The Oct. issue of ATVSport has an interview with factory reps. They ask what each manufacturer's best selling models are, both all-time and current:

Honda's all-time: Rancher 350

Honda's current: Rancher 420

Honda is the #1 seller, and the Rancher is Honda's #1 seller! I think this says volumes about what the real world buyer is looking for in a quad! We make a lot of fuss in here about flagship models and monster big bores loaded with all kinds of "features", but when it comes down to it all the majority of buyers want is just a reasonably priced, medium size, medium weight, manual transmission trail quad, that also has 4wd in case they get into trouble out there on the trail.

Honda has sold 70,000 Rancher 350's, and if you include the sales of the old 300 ute, they have sold a cool 1,000,000 medium size small bore 4wd's. The new Rancher 420 is the best value for your dollar of any quad out there! The trend will continue....

 

i agree totally.. Last year Honda made a smart move by upgrading it's most popular quad. adding the EFI, bigger engine and selectable 2x4 and 4x4. No changes this year, but i'm sure down the road more will come. I wouldnt doubt seeing an automatic version with IRS soon. I personally like the straight axle, but remember these are being used as trail quads, and from Honda's point of view that's probably gonna be the next upgrade to this machine in the next few years

 

IRS adds a ton of lard to the frame! Look at the new 700XX. That pig will weigh 500+ pounds, compared to a 450R that weights only 350. I am willing to pass up the "benefits" of IRS for the weight and stability advantage of an SRA.

 

The 450R's weight is the dry weight. The 700XX is the weight with everything even a full tank of gas. It says it right after the weight in the specifications. Plus it has a lot bigger motor and is made for trail riding not racing.

 

The difference in weight is around 150 pounds. That's a lot more dead weight than just some fluids and a tank of gas!

 

I didn't know I was getting a best seller when I bought a TRX420FM , it just seemed to be right for my needs. Now with just 36 hours on it I'm hooked. The photos on my page show me working it at home, but Saturday we were at the coast on other business and just happened to have the Rancher in the back when we passed by Spinreel in the Oregon Dunes NRA. It was a great time, even if only for a couple of hours. The Rancher did just fine on sand with stock tires, and 4wd was a big help bombing around the sand trails & climbing the dunes. Map & Photos Here

 

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

We make a lot of fuss in here about flagship models and monster big bores loaded with all kinds of "features", but when it comes down to it all the majority of buyers want is just a reasonably priced, medium size, medium weight, manual transmission trail quad, that also has 4wd in case they get into trouble out there on the trail.</end quote></div>That is the best fact I have herd in a long time! Also why I think that class of ATVs will get more competitive.

 

Unfortunately, we passed up Oregon Dunes this year because of gas prices. It's a bit of a drive from So. Calif.

Had the Rancher at 11,000' last weekend, and it had all the power at altitude that is has below sea level....yes there are palces that we ride that are below sea level!