Today a friend took me out riding with him. The field conditions were some snow and alot of mud. I started off on the Rancher and was quickly surprised at how much zip it had! It did seem to bog a little in the deep snow but in the open it really screams. It was a foot shift and the shifting felt very good and easy to find the gears. We went into the woods and the tight, effortless steering was quick to show itself there. It turned much better than I expected. I was following him on his Foreman and could go anywhere he went. The seat set a little low on the Rancher but overall the ergonomics were nice. I was even surprised at how well the drum brakes worked. Then we traded machines and it was quickly evident the Foreman was a different beast. This ES has a HL lift and 27" Mudbugs on it. The seat sets much higher so you feel as if you are riding over top of the machine. The suspention was firmer but not uncomfortable. The torque of the engine was amazing even with the larger tires. The steering wasn't nearly as easy as the Rancher and didnt turn near as sharp. Some of that could be the tires. I really liked the ES shifting alot. It seemed more natural than I expected. I followed him over a small creek and suddenly the front of the Rancher dissapeared. He come up the oposing bank but got high centered and I had to help him out. The Rancher had plenty of power just lacked a little ground clearance. We both laughed and he jumped on his Foreman and tried to cross. That got high centered also but didnt take much help to get over the hump. We rode back and called it a day. Much thanks to IA450ES for taking me riding! But I still havent decided what to buy yet. Power or handling? Either way I dont think I can go wrong!

 

I have a Rancher ES 4x4 and a buddy of mine just picked up a new Foreman 450es 4x4 yesterday and we will have to have some "friendly" competion in the near furture. I did sit on his and also felt like you were sitting over the top of the Foreman where i feel the Rancher seems to fit me better. I don't care for the over the top feel. He rode mine to get the feel of the ES program and really felt like it was a great way to go with his new Foreman.

 

My suggestion....Get the 4x4 rancher es and get the High lifter monster performance kit with the money you save plus a lift kit to give you more ground clearance. But the first mod you will want to make is to get rid of the stock rubber, they suck.

00' rancher 4x2es, 26x12 mudrunners on the rear, 1500lb winch, herculined rack, 55wt back up light

 

a lift kit wont add ground clearance. only bigger tires. i think lifts make the machines feal more tippy than. just personal opinion though.

 

Cartman, your correct about the ground clearance thing. The lift actually will just raise the body up (which will raise the stock snorkel, allowing you to cross deeper terrain). I believe that th only thing that will not be raised is the differentials. That "tippy" feeling can also be offset by putting a larger tire on with spacers to spread out the stance.