My review of the new 420 Rancher.

This is my 2007 Honda Rancher 420, 4x4 with the manual shift. Already has the new Warn RT2500 winch, ITP SS 112 14inch rims and the 27inch ITP Mudlite XTR's. 2inch lift kit is on order from XTREME PRODUCTS ATV LIFT KITS PARTS & ACCESSORIES.

So far I am stoked! (old skater slang from the 7th grade meaning, WOW!) This quad is nicely improved over the 06 350 Rancher in a few ways. 1st and most obviously it's 70ccs bigger. Fuel injection was added along with front disc brakes and the ability to unlock the front end making it a 4x2.

My next door neighbor has the 06 Rancher with the same size tire/rim package. He already has the HighLifter 2inch lift kit installed, but doesn't have a winch at this time. Both bikes are yellow, but mine looks better.

Some of the 06 advantages over the 07 are the dry storage compartment located on the front left fender. The 07 doesn't have this because this is where the lever is located that unlocks the front end. Honda also failed to retain the 12V outlet on the 07 model. Lastly, so far that I've noticed, the storage box on the rear of the bike is smaller. I tried to put my 20ft tow strap in my compartment but it wouldn't fit. Fit with room to spare on his 06 model.

Power. Seems to have plenty to turn the 27's on dry ground. Geared low enough to turn them in 1st and 2nd in the few mudholes I've found so far. Honestly 26's would probably be a better fit for the power this bike has in stock trim. I'm waiting for a pipe and/or a programmer to boost the bottom end. Little weak on the top end also turning those 27's.

I mainly ride my bike on the local rivers and creeks. I enjoy mud also, but don't have many local mud spots. So my review is mainly on the performance in deep water crossings and riding rough sand bars.

It seems that my wife is now calling for me to leave the house. I'll post this portion of my findings now and see the response from it. I'll mention me winching out a 2007 660 Grizzly a little later.


Oh, btw, I *AM* brand loyal, but I am *NOT* a brand basher.

Seems like some of the '06 advantages should have remained with the '07. Do you find that you really miss these or have you just adapted and it doesn't really bother you to be without the storage or have a smaller storage area?

BTW.....the bike looks nice!

Good looking bike!!

Good review and the bike looks real good

I'm really not happy about the loss of the dry storage area on the fender, even if I gained the 4x2 ability. There's another fender on the right side that Honda could have placed a dry storage area. Doesn't have to be a huge compartment. However having a place to put a set of keys, a wallet and a cell phone would have made a lot of sense. Smokers would have liked a place for storing a pack as well I'm sure.

I guess I can live without the dry storage on the fender in place of the 4x2 lever, but there's NO reason Honda had to make the rear storage compartment smaller. BOOO to Team Red's design department here.

Overall I still love my bike. I'm very happy with it all around. For it's size and my riding style, it performs to my great satisfaction. A 12V plug would have been nice. Again no reason that Honda couldn't have carried this over from the 06 model. Nothing I can't fix, or live without.

I looked at buying the bigger 500 Foreman but didn't b/c it's bigger. I don't have any "work" for my bike to perform and nothing to pull so I didn't need the larger, wider, heavier bike.

Thank you for the compliments. Coming from some other riders that means a lot. I was kinda worried that the 14inch chrome rims may have been disliked for their "bling" factor.

I wonder if I could get a job giving reviews on my findings of various bikes. Dream job if I ever heard of one. If anyone knows where to send my resume please pm me.

nice bike and good review

Hey I have purchased the same bike rancher es 420 4x4 2007. I have purchased the 12" SS rims and the ITP Mud Lites 27x12x12 on the rear and 27x10x12 on the front. I have also installed a 2" lift. Ok here is my possible problem. I have a finger width between the plastic on the out side and the tire. Do you have the same room? I am not sure if it going to rub but it is realllly close! What do you think?

clearance isn't a problem for me. you "shouldn't" have any issues either. have someone check the clearances for you WITH YOU SITTING ON THE BIKE. let us know what you find.

This is my 2007 rancher 420 with the 12" itp ss rims and the 26 itp mudlites. I love my Rancher better than any of my other fourwheelers. I have a 2001 forman and a 2005 trx450 and i much rather ride my rancher. The rancher is alot faster then my forman even though my forman has factory tires. The only thing i wish my rancher had was the dry compartment and the 12v outlet that was honda biggest mistake. I can live without the accesories but i wish i had them. All of my friends have 2002-2006 ranchers and none of them can hang with my 420 in the mud or in over all speed. I am waiting on the performance chip so i can go even faster and i want the 2" lift but i think im goig to stick with my 26" tires though. Also, i want the snorkel kit and the K&N air filter. Overall i give the 2007 rancher a A+.

I have used quads for several years but I recently got the 2007 420trx as my first quad purchase and I love it so far.

Even with the stock rims/tires it was able to pull out a friends Grizzly from a mud hole. Plenty of power for my needs.

We have some rough country around here but so far the rancher has not had any problems getting around. 1st gear is plenty low enough.

The selectable 2/4wd is great for turning in tight spots.

Would it have killed Honda to put a 12v outlet on it? I will be adding dual outlets myself next week.

hi all..i too have a 420 07 es. had a 400 kawaski before that. there is no comparision. 420 out shines it anytime. what a nice little quad in the mud and snow. i agree, wouldnt have killed honda to have installed a plug in on them. heck, that is pretty well standard on any quad u buy these days. happy trails, safe riding....

hopefully before summer i'll have enough $ saved to get a new atv, the 420 4x4 rancher is looking good right now.