Just sold my '02 B.B. got to admit that thing is tough! Bought it new with one thing in mind RIDE HARD OR DIE. I have rolled it, flipped it end over end, hit trees, pulled the front bumper and rear racks off... It even rode me a few times. Yep it was a good bike. This is Honda country 'round here that is one reason I got the Yammy. Hung rite in there. Ranchers are very good bikes (all my frends run them) quite a bit more refined, faster, and a little more power. They do not offer in/out 4X4 and that is a must if you want to play in the mud! By the time I sold the B.B. it had 1800mi. and was in need of TLC. Starter clutch going out (common prob), needed rings (been flooded out 1 to many times), brakes all the way around, and rear bearings. In my book they are equil bikes neither better that the other.

 

rancher all the way, big bears ive seen tend to break down quite a bit. while they do have a low gear advantage the rancher can definetely hold its own in the power department. i have 1000 miles on mine and i only needed it services once. all it needs was oil change, filter changes, brakes perked up and everything else is fine. ive been through quite a bit with that quad. i can honestly say it is the most reliable quad i have ever seen. on the trails it is no contest, the rancher eats it up. it is better suspension wise, handling wise, and power wise. i also think it looks way better expecially the new ones. if you need a quad to do heavy duty work where low gear is needed a big bear would do ya good.