Gear: Moose Expedition pant,...
Gear: Moose Expedition pant, Moose XCR jersey and gloves
Helmet: Shoei VFX-W
Boots: Gaerne SG10
Goggles: Smith Warp
Honda Rancher 4x4 with Power Steering (TRX420FPM)
The Honda Rancher is one of those machines which is almost impossible to perform an unbiased test on simply because just about everyone has owned one (or something very much like it) at one time or another.
The Rancher's instruments are right where you'd expect them to be and seemed to be laid out logically. There are LCD digital readouts for gear position, speedometer, odometer, resettable tripmeter and hourmeter, as well as indicator lights for reverse, neutral, oil temperature, fuel injection and 4WD. The reverse is activated by pushing a button on the front brake lever, while simultaneously shifting with your foot, which seems like way more work than the other machines we tested. The Rancher was the only foot-shifted machine in the bunch, resulting in mixed reviews from our test crew. While some preferred the ability to pick their own shift points, others viewed it as unnecessary and burdensome. The seat is comfortable as are the bar position and the overall feel of the machine. The Rancher was one of two machines with a storage compartment not under the seat, which is a big plus in our book.
The Honda's brakes performed flawlessly at just about any speed, and inspired confidence in our test crew. The inclusion of a rear brake lever on the handlebar certainly didn't hurt. Overall there were no complaints whatsoever about the Rancher's ability to stop when asked to.
The power steering is a great feature on the Honda and was really well-received by all who rode it. The machine will go wherever you point it, with minimal effort. The benefits of the power steering were noticeable in the lower-speed, technical sections and tight woods, as well as at high speed when blasting out of corners. The power steering definitely gives the Rancher an edge in the steering department, yet our test riders were split down the middle as to whether they'd trade power steering for automatic shifting.
Everything that the Honda does well was nearly overshadowed by the harshness of the suspension. At just about any speed, the Rancher tended to both bounce and beat you to death. The only setting in which it seemed adequately stiff was in full-on work conditions (towing, hauling, etc.). The shocks are the only thing that would keep you from flying at a high rate of speed, as every other aspect (steering, brakes, power) of the machine seems comfortable pushing boundaries.
Outside of the power steering, the most noticeable difference between the Rancher and its competitors is the power. The combination of high displacement (420cc) and manual shifting make for an extremely powerful-feeling package. Despite having one of the lowest ground clearances in the bunch, the Honda held its own in the mud; any sign of traction loss was easily remedied by a push of the throttle. The power was immediately apparent while in work mode, as the Rancher towed and hauled more, with less effort, than just about any other machine. Speedwise, the Rancher flat out hauls; unfortunately, the shocks hinder its full potential.
As a whole, the Honda Rancher 420 is a solid package. The power steering and power delivery are top-notch, while the shocks left a lot to be desired. As a workhorse, it's nearly unbeatable, but at speed it's a bit too rough for our taste.
Manually shifting was a chore to some of us, while others didn't seem to mind it at all. We were split right down the middle on the subject and resorted to conducting an impromptu survey of just about every rider we encountered while testing, and just like our test crew, it was 50-50 as to whether they'd prefer auto shifting or power steering.