thinking of buying a 07 foreman camo manuel shift {please dont try to talk me out of manuel shift} i do moderate trail riding plus some deer hunting and turkey hunting what is your opinion on that considered a rencon but extra money probally dont need that much power dont really care for the automatic and some said indenpendent rear suspension was to soft please reply

 

I'm a manual shift guy myself! There are lots of post about problems with the ES electronic shifting system, so best to avoid that IMO.

I also prefer the stable solid planted feel of an SRA machine. The IRS machines I have ridden have a high center of gravity and a lot of body roll. That's the price you pay for more higher ground clearance and long travel suspension.

The Foreman 500 is a solid machine with a good reputation! I tend to think of it more as a work quad than a trail quad.

Take a look at the new Rancher 420 as well. It will be more "fun" on a trail ride than the Foreman will be.

 

I have a Foreman, and I enjoy it as a trail quad. It isn't the fastest in the 500 class, but it handles well and is fun to slide around corners. The Rancher 420 would also be a fun quad. They are a little smaller physically and ground clearance wise, but snappy and fun to ride. I would agree with the above, in that I think shifting is part of the fun of riding, and I'd avoid the ES.

You might think about power steering, though. It might seem like overkill, but reducing kickback when you smack that rock hidden in the grass could be nice.

Foremans have a reputation for reliability, but the deep mud/huge tire crowd do occasionally break 1st gear, and if you run a lift kit you might expect to shorten the life of the rear U joint.

I also have a Rincon, and I have a good time on it. I wish a foot shift 5 speed were an option, but for an automatic I like the way it shifts. My only complaint is that on super steep downhills engine braking will hold around 10mph in 1st in where the Foreman would hold about 2mph in the same situation.

It's IRS rides over rough stuff much smoother than the SRA Foreman, and it has more ground clearance. There is a bit more body roll in offcamber stuff and fast sweepers. It will still go anywhere I can get my Foreman, but I do feel the need to put a bit more body lean into the mix. Also feedback on the IRS is a bit muted as far as feeling what the tires are doing in technical situations.

Anyhow, Welcome to the forums. Good to see you are doing your homework to make sure the machine you buy is really what you want. I'd suggest trying to get a good test ride on several before you decide.