you want, it's just wishful thinking that doesn't get you anywhere. Though not as much as when I had more cash to waste, I still add things to my machine I think it should have had stock. Sure I'd rathed buy a machine that's my idea of perfect from the factory, but that hasn't happened yet. I just think it's more enjoyable to ride what there is instead of complain about what there isn't with something like an ATV.

 

IRS on a sport 4wd???

What you've just described turtle is an 8k+ dollar machine.

 

So something in the line of the 525 Outlaw, with 4wd?