Postby kssj » Fri Nov 25, 2011 9:04 pm
Generally speaking, the Rancher lineup already has a number of features that set it apart form the competition, including the longitudinally-mounted, liquid-cooled engine and transmission which allows for a direct drive to the transaxle and eliminates power loss through more traditional chain or belt-drive systems. Honda believes this is the reason the Rancher can continue to successfully utilize its relatively small 420cc displacement and still compete with ATVs with chain or belt drives and larger motors. For '09 the little mill does receive larger intake valves, now 38mm (up from 35mm) and exhaust valves are now 33mm (up from 30mm) and a redesigned cylinder head that combine for a slight boost in power which should help it keep pace with the competition despite its displacement disadvantage. Weight between the two machines is comparable with the Rancher AT tipping the scales at 605 lbs while the Rancher ES weighs in at 588 lbs - both of which are measured curb weights.
At the introduction of the new Rancher ES and Rancher AT we spent serious time playing in the hills of Richfield, Utah, an OHV-friendly town that hosts the annual ATV Jam. There we put the Rancher through a gauntlet of rough OHV trails and dusty dirt roads. This is the gateway to the legendary Paiute Trail system that runs through the rugged desert of the surrounding Fishlake National Forest. This is one of the few places I've ever been in the U.S. where you can get away with riding your quad on surface streets - so long as you are being polite about it. The terrain is pure high desert with spectacular red-rock formations leading to the vibrant Aspen wilderness with stands of white-barked trees and flittering yellow leaves serving as a reminder that autumn is officially here and this is a great time to be outdoors.