sounds like a decent machine, is the ES any good? is it easier than foot shifting? I ask becuase I really want to get a low cost second atv, my girlfriend wants Polaris but unless I am willing to spend 4600 or more I cannot get shaft drive. Which is stupid to me, all the other companies pretty much offer a low cost shaft drive machine except Polaris. Why they do not offer a 250 shaft drive is a mystery to me. Any thoughts on if the ES is nearly as good as a fully auto?

 

Well, I own an Xplorer 400, and my neighbor a Rancher ES 4x4, and I'd have to say that the Rancher is a LOT more fun to drive, not only because its a more well balanced machine, but because shifting is so much fun. Its crisp and precise, and buttery smooth (no clunks like many of the earlier Foreman ES's have).
'Tis quite nice.