Well, I have decided that HONDA is the only way to go. Now which one. I have good opportunities for a rental purchase, hmmm. The choices are 07/08 foreman 500 4X4 or 07/08 rancher 420 4X4 both will miles in the 4-6000 range. Three questions, of the two which is best for retrieving a 700 pound animal from the woods with 2 feet of snow....yea yea I know, take a snowmobile. Two, with those miles, what would you do to for maintence. Three, advantages between solid axle and independant rear suspension.

Thanks

 

The 500 Is the workhorse of the two tho the 420 is more fun/agile machine. Both will do the job decently tho IMO I would go for the 420 with EFI and its sportier engine of the two. Much more fun to ride in the off season

 

Here is a S+S comparison of the two!
2008 Honda FourTrax® Rancher® 4x4 ES (TRX®420FE) ATVs

 

The Foreman is your better bet for a workhorse. However depending where you are from (elevation wise), it will need to be rejetted for max performance.
The Rancher on the other hand has EFI and won't need a thing. I use an '07 Rancher for hunting and have no problems hauling deer and elk. Also the Rancher is a bit more agile and weight wise lighter if you need to drag or lift it out of a snow bank. In either case, when hunting in snow, I always carry a small avalanche shovel for digging out.

 

The Rancher is very snappy and nimble, where the Foreman and Rubicon have good low end pulling power and are physically larger. Both have more ground clearance than the Rancher. The Rancher is also EFI, and compensates for altitude automatically. I routinely run my Foreman anywhere from sea level up to 6 or 7000 feet with no problems.

SRA machines don't have body roll on fast sweeping corners or side hills but ride rougher and don't have the ground clearance of IRS. SRA's also don't squat when hitched to a trailer with significant tongue weight, due to the hitch attaching to the solid axle so the weight isn't carried by the quad's suspension.

As far as maintaining the machines, initial oil change and valve check is generally at 20 hours, then every 100 hours or 600 miles after that. Inspect brake pads, wheel bearings and suspension, alignment and so on at the same time.

Coolant on the Rancher or Rubicon is traditional chemistry and should be changed every 2 years. Oil in front and rear final drives should also be changed every 2 years (GL-5 80w or 75W90).

Not a bad idea to also change brake fluid every 2 years.

These things will run for a very long time if you service them regularly, which is generally pretty straight forward if you are at all mechanically experienced. A factory service manual is also an excellent investment.

 

I am leaning toward the Rancher. I am concerned about deep snow pulling an elk out with 6.5 inches of ground clearance but will prob. put taller tires on. It will be more fun to ride the other 51 weeks per year. I am concerned about buying a rental machine but am very good on the wrenching end of things. Great info., thanks.

 

At least with a rental, they probably have service records...

The Rancher, is it the IRS version? In any case, I probably wouldn't go bigger than 25's or you are likely to spoil their nice handling.

It would be nice if you could get a ride on the machines you are considering. They ride and handle very differently. A buddy of mine thought he wanted to buy a Foreman, until he rode mine and the Rincon back to back.

Research on forums can be helpful, but everyone has their own personal preference and there is no substitute for experiencing a real ride yourself.

 

I really like the rubicons alot.. that tranny is super sweet.. and it has just the right amount of power for anything..its basically bulletproof... My friend has one with 5000 miles on it and Im not joking he has pounded this thing like it owes him money and has only changed the OIL 1 time ONCE!! I am dead serious...he just adds some every once and a while if its low.. which it never is I don't even get it...he gave it to his dad who works for LUCAS TREE here in maine they maintain the power lines and stuff so the trees dont get outta hand...get used every day with ZERO maintenance.. I'm not saying all rubicons can deal with this abuse.. but his did probably a good sign LOL