What is everyones top speed on the new 450s? Anything else I should know will be fine as well. I am debating to get this quad or waiting on the new rancher ATs to arive. Thanks for your help in andavnce and in the mean time keep RiDeNrED!

 

By your first question I can tell that you probably don't want the 450s. The 450s' top speed is 50 mph. That said, it's MUCH happier at 44 mph. This is not a fast machine. If you want a simple, rugged utility machine with lots of torque, the 450s is it. If you want to ride trails and hang with your friends on their sport bikes and 650's, get something else.

 

For the most part I agree w/ Bisley, however my guess is the 450 will be faster than the Rancher AT, smaller motor, pwer robbing AT. If you are stuck on Honda and want a 4 x 4 it may be your best choice. Personally I should have gotten the 500 Vinson manual.

 

Best I have gotten out of my 2003 foreman with 20 hours on it is 47MPH, it is a fun machine that you can powerslide in 2wd, corners pretty flat, not much push. After the fact I thought that I would have been happier with a Vinson also but go on the Suzuki forum, nothing but problems with the semi auto shifters and lots of other complaints. I think its time to get the valves adjusted as they were making quite a clanking noise at 47 MPH sounded almost like pinging. I could only get the Suzuki dealer to come down to $6000.00 on the Viinson, got my 03 foreman ES for $5495.00

 

I'm going to have to disagree with 450HondaForemanS. The reason the 450s is slower isn't because of engine size, it's because of gearing. Even though I have 600 miles on the machine, I still catch myself trying to shift into a non-exsistant 6th gear. This machine could really benefit from another gear. I'm guessing that the new Rancher AT engine will be at least as powerful as the 450's and the gearing will be much better suited to a higher speed. I'll bet money it will be faster than the 450s. But, it's your money, so I'd definately wait until I could test ride one before putting any deposit down.

 

Bisley, I honestly hope your right. More faster ATV's available is a good thing. Since we honestly don't know my logic was the 500 rubi is only 4-5 mph faster than the 450(so I hear) so take off 100 or so CC's and it should be slower unless Honda gets a clue and makes a more performance oriented utility engine. I either case your right. Ride before you buy

 

I would think the new Rancher 400 will be faster because the Rancher 350 I think is faster. I have ridden both and on the rancher for big hills second gear is perfect but on the Foreman 450 i just cannot find the right gear. 3rd has right speed but lack of power and 2nd has right power but lack of speed. I do not think it is worth the extra money for the 450

 

The difference between the 450 and the Rubicon on paper is 4-5 mph. The real life difference is that the 450 accelerates well up to 40 mph, then hits a wall at 44. It will eventually crawl to 50, given a good tailwind.

The Rubicon will accelerate strongly up to 50 mph, then top out at 54-55 mph. This speed too is gearing limited. The big difference is that the Rubicon can cruise nicely at 50 or above, the 450 really is more comfortable in the low 40's. Is this your take on the 450s? You can correct me if I'm wrong.

Whether or not the Rancher AT will be faster is a matter of conjecture at this point, but my dad's '02 Rancher ES will top out at 51 if you're patient enough. I can't get my 450 that fast unless I'm going downhill.

 

Just so every understands, I'm not trashing the 450s, I love mine, but I knew what I was buying and I use it accordingly. If I need to ride fast, I take the Rubicon.