My bad they have been out since 99, was thinking Recon.

 

Ok, but there is no smacking on the above quote. It has been backed up!!!!!

 

Yes I agree, sort of.... but I have to say that they used to suck, now they are pretty reliable, and I will NEVER go back to gears, the Auto's are too much fun, Ive had both and I used to think the same way you did, then I decided to buy my wife and daughter some quads, of course my wife wanted the Auto and my daughter the Recon w/ES, well after a few outings and my daughter almost wiped out, we decided to buy her a Honda XR70 and I was not going for the Recon so I was stuck with the Auto, man it took about 2 hours for me to figure out that I was never going back to Gears again.......ever.

 

I don't know if your talkin to me but, I think the rancher was first introduced in 2000, if it were around ten years ago it would have been the bike everyone had to have and that was not the case.

 

I like auto to but I do not trust belts with the deep water and mud I encounter, thats why I bought the Rubi even though it's not the best auto in that catigory. Almost 3200 trouble free miles and no belt slippage.

 

How many beers have you had? I mean have I had?

[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

I'm trying to decide between the Kodiak 400 (401cc) Which I think is going to be cheaper because of the Kodiak 450 , the Eiger 400 (376cc), Prairie 400 (391cc) and the new Rancher 400 (397cc) not sure of the price. I like the looks of the new Rancher but Eiger will probably cost less. I have a 2001 Recon too but sometimes I wish I had a little larger machine. The Recon has been a good machine but I'd like a little more pulling power. I will probably keep the Recon around for tight trail riding. I think "if at all possible" that I'd stay with Honda. Maybe the price of the 329cc Rancher will be lowered some after the new 400 comes out. If not , maybe it'll be available at a better rebate deal. I hate buying something and then a few months later it is made better or not offered anymore. After I had bought my Recon, Honda updated it with a few things from the 250EX. I'm sure that the Eiger is a good machine. The Eiger would have to tip the price scale it's way by $400. or $500. for me to really consider it. (compared to Rancher 400) - Comparing the Rancher S 329cc for $5199. and the Eiger semi-auto 376cc for $5299. The Eiger looks better on paper.

 

The Recon, introduced into Honda's '97 lineup.

 

the only 300cc or so quad made by honda 10 years ago was the old honda 300. the rancher has been redesigned if i remember correctly, but i think that its for 2004. the 04 models have selectable 4wd and a grocery list of other goodies as well. i have an 01 rancher es and i love it. it almost never gets stuck. the only time it did, my father decided to go driving around in the bottom of the drained pond, had to pull it out with an excavator. anyway, its a decently fast machine, mine does 48 on pavement. it is absolutely bulletproof, we ride that everyday for doing chores in the barn, getting mail at the mail box, riding to the neighbors, and just playing around on the trails. and i has never once complained. the built in plastic footwells really keep you clean and dry too, a big plus when the guy on the sport quad in front of you is caked and covered from head to toe.

i love my rancher, and if i was buying again, i wouldnt hesitate to make the same purchase.

 

I dont know what the F*CK I was thinking, buy the D@MN Rancher.........[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif[/img]