Honda's electric-shift reliable?

[DES]

Hello all,

I'm tossing around getting a Rancher with the electric shift, anyone have anything good or bad to say about the ES? Thanks.

Dwayne

[Bullseye]

Got a friend that says they are bullet proof, of course he works in Honda shop on Saturdays.  Seriously though, they are supposed to be very reliable.  My only concern with it is there is a mini computer under the seat for it and a few sensors and so forth that it controls.  That does not mean it is bad, the application just concerns me.  I have a Recon with manual shift but would have bought an ES if I had found a deal on one of them first.

[markc]

last Christmas; borrowed  large Honda 4X4 with ESP.   It worked flawlessly and didn't take long to get used to.  I haven't read any negative reports or reviews on them.
markc

[AAAJohn]

Dwayne
    I've owned three of them sice 98 and the only trouble I've had out of one of them is twice when I started it and tried to put it in gear it wouldn't do anything. I just turned the key off and restarted it and it worked fine.
    I would reccommend them to anyone. Pluses-riding thru deep creeks and streems with feet up and shifting. Downside-riding with one hand tring to hold something with left hand.

[Dave1]

I may be from the old school but frankly on things like ATVs I prefer all manual.  They are cheaper to buy and have fewer gadgets that may fail with rough wet treatment.  I run in deep water and mud very frequently down here in Florida and am affraid the high tech stuff may not be well suited and/or very durable for that environment.

I am also contemplating buying a new ATV but will likely stay away from electric and computers if possible.

Dave1
davisalf@aol.com

[darrell8937]

So far so good.. The esp shifting helps train new riders not to do some thing real stupid like down shifting too fast and kicking out the rear.. or into neutral and loosing engine braking.. new riders get flustered.. I like the electric shift also.. has been reliable. no need to get you feet wet when shifting in the deep..It is so nict Honda gives you the choice.

[old geezer]

There was some issues with the es system in the early years, then again in 04.  If you're looking at a new one, no problems have been reported since then.  As long as your realize that if you use it in severe conditions, the maintenance requirements are increased.

The ES system costs about $200 more than the manual version, but with the es you get a speed/odometer, gear indicator, and hour meter, well worth the difference.  The es system is great for those without a lot of atv experience.

Wife had a Recon Es, and I have a Rancher Es, and highly recommend them.

[srwshooter]

I KNOW 3 GUYS THAT BOUGHT 03-04 RANCHERS AND ALL 3 ARE GONE ,
TRADED FOR SOMETHING ELSE BECAUSE OF AUTO TRANS PROBLEMS ,AND ONE OF THEM HAD A BAD CRANK.

YOU COULDN'T GIVE MY ONE OF THERE BIKES ,I 'M TIRED OF TOWING THEM OUT OF THE WOODS WITH MY YAMY.

I DO HAVE A FRIEND THAT BOUGHT A NEW 05 WITH HYDROSTATIC AUTO ,IT SEEMS TO WORK FINE.

ONE DEALER WILL TELL YOU THEY HAVE KNOW PROBLEMS WITH THESE BIKES THE NEXT ONE WILL TELL YOU THEY HAVE LOTS OF PROBLEMS. SOME JUST LIE.

[old geezer]

As I stated earlier, in the 04 models, they got a bad batch of angle sensors from a supplier that caused a lot of problems, but since have changed suppliers.

Honda sells far more ES versions vs manuals, so they must not be too bad.

[LONG286]

I have not heard of many problems with it?  I work at a dealership for a competitor of the Honda, and that usually means I hear about all the faults of them.  Honda is a good and reliable machine and as I said before I have not heard of many probems.
As with anything man made, there is going to be problems, and also everyone has to remember that every "same" machine is not like any other.  Even though they are the same model and size, every machine has it's different little problems.
Hope this helps you!

Kevin

[264 WIN MAG]

I haven't heard of any recent problems. I know my uncle and cousin both bought ES models and both of them had problems with them getting stuck in a certain gear...my uncle's sometimes wouldn't do anything. He brought it into the shop a few times and has not had problems since.

[camsdaddy]

Having recently purchased a es rancher and foing lots of research on them I talked to a friends brother who works at a honda/kaw dealer in town he said as long as its a honda dont worry. I have to say that in the months ive owned it i am beginning to agree I have had several friends with older autos and they were not happy and agree that i made a wise choice with the es I have been in mud pits, trail rides, and ponds and creeks and can say that i have had no trouble dont worry its a HONDA

[AF Medic]

I have a 2000 Rancher that I bought new.  Never have had one bit of trouble with any part of it.  Between me and me brothers, we have 5 Ranchers and we all love them.  My Rancher has been through the ringer, I sunk it to the bottom of my brothers pond in Texas one night.  They pulled me out, I removed the spark plug and pushed all the water out of the cylinder, put the plug back in and it fired right up (I changed the oil the next morning).  I have rolled it about 50 feet down the side of a mountain in Idaho, just turned it right side up, straightened the handle bar and it fired right up, then winched/rode it back up the slide.  The ES works great, no problems in 6 years.

[lmalterna]

We bought 2 2004 Recon ES models last August and are having trouble with both getting stuck in gear- most notabley will not shift into N for a restart- have to rock the bike back & forth which is tough to do on an incline or stuck in mud...    One was running along in 3rd gear and when I tried to downshift- bike lost drive and 3rd was flashing while 1st was lit solid- bike must have been in N though???  Will be calling the dealer this week.
    Bill

[992]

Got a 98 Foreman ES,its been through me and 3 sons,and it still does whatever you ask of it.
In 8 years it has not been back to the dealer or repair shop,except for new tires.
If we ever wear this one out ,I would by the same thing ,if I could find one.

992

[darrell8937]

lmalterna ,
I hope the dealer treats you well and you can get the same amout of pleasure, or more than I have gotten out of my 2003 recon. This machine has been just plain fun. no real problems. Once during the winter mounths, about 12 degrees or so. It did not want to shift into gear and one of the gear indicator lights was flashing. Probaly some code from the computer saying."Where the Heck are you going in these temps". As soon as she warmed up// all was well.. only took a couple minuites. I have been verry sastifed with the recon. Light nd nimble. I ride her more than my decked out Foreman.. "Don't tell any one"" both machines need to be rocked to get into gear on a incline. sometimes a pain but easy to get used to. no machine is perfect. I love my honda's. If I had to sell one.. it would not be the recon. .. did I mention the awesome wheelies it can do..

[darrell8937]

P.S.  You can turn the handle bars to the right? or left and put your foot on the front tire and rock it  enought to find the gear from neutral..  usualy works.. better than putting your feet in the mud.. I ride with a lot of Polaris machines. Hondas are more reliable.. though the comfort factor.. goes to the polaris.. nice suspension. Hondas will keep you awake that is fore sure.