Legacy. It’s a term often used to describe the cycle of
engineering that yields Honda products of incomparable design
and execution. In the world of Honda ATVs, this unending quest
for excellence has produced legendary machines like the FourTrax
300s (TRX300/FW) and their worthy descendants, the FourTrax Ranchers
(TRX350TM/TE/FM/FE). For 2007, the saga continues with the all-new
TRX420 FourTrax Rancher line.
When a company sells more than one million of the same ATV model
family—as Honda did with the TRX300 and Rancher series—many
would question the wisdom of tinkering with success. After all,
for ranchers, farmers, hunters, and utility and industrial users,
the Honda Rancher has become the perfect tool for the job at hand.
Yet the Honda Way demands a constant process of improvement, and
in the case of Honda’s bread-and-butter Rancher models,
the time had come to build a better tool. The result? A healthy
infusion of technology has produced a new class leader that sacrifices
none of the essential value-oriented goodness of the TRX350 line.
Even
though the 2007 Rancher is all-new, the same four popular platforms
are offered: the 2WD TRX420TM (manual shift) and TRX420TE (with
ESP™, Honda’s Electric Shift Program) and their 4WD
cousins, the TRX420FM and TRX420FE. The major changes include:
- An all-new 420cc OHV longitudinally mounted engine
- Liquid cooling for sustained power and long engine life
- Electronic fuel injection (EFI) for increased power and lower
emissions
- TraxLok® for convenient 2WD/4WD operation
- Self-cleaning front-wheel disc brakes
Rancher Engine
When the decision was made to increase displacement by 70cc,
add EFI and switch to liquid cooling, the Rancher engine was essentially
made from a clean sheet of paper. The engineers wisely began with
a longitudinally mounted engine layout, an exclusive Honda design
that first appeared on the multipurpose Foreman 400. By positioning
the engine’s crankshaft and output shaft in line with the
driveshaft, this Honda signature configuration achieves very high
efficiency. Compared to conventional designs, the new 420cc Rancher
mill retains more power en route to the driving wheels by avoiding
additional high-friction 90-degree gearsets.
 To
gain added cylinder volume, the bore was increased by 8mm to 86.5mm
(vs. 78.5mm) and the stroke was increased by 3.5mm to 71.5mm (vs.
68.0mm). A 7.2-liter airbox (29 percent larger) feeds a significant
amount of cool air past the fuel injector and into the two-valve
cylinder head. Larger valves ensure that the added air/fuel volume
gets into the big combustion chamber. The intake-valve diameter
is now 1mm larger than before (35mm vs. 34mm), and the exhaust-valve
diameter increased a substantial 7 percent to 30mm (vs. 28mm).
With a bore-stroke ratio of 1.2:1, the design yields a torquey
powerplant that produces maximum horsepower at 6000 rpm—500
rpm below the older design.
Liquid cooling stabilizes operating temperatures and permits
closer manufacturing tolerances within the engine. The result
is more efficient combustion (for increased power and lower emissions)
as well as longer engine life. And with the addition of Honda’s
trouble-free Keihin  EFI
system—proven in the top-of-the-line Rincon—engine
performance is maximized across a broad range of operating conditions,
including cold weather and changing altitudes. The spent gasses
are exhausted through a stainless-steel header and a 4.8-liter
canister—one liter larger than the TRX350’s—to
minimize backpressure and ensure quiet operation.
The net result for the TRX420 is impressive. With a 28 percent
bump in displacement, torque increased 30 percent (23.8 lb/ft
at 5500 rpm) and horsepower jumped 27 percent (26.2 bhp at 6000
rpm). To keep all of this newfound power in the comfort zone,
the engineers rubber-mounted the engine to the frame and employed
a gear-driven counterbalancer to reduce unpleasant vibration.
 A
15.8kw radiator with a cooling fan was added to maintain favorable
engine temperature under adverse conditions. Since the oil cooler
was no longer needed it was eliminated, saving weight. Power is
transmitted to the driving wheels through a durable clutch that
now has seven friction plates instead of six. A beefy five-speed
gearbox with an ultra-low First gear and Reverse makes sure the
right gear is available at all times.
Another notable enhancement is the use of a 343-watt alternator,
which replaces the 245-watt unit to provide plenty of power for
accessories such as winches and auxiliary lights.
Rancher Driveline
 The
ES versions of the Rancher models (TRX420TE and TRX420FE) feature
Honda’s reliable Electric Shift Program (ESP). Made popular
on the first-generation Rancher series and the Foreman 450 ES
before it,electric shifting is simply and precisely accomplished
with just the press of an upshift or downshift button mounted
on the left handlebar. Gear-engagement speed varies according
to rider style: The transmission shifts more quickly when riding
style turns sporty. A Neutral lockout at speeds greater than 2
mph ensures available engine braking when descending hills. To
maintain smooth shifting, the transmission cannot be shifted from
Neutral to First gear or Reverse at engine speeds above 3000 rpm.
ESP is incredibly durable and not battery-dependent, operating
whenever the engine is running. Should the rider ever need to
shift manually, he or she can use an auxiliary shift lever equipped
in the toolkit.
New for the 2007 Rancher is the inclusion of TraxLok, Honda’s
proprietary 4WD/2WD shifting system. When it debuted for 2003
on the FourTrax Rincon, TraxLok was an immediate hit with riders.
On the Rancher, a tough mechanical switching mechanism is ready
to engage/disengage when conditions  permit.
It provides a “natural” feel that is not present in
many systems.
Rancher Chassis and Suspension
The 2007 Rancher drapes an all-new, sturdy steel frame around
the powerful engine and versatile running gear. A full-length,
high-impact resin-type underframe guard protects the engine, transmission
and gear case and wraps up the front of the frame, acting as a
skidplate as well. Tough new tie-rod ends withstand the bump-and-grind
of the trail, and redesigned protective boots resist the harshest
riding conditions. To maintain its high level of rider comfort,
the Rancher employs an independent double-wishbone front suspension
with premium shock absorbers, providing 6.3 inches of plush suspension
travel. The steel swingarm and rear shock absorber provide 6.3
inches of suspension travel out back. Heavy-duty tires—24x8-12-sm
front, 24x10-11 rear—provide excellent traction and handling
and contribute to an overall ground clearance of 6.5 inches.
The 2007 Rancher line now has dual front hydraulic disc brakes.
The disc covers incorporate a patented built-in scraper system
that removes mud and snow from inside the front wheel to minimize
the buildup of debris between the caliper and the rim. With a
nod to ease of servicing, a small window in the cover permits
the brake-pad thickness to be inspected visually. Sealed mechanical
rear drum brakes keep out contaminants for consistent stopping
power.
The Rancher’s Modest Price Is Big on Value
 What
makes the Rancher such a success is the outstanding value it represents
in the marketplace. Despite the significant gains in power and
overall performance offered for 2007, each Rancher model is priced
with the budget-conscious buyer in mind.
Rancher 4x4 ES (TRX420FE) — $5,499 (Yellow, Olive, Red);
$5,849 (NaturalGear™ Camo)
Rancher 4x4 (TRX420FM) — $5,299 (Yellow, Olive, Red); $5,649
(Camo)
Rancher ES (TRX420TE) — $4,699 (Olive, Blue, Red)
Rancher (TRX420TM) — $4,499 (Olive, Blue, Red)
Assembled in Timmonsville, South Carolina, the Rancher comes
standard with a transferable six-month limited warranty, and extended
coverage is available with a Honda Protection Plan. Purchase of
a new, previously unregistered Honda ATV by an individual retail
user in the U.S. qualifies the owner for a one-year complimentary
membership in the Honda Rider’s Club of America® (HRCA®).
Benefits include online access to the Honda Common Service Manual,
six issues of the bimonthly Honda Red Rider™ magazine, travel
discounts and trip routing, plus access to the HRCA Web site at
www.hrca.honda.com.
With more than a million units already in its history, the all-new
Rancher series looks ahead to even greater success in the marketplace;
harder working, easier to maintain, more powerful, better handling
and more fun to ride, the legendary Rancher once again sets the
pace for all-around capability at a great price.
To learn more visit http://powersports.honda.com
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