I have a 450 forman which is air/oil cooled. There is a radiator with fan for engine oil, and not matter what I've tried, I've never overheated mine, so I'm sure you'll be safe with the even better set up on the new forman 500.

I like manual shift too, I really cant see what the dealer was talking about the manual being more troublesome then the auto, I mean there are no wearable parts. The clutch maybe,-mine is 7 years old and never been touched, I'm sure you'll be replacing the belt in an auto within 7 years!!!

Both are good units, I'd lean towards Honda based on my experience and lack of troubles with my current forman.

 

I was unaware of oil cooler with fan on foreman. Is that standard or did you install? Where is it? Sure wish honda had more ground clearance (i.e. vinson) but like the suspension better on foreman. Inputs have helped me make one decision though, i'm going manual. Can you take off the foot shifter lever off the spindle and roll it up a space or two to get more clearance for boots? Suzuki's shifter are awfuly low to floorboard!

 

The 500 Foreman has two oil coolers from the factory, and an electric cooling fan.

The upper cooler is under the front rack, up high so it can't get bogged up with mud. It is behind the little scoop, and farther back there is a cover secured with a screw. The cover comes off to allow you to clean out the upper oil cooler.

The other oil cooler is down lower.

 

And all the 450 Formans came stock with one oil cooler and fan from the factory. Mounted just ahead of the engine.

 

not to take anything away from the 2 in the title as they are great machines and both were on my short list (because of the 5 speed), but don't overlook the Rubicon. I do not regret it.

I could not get my boots under the shifter on the Vinson, but I wanted full boards which the Foreman didn't have.

My Arctic Cat had a heel/toe. Weird, but I got use to it and never got my foot stuck under the shifter.

hydraulic ESP is a smoother shift than the semi-autos. All the engine braking too.

 

Actually, having floorboards is one of the reasons I got an 05 500 foreman, instead of one of the closeout 04 450's.

I agree that the Rubicon is also a very nice machine. For me, though, I didn't feel that I could justify the extra cost, especially when I preferred a foot shift anyway.

Though I haven't had trouble getting my boot under the shifter, my quad can be stiff to shift the first time through the gears after it has been sitting. That heel-toe setup sounds like a neat idea. Since I have a Road King, it wouldn't take much for me to get used to it.

 

Hey JeffinTD, that picture of you going Oops reminds me of why I don't miss the foot shifter anymore

I love trails like that, where is it?

 

Oooo, good point, that is a disadvantage to a foot shifter. Had to get my arm wet, too, to reach the winch cable.

I think under that water are two ruts made by something much bigger than my machine. I could rock the machine side to side with the wheels pretty much just spinning in water.

Anyhow, that is the Tillimook off road vehicle park, which includes Browns Camp and Jordan creek areas. It is on Hwy 6 west of Portland Oregon and has around 100 miles of trail.

It's one of the most fun spots I have ridden in so far, especially when its wet.