I have a 2011 Rancher and it works on that. I got way back in the woods about a week after I bought it and couldn't get it back in neutral. I called the dealer and asked them how I was gonna be able to get it back to the trailer. He laughed and told me about that little trick.
I choose the ES too. If I had it to do over again I'd get the foot shift. The ES is nice but now I need a cup holder. :^)
My only real complaint about the new Honda's is they don't supply a rope starter with them anymore. That was the first upgrade I did to mine and it was a pain in the arse to install. Getting stuck in the woods with a bad battery and no way to start the bike sucks big time.
