perhaps one reason for the Ranchers top heavyness is that it has a better ground clearence than the Foreman or Rubi. Something like 9" vs 7"
Rancher has done EVERYTHING I've asked it to do without a problem. I've carried over 400lbs up a pretty steep hill. I;ve towed a trailer up a hill with ~1000lbs(not tongue weight). Plenty of power and speed. Yet nicely adgile.

g

 

FYI, me and my buddy are very competitive in everything, and when he bought his rancher i had to go by a rubi, no question about it. And the Rubi does have more ground clearence. Now, He has over 3000 miles on his rancher, and i have 2800 miles on my Rubi, And I dont know how many times ive seen my foourwheeler top out over his, AND THE RIDE IS SO MUCH BETTER ON A RUBI. Especially for a passenger. When you get right down to it, if price is not a barrier, the Rubi is a better machine, if it wasnt they wouldnt make em. The size is too close to be complaining about not being able to get through stuff, cuz i follow my other buddy around just fine, and he has a Warrior. But the Rancher only ways 50lbs less, $1700 cheaper, less cargo capacity, less speed, less horsepower, same options, Super Low on the Rubi, witch will take you straight threw a bottomless pit, bigger tires, Trust me Weve measured, better skidplates, more comfortable seat, better controls. Hands down, the Rubicon will destroy a Rancher any day, now the question is, do you want to spend the money?

 

I bought the rancher only because i'm waiting for the tranny to be proven in the rubicon....love the rancher....i would not have any other honda unless it is the rubi...if i'm gonna go bigger than the 350 i mas as well go to the 500...will seriously look at the rubi in a year or so...while i'm waiting for the rincon to prove itself!!...other than the rubi though i would seriously look at the rancher and the 450....not the 400

 

I have bought both a rancher 350 4x4 es and a rubicon in the last year and they are both great. however, the rubicon steers a little easier, rides a little better, and you don't have to shift it. my favorite one of the two is the rubicon.

 

i have found it VERY interresting to read this thread for the first time.
i'm deliberating between the same two machines!
i had an old '88 300 4x4 and miss it. the Rancher 350 (actually it should be called a Rancher 329) seems like the replacement for the old 300's.
however, the Rubicon's tranny and size might fit me better. i'm reading that everyone is having good luck with both models. it's a tough choice.
i just hope the traction doesn't let me down. i'm used to Polaris's true 4x4 and i ride deep mud quite a bit.
anyways, i think it'll be a Rubi for me.

Great Debate!

thanks,
-MT