Honda Rancher Update

Last Updated 4/15/2004

After we finished putting the Honda Rancher through its paces as a test mule and tricking it out with some high-end hardware, it's lived a different life, one that might not be quite as exciting, but it's been a busy one nonetheless. Rather than sit neglected in a corner of the garage, we instead put it to work, not on a ranch (as might be fitting due to its name) but at an RV storage yard. We put the stock wheels and tires back on it - the ITP Holeshot AT radials seemed like too much tire for the little Ute - but left the Pro Circuit T4 exhaust and Works Performance shocks in place because...well, frankly, simply because we didn't feel like changing it. The pipe gave it a little extra boost, albeit at the expense of being quite a bit louder, and the suspension is a big step up from stock.

At the RV storage yard, it's been put to use almost daily, most often to run from one part of the yard to another but sometimes to carry or tow things. Most of the towing has been of trailers loaded with a couple hundred pounds of firewood, but the Rancher handled that easily.

Over the course of several months, the Rancher has impressed the yard's owner with its dependability and its willingness to perform all chores asked of it. At first, he wondered if it had the necessary grunt for towing heavy loads, but it proved quite capable. Of course, this was on level ground.

The Rancher did get a workout once on mountainous terrain when it spent two weeks in Colorado on an elk hunt. There, at altitude (with no jetting changes), it again demonstrated a "no problem" attitude toward anything asked of it, whether going up and down tricky trails or simply cruising down fire roads. Unfortunately, our hunting party didn't harvest any elk so we can't verify how well it would've packed out the quarters of one, but we're sure the Rancher would've been up to the task, even if it isn't one of the big-bore ATVs with their superior grunt. The Pro Circuit pipe helped make the most of the Rancher's mid-bore motor while the Works Performance suspension improved overall handling, adding some plushness to it's already sporty attitude, enough to overcome those who doubted its ability to do the job. It'd have to be an extremely tough task for our Super Rancher to come up short.

Prior to leaving for RV Yard...        read full caption Prior to leaving for RV Yard detail the Rancher spent some time at the editor's home helping with a home improvement project. It showed few ill effects at low speeds, while very overloaded with bags of concrete.	The ITP Holeshot AT's we mounted...        read full caption The ITP Holeshot AT's we mounted up previously were both good and bad for our California home. In whooped out trails they're too heavy for even our improved suspension to deal with, they also grip quite a bit making sliding harder to accomplish. However in technical rocky conditions the ATs clung to frightening angles like a mountain goat's hooves. If lots of grip is what you need, these are the ones.	Warn's 424 Disconnect works...        read full caption Warn's 424 Disconnect works to perfection, allowing us the option of turning off the Rancher's front wheel drive and making it far more sporting. Works Performance shocks all around gives Super Rancher both sporting prowess and a more plush ride. However, the boingers can be overwhelmed with repeated bashing (whoops).