[conchitus]

Hi All,
I'm looking to buy a Honda ATV and I am torn between the Foreman, Rubicon, TRX.
I would like an ATV that would be good for yard work, like plowing my driveway, hauling wood and then going in the woods on occasion. Looking for something that will be good on gas milage and would last.. but not cost a fortune.
I noticed the TRX and Foreman is quite a bit cheaper than the Rubicon but I don't even know what the difference is...

How is the gas milage on the 420 vs 500?

Does one really need power steering and an automatic engine?

I am currently leaning on the Rubicon with Power Steering and etc..

I could save some money and buy this ATV.. (Its in Canadian Dollars) and I can probably haggle.
https://www.kijiji.ca/v-atv/saint-john/2011-honda-500-rubicon-7800-obo/1286001095?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

 

[mrbb]

first off welcome to the site
as for do you need power steering ,
odds are NO< but very few if anyone that buys it regrets it, one of the,m don't need, but once you have it, you rather it!

as for an auto
NO you don't need an auto trans in an atv,
foot shifts tend to be proven to have less issue's or possible issure's buy you having less parts to go bad over time! the old (KISS ) "keep it simple stupid" deal here!
for plowing snow you hant the bigger motor, either the foreman or the rubican, will be your better plow atv's

the bigger differences is in ride quality, between them IMO
the rubican is an independent suspentiion machien front and back, and as such ride quality will be softer and more stabvle in some area's off road

if your looking to save money, the foreman, in a basic package, foot shidt plain Jane will be the atv you want

if you have the wallet to get what ever? the rubican might be the nicer overall deal, better ride and all the bells and whisles like atv!

the 420 is a nice atv and plows OK, but the slightly morew HP and lower gearing of the foreman will win over it as a work atv!

 

[conchitus]

Thank you for welcoming me to the site,
Now you made my decision harder, I do think automatic would be cool but I do like driving standard vehicles.. would it be somewhat similar?
I feel like power steering is just another thing that can break.

The TRX 420 and Rubicon 500 is basically a $4000 Canadian difference.. I don't know if its worth it or not.
The TRX 420 and Foreman 500 is a $1000 difference but I don't know what difference in gas milage I'd get and if I absolutely need all that power for plowing but if you suggest I do need it... hmm

After taxes/freight and PDI comes in, its a huge difference.

Right now I feel like I'm down to the Foreman 500 basic model

 

[conchitus]

 

[Forzainformer]

Imo foot shift is the way to go, one less automated thing to go wrong plus if you're gonna be loaded down with cargo on the rear 9/10 times you probably will want a srs over irs. Back when my 300 ran I could put it into low gear and pull any without worrying. But its your money so pick what you want. We can give you advice but you don't have to use it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[mrbb]

here is the deal between a rancher and foreman IMO
up untill about 2014 Ranchers used to be on a smaller frame, they were lighter and more nimble than the FULL sided 4x4 honda atv's
they are geared higher, have less Hp, and were lighter
so they were mroe FUN sportier atv's, and being lighter, they did better with the higher gearing and HP they had!

NOW as of again I think 2015, there on the full sized frames as ALL Honda 4x4 atv's, but still have less HP and the higher gearing?

the reason you want LOWER gearing , is plowing snow is HARD on things, you wanat lower gears to get things up and going and KEEP them moving
so to plow snow, a foremany will do so with leass wear and tear on things, your up north, more snow belt more plowing mroe often, long term thinking, the foreman wins over the rancher
NOT that a rancher is a bad atv at all, there not
just the foreman is the better worker due to lower gearinga dn little mroe hp

as for fuel mileage, you'd be splitting hairs between the two, there darn close on HP
if you were to cruyise at say 30 mph, the rancher will WIN< due to higher gearing
but just idling about the yard/property, and bsic trail riding, I doubt on STOCK set ups, you'd see much of a difference, mayeb one would get(and just an example NOT actual miles)
say a rancher might get 100 miles to tank, a foreman might get you 90?
not a BIG difference at all none to make a decision over one or the other IMO

the foremanwill have maybe more options too, 12 inch wheels, for one, making buying tires down the road a little easier!
DIff lock and so on!


NOW a rubican, if the added price dopesn scare you has a HI low range that shgould make plowing very nice too, but doubt a notciable differenc ethen a foreman!

LAST< when you talk PLOW< I Highly recommend you get a 60 inch blade, stick with BRAND name makers, be it Moose, Cycle country, Warn, and your pick of front mount or MID mount

do a search here on plow info, LOTS to digest, if you don't know much about the two types!

 

[conchitus]

I think I'm going to go with the power steering, but I am going to take your advice and opt out of the automatic and go with a manual.

I'm torn between these two right now and the price isn't much different.. I heard that the foreman is more reliable but the rubicon has independent rear suspension.. but I feel like that'll just make the back sag if hauling anything.

 

[machinecrook]

I'd go with the Foreman. If you figure you'll be working more than riding trails, SRS all the way. I ride approx 5-10kms every time I go down to get a load of wood and my TRX300FW is fine. The trails are rough but I'm not going 50km/h over them either.

But yeah, I'm sold on the Foreman.

 

[Menard_LaPue]

IRS on the Rancher is plenty comfortable, and I don't have any sag with a 200 pound load on the rear rack, and that is with my shocks on the light setting. Sorry to make this more complicated, but IRS is very nice.

 

[alloutdoors]

You will not go wrong with either machine, so don't sweat it.....

If you are going to do as much work as indicated, plowing, wood, etc., I really do not believe you will repeat the benefits of independent rear suspension, and would go with the Foreman. If, however, you think some trail riding may be in the future, then I would go with the Rubicon

 

[fishfiles]

Welcome to the forum , my opinions which are derived from riding in extreme conditions every weekend with every different model of atv out there , stay away from an ES shifter , ES is the biggest problem I see , you are dependent on your battery , even if the shift does work, there is a lag time in shifting and a lost of momentum when it does shift , you don't need power steering , it is just something else to break , you learn to turn the wheels while you are moving , IRS is not needed , they don't handle well with weight on the rear in bad conditions , it's un-steerable , then you have boots and axles to go out ---- out the three choices you have posted , I would go with the 420 , straight axle , foot shift and no power steering , I don't know what it is about the 500's , only thing I can guess is they must not have a good weight distribution cause they get stuck a lot more than the 420's and are not as good at climbing out a hole

 

[ATC4ever]

I went through this a couple years ago. I figured if i was buying new, & spending all that $$ I may as well get what i wanted. I liked the IRS over solid, so i got the Rubicon DX. Only thing i dont like is, i wish it had more power. My buddies 2011 420 with the same options (except locking front) seems to keep up pretty good on the straight stretches as well.

 

[misterclean59]

Welcome to the forum , my opinions which are derived from riding in extreme conditions every weekend with every different model of atv out there , stay away from an ES shifter , ES is the biggest problem I see , you are dependent on your battery , even if the shift does work, there is a lag time in shifting and a lost of momentum when it does shift , you don't need power steering , it is just something else to break , you learn to turn the wheels while you are moving , IRS is not needed , they don't handle well with weight on the rear in bad conditions , it's un-steerable , then you have boots and axles to go out ---- out the three choices you have posted , I would go with the 420 , straight axle , foot shift and no power steering , I don't know what it is about the 500's , only thing I can guess is they must not have a good weight distribution cause they get stuck a lot more than the 420's and are not as good at climbing out a hole

Hey Fish.....the reason the 500's get stuck easier may be the gearing. I don't know personally but many here say the it's geared lower. I've found one thing to be true on all 3 of my 420's is a higher gear than expected is usually just right.

 

[mrbb]

the lower gearing on the foreman, should ONLY help when you go taller tires,
and its for sure a better option for doing plowing and pulling work
BUT lower gearing will NOT allow tires to spin as fast, which might explain getting stuck in mud and such, as they won't self clean as well, spinning slower
also don
t forget the older ranchers are almost a 100 lbs lighter than the foremans, so that too is part of why maybe they get stuck more> weight has pro's and cons

but for the OP, who will be in the snow belt(canada) plowing snow often, the foreman I still say is the better option here for him
he's not mud riding, swimming or planning a lot of trail riding
more utility use than anything
I've never needed power steering, but again, it sure seems like everyone that gets it, is very happy they got it, and I have never really seen or heard of any issue's with them on Honda's.
Granted its not out there that long to know long term upkeep or failures

but I don't thinks its that huge a deal maker or breaker either way!

 

[conchitus]

Okay guys,

I considered all your opinions and I decided on a Rubicon Manual with IRS and EPS thanks all for your opinion, I definitely stayed away from the automatic and I decided on the IRS Rubicon for my wife that'll ride in the back with me.

 

[conchitus]

Now I asked about upgrades and other accessories.. I'm not sure if I'm getting a good deal or not on these items or I can find a simple solution.

This is all in Canadian Dollars:

Labour $450
Tax: $470

33-04000 - Bronco Classic Box Standard: $359.99
47-89030 - Vantage 3000 Winch: $464.39
177110 - Winch Bracket (Fuse): $92.66
Factory tires refund $100 (They'll take my factory tires for $100 off my hands): -$100
473297 - Fender Protector W/O Pegs Honda TRX 500: $189.85
973899 - Fender Protector Foot Peg(Pair): $44.95
0320-0458 - Tires - 26x9-12 6PR TW358 Slingshot XT FRT AMS: $268.73
0320-0459 Tires - 26x11-12 6PR TW358 Slingshot XT RR AMS: $296.73
120524 - Utility Trailer Moose(Solid Steel heavy duty trailer for the atv): 532.95

I believe is all for the click n go plow setup, not even sure if it comes with the plow:
373974 - Chassis Pelle CNG 1 VTT(Square Tube): $302.35
171171 - 03-05 TZFR6 black Windscr????: $62.95
273207 - Attache Pelle CNG 1 VTT Hon TRX500: $162.85

 

[fishfiles]

I hope your wife weights 80 Lbs cause you are not got to steer with her on the back like you think you will , I think you made a bad decision , let us know how you make out !!!

 

[SteveStrick]

I have a rancher IRS, and I don't even notice any big difference in the steeeing with a passenger on the back, you'll be fine. You won't regret getting the smoother riding bike.

 

[Goober]

If you want a two-up machine you need to look at CanAm Max XT

 

[jameslb]

I bought a 2013 unsold Foreman and love it. This was my first quad. It has Power Steering which I did not appreciate until I drove a Rincon w/o PS at the dealer. I was instantly sold on power steering. Also I have electric shift, an admitted bane on most of this site. I like it, the shift effort works for me. This is Arizona and deep water crossing are non existent. Looking at the poster comparison of three vehicle the Rancher wins as that 420 is a good unit. I would pay extra for a Foreman but not step up to the Rubicon...unless of course a rich uncle remembers me (NOT).