Honda Rancher/Foreman vs. Yamaha Grizzly 450


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Honda Rancher/Foreman vs. Yamaha Grizzly 450

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Honda Rancher/Foreman vs. Yamaha Grizzly 450 - 4/20/2008 10:58:56 AM

joshbrinkley

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I will be looking in the near future to purchasing a new ATV. Looking at these three to start with b/c of the size, i like the size of these bikes for our tight trail riding. I don't need a large motored atv for what we do. I do a little mud but mostly just riding. I did own a 2000 Foreman but had to sell it, and my girl owned a Rancher b/f they sold it. And, thats why i ask for yalls opinion b/t these three, i've only owned a Honda and i'm not really familiar with Yamaha's atvs.

what i like about Honda: dependable, work-horse, just an overall solid vehicle, comfortable working on and with them, i know what products are offered for them.
what i don't like: solid rear axle, don't keep up with competition, no front diff lock.

what i like about Yamaha: IRS, front diff. lock, hi/low ranges
what i don't like: just not sure about how they hold up, not as comfortable working on them (never had the oppurtunity), just not familiar with them.

i really like the Grizzly 450 and am leaning toward it, whats yalls pro's and con's about the three of these bikes? Any problems with any of these newer models that i should know b/f buying?

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RE: Honda Rancher/Foreman vs. Yamaha Grizzly 450 - 4/20/2008 1:38:26 PM

ARK_SWAMP_RIDER

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Looks like you are on the right track. Search the honda forum, there have been many debates about the rancher vs. foreman. In short, the forman is the workhorse, the rancher is the trail quad. As you said, the downfall to honda is no locker or irs on those models. I would throw the Big Bear into the mix as well. It offers everything that the Grizz 450 has but with manaul trans and really low gearing. I almost bought the 450 or BB over my foreman. If the bb had been IRS then, I would have (or the 450 offered in a manual). I really think that you would be pleased with any of them. A locker is easy to add. The biggest thing you need to decide is if you want sra or irs. That should be what your decision is based on. Take care of the Yamaha and it will take care of you, plain and simple.

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RE: Honda Rancher/Foreman vs. Yamaha Grizzly 450 - 4/20/2008 2:49:41 PM

Ole One Horn

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All three are good bikes. I would probable go with the grizz just because you wouldn't have to worry about putting a locker on it and it does have IRS which gives you a much better trail ride. I wouldn't worry too much about not being comfortable working on the Grizz. Once you have had it a little while it won't bother you. JMO

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RE: Honda Rancher/Foreman vs. Yamaha Grizzly 450 - 4/20/2008 9:29:35 PM

ncmudman

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Well, I have a Kodiak 450, and my brother has a foreman 500 2x4.
The 500 definatly has more power, simply because of it being a 5-speed. BUT, in a drag race on pavement, I actually take him off the line and hold him all the way through his 4th gear. Mind you we both have HMFs, re-jetted, and aftermarket air filters. Plus his weighs a good bit less than mine.
As far as the ride comfort goes, there is no denying the comfort of the IRS Yamaha. In rough, choppy terrain, there is absolutly no comparision. BUT, the 500 fells more planted to the ground, because it's a bit lighter, wider, and the SRA. It can slide a bit easier, and when taking turns at higher speeds, it does not have the body roll of an IRS. However, once you get used to it, you can make an IRS ATV keep up with the SRA.
Believe it or not, the wieght balance of the 500 is near perfect, because he can go place that I simply can't in 2x4. To me the Kodiak is too front heavy, meaning that it looses traction to the rear tire way too easy. There are some hillclimbs that I simply can't go up in 2x4, and he goes right up them, fighting to keep the front end down. As long as he doesn't run out of ground clearence, or get into mud, he can keep up.

I could go on, but these are my thoughts. I don't have expierience with the Rancher 420, but my dad owns the 350. While it is a fun quad to play aound on, it's not in the the league of these 2, but I hear the 420 is right in the mix of the 450 and 500.
Both are excellent ATV's but if I were to do it over again, I'd still go with the Yamaha.

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RE: Honda Rancher/Foreman vs. Yamaha Grizzly 450 - 4/20/2008 9:30:28 PM

red07foreman

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foreman love mine only bad thing is no locker

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RE: Honda Rancher/Foreman vs. Yamaha Grizzly 450 - 4/21/2008 2:45:46 PM

07kodie450

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i had 07 kodiak 450 (grizz in the usa) it kept upto absolutely everything in the trails, and once i put 27 inch bi-tri on rear it followed even more and thru the mud faster then those with crap tires. Its a workhorse, very dependable like honda.

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RE: Honda Rancher/Foreman vs. Yamaha Grizzly 450 - 4/22/2008 11:37:57 AM

ZacksBF

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I would suggest the grizz myself. Can't beat the IRS for ride comfort and mud conditions. Yamaha is a proven reliable machine with many great features that make up for the small price difference. I have also looked at the different machines out and when it comes time for a 2nd ATV in my garage (for the wife and son) it will be the grizz 450 or Polaris 500.

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RE: Honda Rancher/Foreman vs. Yamaha Grizzly 450 - 4/22/2008 4:38:38 PM

joshbrinkley

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thanks for all the opinions, keep em coming.

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RE: Honda Rancher/Foreman vs. Yamaha Grizzly 450 - 4/22/2008 6:57:16 PM

J_Fred

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Just goin to throw out the Kodiak/Grizz 450 puts out more HP than both of the Hondas do at the crank. However, belts and drivetrains can suck a little bit out of it.

I would get the Yamaha. They don't have the ride (as in you sit IN a honda, not on it, basically) but are smoother, IRS, DIff lock, blah blah blah. I see no reason to get the Foreman/Rancher unless you won't more mod-ability, cheaper parts and comfort in maintanence. But you'll get used to that Grizz just as quick, and it takes less to be capable in any situation, minus maybe a work/farm/ranch environment. Thats where the old Hondas shine. I have no clue what Honda's direction has been since 2005. lol

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RE: Honda Rancher/Foreman vs. Yamaha Grizzly 450 - 4/23/2008 8:26:04 AM

rancher12

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I have ridden with several yammie 450's and I ride a rubicon ( auto foreman basically). The yam 450 seemed very slow and also has poor GC. We all went over the same log and just to test GC noticed the yammie was the one that got stuck. The DIff lock is very nice and works well. The ride is much better too. I was really surprised at how lacking the yammie was in power. Just depends on what you want, IRS and Diff lock or a lil more power and stability.

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RE: Honda Rancher/Foreman vs. Yamaha Grizzly 450 - 4/23/2008 8:48:47 AM

kodiak660

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For tight trails it would be hard to beat the 420 Rancher.

I have owned both Honda's and Yamaha's..............I'm riding a Honda now while I wait for Yamaha to come out with something new that grabs my attention.

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RE: Honda Rancher/Foreman vs. Yamaha Grizzly 450 - 4/24/2008 6:16:00 AM

ZacksBF

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quote:

ORIGINAL: rancher12

I have ridden with several yammie 450's and I ride a rubicon ( auto foreman basically). The yam 450 seemed very slow and also has poor GC. We all went over the same log and just to test GC noticed the yammie was the one that got stuck. The DIff lock is very nice and works well. The ride is much better too. I was really surprised at how lacking the yammie was in power. Just depends on what you want, IRS and Diff lock or a lil more power and stability.

I dont think it is a question of power. That is all in the gearing. The rancher among other Hondas have a more mid range gearing which makes them pull great on the trails and ride out well on open areas/roads. The Yamaha like some others is just geared very low. Low gearing is a must when you upgrade to a taller tire because the taller the tire the higher your gear ratio will be. It also helps to turn the bigger tires in the thick stuff. That seems to be a big problem for the machines that are not geared low. The grizzly seems to do fine with large tires. Just something to consider. If top speed and trail performance are what your looking for then the Rancher will be a good choice. If your looking for an all around quad that will take well to motifications and taller tires and mud then the Grizzly would be better.

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RE: Honda Rancher/Foreman vs. Yamaha Grizzly 450 - 4/24/2008 11:37:04 AM

joshbrinkley

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taller tires would prolly be one of the first things if not the first to change.

i think after reading yalls responses i will prolly try my hand with a yamaha.

some 27's would fit nicely on the grizz without any lift wouldn't they?

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RE: Honda Rancher/Foreman vs. Yamaha Grizzly 450 - 4/25/2008 12:55:04 PM

Rancherlee

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quote:

ORIGINAL: J_Fred

Just goin to throw out the Kodiak/Grizz 450 puts out more HP than both of the Hondas do at the crank. However, belts and drivetrains can suck a little bit out of it.

Really, from my research before I got my Rancher 420
Rancher 420 = 26hp
Foreman 500 = 27hp
Grizzly 450 = 26hp

So the 450 does NOT put out more HP than either Honda and after test driving all 3 I would have to agree. The 420 seemed to have more grunt than the other 2 where it just pulled hard from Idle to WOT, the foreman 500 seemed to have a touch more low end than the 420 and the Grizzly didn't start pulling good until mid way up (could be to the belt drive system though)

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RE: Honda Rancher/Foreman vs. Yamaha Grizzly 450 - 4/25/2008 4:29:16 PM

J_Fred

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Rancherlee

quote:

ORIGINAL: J_Fred

Just goin to throw out the Kodiak/Grizz 450 puts out more HP than both of the Hondas do at the crank. However, belts and drivetrains can suck a little bit out of it.

Really, from my research before I got my Rancher 420
Rancher 420 = 26hp
Foreman 500 = 27hp
Grizzly 450 = 26hp

So the 450 does NOT put out more HP than either Honda and after test driving all 3 I would have to agree. The 420 seemed to have more grunt than the other 2 where it just pulled hard from Idle to WOT, the foreman 500 seemed to have a touch more low end than the 420 and the Grizzly didn't start pulling good until mid way up (could be to the belt drive system though)

My apologies, I was confusing the erroneous KQ 450 HP numbers with the Grizz 450 numbers.

Still, close to the same HP and IRS w/diff lock, unless Yamaha is skimping on gearing, I would have to get a Grizz 450.

_____________________________

"I don't get stuck, I just lose traction and stop moving."
----------
2001 Polaris 500 H.O.
K&N, 27x12 Vamp rear /American EDL fronts
----------
Gone -- AC 500m
28x12 Mudzillas, Snorked, G*rillas all around
----------
SOLD
2001 Honda Rubicon - Lift, 27x12 Vamps, snorkels, the works.
----------
www.myspace.com/joshfrederick

(in reply to Rancherlee)

Post #: 15

RE: Honda Rancher/Foreman vs. Yamaha Grizzly 450 - 4/28/2008 8:01:01 PM

ncmudman

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You also have to consider the 450 weighs a good bit more than the other two, plus the belt itself robs more power than the 5-speeds. If the grizz was a 5-speed, it would be awesome!!

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01 Rancher 350ES 2x4 stock (Dads) Past ATV's AC 250 Honda Recon 87 TRX 125
00 Chevy Z71-Pro Comp Xtreme M/Ts, Dynomax Bullet exhaust

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