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2009 Honda Rancher AT First Ride
Never one to shy away from a challenge, no matter how insane, "Hutch" has logged enough miles in the Baja 1000 to be an official Mexican citizen and has traveled the world riding anything with two wheels for over a decade. He's the Editorial Director and a MotoUSA original.
Ken Hutchison  | http://www.motorcycle-usa.com  |  Posted December 03, 2008   Charlotte, N.C.
The Rancher ES is a great multi-purpose ATV with its push-button shifting, power steering and the same fuel-injected motor and powertrain of the flagship AT. (Photo: motorcycle-usa.com)

The 2009 Honda Rancher AT is a do-it-all multi-purpose ATV that is equal parts work-horse and play-toy.

As the flagship of the seven-model strong Rancher product range, the Rancher AT has a tough row to hoe considering the number of competitors in the utility ATV marketplace. That is exactly the reason Honda refuses to be complacent with the design and incorporates more value-added components intended to make the workday less strenuous and the play day more fun. For 2009 the Honda Rancher AT combines fuel-injection and Electronic Power Steering (EPS) from last year with Independent Rear Suspension (IRS), a push-button Electronic Shift Program (ESP) to change gears and an innovative five-speed automatic transmission featuring dual-clutch technology. The do-it-all Rancher has evolved from a bare bone, two-wheel drive stalwart of Honda's ATV line back in 1988 into one of the most technologically advanced off-road vehicles Honda has ever built. Bet you never expected to hear that about a utility quad, did you?

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.

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Ken Hutchison

Motorcycle-USA.com

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