I am 6'2" AND 230lbs looking for an ATV to hunt,hopefully pull a moose and plow a 150' driveway.I am sure that bigger is better but would a Honda 420 Rancher fill the bill.My wife took it upon herself(she's great)to shop around and her father tipped me off that this was the 2010 model that she was led too.I have about a week to intervene if this choice is not appropriate.I think it is too small.....what are your thoughts folks?
Honda ATV question
- Thread starter jigger08
- Start date
Here's my two bits worth:
Hondas are incredible machines, .... if you want one to work on the farm where it's nice and flat.
Get a machine with independent rear suspension and save your back in the long run!
The straight axel on the Hondas are the only thing wrong with them. (Or does the 2010 model have ind. rear suspension?)
The power would be fine, but I wouldn't go any less than a 400.
Hondas are incredible machines, .... if you want one to work on the farm where it's nice and flat.
Get a machine with independent rear suspension and save your back in the long run!
The straight axel on the Hondas are the only thing wrong with them. (Or does the 2010 model have ind. rear suspension?)
The power would be fine, but I wouldn't go any less than a 400.
Honda is a great a.t.v. period. If you are looking for duarability then they are probably at the top of the list. As far as I know unless it has changed these models lack diff. lock which can be a hiderence in a bind. This will be all kinds of atv for riding and plowing for sure. I am 6ft 216lb and my brothers fit the bill no prob. The only issue u may have is if you are a bit of a wildchild, like myself. If ya want a pull yer arms outta the socket machine this is not it. If ya want that send her to the can am dealer. Cough 800! I had a 450 yamaha kodiak for 3 yrs and am sure this 420 will do all you need. Lots of torque and tons of fun. You definatly can't go wrong with a rancher unless you are a speed demon!
Have used the Honda Rubicon 500 for years and never any issues. If you want to drag moose-no problem. Buddys Rub has over 7000 km and still goes strong. He bought a Rincon thinking to replace his Rubicon but last I heard he sold the Rincon and was back on his 500. Not enough grunt in the low end he said.
Yes the at is available with independant and well worth the money due to ride quality although I have always felt some of my torque was taken up by the suspension on the holeshot. A straight axle jumps right up and gets to business! Not that that matters if u have a numb bum!
Hahaha! That would be me.....
I have a few friends with older straight axel versions, and while great machines, they could not keep up to us all day. We chose Yamaha Grizzlies, but there are many makes and models that
will do the job. Ours will pull almost 1100 lbs.
To be fair, one advantage of the straight axel is when you high center and need to lift your machine off.... Honda with the rear axel, no prob. Independent rear... not so easy! Winch time! lol
tommyguitar
CGN Regular
- Location
- West Kootenays
I have a 420 Rancher 2008 with the straight axle, boy does it ride sweet. The stock tires suck.
I have a 2004 450 Foreman that has a solid rear axle, which is what I wanted. I use mine for everything the OP wants to. I am 5'10" and was 250 when I first got this machine (much lighter now) and it has been fine.
I use my in very rough terrain and mostly for logging, hauling fire wood out of my woodlot, snow plowing, trapping and hunting. The solid rear axle is great for stability and hauling heavy trailer loads. I have never found the solid axle to be a hinderence when putitng miles on while hunting or crossing cutover as you learn quickly what you can clear and how to do it.
When I bought mine the price difference to go up in size was a few thousand. I got mine for 6500 I beleive. I can load mine into a 6 foot truck bed and close the tailgate. I can also lift the rear or front end if I need the move the quad to the side, like in a truck bed so I free up space along the side.
I might upsize on my next ATV depending on the price difference and my needs at that time.
I use my in very rough terrain and mostly for logging, hauling fire wood out of my woodlot, snow plowing, trapping and hunting. The solid rear axle is great for stability and hauling heavy trailer loads. I have never found the solid axle to be a hinderence when putitng miles on while hunting or crossing cutover as you learn quickly what you can clear and how to do it.
When I bought mine the price difference to go up in size was a few thousand. I got mine for 6500 I beleive. I can load mine into a 6 foot truck bed and close the tailgate. I can also lift the rear or front end if I need the move the quad to the side, like in a truck bed so I free up space along the side.
I might upsize on my next ATV depending on the price difference and my needs at that time.
TacticallySharp
Member
- Location
- Victoria, BC.
You could always go with a Yamaha Rhino 700, or a Arctic Cat Prowler both very nice side x sides and you can put a plow on!
It's been my experience pulling out a few moose, that you run out of traction before you run out of torque. Even a 420 will spin the tires when hooked up to 1000 lbs of dead weight.
The key, if you can do it, is to get the head up on the rear rack and half carry/half drag it out, in which case, any 400 will do.
The key, if you can do it, is to get the head up on the rear rack and half carry/half drag it out, in which case, any 400 will do.
Or the Kawasaki Teryx. Not as common, but I'm sure enjoying mine. Traded up from the quad this year. I built a trailer for it, so I can put half the moose in the back and half in the trailer, and it won't even get dirty.
I've also got a 2004 450 Foreman; manual trans. It's a rugged, slow, dependable machine, that cannot keep up to the faster 'sporty' belt-drive machines. It cannot do a wheelie.
It will last for years and years, with almost no maintenance, but then so will a Yamaha, Kawie etc... but you got to expect some issues with the belt drive, from time to time.
If you want faster, more recreational friendly then the Honda is not your machine.
If you want the opportunity to pop wheelies and potentially land the thing on your head, then the Honda is not for you.
If 60 km/h is too slow, the Honda is not for you.
It will last for years and years, with almost no maintenance, but then so will a Yamaha, Kawie etc... but you got to expect some issues with the belt drive, from time to time.
If you want faster, more recreational friendly then the Honda is not your machine.
If you want the opportunity to pop wheelies and potentially land the thing on your head, then the Honda is not for you.
If 60 km/h is too slow, the Honda is not for you.
im 6.0" tall 215 lb and my suzuki 500 always runs out of power for me. they are better on gas and for the most part it has enough power but when you are just out playing in the pits or steep hills be prepared to just watch your friends with 700s going up them. im always trying to go up hills but then 3/4 of the way up it loses its jam. the grizzly 700 are hands down the best quad out there for and all around type quad. ill be in the market for a 800 here in the near future. hand the 500 down to the wife
I can't speak for Kawy, Suz because I don't own one & 80% of my friends drive Yams, but from what I've seen & experienced with 10s of thousands of miles on Yam CVTs that would be a false statement. I actually know of many more Honda Electric shift problems than belt problems on a Yam.
Let me qualify.... unless your a dumb ass & don't bother using LOW when required or like to drown a bike & not even bother to drain the water you'll never have a belt problem on a Yam.
To the original poster: Yes the Honda 450 will have lots of power to do what you want. But if you intend to spend time in the saddle you will quickly learn IRS & Diff lock are neccessary options
Perhaps you should read the post following yours
He bought a Rincon thinking to replace his Rubicon but last I heard he sold the Rincon and was back on his 500. Not enough grunt in the low end he said
Yes Honda is starting to catch up but the Rincon still has no diff lock & a tranny that delegates itself to trail riding only.
Actually because of Hondas lack of options a new Honda is a rare sight around here. Coming from an X Honda fan (me) that's to bad
