I am considering a ES model on the new Rancher series. I know very little about the" Electric Shift"on these models. Are they as reliable as the standard shift models or can it be a major problem? All feedback would be appreciated.Most replys would be from Foreman ES owners or new rancher owners. I want realiability. Thanks for the info on this subject. Mark

 

Hey Mark.I debated getting the ES vs S when I bought my 450.I went with the ES and was one of the unfortunate few that had problems.I had a glitch with the speedo sensor which faulted when the unit got stressed after a couple of hours of hard riding.My speedometer and ES program would in turn fail and I would lock up in gear.It did operate normally when allowed to cool down.It took some time to diagnose but the repair was instant when they replaced the speedo sensor.I was very dissapointed at the time and wished I had gone with the S.I haven't had any problems since it has been repaired and I've grown to love the ES.I've ridden manual shift (foot/clutch)bikes all of my life and thought I'd miss it but so far,I really haven't.There is a slight lag in the actual shift which I know doesn't occur in quads with the foot shifter.Noticed when trying to pop up the front end over a log or the like but you'll learn to accomodate for that with some practice.I have driven the 450S and when I get back on my quad,I'm glad I have it.The gear position in the rider display is also a bonus that you don't get with the S.My friend I ride with wishes his S would indicate.Doesn't seem like it should matter but it is nice to have.Best of luck with whatever you get.

Fishbone.
2000 450ES Red.

 

hey hona ive heard some bad and some good things about these electric shift honda's.
ive heard they have hade problems with the foreman 450es because my friend hase one and he said they hade nothing but truble with it
but when it is working he said he loves it.
but on these new foretrax rancher's 350es
they have built the eiectric shift stronger
becuase another of my friends got one and loves it but he feels a little gerking when
he shifts but other than that he glad he got
it. now me i would go with just the shift.
P.S.NOW IF YOUR WANTING A ES AND A HONDAMATIC
JUST WAIT UNTIL MAY THEY ARE COMING OUT WITH A FOREMAN RUBICONTHAT HAS 3 SETTINGS NOW I THINK THIS HOW IT GOES D1.MAXAMIM PROFORMANC
D2.MAXAMIM TOWING D3.[ESP]ELECTRIC SHIFT PROGRAM

 

The only problem that i have across with the es so far has been at the switch on the handle. IT has a tendency to fill up with mud and becomes stuck in, all i do is just keep flicking it, usally becomes unstuck fairly quick. After my ride i make sure to rinse in out ( i would say power wash it out thats what i do but i'm afraid of the arguements that would cause in here). That is the only promblem i have ever had with my 450.

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99 honda 450es locked,27" xts,

 

It took me a bit to get used to...but now I wouldn't want anything else. I have never had any problems with mine, and when riding in water/mud that is more than 8"deep you'll really love it. I love being able to put my feet up in deep water or mud and still be able to shift, other wise you have to put your foot down in able to back out of a deep hole or whatever. Another big plus about the ES is that you get full floorboards, which in alotof situations come in really handy



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Brad

99'FOREMANes, 26" BUGS, Maier full chasis skid plate, A.P. bash plate and stick guards, winch, and soon to have a high performance kit! ohhYA...

 

My dad has a '98 Foreman ES. No problems at all with it except for one time the battery was really low, but still had enough juice to start it. That was due to the recalled item, so the Current Control Kit replaced that, and on the new ones and the Rancher ES's it's already on, of course. Have like 1300 miles on it. On the Ranchers, if you don't get an ES model, you don't get that LCD Panel which I think is really awesome, telling you the time, your speed, miles, hours, has odometer, and tells gear position. Just having that I think is worth the extra $200 you pay for the ES. The manual or "S" is more reliable, but you also get a lot with the electric shift version.

 

hona,
I have an ES Rancher and love the electric shift. I had a problem with the speedometer/odometer sensor which crippled the electric shift once you reached a certain RPM level. To reset I had to turn the ATV off and start over. Honda Replaced the sensor and all is well. The service rep said a wire was broke inside the unit.

Extreme cold weather will make the shift buttons freeze on occasions. You notice this before you start. I can "thaw" the ice with my hands and off I go.

ES is a real plus when in deep water/mud. Just put your feet on the back rack and go, shifting all you want. This is a real plus when you break through the ice and the water is a foot or two deep. That water is extremely cold. I am greatful to keep my feet out of the fridged water.

 

The problem with the wiring harness has been fixed in newer models of the 450 and was addressed in production already for the Rancher. The problem should not exist anymore.

 

I have an 98 450 ES with over 4000 miles and still no problems. I see that people have had battery drain problems? They also say they recieved racall letters about this? I have had no battery drain problems (yes I have let it sit for long periods, and in cold weather), and I have recieved no racall letter. I see that people have had problems shifting gears after long periods of hard riding? As hard as i've road mine nonstop for as long as 6+ hours in 90 degrease weater, I have no such problem. I see that people say the can not shift gears in freezing weather? Well I just came from my 450 ES, and I had no problem cranking it up (just now has been the first in over a week), It cranked right up and shifted perfectly without no warm up. It's far below freezing outside and all the weather stations are calling for possible snow and a posside ice storm tonight and throughout tomarrow here in NC. I see that people say there ES just gets confused sometimes and they haft to shut it off and cut it back on to fix the problem? Well I have never had no such problem, some times when I shift it will not go in gear and will give me a "-" for the gear and all I do is shift up or shift down a few times and it will get right back on track with out me having to shut the whole thing off. The last problem I have heard of is, people say they can not shift into N when they leave it in gear and shut it off? Yep you figured it, I havn't had no problem of any kind like that. I always leave mine in gear, weather it's R or 1 2 3 4 or 5, I never down shift when I park, usualy because I do not won't it to rev up and most of the time I'm in a hurry so I don't have time to shift to N.

So how is this? Why havn't I had the problems like everyone alse has had? Did I strike luck and get the perfect 98 450 ES? Well whats even funnier is, my riding partner "Gene" has a stock 99 450 ES which now has over 2000 miles and he has have none of the problems that I listed above.

Dean Powell

[This message has been edited by ARRON (edited 01-17-2000).]

 

Arron, we had the recall thing done, but the battery was never down to where it wouldn't start on it's own. So basically we had no problems at all with our Foreman ES. As far as the other stuff, nothing like that happened to ours. I leave ours in gear and shut it off all the time, mostly when I shut if off on a hill, I put it in gear instead of using the parking brake. It also starts with no problem here with temperatures that go way below zero. We have only 1,300 miles on it, and by "only" I mean comparing it to how many yours has! 4,000 miles on a '98! Man do you ride!