Going to buy a new wheeler for the ranch....
We are hardly ever on level ground... does the independent rear add that much to the stability of these new honda's?
Solid rear axle machines would be more stabile than the IRS, you also don't lose ground clearance with the SRA atv. The biggest advantage with the IRS is the plush ride when trail riding but anything off camber, you'll want the SRA over the IRS.
Riding over Idaho's basalt fields we found the IRS to work better/smoother ride. But frankly we never found all that much performance difference between fixed and independent. We were comparing Yamaha Kodiak models.
My wife's bike is the fixed axle Rancher with electric shifting - the shifting sucks because the bike flat out EATS batteries and when the battery dies so does the shifting.
I have the sra in the rubicon. puts power to the ground nice for towing/dragging stuff. If you are interested in long trail rides or plan to put miles on go with the independent suspension. Your back will thank you for it.
I have the SRA Rancher with electric shift. Never had a battery problem. I also have power steering and would highly recommend it.
I have the same ast 7_08fan, been running it for a few years now. I like it a lot, and I too would go for the PS again. My FIL has a Polaris with a IRS and no power steering, and frankly I don't like it as much. It's not as agile, and I actually like controlling the gears when going up and down grades.
I have a Bombardier 500 Traxtor and Grizzly 600 both w/solid rear axles. For working at my ranch the Traxtor with its electric shift geared transmission will pull downed trees and my 16' low boy loaded that would smoke the belt drive on my Grizzly ( I have done this). If I head to south Texas to hunt I prefer the Grizzly less shifting and better ride. 4 wheelers are like women you don't want to own the first one you ride, try a few to see what fits your needs.
TEXMAG
Having had several SRA atv's over the years including two different Foremans, I will never go back. My '12 Outlander is plush and it seems more stable on side hills than any 4x4 I've ever owned...
X-VERMINATOR
Both have advantages. If you ever plan on pulling a lot of weight (trailer) the solid axle is your best bet.
For ride comfort the IRS is the way to go.
I've owned both and enjoyed riding the IRS bike a lot more. These day's I do very little "pleasure" riding though and own a solid axle bike. The biggest reason I went with the solid axle was price and less moving parts. If I still did a lot of all day mud rides the IRS would have been a must have.
I know you didn't ask but if you go with a side by side utility vehicle, you won't look back. They are so handy. I have a Honda Big Red side by side.