Hi everyone, I'm new here so be gentle...

I hope to be getting a new Rancher 4X4 ES in a month or so. I've been reading about all the different quads and really like the ES since everyone has nothing but great things to say about them. The only thing that I wasn't crazy about to learn is that the Rancher has a solid rear axle. I was hoping it would be an independant rear. So now the questions: 1. what kind of a difference is there in handling and stability on a solid rear axle vs. an independant setup? 2. Is a solid axle better suited to pulling a trailer? I've never owned an ATV and only ridden a friends '99 Suzuki 250 a few times (independant rear, and handles pretty nice). I plan to use my quad mainly for the deer lease and an occasional trail ride perhaps. I don't care for any radical type riding, and I am usually not hard on any of my equipment.

PS: I've been reading the forum for a few days now and I'm impressed by how respectful most of the conversations are.

Thanks,
--Mike

 

They tell me that if you are doing a lot of rocky riding, or otherwise "rough" riding, the independant rear suspension is advantageous.
Having only had my Rancher ES 2 weeks or so I have no problems with the ride comfort, but I don't plan on "rocky" or "rough" riding either.
Enjoy your new "toy". You will have fun with it!

 

This past weekend our club went riding & there was one arctic cat 4x4, a 300. My Rancher went every where his independent rear suspension went. I think the IRS is way over rated.

 

Hey Mark,
Well, this is something I can tell you first hand about. I own both a 2000 Suzuki Q.Runner 4x4, and a RancherES 4x4. The difference between the two when it comes to suspension is that the Suzuki rides much, much better. The Rancher has a stiffer ride. Now, when it comes to that translates to off-road ability, the Rancher puts the Suzuki to shame. It'll go through mudholes the 'Zuk. wouldn't think of. The thing about that independent suspension is, it tends to make the bike squat down when it starts to dig in. In other words, the rear wheels sort of spread out. What this ends up doing is lowering your ground clearance. The bottom line is, if you want comfort and steering ease, go with the Suzuki 250 4x4, or King Quad 300 4x4. They also have the added convience of being able to shift into 2-wheel drive when 4-wheel drive is not needed. This being at least 95% of the time. However, if you want more power, and better off-road capabilities, get the Rancher. The Rancher also gives the the electric shift, plus the cool dash w/ all the LED functions.

Good luck,
KIRBY

P.S. I wouldn't rec. a Polaris. There just to unreliable. They reason I mention this, is that they also have the independent suspension front and rear.

 

I have a 2000 rancher and the solid rear doesn't make much of a diffrence trust me the new rancher handles fine.

 

All of the honda models use solid axles. It is a simple method of keeping problems to a minimum. You just don't have as many problems with solids. As far as handling goes, you will be impressed with the Rancher. It handles with the best of them even with aftermarket stuff on it like mine.

 

Sounds like the Rancher is a "Rough Rider" like the 450ES if the King Quad has a better ride.

 

Well from what you have received in here is from people who have only owned solid axle bikes with one exception. The IRS truly rides better than any solid axle and will also mud better I really don't go along with the evaluation the guy with the suzuki did, ask around the sportsman is the king of the mud and it doesn't spread out or bend down when it is in mud and it doesn't have any solid axle to catch on when trying to get out of a mudhole then again the Sportsman and all 4x4 polaris are true 4 wheel drive machines unlike the rancher but it does have a better 3 wheel drive system that is suppose to put the power to the wheel that is gaining most traction. Yes an independant suspension does require more maintenance every bit of 20 min. every 300 miles to grease it...it takes you longer to clean out the drum brakes on a honda than this but nobody ever seems to mention this. The best thing to do is find someone who has an independant suspension ride it a long time if you can then ride a bike with a solid axle if you ride slow there will not be much difference but if you want to do more than feed the cows and ride aggressively you will notice the IRS has a much better ride. I own the sportsman 500 with IRS the AC 500 w/ semi independant suspension and a 89 kawasaki with solid axle and there is no comparison to the ride with the IRS.

 

Ride both the solid axle machine & the IRS. I rode the Arctic cat 300 with the IRS & let me tell you that machine doesn't come NO where close to the ride & quality of the Rancher.

Drum brakes cleaning? Not yet, the Rancher is sealed very well. I have just over 100 miles on it.

Keep this in mind about Polaris, they are heavy & they tend to have a lot of problems, go look over at there forum if you don't believe me. They also tend to be faster than Hondas.

 

whats not faster than a honda?