Reading a lot if forums, I am a little gun shy on a recent pickup.

I bought a 2004 rancher AT from my grandpa. Price was right and I know the care that was given to it. It has 180 hours and 750 miles on the quad. But I am wondering if I should dump the quad and get an ES or foot shift rancher or foreman because of all the issues this hondamatic has had in the past. Right now the quad runs and shifts up and down great. I mainly use ESP mode because I like to shift. I know the auto mode has been problematic.

If I keep the quad, should I replace the angle sensor or have a replacement one on board at all times?
Is there preventative maintenance I should be doing? Or any warning signs I should listen or watch for?

Sorry for all the questions, but I can't afford to drop $2000 to replace the hondamatic. So I want to be proactive and try to keep grandpa's quad.

Thanks for all the help.

 

I believe you are worring for nothing, I also have a '04 400AT and it has 4200 miles on it with no issues. We ride trails, mountains, mud and water and has not had a problem. Now granted it is not a workhorse but rather it is a great trail quad. I believe the mistake most people make when putting it in a bind is they continue to use the Auto instead of the ESP. When we are in the mud or climbing real steep grades we use the ESP mode.

 

I believe you only hear of the fewer bad then the many good. People (Many) do not post here to say there 400 AT is running great.
If the ATV runs good and you like it I would call it a day.

I bought a 2000 450ES foreman 8 years ago and heard about all the ES horror stories,I used the machine for a few years and sold it to a friend who I ride with to this day and the ES never quite working yet.

Glad I did not take those ES stories seriously back then.

 

thanks TLC and papahouse. It is GREAT to hear the good stories too. I do all trail riding and some hill climbing in SE Ohio for hunting. So the bike isnt going to see any heavy mudding or abuse. I bought it because it is known as a good all around quad. and i knew the original owner.

And I plan to do all my riding in ESP mode. Specially navigating the steep hill situations. I know this bike doesnt have a true low gear, so I am hoping the ESP "1" gear will offer plenty of engine braking assistance.

Any other input, please let me know.

 

So for trail riding that I do on my foreman i should use esp on hills and mud? I like to ride a lot in auto just easier

 

we see ATs with 20 and 30,000 miles on them - on the same piston/rings.
the must-do is oil changes at 100 hours. i suggest always bringing the oil to operating temp before riding (or at least slow riding first)

 

My wife's ATV is an 09 Rancher with Hondamatic and Power Steering. We have not had any issues with the angle sensor. We just finished our third day on the Piute Trails in Utah and have not had any problems. She uses the automatic in 2 wd on the access roads. When we start climbing the mountain trails, she shifts to ESP mode in 4 wd and everything worked great.

I wouldn't worry about the angle sensor until it starts giving you problems. It's around $50 and most dealers have them in stock.