I am going to buy a new ATV and want opinions about the Foreman ES, S, Rubicon. Is the reliability in the Rubicon? How about the ES electric shift? Sure there is a price difference but are the differences worth it? I think the ES shifts great, the Rubicon full-time 4-wheel drive is a negative. Help!!!

 

KAWASAKI!

 

If you have the cash, go with the Rubicon..

My cousin has a 2001 450 ES and I have an 02 Rubicon. The difference is like night and day. When in the ES mode, the Rubi is the smoothest shifting ATV you will ever find. And in the Automatic mode, you never hear the tranny shift.The only thing the 450 has going for it is the Trax Loc option. You can always add the warn unlocker to the Rubicon later.

Plus the Rubicon has a bigger engine and more ground clearance.

 

I have ridden my sisters 450 ES and it id a completely different machine than the Rubicon. My wife thought our Rubicon was hard to steer until she drove the 450, it is alot tougher to steer. The Rubicon is just bigger, more powerful, smoother, and there is no comparison in the transmission department, the Rubicon has the nicest trans of all ATVs.

I have a new Rancher ES 4X4 and I would rather ride that than the 450. The 450 does have cosiderable more power (a lot of torque) than the Rancher, but I just don't find the 450 enjoyable. The 450 ES that I have riden is a 2001. When my sister drove our Rubicon she said she told her husband to get the Rubicon (after all, don't women know best!!) but he didn't because at the time it was a "new" machine. They are now in the process of "upgrading" to a Rubicon.

Alot of people do like the 450, but I do believe the Rubicon is alot more refined than the other Foremans.

 

If your Rubicon is tough to steer you need to adjust your toe-out settings.

 

450S-Lighter, better power-to-weight ratio, simpler, more reliable in the long haul. Costs less, less to go wrong. The other day I had an electric shift module fail during a training class, the rider had to put the optional foot shifter on it just to get it in neutral so it would start. The machine had to be shifted by hand on the foot shifter, so he just left it in 3rd gear and rode the course. The shift lever fell off several times, and the whole class had to stop to search the range for it. I finally duct-taped the shifter to the shaft to sort of held it in place for the last hour of class. I expect mechanical problems from Suzukis, Kaws and even Yamahas in training sessions, but Hondas are the most consistently reliable. Moral of story: When the electric or auto shift fails, you can't even start the machine.

 

The 02 Rubicon will start in any gear but reverse.
The 450 S would have to be a lot better than my Foreman 400 to even be close to the Rubicon.

 

450s without a doubt

 

I have a 2002 450ES and think its a great quad. Keep in mind alot of people have older Foremans which don't have traxloc or the new front diff. Personally not sure that I would want a hydro tran. Robs some power and fuel economy plus more to go wrong.

 

I don't know about the rubicon but my buddy just bought a new foreman and it is way too slow for my blood.