Foot shift is the way to go -- i did a stock take today in our yard -- of 50 Hondas in the yard 7 of them are waiting for repair because of electrical issues -- ZERO foot shifts are for repair.
And that is all the time..... if a foot shift goes then it is usually only a selector.
If an ES goes we can be half a day and sometimes a couple days figuring what is wrong.
That said -- I prefer the ES for day to day riding and work - it's just that if an ES is faulty it usually won't go - but if a foot change has a problem it is not often enough to stop the job.

 

My friend has a ES Rancher and after riding today i would never get one. Hes had problems in the past but today we had to stop at least 5 times for him to get the shifter out of his toolkit. It seems so unrealible and all he has had is problems with it.

 

I would buy my wife what she wanted even if I didn't like it.

I would do my best so she could make a well informed educated decision, but then again she's the one who's going to be riding it not me.

I loved our Rancher ES and for me I would never own a foot shift ATV.

 

I have a 2000 450 ES that I am battling a shifting issue with. However, it is the first time in 2 years of hard riding that it has quit on me. Most rides I am in deep mud or lots of water. Even with the problem I am having now, I would not get a foot shift. I will stick with the ES. It is so much more fun to ride than a foot shift. Also, the 2002 and newer bikes will go into a diagnostic mode that should help you troubleshoot any problems. Just my 2 cents worth.

 

When we bought ours, Recon 250 2007, I wanted a foot shift and she wanted a es so that is what we got and she will never go back to a foot shift. now she wants a 4x4 es but it has to be yellow or no deal. o'well looks like we are in the market for a YELLOW 4x4 with es. nothing else matters.

 

I love a woman that has her priorities in order.

 

She wouldn't even consider riding my green 420fm.

 

Here is my wife's 07 Recon ES. No problems so far. I would buy another one in a heartbeat!

 

Have you considered a Rancher AT? I know mywife would take an AT over an ES.

 

If your the least bit mechanically inclined get the ES ,, $40 for the sensor and 20 min.,,,, and your back in business!

We have an 03 Recon ES and only changed it twice,, once on the recall.