[MolokaiGuy]

Hello all,
Taking delivery on a new 2017 Rancher SRA MS this next week. Never owned an ATV before and looking forward to this immensely. Going to use it to explore all the places my bad knee won't allow me to go anymore and to get to some remote fishing spots. Researched ATV's for months and as much as I liked some attributes of the others there was nothing really as appealing as the reliability of Honda. I live on a little Island with 7500 people and no dealership. I'm getting it shipped over on a barge from Oahu so having a simple and reliable machine was the go. Anyway, always nice to have an information source online.

 

[Freedomflyer]

Welcome,
I don't think you'll be disappointed, I've got a couple of 2013 Ranchers, the dependability has been outstanding so far. The only thing I wish I would've done was Power steering, and IRS, but the fuel injection as been great for our high altitude riding no jetting to worry about. I did have a bit of an issue with a fuel filter and fuel pump on one machine but pretty sure I've taken care of that problem with a replacing the fuel pump assembly. Enjoy your machine, I know we do I would never get to see our mountains of Montana like I do without having these machines. Post a pic when it shows up, we all like pictures. Here's a few from our neck of the woods in South West Montana.

 

[shadetree]

welcome to the forums, solid choice on the manual shift model !.

 

[MolokaiGuy]

Thanks FF!
I have to admit im pretty envious of your location. I would kill to ride around those mountains! One of the reasons i am getting the bike is to take some cool pictures so i'll be posting some here soon. Thanks for the welcome.

 

[MolokaiGuy]

Thanks ST! Cant wait for delivery

 

[Melatv]

Hi: Big Welcome -- enjoy your bike -- have fun -- be safe.

 

[MolokaiGuy]

Thanks Mel! I havent even got my bike but already looking at tires. lol. Do you like the Bearclaws?

 

[Melatv]

Thanks Mel! I havent even got my bike but already looking at tires. lol. Do you like the Bearclaws?

I like the tires -- they are 8PR radial casing structure -- they run smooth on all surfaces.

 

[alloutdoors]

Welcome to the forum and you will find some great folks here. Given no dealership presence, I would consider picking up some simple service components online so they are handy such as spark plug, air filters, oil filter, engine oil (be sure it is wet clutch approved, regular motor oil is a no go), etc....

Looking forward to some pictures....

 

[UnkleRaRa]

I have to admit im pretty envious of your location.

I think it`s safe to say that we are all pretty jealous of YOUR location! haha

Welcome!!

 

[misterclean59]

Welcome to the forum. My wife and I made a friend years ago........she was from the big island and had been here just a few days. We were showing her some things to do in Houston and I remember her saying how different it was to just drive and drive and more road ahead. LOL Have you been to the mainland and experienced the same thing?

 

[misterclean59]

I googled Molokai. It looks beautiful on the wet side of the island. The highest ocean cliff in the world in there too. wow. Also almost 5,000 ft mountain/volcano on such a small island must make for long steep roads or trails.

 

[redtherocket]

When you get your bike, be sure to go over it with a fine toothed comb.. Be sure to check your headlight covers on the inside of the fenders... Mine weren't clipped in right..

Before you get ANYTHING... Get a winch.

Especially if you plan to do any riding in anything soft.. Your not going to want to be trying to slug it around..

I suggest getting the tires I have, but you would need to order 12" Foreman rims since your rear tire is probably 11"...


-Do the break in procedure, its in the manual..

-Do the first valve adjustment... It will be out of spec.. Mine was. And I suggest having a dealer do the first one, it will keep your warrant intact.. I'm due for another adjustment here shortly, I will be doing it from now on since Honda's warranty is only a year..


If you find it hard to steer, spray lolyds multi purpose lube on the steering shaft bushing... push the bar to one side and spray allowing it to run into the bushing itself..

Don't just spray anything on it... Use the Lolyds.. It won't ruin the rubber or draw dirt in....


Goood luck. Smart choice of bike

And welcome

 

[_Wilson_]

Hello mike, congrats on the new quad, and welcome to the forums, for your pics, you should check out Mrbb' s just some pic thread

http://www.hondaatvforums.net/forums/around-garage/102114-just-some-pic.html

 

[MolokaiGuy]

Thanks guys!
Good advice Alloutdoors. We rely pretty heavily on Amazon and internet shopping here!
Molokai is a small place but we have some nice places to ride. Nowhere near as wide open and endless as the North where you guys live but it's summertime year round and there are no critters that eat you. There is a substantial Axis deer population here which is weird (to me) for Hawaii.

When I researched ATV's with reliability in mind I found a few interesting details. Several other manufacturers have chronic overheating problems even when guys are not getting their rads caked with mud. I always look at oil capacity myself. I have a 2012 DL650 with almost 80K miles on it. (great bike) and it takes 3 quarts. Also liquid cooled. I was pretty surprised the Rancher took nearly 4 quarts! I got the impression Honda engineers these bikes to last and that really sold me. A 420cc liquid-cooled motor with 4 quarts in the sump...unreal. I think the Kawasaki Brute Force 750 takes like two quarts and has serious heating and seal issues.

I already bought a rear rack for it from Great Day. All aluminum and light. Also ordered the accessory plug so I can power a tire inflator which goes in cool plastic box I found on Amazon which will hold the inflator, a tire plug kit, a first aid kit, a life straw, bivy, cell phone, VHF radio, lighter and my tools and a spark plug. Eventually get one of those compact battery thingys that can start a car. Any other suggestions for an emergency kit?

Ill work on some pics

 

[MolokaiGuy]

Welcome to the forum. My wife and I made a friend years ago........she was from the big island and had been here just a few days. We were showing her some things to do in Houston and I remember her saying how different it was to just drive and drive and more road ahead. LOL Have you been to the mainland and experienced the same thing?

I grew up in LA and Washington so i am familiar with the endless road. Funny you mention the Big Island. I lived there for 15 years and Molokai is tiny in comparison! The most endless roads in this state are on the Big Island! lol What i miss most about the mainland is the food. BBQ and Mexican! I dropped my daughter off at Washington State University this last aug driving from Seattle to Pullman. I found every Mex and BBQ joint along the way and gained 10lbs in two weeks!

 

[MolokaiGuy]

Hello mike, congrats on the new quad, and welcome to the forums, for your pics, you should check out Mrbb' s just some pic thread

http://www.hondaatvforums.net/forums/around-garage/102114-just-some-pic.html

Thanks Jay! I will!

 

[MolokaiGuy]

When you get your bike, be sure to go over it with a fine toothed comb.. Be sure to check your headlight covers on the inside of the fenders... Mine weren't clipped in right..

Before you get ANYTHING... Get a winch.

Especially if you plan to do any riding in anything soft.. Your not going to want to be trying to slug it around..

I suggest getting the tires I have, but you would need to order 12" Foreman rims since your rear tire is probably 11"...


-Do the break in procedure, its in the manual..

-Do the first valve adjustment... It will be out of spec.. Mine was. And I suggest having a dealer do the first one, it will keep your warrant intact.. I'm due for another adjustment here shortly, I will be doing it from now on since Honda's warranty is only a year..


If you find it hard to steer, spray lolyds multi purpose lube on the steering shaft bushing... push the bar to one side and spray allowing it to run into the bushing itself..

Don't just spray anything on it... Use the Lolyds.. It won't ruin the rubber or draw dirt in....


Goood luck. Smart choice of bike

And welcome

Thanks, Red! Appreciate the advice. Winch is definitely next.
I have a question for the valves. The jam nut is 10mm but the adjustment part...is it the flathead screw type of the 3mm square end one on a 2017? I have a tool i used on my old Suzuki DR650 which is a wrench with the adjustment screw that slides into the wrench. Wondering if i can use this or if i need a new one that fits?

 

[misterclean59]

Welcome to the forum. My wife and I made a friend years ago........she was from the big island and had been here just a few days. We were showing her some things to do in Houston and I remember her saying how different it was to just drive and drive and more road ahead. LOL Have you been to the mainland and experienced the same thing?

I grew up in LA and Washington so i am familiar with the endless road. Funny you mention the Big Island. I lived there for 15 years and Molokai is tiny in comparison! The most endless roads in this state are on the Big Island! lol What i miss most about the mainland is the food. BBQ and Mexican! I dropped my daughter off at Washington State University this last aug driving from Seattle to Pullman. I found every Mex and BBQ joint along the way and gained 10lbs in two weeks!

You need to come to Texas for great BBQ and Mexican. The Houston suburbs have some of the best food in the country for Itailian, etc etc. Now the New Orleans area has some great Cajun food that we can't compete with.

 

[MolokaiGuy]

Yeah....i need to get out more often! LOL