To me the Rubicon issue would be simple. Do you want an automatic transmission?

 

I have a 98 Foreman, and just got an 08 Foreman with PS. I couldn't believe the difference in the steering. My wife can drive it one handed while holding our son (which was nearly impossible on our older Foreman) so she said she'll never own an ATV without PS. Foremans aren't know as a luxury riding ATV, but the PS is definitely a step in the right direction.

 

I absolutely hate the way lockers fight the steering. Perhaps the damping from PS would be an answer to this????

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>I have a 98 Foreman, and just got an 08 Foreman with PS. I couldn't believe the difference in the steering</end quote></div>

To be fair I had a 2001 full time 4wd 450 foreman and I tried a 03 450 Foreman that had selectable 2wd/4wd and in 2wd mode it also steered alot nicer.

I know the 500 Foreman's can switch to 2wd and that alone makes it steer better than the older Foremans.

 

MortisFK, how do you rate your 450 to the 500 in power, ride, and everything else? I'd really like to hear your comparisons.

 

I owned a 450 and ride a 500 lots ., in the power department its hard to tell but the 500 is geared abit taller,the ride of the 500 is abit nicer also.

 

i have rode my buddies 08 foreman with power steering and it does great, jus a lil tricky at first since its so easy, but still makes the same turns in the same area jus with less muscle, perfect for relaxin on the trails with tight turns, and helps great with running in muddy ruts that r hard to steer while going threw r no problem with PS, i wanted the foreman for a while its a great bike but i settle with the rancher 400 and i love it because its so much lighter for playing in the mud and easy to get unstuck jus sometimes wish i had more top end speed but ill run with foremans all day

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06 Honda Rancher 400AT, 2" lift, 26/12/12 mud lites rear, 26/10/12 mud lites front, ITP chrome rims, HMF slip on pipe, exhaust wrap, K&N filter, outwears prefilter wrap, Dyno jet kit, customized snorkle with differential and carb vent lines ran up with snorkle, 2000lbs superwinch, warn front bumber with warn trail lights

 

Power-wise, I can't really notice much difference between my 98 and my 08 Foremans. They both pull a wood wagon, drag logs, and push snow with equal power if you're in Low gear. What I did notice is the general riding is nicer on the 08. It seems a little smoother, but still isn't a luxury ride ATV that some models with IRS feel like. I think it turns slightly sharper, but that could be my imagination because of the PS. I know on my 98, I'd might as well be driving a bulldozer through the woods for as many times as I needed to back up when trying to make a tight turn.

 

You will have nicer plastic but the new 475 Foreman if no technological breakthrough over the previous Foremans by any means. The new 475cc motor is just the same 433cc with a 2mm bore increase and 3.5mm longer stroke.

 

So basically the 500 is just a little bit better in all area's over the 450? But they are all very small/minor improvements.. nothing major? Thats how i thought it would be.

I guess what im going to do is when i go to buy on March 2nd, i will have it lined up with the dealer to let my test drive both the '08 Foreman PS and an '07 Rubicon.

After i test drive both, i'll make my decision.
Thats all i can think to do.