Slow speed and maneuvering up and down mountainous terrain. If you have to pick your trail down a mountain, zigzagging and avoiding large rocks, trees, etc., you will really appreciate it.
Now on flat, level ground running in mostly straight lines, my old Rancher without power steering worked just fine.
I'd as soon NOT have to wrestle it up or down a mountain though. I have that merit badge.
My thoughts exactly. My next quad will have power steering and independent suspension. Been rasslin my Foreman 450 around for 18 years, next quad will be easier on the body.
I vote no for power steering. I also vote no for thumb shift or auto trans, independent rear suspension, and 4x4.
I’ll go with you on straight manual shifting and possibly independent suspension. But if you don’t think 4WD is worth having you ride some fairly easy stuff or you never had 4WD. As a friend of mine put it; take the difference of a 4 wheeler over a 3 wheeler, double it, and you’re almost to the difference of 4WD over 2WD. Having had all 3 and having ridden ATVs for around 35 years I think he still shorted 4WD a bit.
Colossians 3:17 (New King James Version) "And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."
Thanks for the feedback. Having two bad shoulders, EPS sounds like the way to go. I would also like independent rear suspension, but the Hondas only come with that in their "automatic transmission" models, whatever it's called. I don't like the automatic, as they always sound spun-up and not going anywhere.
You guys need to get some exercise if riding a Honda Rancher without power steering is exhausting. I vote no for power steering. I also vote no for thumb shift or auto trans, independent rear suspension, and 4x4.
The bare bones 2wd 420 Rancher is one of the most reliable and useful ATVs going. It’s also still light enough to man handle a little if you’re stuck. Add all the options and price goes up and reliability goes down.
😂😂 don’t have it on my 700 kodiak or my 700 pioneer.
Ping pong balls for the win. Once you've wrestled everything else in life is easy. Dan Gable I keep my circle small, I’d rather have 4 quarters than 100 pennies.
I have a 2005 350 Rancher without PS. Last year my wife bought herself a 2012 Yamaha 700 with PS. Both 4X4 - Rancher full time, on demand on the 700.
PS steers better, but not that much on the easy stuff. With bad shoulders (as my wife also has). EPS is the way to go, especially if you ride a lot, which we do not.
As said above, when running trails on relatively flat ground as at our Rec cabin south of here, it doesn't make much difference. When running the mountains north of Fairbanks hunting caribou, first climbing through the timber on badly rutted and muddy trail, it is noticeably better to have the PS. Once above timberline on more solid ground, it is also nice in constantly avoiding the big rocks, holes, etc.
Put over 100 lbs of animal on front and rear racks, it makes a big difference in all sorts of terrain. But we don't go more than a couple miles off-road, anyway, so far.
I used the Rancher for 7 years in Kotzebue. That step-and-a-half tussock ground is no joy- would have been better with PS.
Buddy of mine has a Yamaha 700 with EPS. About 5mi. back on a trail the EPS broke. Took awhile to get it out to the trailer. Those things have a plastic worm gear in them and is not replaceable. You have to buy the whole unit at around $1500.00. He found a used one. My Honda Foreman is a 1988 I bought new. At the age of 70 manual trans and steering don't bother me.
You guys need to get some exercise if riding a Honda Rancher without power steering is exhausting. I vote no for power steering. I also vote no for thumb shift or auto trans, independent rear suspension, and 4x4.
The bare bones 2wd 420 Rancher is one of the most reliable and useful ATVs going. It’s also still light enough to man handle a little if you’re stuck. Add all the options and price goes up and reliability goes down.
You guys need to get some exercise if riding a Honda Rancher without power steering is exhausting. I vote no for power steering. I also vote no for thumb shift or auto trans, independent rear suspension, and 4x4.
The bare bones 2wd 420 Rancher is one of the most reliable and useful ATVs going. It’s also still light enough to man handle a little if you’re stuck. Add all the options and price goes up and reliability goes down.
1985 called they want their technology back.. Let me guess you are still pissed about the 3 wheeler ban as well..
Last edited by 79S; 11/14/21.
Originally Posted by Bricktop
Then STFU. The rest of your statement is superflous bullshit with no real bearing on this discussion other than to massage your own ego.
You guys need to get some exercise if riding a Honda Rancher without power steering is exhausting. I vote no for power steering. I also vote no for thumb shift or auto trans, independent rear suspension, and 4x4.
The bare bones 2wd 420 Rancher is one of the most reliable and useful ATVs going. It’s also still light enough to man handle a little if you’re stuck. Add all the options and price goes up and reliability goes down.
1985 called they want their technology back.. Let me guess you are still pissed about the 3 wheeler ban as well..
We use 4 wheelers to move cows. Off trail, fairly rough riding terrain.
I have a 700 Grizzly as do most of my cohorts. EPS is a given.
Couple years ago a guy came out to help and was riding an older Honda with the straight rear axle. It was all he could do to keep up, hell the cows were faster than him....lol
And at the end of the day he was tired out and beat up.
They are reliable machines but so are the Yamaha's.
I've said it before but IMO the 700 Grizzly is the holy grail of ATV's, amazing machines.
Had a 93 300 4x4 four trax that I called the Timex as it was so reliable. I sold it this year and bought a 2021 Honda Rubicon DCT EPS. I took it to Colorado this year and had to camp 20 miles from where I normaly camp as I could not access the area with my truck and trailer because of snow. I put on over 100 mi. on nasty trails with the Rubicon to access hunting spots and felt the difference. I filled my tag on day 3 with a 6x6 that was 10.5 miles from camp. I would recomend the Rubicon with the DCT,EPS and IRS as it is the best model Honda makes.
Thanks for the feedback. Having two bad shoulders, EPS sounds like the way to go. I would also like independent rear suspension, but the Hondas only come with that in their "automatic transmission" models, whatever it's called. I don't like the automatic, as they always sound spun-up and not going anywhere.
If you don't like automatics in general then get the Honda Rubicon with manual shift. The Rubicons have independent rear suspension. If it's just Honda autos that you don't like then get a Yamaha Kodiak 450. Yes power steering is worth it. Have a '10 Rancher and '11 Foreman, both with PS, and would not own a utility ATV without it.
We use 4 wheelers to move cows. Off trail, fairly rough riding terrain.
I have a 700 Grizzly as do most of my cohorts. EPS is a given.
Couple years ago a guy came out to help and was riding an older Honda with the straight rear axle. It was all he could do to keep up, hell the cows were faster than him....lol
And at the end of the day he was tired out and beat up. They are reliable machines but so are the Yamaha's. I've said it before but IMO the 700 Grizzly is the holy grail of ATV's, amazing machines.
Yep.
Wife and I both have those same machines and they are stellar in every way for ranch life.