I am looking to buy a used 4x4. i am wondering how the Honda Foreman 400 4x4 compares to the Foreman 450 ES 4x4 and the Rancher 350 4x4. Also, does anyone know how these machines compare to the 98-2001 Suzuki Quadrunner 500 4x4? Your help is appreciated.

 

First and foremost. Stay away from the 400. The suspension in my opinion is the weakest link on any of these quads and the 400 has the worst suspension of all. A few years ago Honda upgraded the suspension on the rancher and 450 to 5.9" of travel which is stil not that great. The 400 still has the old old shocks with only 4" of travel. Check the Honda website. The rancher and 450 have the same top speed(50). I don't know what the 400 top speed or acceleration is, but I think it's less than the 350 or 450 as this machine is PURE utility. I found an article on the web before I bought my 450 that basically rated the 450 and the quadrunner 500 dead even overall with the quadrunner being a bit faster and the 450 being a bit more stable on both off camber and incline grades. Also, the 450 has 2/4 wd selectable on the 2002 and newer which is a big plus in my opinion. I hope this helped.

 

My '98 450 has never let me down. A warn 424 kit makes it just as optioned as a '03 model. "Go big or go home!!!!"

 

I don't think there is anything wrong with the Foreman 400 if you purchase one and use it for what it was designed for and that is all work, all utility, bringing the hay bales out to the fields, hauling that big buck out of the woods, spraying fence rows, I mean this list goes on and on.

Its not a fun machine unless your just riding it to enjoy the views, it just wasn't designed to be sporty.

The Foreman400 is an older design which a lot people still buy because they continue to sell them.

If the Foreman 400 is maintained I am not sure you could wear it out.

The Foreman 450 was an update on the original 400 design. Many improvements as in the power and suspension. Can be ridden much more aggressive than the Foreman 400.

Just my preference I would stay-away from the 450 ES model and will get hazed for that statement but I have been auto-clutch shifting since 1969 and I have a problem shifting with my thumb. I have permanent dent in the left foot.

I like the new Ranchers but as my previous statement would indicate I would purchase shift models.
I feel there is less long term problems with all the electric's removed. Also, In riding the Rancher two wheel drive shift model, I would be the fastest on this model compared to the other models we discussed through the woods.

Chet

 

My 450 S is awesome, "strong like bull," never any problems (except exhaust baffle rattle). All it wants is the Warn 424. Big torque, works well with oversize tires. The newest Rancher is improved, with a 400 engine and other updates, maybe one for you to test ride.

 

You don't see to many used 450s foreman's around.

I would think there would be a limited supply of these models because unless the owners wants an upgrade in the Honda lineup they tend to keep them for long periods of time.

The 450s is the largest auto shift model has.

Chet

 

I could be taked out of mine. It is all stock except for tires. 275 miles. I live in Indiana not Kansas

 

450HondaForemanS

If someone talks you out of yours what are you going to get? I think you should keep it.

Chet

 

I like it but all my friends have sport quads. I am looking at in order: z400, raptor, 400ex. I've ridden all three. The 400ex feels the best but I think I'll outgrow the power sooner than the others, also concerned about resale if Honda comes out with a new sport quad though that doesn't look likely. All the mags say the Z feels the same, but to me the z and the raptor just don't feel as stable and glued to the ground though the z is better than the rap. Seems like the faster they make the motor the worse they figure they can make the handling.

 

My neighbor had over 8000 miles on his Foreman 450 and earns his living on it. As he is a surveyor operating in areas of eastern Montana, and northern Wyoming, his quad has seen about everything in the line of rough terrain. He told me that the Foreman has never let him down. They ride across small streams and have forded the Power River many times, and operate in real rough country. I own a Rancher 2x4 and you would have a hard time getting it away from me as I like it a lot. I don't have much mud to cross but have driven across some muddy areas. Think that mud is an area where the 4x4 should be though and not the 2x4.