I just picked my Rancher ES and so far (100 miles) it is everything that I expected it to be. It doesn't have the low end grunt that my Foreman does but it handles somewhat better. Gas mileage is better than the Foreman as well.

My only concern is that it seems to whine when I go into 5th. It is not related to rpms because the sound is not noticeable in any other gear regardless of the rpms. It is only when I shift to 5th that the sound happens.

Any other Rancher owners out there experience anything similar?

 

Please elaberate more. My Rancher doesn't whine, it nore seems to whistle or make a high pitched Whistle like air through a small hole.

 

Mine sounds like a turbocharger,I like it.
I believe it's just gear noise,5th is a overdriven gear.
bnp

 

Both my friends Rancher and 99' Kodiak wine loud when in top gear, they sound like a 747 backing out onto the runway

 

Ok then. It sounds as if there is nothing to be concerned about. It is odd, however, that the Foreman doesn't make that sound. Oh well.

On another note, the next time I find a good piece of woods road I am going to try them for top end. Predictions?

..Ron

 

48 to 52 at the very most

 

Hey we got a 00 450-s honda and it sounded like that of a jet or yes a turbocharger. but now it doesn't sound like that. If you just got the rancher it may sound that way for just about a month then it should stop.

 

I have 140 miles on my Rancher & it doesn't make a whining or turbo sound. When you take the quad in for its 20 hour service have them check it out, if not before!

 

Mine makes some noise, not really nothing I'd consider abnormal.I think it's just normal gear noise. As far as top speed, Honda says 51 mph, I got mine up to 51 once on a fire road, so I'd say they were pretty accurate.
Greg Coats
Petal, MS
'87 LT250R
'00 Rancher ES 2X4

 

I wonder why, they probably ment to put it at that speed. Why is it that a 2wd trx300 can go faster than a new honda rancher 2wd???