We live at 9K and have an '07 and '08 ESs. The power steering is great. My 100 lb. wife loves the power steering. I was worried about the carbs, but so far, no problems. We've never used them below 6000', so can't say whether that would need adjusting. I've got a few pounds on you and this workhorse has no problems. Have hauled wood loads and critters without a hitch.

 

Worried about a carb,they have been around 20 times longer then EFI.

 

Its gonna come down to when you sit down on the Foremen and when you sit on the rancher 420, and which one you like more, which one has the best feel to you, either way you cant make a mistake between the two, both are great.

 

Hello,

I actually have both machines Rancher420 and Foreman500 both ES/2007.

Rancher420 is more lightweight so it is FASTER!! just touch the throttle and you'll feel it, but it is not as stable as the Foreman, which may be slower, but stronger, I had ridden both uphill with no problems at all and the top speed for both are quite similar, around 52 mi/hr.

Rancher is snappy and agile as Justin says, but you'll feel more the road. The Foreman is quite stable, comfortable and also stronger.

About ES or foot, it depends what you like, I like ES but it is true, foot shifts = less things that may go wrong.

About your weight, my brother and I have been over the Rancher420, which is about 330 pounds of weight so don't worry that much about your weight.

So which one would I choose?? Foreman, I feel it more stable, stronger and looks nicer !! =). However I really like the Rancher.

 

I have had a 2003 kodiak, and I have two ranchers right now. I have the older ranchers, but aside from the extra power on the new 420 you can't tell much difference. The Kodiak is a beast of a machine climbs, pulls, accelerates well. But the Rancher is no slouch when it comes to pulling resonable loads. And trail riding is much more enjoyable on the Rancher. I sold the Kodi after spending a bit of time on the Rancher. If I used my quads for more and heavier work, I would have kept the Kodi.

I'm 6'1" and 300 lbs, and I think for a machine that's mostly used for trail riding/ light work, the Rancher is hard to beat.