ATV Rider Online Homepage

 

 

Honda Rancher Update

By Mark Kariya
Photos by Billy Bartels

Last Updated 4/15/2004

 Honda Rancher Full Right Side View

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.


 Honda Rancher Full Right Side View Front View
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.
 Honda Rancher Front Driver View
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.
 Honda Rancher Full Left Side Driver View
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).

 Honda Rancher Front Climbing View Honda Rancher Left Side Rear View Honda Rancher Full Right Side View

Related Photos

Related Articles

 
Joe Byrd Hits One Out Of The Park
Earns extra three "grand" for his efforts - 08/14/08... more
 
Wienen Wins One At Loretta's
Bad luck and injuries disappear with first 2008 victory - 08/14/08... more
 
Youth Quads
ATV Rider 2007 Buyer's Guide... more
 
Chad Wienen Takes The Win At Final Round Of AMA/ATVA National Championship
At Loretta Lynn's Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee. - 08/11/08... more
 
 
 
Boyesen New Redesigned QuickShot 2
The newly redesigned Boyesen QuickShot 2. 5/29/2008... more
 
Suzuki LT-R450 - Sport
After a lavish 2006 that saw Suzuki introduce its LT-R450 (our Sport ATV of the Year), Polaris its very all-terrain Outlaw and Yamaha its excellent Raptor redux, '07 is a bit more calm in sport... more
 
SuperTrapp Industries Launches MudSlinger And IDSX For Polaris 500/700 Ranger
SuperTrapp Industries launches the already famous MudSlinger now available for the 500 and 700 Polaris Ranger '05-'08. 4/28/2008... more
 
2008 Honda TRX400EX - Change Is Good
Even For The Bulletproof Honda TRX400EX... more

ATV Forum

 
Honda markup?
in my opinion it's just like buying a car. you never pay sticker price.(at least i haven't.)... more
 
Newbie
Just picked up my first quad 1998 honda foreman 4x4 es.Picked it up for free new tires starts... more
 
Tao Tao accesories
Turns out they are hard to find. I heard stories that honda parts will fit because these are honda... more
 
Just bought a 2001 Honda 350 ATV, How to service it?
Sorry but I just bought a used 2001 Honda 350 ATV and it has no manual. Is there anywhere a... more

ATV Blog

 
Chinese ATVs Are Being Scrutizined By U.S. Government
First there was the pet food. Then the toothpaste. Then tires.... more
 
Baja 500 and 1000 on TV
2006 Tecate SCORE Baja 500 to air on NBC TV Saturday; 2006 Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 to air on NBC... more
 
Whatever happened to Thanksgiving?
It seems like as soon as Halloween is over, retailers start pushing Christmas down my throat. ... more
 
News - ATV Access in Alaska
PRESS RELEASE Motorcycle Industry Council and Specialty Vehicle Institute of America Intervene to... more