2015 Honda Rancher 420 4×4

In 2009, Honda made some significant changes to the ultra-popular Rancher 420 platform, Most notably, they added a dual-clutch automatic transmission. The addition of independent rear suspension (IRS) and electronic power steering (EPS) were also very significant. For 2015, all of those components have been refined and attached to an all-new chassis and covered with new bodywork. The Rancher is the latest line of Honda utility ATVs to merge into the growing shared-chassis platform Honda is working on. Back when the Foreman got re-cloaked a couple years ago, Honda created a chassis that can easily accept the Rubicon and Rancher drivetrain this way, as development cost and assembly time could be shared between more ATVs, saving the company money and hopefully offering you a better product.

The Rancher was already a good product to begin with. It is Honda’s most popular utility model and has the most versions available with nine colors. In the Rancher line, you can get EPS, non-EPS, 2WD, 4WD, straight axle, IRS, automatic transmission, electric thumb-shift or foot-shift models, so there really is something for everyone in the Rancher lineup.

HONDA MOTOR
All Rancher models are powered by the same 420cc, liquid-cooled, OHV, fuel-injected, single-cylinder mill. The transmissions on all of them are five-speed with reverse. The automatic version allows you the option to electronically go through the gears with a push of a button. The manual-only model gives you the ability to shift the old-fashion way, with your foot.

For this article, we tested the top-of-the-line model with IRS and the automatic dual-clutch transmission (DCT). It has plenty of ponies to get you down the trail at a good clip. It tops out at just 50 mph, which is plenty fast, even for a wide farm road. If you are doing heavy farming with an ATV like this, the straight-axle swingarm would be preferred, as would the foot-shifter for longevity’s sake. Either way, the motor has plenty of pep. We trail rode ours at elevations over 7000 feet, and it never felt sluggish or slow. Down on the flat lands, it’s not a racer but is no slouch, either. It has torque to rock crawl or dice in and out of the woods with ease. Honda recalibrated the shift points of the automatic transmission, and it now learns your riding style so it shifts much better. Unlike before, it doesn’t downshift prematurely or wander between gears in auto mode. We do prefer running in manual electronic shift programming (ESP) mode when we are riding aggressively still. Auto mode does a perfect job the rest of the time.

SUSPENSION ACTION
Two different suspension setups are used on the Rancher line depending on if you want the IRS model or solid-axle version. The solid-axle version is built more as a workhorse and has slightly less wheel travel at both ends. In the back you will find 6.7 inches of travel through a single shock, and up front the dual-A-arm setup also moves 6.7 inches. Ground clearance on this unit measures 7.2 inches.

The IRS version uses two separate shocks out back moving 8.5-inch A-arms. The front A-arms travel 7.3 inches. The shocks are preload adjustable only. The IRS version was a blast to ride on the trails no matter how rutted, thanks to ground-clearance measurements of 9.2 inches. It’s comfortable and easy to thread between trees and over rocks. The new chassis and bodywork make the Rancher about 1.5 inches wider and 2 inches longer, which makes it more of a full-size model instead of the older mid-size frame. The machine is much more stable in the corners or over off-cambers, and actually soaks up the bumps better due to a slightly longer wheelbase. It should still fit on the tighter trails, but it just might get scraped up a bit more than the smaller, older Rancher. Weight only increases a little to 686 pounds, but that is mostly due to a larger 3.9-gallon gas tank, which in our book is always welcome. The Rancher still uses rather small 24-inch-tall tires and now has the fender clearance to increase your tire size, but we are not sure how the transmission will act if you do so.

CONCLUSION
If utility ATVs never surpassed the 500cc mark, we would be totally content using a Rancher for both work and play. It has the ability and the different models to get the job done on the ranch or farm for sure. Plus, the two-wheel-drive model at $5200 is one of the least expensive utility ATVs you can buy, which should make the accountant happy. But for pure fun as a trail rig or hunting machine, the Rancher DCT-, IRS- and EPS-equipped machine can do that, too, for $7900. Seven other models fall in the middle of that price range. None of them are going to rip your arms out of their sockets with sheer acceleration, but they all will get you into the woods and back home again guaranteed. The Rancher has been one of favorites for a long time, and with Honda’s new style, added suspension travel, EPS and better-performing transmission, it will remain one.

2015 HONDA RANCHER 4X4, IRS, DCT, EPS
Engine………………OHV, liquid-cooled,
fuel-injected, 4-stroke
Bore & stroke………….86.5mmx71.5mm
Transmission…Dual-clutch automatic
5-speed w/ electric shift option
Final drive………………………………..Shaft
Fuel system….34mm EFI throttle body
Fuel capacity………………………..3.9 gal.
Length/width/height..84.6”/47.4”/46.8”
Wheelbase…………………………………49.9”
Ground clearance……………………….9.2”
Suspension/ wheel travel:
Front……………….Dual A-arms w/ 7.3”
Rear……………….Dual A-arms w/ 8.5”
Brakes:
Front………………..Dual hydraulic disc
Rear……………..Single hydraulic disc
Tires:
Front…………………………………….24×8-12
Rear…………………………………..24×10-12
Dry weight………………………………686 lb.
Colors…………………Orange, red, camo
Price……………..$7899, starting at $5200