Do not yet own an atv but will soon. Primary interest is plowing snow and packing out game. Am looking at the rancher and am wondering if the compression will hold you back while desending steep hills in first gear or if you have to ride the brakes? Also is there such a thing as an after market locker for the front end or is that just wishful thinking? Thank you.
Stan

 

I mostly ride my rancher 420 in a local spillway so my desents are not very long, but yes it has enough to keep from running away. I am about 230lbs and don't have any gear on it while playing around. It will rev the engine some, but not too the point of needing to ride the brake to prevent engine damage. Have not had one bad thing to say about the bike. Mine is bone stock with a winch, my buddies has 2" lift kit, 1-3/4" wheel spacers, ITP mud lites, snorkel, winch, and is looking for a pipe to put on it. Both are 07's, ES, 4X4. Bike has the perfect power to weight/size ratio. Big enough you fit on it, powerful enough to get out of its own way and small enough you can still man-handle it when you get it stuck. Also fits in the bed of my truck and can close the tailgate. 07 Tundra

 

trust me, you wont need a "full-time" front locker. the torx-lock is good. read up on it a bit. the torxlock front diff sences the front wheel sliping and will engadge the other wheel. this is a real benifit if you intend on going threw alot of sticky stuff. you wont have to fight a locked front diff all the time, which gets hard on the arms BTW.

IMO alot of ATV companies overplay a full time locker, or button lock. if you have a good system to engadgeand disengadge a locker automatically it saves alot of time and strain. (just my 2 cents)

the 420 is right up your ally if you want to plow and have alot of fun doing it. EFI, water cooled, and avalibal in auto( which has IRS-independant rear suspention!) or manual tranny. i would get the foot shift myself, i have an es and miss the shifter...

the honda engine breaking down hill will do just fine! you really wont use the break that much if you slow down with the engine.

welcome to the fourm!

 

Thank you for the information. The one I am looking at is an end of year 2008. Big discount on the foot shift which is what I want anyway. The Honda advertisement doesn't say anything about torxlock on an 08. Is that on 09 models only?
Stan

 

nope im 99% sure it comes on all 420 4x4 modles. they came out with the 420 in 07 and havent made any changes to the model that im aware of.( other than plastic colors)

 

Some dealers still have 07's. They are identical 07-08. My local dealer has a 07 foot shift for 4900.00

 

base price on an 09 rancher is $4,599...tell him whats the deal with overchergeing you on a 2 year old atv. i would not pay OTD(out the door) more than list price...if your not going threw honda financing that is

 

$4,900.00 is the 4X4 model foot shift.