Alaskaweasel,
I have ridden several Ranchers. For that matter, I have ridden about every utility on the market with the exception of the Traxter. I apologize if I have offended you. I know the IRS is not always a benefit. I also think that for the kind of riding I do, it is an advantaged, but that is not what we are discussing sir.

I am curious why you seem offended. Do you think I am lying? Maybe, just making this up. Why would I waste my time. I replied to the question truthfully, and jefffoxsr can take it for what it is worth. We will put TEXMud's Rubi to the test and if it works as advertised, we will post that here. If it does not, we will post that also. Should I expect the same response from you if the results are not in favor of Honda?

Honda has it strenghts and it weaknesses like any other manufacturer. They are very good bikes, and probably the most dependable.

Would it make you feel better if I beat up on Polaris. Hell, I will beat up on the SP500.

Here goes... enjoy:

The 1998 and prior SP500 rear axels will not hold up to aggressive mud tires. If you ride hard with 27" vamps, the rear axels will last 1-6 months. The u-joints are not strong enough.

If you ride in deep water, sometime in the first year your choke will stick. The choke slide in the carb is not impervious to water. Also, the fan motors do not have vent line... meaning they are not water proof. I know Polaris says they are, but air expands and contracts. If a hot fan goes under water, it will cool and suck water into the waterproof motor. 98 and prior motors can be taken apart, cleaned and new bearings installed for $6. The newer fans have to be replaced for around $100.

You want more... some 99s and 98s and prior still have that electrical board under the front cover. This is just a crappy design allowing bad conections and electrical problems. The newer bikes have electrical systems like the Hondas.

More... the waterpump seals will not hold up to going in and out of deep water... the cooling system cools and expands too much putting pressure on the seal and eventually ruining it. It takes a special tool to replace it.

OK... one more... if you do not keep the rear bushings by the bearing hub greased, the bushing will wear down placing pressure on the lower swing arm bolt. When it breaks, and it will, you have to replace the bottom a-arm, axel, and bearing carrier... possibly worse.

I have forgotten more about Hondas that I care to think about. I have been riding since 1977, and working on them just as long. I come here to read to learn more. I add my comments when I think I have something to contribute. If you think I am lying about what I have witnessed in reference to the Rancher front differential, I guess I cannot change that. I do ride with several people in these forums and have helped many others with techinical problems via e-mail. These people know me, and they know I have no reason to make this stuff up. If someone questions something I say, I am the first to go put it to the test. I am through venting now. LOL

Greg

 

Greg, there is a locker being released some time next week and another one from a different company that will be out in a few months.

 

While I am on the subject... and in the Honda forum where my comments may be better appreciated, I will add one more thing about all Polaris 4X4s. (And this is probably the most important Polaris problem)

When riding in the mountains in AWD, the front hubs have a tendency to jam. What I am referring to is this: The front hubs, of course, are only designed to pull when the rear wheels spin. This is not always the case. When the rear wheels spin, the front hubs engage with such force, it causes the hubs to remain locked even when not in AWD. This is not an everyday occurance but it does happen. Some may say this is no big deal, and it would not be on any other bike, or even a Polaris with no EBS. The problem is that on the Polaris's with EBS, the braking effect is transferred to the front wheels. Once again, most people might find this to be an advantage. That is definitely not the case. The problem is that the polaris does not have a limited slip to allow one wheel to spin freely over ruts and holes. When the locked wheel gets into a bind, and it can not spin freely, it will cause the bike to flip forward if the Polaris is on a steep enough incline. This is not a problem with the Hondas, and that is why engine braking on the front wheels of the Honda is not a hazard. So, you people with Hondas that think 3WD is a bad thing... well it is and it isn't. Like everything, both bikes have pros and cons.

For those of you that think I work for Polaris, I hope this clears things up for you. LOL

If you like I could bash another bike now... Maybe the Grizzly. I have plenty.

Greg

 

Greg,
sounds like alaskaweasel is taking this matter the wrong way.I will be the first one to back you up.You allways seem to tell things the way you see them,it dont matter what brand quad someone owns,you tell the good things and the bad things,I respect you for that.

Now im certainly no expert on these new Honda AP differantials.I will say this though,I have seen ALOT of Honda 4x4 ATVs spin only 3 tires and get stuck. Now I have not yet had the chance to observe the Rancher or the Ruby's diffs funtion,so I wont comment on them,however,Formans seem to be the worst.I have had my Polaris 4x4 quads in places that the Formans have gotten buried in,why?Its the three wheel drive thing.The front tire in the air just sits there and spins,while the one on the ground does nothing.And forget the brake thing to,it DONT WORK.

Greg,you need not feel ashamed to tell things the way you observe them,keep up the good work,
Bill

 

Bill,
Thanks for the moral support. Sorry I had to beat of on Polaris so much... just trying to make a point. Alaskaweasel has responded to me in the same manner a while back. I think we have agreed to disagree and that is fine. I just want him to know that I am not predjudice when it comes to pointing out a quads weakpoints.

Also, I replied to a similar post a few months after the Rancher came out. I just explained what I have seen while riding with Rancher owners. I got the same response then as I have gotten here.

Greg

 

I have a tilt trailer and when loading my Rubi on it in snowy/wet conditions I can say that all four wheels are spinning. Being a new rider I use to get a runnning start loading it before so I wouldnt slip on the surface but the last time I took it to the dealier for a oil change he loaded it. All he did when it started to slip was give it alittle more gas and I saw all four wheels spinning.

 

boots11234,
This is not what we are talking about. If all four wheels are making contact with the ground or any other surface for that matter, most limited slip differentials will do exactly what yours does. We are talking about situations where the bike is high centered and one of the front wheels is on the ground and the other is not. On all of the ranchers I have seen, the wheel in the air will spin and the one on the ground does not.

Greg

 

Greg,
I recall similer responses from some of the posts you wrote before.Its not like you are be-littling anyones ATV!If they cant accept what YOU have seen in the past without trying to be-little you,than maybe they should'nt respond at all.Its perfectly fine to disagree with you on any subject and to post it,but to try and ''slam'' you because they differ with your opionion is not right either.Heck,there's some things on Polaris ATVs that I dislike to!Just ask me,I'll be glad to tell you.I've never been one to be partial to any brand [I own a Recon to]I buy what ''I'' like.And I'll also tell you what I dislike about it too,
Bill

 

Greg will call them like he sees them.

How often is one wheel off the ground when in mud? There are only two situations I can think of: when coming out of a hole and when high centered. When high centered, 4 or 3 wheel drive wont make too much of a difference.

 

I agree there is a very big difference with the new diff.The only time it does not lock up if you hung up big time and those times we put are freinds polaris 350 in the same spot and it pulls all for 4 wheels and is normally stuck just the same because he to is hung up.My point is when you get hung up bad that's when you will see that one wheel no doing anything.To greg the ranchers diff makes a big diff..between the yamaha's in many riding situations.