About to buy a 2014 Honda Rancher ATV. Opinions?

Ive ridden as a passenger/had passengers on my ATVs for the last 20 years and never had a problem.

 

Word, can't hunt on a bike very will. lol. unless you're like that dude from Raising Arizona I guess!

 

I would hope not.

 

It does say not to, something about fucking up the COG or some such thing. I find if you put a person on the front, and a person on the back, it works itself out

 

Yea the got stickers all over the fenders now, half the owners manual is printed on the fenders but they cant even use a little space to tell how much oil the engine holds. Every once in a while youll see a 2 seater atv with 2 sets of pegs I think maybe artic cat, polaris and can am make them.

Ive rode three on the seat with my old foreman so that I could ride some good wheelies.

 

we have an ’04 350CC 4x4 rancher and love it! hauls stuff round nicely. and if you stand on back rack you can do a wheelie. lol also good on trails and in mud.

 

I know what you're saying. I would know since I've been riding dirt bikes for the past 13 years and still am. I'm on my 4th bike since I started riding when I was 6. I've just been wanting an ATV recently. And of course you're not supposed to have a passenger, but honestly who doesn't do that? Lol

 

I got a battery tender and charged my battery, went and drove in the snow. Definitely get a 420, mad fun

 

I know others have said get the 500 because of more power, but I've ridden between a 250 and 650 atv. I honestly like them all and they're all fun and have enough power to do almost anything. I'll settle with the 420. I mean, the 500 is 475cc and the 420 is actually 420cc so you couldn't tell a whole lot of difference. Plus I can save a little money and get all the goodies for the 420

 

Yes man. Honda is dependable too. First year I got mine I was trail riding and rode past two brand new Bombardier 650's. They had both over heated so they had to stop. I asked if they needed any help and I think they were too embarrassed to accept

 

My friends can am always overheats. Then goes into limp home mode. 5 mph max speed

Get a winch installed.

 

When I had my carbed 500 footshift, a friend had a 420 fi push button shift when we dragraced we were always even. My new Foreman is a little faster but not much.

 

I figured it wouldn't be much difference.

 

I have no personal experience with the push auto shifting but i'd bet if honda makes it, it must work.

IMHO i'd rather have an auto with a foot shifter like i've always had.

I'm positive you'll find what works for you dude.

 

I'm not too worried about the electronic shifter. Haven't heard a bad thing about it. Yes a foot shift would be more reliable, but I have a few friends with the electric shifter and they haven't had any troubles.

 

I was at the Honda shop the other day getting some tires for my dirt bike an overheard an unhappy rancher customer arguing with the dealer. He was unhappy because when you turn the bike off when you have left it in gear accidentally, it won't go back into neutral and u can't start it again. I can see that being kind of a negative but as long as u remember to put it in nuetral before u shut it off then your all good

They seem pretty nice tho, I have an old Forman with the button shifting on the handlebar works well, and has for many years with no problems. Honda reliability is awesome.

 

That's with any vehicle though. Unless he couldn't put it back in neutral at all. Then that's weird. I'm guessing that person could have not have much knowledge on ATVs/dirt bikes, etc and not know how to put it back into neutral. But I've never heard of not getting an ATV back into neutral. I've done that in our rhino before where I left it in drive and turned it off. I had to put the shifter in neutral and push the rhino until it went into neutral so I could start it.

 

Nah I know what your saying, this is different. On my Forman u can rock it back and forth to get it to go back to nuetral, but this guys (who I did chat with too) would not go in at all even when moving it around ect. You could be right tho he was an older guy, but I still understand his complaint. I think it has to do with the newer technology and the more computerized things have gotten. Just thought I would share the story.

Edit: forgot this part, the mechanic at the shop was basically telling him the solution for his problem was "don't turn it off in gear, always put it in nuetral"

 

I don't mean to place any doubt on it....i'm just more comfortable with what i'm used to.

 

The newer ranchers 07+ dont have a pull start but you can roll start them with if you pull the left brake (front) it has a small microswitch that'll let it roll off.

The 350 ranchers and older hondas (early 00's) had pull starts if you got in the mud alot the pull start mechanism would fill up and the turning of the crank would wear at the muddy seal and eventually start to leak oil well oil out means muddy water in. They'd start smoking rattling etc after awhile.

Id prefer no pullstart I have lost track of atvs after about 2010 year model.

Honda a great brand, last I checked they didnt have lockers or belts. Id prefer IRS and footshift/ES to automatic thats just me.

You cant go wrong, the grizzley 700 would be a good canidate as well, I had a 2004 and put 9500 miles on it when I sold it. They'll run awhile

The early rubicons (2001) had alot of problems with the transmissions..I think it was just the 1st production year though, the GF has a 2002 with 7000miles no problems with it and still looks great (she takes good care of it).

Stay outta the mud
Pressure wash it and armor all it after every ride
Change the oil and do normal MX as it comes
Dont ride the absolute crap outta it

It'll last your lifetime. Good luck Im jelly