Middle Aged man who is young at heart! Looking for a reliable Honda, not the biggest, not the baddest of all machines. Middle of the road, some joy riding, alot of woods riding at a leasurely pace on my way to the fishing hole!

I am posting this for a friend of mine who is looking to buy Honda, any recomendations from the "Honda people" out there??

 

i would recommend the rancher 420 i have a 2006 rancher 350 and i love it , it does what i want it to and has just enough power so the 420 would be your best bet

 

I will second the vote on the Rancher. It is big enought to get the job done, but isn't one of the huge pigs either. The newer 420 is a superb machine, but if he is on a budget an older Rancher 350 will do just fine as well. Can be had in 2wd or 4wd.

My Rancher 350 is going on 10 years old now and I have never done anything to it except replace the rear skid plate, and routine maintenence.

If he is really on a budget and isn't a big guy and can get along with 2wd, then the little Recon might do. It is pure fun!

 

I will also cast my vote for the Rancher! 420 ES 4x4. Some people don't speak highly of the ES, but I personally have had 2 Honda's with ES(Foreman as well as Rancher) and never had any troubles whatsoever!
Ride Red!

 

I also will have to put out a vote for the Rancher 420. I have one for hunting, fishing and joy riding. Very fun reliable machine. 100% recommend it to anyone

 

I would say in the Honda 4x4 line up, there really isn't a bad choice, as long as you choose the machine that's right for the riding you do and your personal preferences and style.

The Rancher 420 is a snappy and sporty handling 4x4, lighter and slightly smaller and lower than the Rubicon, Foreman or Rincon.

The Foreman is a bit physically larger and heavier, with good bottom end torque. Like the Rancher it comes in 5 speed foot shift with automatic clutch, or in electric push button shifting. Power steering is an option.

The Rubicon is similar to the Foreman in handling, but is hydrostatic auto transmission liquid cooled, 4 valves, and slightly more displacement. It can emulate a geared transmission with a push to shift mode, and is very well suited for dragging, plowing and towing heavy.

The Rincon 680 is Honda's only IRS machine. It has a much smoother ride over rough stuff, especially at faster speeds, and a ground clearance advantage. It is unique in the quad world in that it uses a 3 speed auto with a torque converter, like a car's auto. It's biggest disadvantage is that it is high geared and doesn't provide much for downhill engine braking below about 10mph, so you have to use the brakes on really technical decents.

 

I have not tried any of the others but I enjoy my Rancher 420. I am 6' 235 and it's more than enough machine for me. Very nimble and very quick. It's not a beast to maneuver around.

I think you would be satisfied with any of them though.

 

HONDA 420FM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

It almost feels cliche to say 420 rancher. But I love mine as well. ES also.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: adb2f

It almost feels cliche to say 420 rancher. </end quote></div>

Yeah. So I wont. Get a nice used 300 4x4. They are indestructable.