My situation is this: I have a Rancher 4x4ES. I have been stuck in a mudhole, that my former Sportsman 500 would have laughed at, because only three wheels were spinning. It wasn't a very deep hole, I just was going a little fast and got cross rutted. It really surprised me that I couldn't get all four to spin. So in my opinion the sure-trac did not work as advertised in MY situation.

I posted this on this site, and got some advice about pulling the front brake lever the next time this happens. I seems that this will make the fourth wheel lock up and pull. I haven't had the chance to test this out yet, but several people said that it would.

If this is what it takes to make it lock up, so be it. I'll do it and go on loving my Rancher. But, I sure do wish all four would pull without any extra tricks.

I had a Sportsman 500, and I loved the 4wd system on it. I rode it for 2 years and never encountered a situation where the 20% slippage in the back,so the front would lock in, was ever a problem. I can give you several reasons not to buy a Polaris, but I'm afraid the 4wd system is not one of them.

Hope this helps...

Exmxer
2001 Rancher4x4ES
2001 Suzuki LT80

 

They work great. My dad and I have owned previous Honda quads with the old limited slip. Now we own a Rancher and Rubicon to. In comparing them there is no comparison at all. The new quads pull much harder and better in snow,mud, sand and hill climbing hands down. The 3wheel thing your heard is from most likely a Polaris owner. They can't add past 3 most of the time.

 

I own both the Rubicon and the Rancher. I have seen all four pulling 99% of the time. I will say that the times that I have been stuck have been due to ground clearance and not due to one wheel not spinning. The new diff is an improvement over the old Honda diff. It works as advertised. Honda has never stated that it is a locker. Am I happy with it? Yes I couldnt be happier.

 

I agree, and think this is the equal of the Polaris belt-slippage issue (an urban legend that won't die). I was just out on a 25-foot patch of pure ice at least a inch or more thick. The Rubicon was pulling with all four wheels, not just three. When I've had it buried in a mudhole, all four wheels were spinning. It's only the Polaris owners who bring that up usually to bring up at least one (imagined) negative for the Rubicon.

 

I've got a 99 300 4x4, and it's sometimes a three wheel drive. I've been stuck in the mud, and one tire will be in the air and one in the mud. THe one in the air is spinning wide open, and the one in the mud isn't even moving. Also, the part about tapping your front brake, the front brake goes bad after like a week of riding. I only use my foot brake, and left hand brake(rear brake). The best way to get all four spinning again is to rock the quad like crap and then drive on dry ground, lol.

 

I guess I am the dog that will take the bone as usual...

I have ridden with over 100 Ranchers and a handful of Rubicons. I have yet to see one that works as advertised. I do not see it as much of an improvement over the old style differential. I have seen certain bikes like the Big Bear and Honda 450 do better as far as limiting wheel spin. I am not talking about all Big Bears or 450s either. Scott Lagrone's Big Bear works like it has a locker and does not. I am not sure why. The wheel in the air may turn, but it only turns a little faster than the one on the ground.

Just so you guys know what I am talking about... I am talking about when the bike is high centered(front to back) and the rear tires are spinning and the one in the air in the front is spinning. I have talked to numerous Rancher owners about this, and told them about these discussions. I told tham that you Rancher owners on the forums say that the power goes to the wheel that needs it, meaning the one on the ground. The replies range from "Thats S#$t" to "Whatever" to much worse. I ride with TexMud, and we have sat there and watched his wheel in the air spin and commented on it. (Sorry Mark) I think that Honda is "Overselling" its new differential. I even spoke with TazsGrizz a few minutes ago, and he laughed. If or when I see a Honda differential with no locker work as advertised, I will be the first to post it in this forum. Until then, I am not sold on it.

"Yes", I ride a Polaris, and "No" that does not make me a liar. I am just calling it like I see it. If someone has a question about a SP500, I will be quick to tell the truth about it also.

Let me have it... I am not scared. (LOL)

Greg

 

This whole week I have been riding my Rancher in the snow and have spent more time digging my self out than actually riding. This is my first winter with a atv so i am trying to go everywhere. Out of about the 50 or so times i have been stuck (being high centered) maybe 3 times i only had 3 wheels pulling the rest of the time it was all 4.

 

Greg, I have not noticed what you have seen. I will have to look more carefully. I do think it works better than the old design though. Sorry man.

 

Next time we ride, lets pay particular attention and try to keep track of when it works and when it does not. I heard they are going to release a locker for the Rancher next week... any truth to this?

Greg

 

Greg: I find it funny that you find Rancher owners that think the AP diff is a joke and doesn't work as advertised. Would these be your same friends that don't know what side the brakes are on, or can't figure out why all the wheels on a Honda brake when hitting the brakes? Man, I know Polaris owners that think their IRS is junk because of obvious reasons. OF course you would be the first to point out they don't know how to ride, or that the IRS is better in every way, or some stupid comment like that, wouldn't you? That is your defense for anything found wrong with a polaris. Its either an easy fix or the riders problem. To be honest the AP does work most of the time. I'll be the first to admit it hasn't worked EVERY time. However compared to our 400,300,Yamahas, and our friends 450, the Rancher simply out performs these due to the new diff in several if not all areas. Maybe you need to look a bit closer or even try riding one before you state there is no big difference. That is as far from the truth as one can get.