Anybody into their ATVs will know that the Honda FourTrax line remains a staple offering of the company. These vehicles are marketed as being ‘big, strong, and powerful’. The Honda Rancher 350 was the second product in this line, although it was never emblazoned with the FourTrax branding. Any ATV in this line descends from the Rancher 300 and 350. Buying a used Honda Rancher 350 allows buyers to secure a great vehicle at a low price.
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Specifications and Features
As the name suggests, the Rancher 350 is designed to be a workhorse. It is for those that need a lot of behind their vehicle, but do not want to be paying through the nose for the privilege.
The four-stroke engine is at the heart of the Rancher 350. This powerful motor is able to allow the vehicle to hit a top speed of around 40mph in ideal conditions.
The drivetrain in the Rancher 350 is unique. There are two options. Both of these have four gears, plus reverse gear. There is the standard gear shift option. However, the most desirable version of the 350 is the models that had the Electric Shift System installed. This allows drivers to effortlessly change gears with the press of a single button.
As with most Honda ATVs, these vehicles came equipped with Bridgestone tires. However, unless the ATV didn’t get any use, these tires would have long since been replaced. Nowadays, any prospective buyer will need to ask the seller which tires are fitted. Although, of course, these can just be replaced if required.
Suspension on this ATV is pretty standard. There is a double-wishbone at the front, coupled with arms at the top and bottom. On the back, there is a single swing arm coupled with a shock absorber. The suspension hasn’t been particularly designed for major off-roading. Instead, it has been designed for a few bumps while tending fields or ranches. It is a work vehicle, after all.
The brakes are your typical hydraulic drum and mechanical drum combination. These sit at the front and the rear of the vehicle respectively. This allows fast and efficient braking.
One look at the vehicle will show just what it has been built for. It has been designed with power in mind. However, the size of the vehicle is quite deceptive. While it is a larger ATV, it is surprisingly light. In the right hands, it is able to accomplish what many other similarly sized ATVs cannot.
Model Years Available
The Rancher 350 was produced between 2000 and 2006. For part of its life, the manufacturing of this vehicle actually overlapped with that of its successor, the Rancher 400. This goes to show just how in-demand the 350 was at the time.
Unlike many other ATV models, the 350 didn’t really get major upgrades each year. There was no need. It was a good enough model for the price even at launch. Of course, buyers will still want to look for the later models of the 350, if only for the fact that many of them have been used for a lot less time. Although, a few small improvements were made from 2004 onward, which many people claim made a far smoother ride. Although, most people wouldn’t likely want to pay the extra cash for that benefit alone.
How much is a Honda Rancher 350 Worth?
The Honda Rancher 350 nowadays sells for between $1,500 and $3,000. This is dependent on the model year and the condition of the 350. This is far below the original retail price of $5,000 for the base model of the Rancher 350.
The problem with the Rancher 350 is not so much the price. It is the fact that they are such a good model that a lot of people never end up selling theirs. This means that buyers will have to be incredibly lucky to track one down. This is the hallmark of a good vehicle.
Pros of the Honda Rancher 350
This is a vehicle that has been designed to be used day-in, day-out with the minimum of fuss.
Despite last being manufactured well over a decade ago, a lot of the Rancher 350s still being used have barely had to undergo any maintenance. They are still being ridden, some without any changes in the spare parts. It just works. Even if it did magically stop working one day, the spare parts for the 350 are easy to source. Most companies that deal with ATV repairs will have easy access to them.
It is a vehicle that controls beautifully too. A lot of people riding the Rancher 350 recommend it to those that have never owned an ATV before. This is rare for such a big vehicle. However, this goes to show the level of trust that people have in the Rancher making riding as simple as possible.
Cons of the Honda Rancher 350
There aren’t that many major issues with the Honda Rancher 350.
Perhaps the main complaint is that it doesn’t do brilliantly well while traveling at slower speeds. However, this is going to be well under the 5mph mark, which most people will likely never be traveling at anyway.
The other issues are more due to the age of the vehicle. This means a bit of engine spluttering here, and some looseness in the components here. However, as the pros suggested, this isn’t really a major problem. There are still spare parts available for the 350, and there will be for a long time to come. This means that if there are any issues with the components, they can easily be swapped out for something better.
Conclusion
The Rancher 350 is designed for those that want a working vehicle. As long as somebody isn’t too keen on doing huge amounts of off-roading, or even a bit of ATV racing, the 350 is capable. There is a reason why Honda manufactured this vehicle for so long, and there is a reason why many people do not want to sell theirs, even with more modern options being available.
