The Rancher could use a little more power . I went riding with my 450 s and my two friends rode a Rancher and a 1987 350 Foreman . Three times there were hills the Rancher woulndn't climb but the other two did . We had little room to get up speed . The snow was about 15" . I went up in third , the Rancher tried in second but ran out of steam and had to down shift into first then he was stuck . Other than this the Rancher performed extremely well .

 

As good as the Rancher is its still a small bore and there no replacement for displacement. I think compared to other 300 class machines it is fairly strong. To bad it didn't get the old foreman 350 motor.

 

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ok guys lets take a deep breathe. yes riding technique will effect where a quad will go but lets not jump to conclusions as to who can and can't ride....
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OUCH! Those are pretty harsh words for someone that wasn't there to see where they were climbing out of. You don't know Gabby or his riding ability to pass such judgement like that. The guy came here to tell of his ride and what had happened and all you could do is insult him. So,do us "all quadders" a favor and vent like that to the tree huggers that want to shut US down.

 

Your 450s is really slow when it comes to a drag race. I have a 450s and the rancher smokes me everytime we race. My 450 goes 50mph looks bad when a 350 goes by you.

 

Hi,
At the risk of being bashed, I dare to enter into the Honda forum to read about the Rancher I almost bought. I was DEAD SOLD on getting it untill I rode the Yamaha Y2K Kodiak. The Kodiak like any new design year model has it's faults. Power is not one of them. It is a good machine for those who want a medium sized ATV with big bore power. It's no 600cc but it isn't a small bore either. I was also DEAD AGAINST a belt drive auto untill I rode it. I noticed a ATV Sled pull that a Grizzly won with no belt slipping. You really have to sink the unit to get water into the belt housing. I have rode with 2 Polaris's (Mag 500 & Explorer 400) that slipped in shallow water.
The one problem so far reported with the new unit are some water pumps are leaking. Mine has no problems with 30 hours on it to date.
I'm not Honda bashing, I'm just bending your ears a little.
The one thing I had a little trouble getting used to is the higher RPM's at slow riding speeds.
I love having all Disc brakes, adjustable shocks, and the option to be in 2X4 or 4X4.

therock

 

Just because you read about a leaking water pump would not me it will ever happen to you. I have had my bike two years with no trouble and from what I read it's suppost to have all kinds of trouble by now but im still waiting.

 

the simple reason why i did not get a yamaha kodiak or grizz is the stinkin ultramatic transmission. IMHO they suck!!! The are very, very noisy!!!! vibrate very very baddly!!!! and CAN slip. I was so dead set on a rancher i picked mine up 3/11. wouldn't ya know it i have a cold now and noone to ride with .
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