HONDA ATV"S
 

anyone have the new 420 rancher????? im stuck bewteen the 400 AT an the new 420 fuel injected liquid cooled.....i like the 400 at beacuse its blue an it is automatic or maunal shift an alomost sits an inch higher 3 inches shorter in width... the new 420 like i said is fuel injected an liquid cooled an the saleman said it has tons more power than the 400.. said its crazy the power thats in the lil machine. only 300 dollar difference for the 400 at so price is really no biggie... i jus dont know which way to go!

RE: HONDA ATV"S
 

Do you really want 6.5 inches of ground clearance and a straight axle? I had an ad for an 87 or 88 Honda 350 4x4 and the suspension specifications are the same as this model!The neighboring hunt camphad ranchers and foremans, but youreally feel it and your a$$ and back pays for it that night from riding. They're starting to get away from them. Depends on your riding and work needs.But if you are set, I would get the 420 FI in a manual. Did you see the Can-Aminfomerical with the 400AT in the tractor pull, onlymade it less than 6 feet. Try a CAT

RE: HONDA ATV"S
 

I'd go with the 420. With fuel injection you can ride down on the farm one weekend then head up to the mountains the next without having to re-jet your machine. That extra power will be nice too. The straight axle and lower ground clearance will make for a little rougher ride, but it definately won't keep you from going anywhere as long as you have good skid plates. And since it's a Honda, it'll never break down. Disregard the previous poster's comment that you should get an Arctic Crap.:D[8D]:D

RE: HONDA ATV"S
 

yeah i appreciate his input but im a honda guy my self.. i really not gonna be pullin tractors so that doesnt concern me. i dunno im still torn i really dont go anywhere where the alittude changes that much i need to re jet either... i like the extra ass on one. an the options on the other...[&:]

RE: HONDA ATV"S
 

fuel-injected, liquid cooled? definietely the way to go

RE: HONDA ATV"S
 

i would get the 420 in manual becouse they go beder

RE: HONDA ATV"S
 

Hey guys, along the same lines...i'm in the proces of picking up an 05 Honda Rancher AT. What do you guys think of this machine? I am a little skeptical of an automatic but I hear they've come a long way and after all, it's a Honda.

RE: HONDA ATV"S
 

You certainly cant beat more power, and fuel injection. If money isnt an object i would definately get the 420. I have a 350 rancher and i love it, other than the solid rear axel.

RE: HONDA ATV"S
 

400 AT is a dog, no power at all. Go with the new 420.

RE: HONDA ATV"S
 

One of mine is a 05 Rancher,ES,olive green just turned 581 miles she
got her oil and filter changed like they say always in the woods,never
in the shop,sweet machine!:)

RE: HONDA ATV"S
 

Rancher 350 here with no problems. I'm sure the 420 will not let you down and the upgrades are even better.

RE: HONDA ATV"S
 

Picked up our new 07 Rancher yesterday,will take it to Bricks 4x4 next
week to try her out!Wife is taking over the 05 for her,gonna have to
add on to the garage I guess!:)

RE: HONDA ATV"S
 

Congratulation coyote170 to the new addition to the family. I'm sure your very proud:D. I was wandering if I could ask what may be dump question or two. Re-jeting, I don't know alot about this but have heard that it sometimes needs to be done when taking low lander atvs to high elevations. I may be taking one to CO next month to elk hunt. Won't be getting off the road but will help with extra transportation.

RE: HONDA ATV"S
 

obe I would call a dealer and speak to one of their tech's for a solid
answer to your question.I use Abnerathys in Union City,TN. and am
impressed with their help and customer service!From other friends
who have made the same trip you are going on they had to rejet to
get the service they needed from the machine,two of them have traded
for fuel injected models since they have returned so hope that answers
your question.What part of MO.are you from,take care!:)

RE: HONDA ATV"S
 

Why is everyone bashing the 400 AT? does anyone here actually own one or are these statements based on here say? I talked to a mechanic at the Honda shop the other day and he said that the 400 is a solid machine.

RE: HONDA ATV"S
 

Garminator, I have a buddy that has a 400AT. It is a good bike but is way under powered if you are going to use it for pulling or mud. I personally chose the 350 Rancher after seeing his 400AT and am glad I did so. If the bike will be used for trails and general riding, it will be fine, for mud and work, you will be disappointed.

RE: HONDA ATV"S
 

Sounds good thanks Wayspr, i'm not a big mud rider so I hope i'll be alright. I'm getting it for a steal so I can't pass it up. It's a 2005 and I know that I can pick it up for $2000. The low book value on it is about $3200. Thank you for the info & good luck this season.

RE: HONDA ATV"S
 

Hey I just thought of something and excuse me if It it sounds dumb (i'm new to atv's) but I thought that the 350 was 329cc's & the 400 was 397 cc's, therefore how can it be underpowered vs. the 350?something to do with the auto tranny maybe?

RE: HONDA ATV"S
 

The automatic tranny's low gears are not low enough. The engine will rev but the wheels won't turn.

RE: HONDA ATV"S
 

I am a Tech at the local Honda Powerhouse. And yes, we are ranked #2 in sales and have only been a Powerhouse since last November. I would have personally chosen the 420. From my experience with the 400AT, they are probably the least sold. The 420 is a very solid bike. However, too many people underestimate the 350 Ranchers. For the money, the 350s are hard to beat. I am not allowed to give any details as it's strictly classified, but the future Honda bikes (ATVs and Motorcycles) looks very promising. :) By the way, the 420s come in blue too. If you haven't seen the new 500s, they released a white one not too long ago.

RE: HONDA ATV"S
 

Know what you mean,hope my wife lets me ride hers once in awhile,gotta
love them 350 ranchers!;)

RE: HONDA ATV"S
 

As far as I know, the 400 AT can be driven in Auto or Manual. Is the low end still a problem if it's being run in manual? Also maybe they're the least sold because they are the most expensive of the Rancher family.

RE: HONDA ATV"S
 

Yes, the 400AT can be driven in either auto or manual. Most of the 400s that come through the service department are in some way associated with the shifter having problems. I'm not sure about the low end as I haven't really had the chance to ride one enough. The times I have rode one, the way it operated just didn't feel as solid as the other models. It also lacks power IMHO. The 400AT wasn't much more expensive than the other Ranchers, but most of the sales were older couples buying one or parents buying one so their kids would be able to drive them. I'm not positive, but I would say the lack of power and sales were are major reason Honda decided to discontinue making the 400AT model.

RE: HONDA ATV"S
 

Xzylum, how difficult would it be to convert the 400 to a Manual 350 or 420? & can that even be done?

RE: HONDA ATV"S
 

if iwasyou i would get the 420 cause of the power difference and you can also start it without it bein in nuetral, they are both hondas(toughest atvs out there) so it dont matter

RE: HONDA ATV"S
 

I had an 01 350 Rancher ES, for 6 years and it was bulletproof, never a problem and never to the shop except for oil changes.I have a buddy with a 400 AT Rancher and my 350 felt more powerful, the auto feels really sluggish, and like someone said,, its seems to rev up, but just doesnt want to go anywhere,, Similar to most autos Ive ridden. I sold my 350 Rancher as soon as I found an 07 420 Rancher like I wanted and have never regretted it. The 420 is worlds of difference from the 350 or the 400,, and even feels more powerful, and snappier then a buddies Rubicon, and will also outrun his Rubicon. In my opinion, the 420 Rancher is by far the best bang for your buck in atvs out there. The only improvement I think they could make would be independent rear suspension,, but I can live without it until they do. Get the 420 and you wont be dissapointed.;)

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Heres a pic

RE: HONDA ATV"S
 

I had a 1987 250 fourtrax for about 10 years. I bought it brand new and never saw the shop once. I just bought the oil and filter to change it once in a while. It ran like a charm and the one I sold it to is still using it. I currently own a Rancher 350 and no problems at all. The only thing I did not like about mine was I bought it with the electric shifter for my wife to be able to drive better. I would stay with the manual foot shifter on my next one. Aside from that it has handled any job i wanted it to do..

RE: HONDA ATV"S
 

The rubicon also has an automatic transmission but it has low range and a more powerful engine so it performs very well.I easily towed whole moose or elk with mine.With less power and no low range,the 400at doesn't tow very well and isn't that great in the mud.If you add aggressive tires,they often don't have the power to turn them in mud.

RE: HONDA ATV"S
 

Help me out here guys as Im out of the loop on new atv's. This 420 can be had in the manual tranny? What is the price range? Sounds like my range of bike.

RE: HONDA ATV"S
 

do you guys think that the rancher 420 will have a problem pulling a atv disc for a food plot

RE: HONDA ATV"S
 

i think u might as well step it up and get the rincon 680. i have it and its a beast

RE: HONDA ATV"S
 

The 420 Rancher is available in either electric shift or manual shift. I don't really see any problem pulling a disc with one, but I would step up to at least the Foreman or Rincon. The Rincon is indeed a beast. And the Foremans are available in power steering as well.

RE: HONDA ATV"S
 

ya the rincon come with automatic AND and electric shift option

RE: HONDA ATV"S
 

We got my wife a 06 350 4x4Rancher ES . So far there has been no problems with it. The only problem was it had a defective battery. Honda changed it during the warranty period.I got a 06 TRX680 FA and so far has been great.I asked a few questions about the auto shifting on a couple ATV forums.I have a few things to check.I will say the Honda line is the way to go. I tried the Polaris thing one time and it will be the last time.

RE: HONDA ATV"S
 

I've put my 350 Rancher through more crap than any ATV should be put through, and its still going strong!

RE: HONDA ATV"S
 

The rincon offers a great ride and handling,but I would never recommend it as a work machine because of it's three speed automotive type transmission.The dual range hydrostatic transmission makes the rubicon a much better machine for towing or hauling heavy loads.