About to buy a 2014 Honda Rancher ATV. Opinions?

If money wasn't an issue, I would go with a foreman if I could afford the same options as the rancher I want. And for IRS, I understand, but I'll mainly be using it to trail ride. Nothing rough. Just dirt roads pretty much. I would probably use it for work sometimes. Maybe to haul small loads or something. I'm sure the non-irs would be good too, right?

 

I prefer no irs cause you can load it up and wont loose any ground clearance. If youre considering an IRS PS Rancher... then a Foreman ES is in your $$ range, and the way to go. More a work horse but still good on trails.


Meet http://www.hondaforeman.com/index.php. Its a great site no matter which one you go with

 

I'm probably not getting IRS for that reason. I wouldn't want the back to sag when I am using it for work.

 

I think IRS is only worth it with like the 700 grizzly (which only comes fully independent) and bigger. I've never ridden anything smaller than that with IRS

 

Oh. So it's best for full size ATVs.

 

I see it that way. But like i said, i haven't used it on a midsize. I'm sure it would be just as smooth and well built

 

go irs also comes with disc brakes all the way around, new 2014 come with diff lock. I had the 2010 model 420 irs AT. they are not going to sag when using them for heavy work. also dont think the solid axel comes with display speedometer and such.

 

personally I would go with the 450 grizzly, best machine in this class. hondas were on top years ago, reliability now would be yamaha. their ultramatic is the best automatic on the market, and can be modded easily for bigger tires or just more low end midrange power for 10.00

 

You cant go wrong with a Honda ATV, that 2014 rancher is super nice, but sadly, as mentioned, solid rear. If you wait just a few months, i think honda will have IRS rancher in the market. mines a 2011. I would go grizzly if it came in white. the grizzlys have hi and lo, plus lockers.
Only started atving in 2010. I got a Rancher 420 , sold it after a year to replace it with this white one but with power steering. Its night and day difference. Will also have more resale value with powersteering, do get that. I do trail riding too. keep me posted dude, jason

 

Dude get IRS it will rise better than a solid axle plus not to mention you can get a trailer if you need to carry heavy weight or upgrade the shocks to Elka shocks.

 

My Grizzly 700 power steering and my buddy's dad's Foreman 450:

My Grizzly beats the Foreman in everyway except for it's higher COG which helps though when climbing rocks and such just makes it a little more tippy. The IRS rides great and power steering is incredible!

 

Why would a solid rear not have a speedometer display? I need to look that up

 

I know in 2010 they didnt, 1 reason i didnt go irs.

 

To me, I don't think IRS and PS is a need. That's just me. I grew up on solid axles and regular steering. I can live without those. Would they be nice? Heck yeah. Are they worth like the extra grand? Nope. Especially on a smaller ATV. For my needs, I don't need something real fancy. If I didn't have a budget, I would go full size with every option. I just mainly needed opinions on the 2014s since they were changed.

 

Just looked them up. Solid rear has the display as well.

 

maybe mistaken speedo and guages only came with the full auto, the one your looking at. you should be fine, just double check.

 

Oh, I see

 

Does it have a pull start? My 09 Rancher doesnt, and its bullshit.

 

I'm pretty sure it does. It says electric with optional recoil. Is that the pull start?

 

optional pull start.