Bought a 2008 Rancher ES 4x4 today. 1100 miles, 230 hours. Been in the market for one for a little while, and finally found the right machine.
I've noticed a couple things when I was riding it. One, is that when I upshift, sometimes I have to press the button in firmly to get it to shift. It's not a big deal, but any thoughts as to what causes that?

More importantly, I noticed that the machine pulls to the right when riding it.
Any thoughts?

 

Because it doesn't cost anything, I would clean out the shift motor first. Be warned, it is a pig to do. There is a guide as to how to do it on here somewhere. The most probable cause is the shift button getting tired but this is quite expensive as you have to buy the whole start/lights/kill switch assembly.

Check tyre pressures first with the pull to the right, then check the wheels are pointing forwards when the handlebars are straight. Hondas eat track rod ends, and someone may have not tracked it properly when fitting them.

While you are checking things make sure both rear hubs are tight on the axle shaft, and the spacer tube between diff and the axle locknuts on that shaft, is tight.

 

The guy sure rode slow, that works out to 5 mph.

Where do you live? In this cold snap nothing works like it should.

 

Nice to see you finally found something you liked. I think you will be happy you got a 4x4 even if you don't need to use it much. Its there if you need it. 5mph average, well at least you know the guy wasn't out flogging it and running it wide open all the time. Probably just bought it to putt around his property. I'd 2nd checking the tire pressure. Sometimes atv tires can be underinflated and not even look like it. As long as it shifts every time you push the button, sounds like the ES is working ok to me. If it doesn't have the backup foot shift lever, might be a good idea to order one just in case you ever need it. My 2002 shifts just fine, though I have no idea if anything maintence wise was ever done to the ES, I only just bought it last year.

 

Well, I haven't ridden the rancher too much yet, but we got some snow last night and I probably put a couple miles on it, and it seems like the shifting issue has cleared up. Seems to shift no problem when I press the button up or down. Also, I stopped at my buddies house down the street and we pumped up all the tires to recommend pressure, and it no longer pulls to the right. Seems like all the problems are solved.

I might end up swapping the tires out for something less aggressive. The ITP mud lights that are on there or pretty new and they're extremely aggressive. The machine vibrates like nobody's business what I'm riding down the road.

 

You might be able to find another set of stock wheels and tires fairly cheap, maybe about the same price as what a set of new tires would be. That way you could simply put the stock tires on it when you don't need extra traction and save your mud tires for when you need them.

 

They must be Mudlite "XLs" because normal Mudlite "ATs" are far from aggressive.

 

The heavy shift button could be the grease that Honda uses inside the button housing. It's a very firm grease and like all grease, gets even harder when cold.

As for it pulling to the right, check your tire pressure and front alignment.