As you can see I currently own a 99 sportsman and a 2001 recon. I am in the market for the third atv for my wife and find myself pulled between the foreman 400es and the 450es. From the surface it looks like the 450 rides higher and should have more umph than the 400. Her use will be moderate trail riding. I may use it during deer season with the ocasional trip to the duck blind across a flooded field. I need an honest review before my purchase next week on the advantages of each machine.

 

anyone?

 

I'll give you my 2 cents. I am very partial to the Hondas and own a 450-S. My uses ARE more toward utility, but I can also keep the sport bikes in sight, when I am riding the woods. Mine gets used to pull/haul mostly. Firewood(on my trlr.), most any chore around my place. These machine are extremely reliable and should provide you with years of service. On the down side, these machine are heavy. Mine is 575lb. DRY/Probably right at 600lb., trail-ready. Your wife might want to ride a Rancher 4X4 es, too. You might also want to check out the POLARIS offerings. I would consider the 250 4x4,two-stroke. I have ridden twice(two diff. riders) with one of these and was impressed with the lightness and manueverability. I think it was a great entry level 4X4. The price is right, too. $4100, I think. Later, Mike(4-MAN-S in TIME)

 

I have a Foreman 450ES. Great Quad. Nice ride and plenty of power. However, if you're doing tight trail riding I would look at a Rancher. It's more maneuverable and weighs less.

 

I'd have to agree with these guys. My wife rides a Rancher and I know she wouldn't like the Forman.

 

Thank you for the heads up. I went to the local Honda dealership with a yellow foreman 450 ES in mind. After spending some time with the 400 and the 450 I came to the following conclusion.
She is going to love the Rancher ES. I picked it up late this afternoon for $5,170.25 drive out.