TINFL for you pointy headed types that's "there is no free lunch", the rancher is about as dead bottom weighted as one can possibly design a racked 'ute'- Grasshopper. From the low center of gravity there are only trade offs like wider and longer stances as well as losing ground clearance, which for it's size is adequit[GC] on the rancher. Both the Rubi and the Rancher are from the same generation of design, which is premier quality combined with ease of use IMO. The Rubi is substantially larger in all dimentions and has a few goodies like the center pod light. The comparison of the rancher as a ranger vs F350 is a bit off too, more like 150 vs 350, and the recon is weighing in on the light end(but never the less it's premium stuff too.)

 

HINDAROCKS, why limit yourself to chosing from just one brand, Honda? Check out what suzuki, kawi, polaris, bombardier, etc. have to offer as well. Don't get me wrong, honda makes a nice quad, but if I was a first time buyer, I would check all my options first to see which quad fits me best.

 

Hindarocks, the Foreman 400 will take you more places than the Rancher or Rubicon. Killarancha, the only way a Rancher will go as far as the Rubicon -is if a Rancher is tied on behind a Rubicon. Elrancho, you're right there are some compromises to low center of gravity. In my opinion those compromises are worth it to access more terrain. If you put 589's on any atv traction is seldom you're limiting factor but incline is.

 

I already had a rancher. It's a great machine. Recently wanted to quit riding my big bear. Wanted another Honda, so for me it was between the Rubicon and the Foreman 450. I chose the Foreman and do not regret it. The Rubicon is a great machine but I'm just not ready for auto trans. I believe you can select manual shift on the Rubicon. I don't think you have to go full time auto if you don't want to.

 

Wondered how you skipped over the Foreman 450 in your consideration, its a great machine. The new models have 2/4wd and the traxlock differential up front. Mine and others have boldly gone where Rubis, Ranchers, Sportsmen, Grizzlies and Prairies couldn't go. Seems to be the combination of torque, weight, gearing and traction. Also very durable. I like to shift with my foot, so I got an S model-no disappointments. At least ride one, along with those others, then make up your own mind. Good luck.

 

Is there really a choice, I mean come on! Do you want a Corvette, or a Camaro, Do you want a F-250, or a Ranger? what i'm trying to say, is the choice between the two is a no brainer, it's what you can afford and what you will use it for. If you will work it, or haul a passenger any at all, go with the Rubicon, you thank yourself, if you just put around the yard, and don't plan to spend $3000 turning your Rancher into a Rubicon, then get a Rancher. it will be more your speed and a great hand-me-down when you decide to step up to a bigger utility. Ultimately, everyone who owns a mid size utility, finds themselves wanting a Big-Dog!

 

yes, i have seen many girls get hurt on ranchers because of top heavy rollover, and light fornt end. the perfect quad for inexperienced ladies, seems to be the prarie 400, i have seen to ranchers traded for praries here, and no regrets.

 

the recon is a wheelbarrow that couldn't pull my lawnmower backwards. you look at the front of a rancher, you see open space no front end weight, makes it rare up on you. Rubicon is full of radiator frame, parts etc. It is hard to get that monster to come up in the front, even wtih the strongest efforts. Not to cut on a rancher, because i own one also, but I also own a Rubicon, and if they were as close some people would like to believe, they would be lil closer in price, and Rubicons my be put on the endagered list! lol.

 

ever tried to rock back and forth, from 1st to reverse while stuck in a mudhole, guess what, on an S, you got to stick your foot down into that nasty hole. Someone told me, that if you by and ES, you can still put the foot shfter on, and still use the shift buttons too, pretty cool if it works, huh?

 

EXACTLY! Also, have you ever been almost run over climbing a hill because you had to downshift? My friend was in front of me on his 450S and me on my Rubicon, up a hill we went and half way up he had to downshift - I had to hit the brakes...UPHILL. With the Ruby auto you just go.

Don't get me wrong, my friends 450 was what got me into the showroom in the first place, I'm just real happy I walked out with the Rubicon AND the automatic.