[SamUK]

Hey all. Currently searching sales websites for a Rancher 420 road legal. New Honda territory for me. My Manager had one for a short while that we used around the farm and it was a cracking tool, quite pokey and quite comfortable too.
How do you guys compare the early 420’s to the later models? What I mean is, the frame size and ease/comfort of riding, is the later 420 more comfortable? Consider that I’m 6’2” tall, and plan on using this on byways (trails) so I don’t want aching knees after an hours riding.
I’ll be looking for a manual shift over the electronic junk, and will certainly be doing a few mods also, lift, stretch and a GR to run 28’s, all in good time though.

Any things to look out for on these models other than the usual?

 

[misterclean59]

I've owned two of each. I miss the slightly smaller stature of the 07. It seemed to handle better than the 14. The 14 is slightly larger and heavier. (same frame as the 500) The O2 sensor makes it more fuel efficient and probably a little snappier but hard to tell. The extra weight is noticeable. It also has more travel and ground clearance. I added 2 inch billet wheel spacers on the rear and 1.5 on the front. It isn't as "tippy" now. If I had it to do all over again I'd put 2 inch on the front. The seat is bigger and more comfortable but I can't remember if the ergonomics are bigger for your 6'2" frame.

 

[Jeepwm69]

I'd say at your size a later model might be better, but you're just getting a bigger bike without getting more power, so that in and of itself doesn't make much sense.

I'm the king of the midgets at 5' 10" and I love the size of the 07-13 Ranchers. They're small enough to toss around a bit.

My suggestion is to ride RodP's Foreman he's tinkering on and see how you like it. It will be close to the later 420's in size.

 

[SamUK]

I’ve not ridden a foreman or later Rancher so the size difference I can’t compare as yet. I did like my Managers 09 Rancher though, nimble and nippy is how I’d best describe it. I do remember it felt quite tippy though MC, your quite right there, I also remember the rear shock being super soft, not sure if it was a weak spring or if that makes how they all are?

Not sure if he’ll let me loose on his foreman just yet jeep haha, it’s his new baby!

 

[misterclean59]

I meant the later model was "tippy" LOL. I guess with your height it would be. I adjust all the suspension springs to full stiff for sport riding. Full soft for the rocks in Colorado.

 

[SamUK]

Ohh haha.. Must have felt tippy to me compared to my 300 that has 2” spacers all round, my Manager is also one to not mess with anything, he’s a Jockey so the suspension setting probably suited him, me, not so much lol.

Are there any things to look out for with these when buying? What about mileage and hours, what would you consider to high or high to the pint where it may want a top end build or similar?

 

[LedFTed]

I'd say at your size a later model might be better, but you're just getting a bigger bike without getting more power, so that in and of itself doesn't make much sense.

I'm the king of the midgets at 5' 10" and I love the size of the 07-13 Ranchers. They're small enough to toss around a bit.

My suggestion is to ride RodP's Foreman he's tinkering on and see how you like it. It will be close to the later 420's in size.

if your the king of midgets at 5'10",, than what am i?, at 5' 3", when i get stretched a bit by the chiropractor? LOL
[though i did make it to 5', 3.75" when i was young. now i seem to be shrinking, 5' 2.5" showed up on one measurement. that upset me more than the major stroke, i had] LOL+

 

[SamUK]

@misterclean59 @Jeepwm69 Do the later Ranchers have an optional front diff lock or is this Foreman 500 only? Also, the later Rancher is the same as the earlier variant isn’t it with no low 1st gear? Again, that’s Foreman only Isn’t it?

 

[mac102004]

@misterclean59 @Jeepwm69 Do the later Ranchers have an optional front diff lock or is this Foreman 500 only? Also, the later Rancher is the same as the earlier variant isn’t it with no low 1st gear? Again, that’s Foreman only Isn’t it?

No diff lock on the ranchers, 500 Foreman/Rubicon only. The transmission gears are the same on all the ranchers, the foreman does have a lower first gear, I wrote it down somewhere exactly how much lower, I’ll have to find it.

If I was buying a 420 I’d look for the earlier version, I don’t find them that bad to run all day. The newer one is more comfortable though, but I’d rather sacrifice a bit of comfort for the much smaller more nimble size of the earlier machines.


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[alloutdoors]

UKSam,

One of my favorite units was a 2007, Honda Rancher, which seemed or presented itself slightly smaller than the newer Ranchers, but I do not know that to be a fact. However, when comparing my former Rancher 2007 to a 2014, I do not believe there was any difference in performance. I would concur with the consistent comments about the Foreman, a work oriented unit with a lower gear and very fine unit as well.

 

[mac102004]

420 compared to EFI 500

1st 13% higher
2nd 10% higher
3rd 6% higher
4th and 5th 3% higher


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[alloutdoors]

Mac,

Thanks for the details and know from my own "seat" experience those percentages as well as a slightly larger engine can be felt.

 

[Jeepwm69]

I'd say at your size a later model might be better, but you're just getting a bigger bike without getting more power, so that in and of itself doesn't make much sense.

I'm the king of the midgets at 5' 10" and I love the size of the 07-13 Ranchers. They're small enough to toss around a bit.

My suggestion is to ride RodP's Foreman he's tinkering on and see how you like it. It will be close to the later 420's in size.

if your the king of midgets at 5'10",, than what am i?, at 5' 3", when i get stretched a bit by the chiropractor? LOL
[though i did make it to 5', 3.75" when i was young. now i seem to be shrinking, 5' 2.5" showed up on one measurement. that upset me more than the major stroke, i had] LOL+

I've learned being under 6" weeds out a lot of the shallow, stupid women.

"Don't call me if you're under 6"" says the 300 pounder who wears so much makeup she looks like a circus clown.

This seems to be a fairly recent phenomenon. My grandfather was 5' 6" on a good day. Wore a size 7 shoe. Flew B29's off of Tinian. Larger than life.

The downward spiral of western civilization continues.

 

[mac102004]

I feel sorry for short people


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[bullfoot]

@SamUK I am also 6'2" and ride a 300. I don't find the knees acting up just yet after riding all day. What am I looking forward to as I put more mileage on the lower bendy parts? Am I going to have to move to the Goldwing of quads at some point?

 

[SamUK]

@mac102004 I’m guessing your not vertically challenged then? Lol.
@bullfoot I’m only 31 but I cramp up if I stay in one position for quite some time, my left knee does hurt also after a while, I don’t know why, possibly an old injury, it also affects me if I kneel down spannering for too long.

Look after your knees, trust me, I wish I had listened when I was told that!!

 

[mac102004]

@mac102004 I’m guessing your not vertically challenged then? Lol.
@bullfoot I’m only 31 but I cramp up if I stay in one position for quite some time, my left knee does hurt also after a while, I don’t know why, possibly an old injury, it also affects me if I kneel down spannering for too long.

Look after your knees, trust me, I wish I had listened when I was told that!!

6’5


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[Jeepwm69]

@mac102004 I’m guessing your not vertically challenged then? Lol.
@bullfoot I’m only 31 but I cramp up if I stay in one position for quite some time, my left knee does hurt also after a while, I don’t know why, possibly an old injury, it also affects me if I kneel down spannering for too long.

Look after your knees, trust me, I wish I had listened when I was told that!!

6’5

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6' 5"? Canadian? I smell a sasquatch.

 

[mac102004]

@mac102004 I’m guessing your not vertically challenged then? Lol.

@bullfoot I’m only 31 but I cramp up if I stay in one position for quite some time, my left knee does hurt also after a while, I don’t know why, possibly an old injury, it also affects me if I kneel down spannering for too long.



Look after your knees, trust me, I wish I had listened when I was told that!!

6’5



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6' 5"? Canadian? I smell a sasquatch.

You know with my beard, I get that a lot hahaha


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[SamUK]

Holy carp, now I feel small haha!