this is actually the first time that i've noticed honda giving the customers more than the competition offers in a class- yet it still maintains a super low price for all the features.... well done honda.

PS: the 700 sucks and the 400ex is overpriced- all the 400ex has gotten in the past few year is reverse, a brake light, and BNG bold new graphics

 

I have a 04 Rubicon and if you look at how the rear rack is welded to the frame you will see that there are a few engineering flaws Honda needs to work on. The right front weld on the rear rack broke while hauling out a 190 field dressed 9 point 2 years ago. Honda fixed it for free and now it is broke again from another deer last year. The King Quad rack is attached directly to the frame. To change oil I have to take the skid plate off and the valve adjust you have to take the right wheel, a brace, and plastic which relates to poor engineering as far as I am concerned. In 95 I wanted to buy a Polaris and asked the dealer how to change the oil and you had to run a hose pipe under the left front fender to fill it. I quit looking at them then.
I had a 420 Rancher this summer and although it does not have a low gear I pulled several trees around and the limiting factor was weight. It had no problem digging a hole with all 4 tires when a log caught on something and I could have smoke the tires off the rim, if I wanted to.

Bottom line is both bikes are quality built by very respectable companies. Look over both bikes front to back (racks, design, maintenance) and keep in mind everything that you will be using it for and pick one. Either one you pick there will be things that you would like changed based on specific usage and you will have to find work a rounds and persevere. None will be perfect!

One huge advantage for Honda that I have found is this message board. It is made up of GREAT folks that will honestly try to help you and could save you a lot of money by keeping you out of the dealer maintenance shop.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: LOANSHARK

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: SBuckJ



<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: mykool61679







that aint bad, i dont know how the rancher won, but it did??????????? good answer? it won cause its the best!!!!!!!!!!!! i tired of hearing all the bs, i would take any 450, and below on the trail with a rancher 420 and spank it!!!! thats my word!!! the rest is just hatin on honda for it being a honda!!!</end quote></div>











Sorry mykool61679, but no way. I have two hondas and love them but my old Kodiak 450 would beat them on the trails. With the quicker acceleration and tighter turning radius, it was much quicker on the trails.



Buck</end quote></div>



What??!! Maybe on a trail with no turns. Tighter turning radius, I think not!!!</end quote></div>


Oh yeah. There's times on my rubicon and rancher, on tight wooded turns, that I can't make the turn but I could on the Kodiak. It's rare but it has happened. Not sure why but all the Yamaha's I had had a tighter turning radius.
Buck

 

in two wheel drive you can just kick the rear around any curve.

 

The curves I'm talking about are tight curves between trees. If you gas it and slide, you'll be bouncin off of trees. Remember I'm talking tight trails. That's why I brought up the turning radius. I agree with you on normal curves. Nothin as fun as kickin the rear around. That's one thing this Ruby does MUCH easier than the Kodiak did.
Buck

 

my kodiak is a 2003 with a solid rear axle... it is faster in a strait line but doesn't come close on the turns... the turning radius is not even close and the ranchers are much less tippy as well...

If I was planning on draging trees, or something heavy out of the woods the kodiak would be the better choice. For trail riding the rancher is an easy first choice, better handling with less fatigue...