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Post by weevil on Sept 13, 2004 13:51:03 GMT -5
I just bought a new Foreman 450 es last week. I should have done my homework better because it seems that all I read about is how unreliable the es is. I wish that I would have went with the s model but my wife wiill ride with me much of the time and I was affaid it would be too uncomfortable without the floor boards. Why would Honda use a system like this if it is not good?
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Post by BadForeman on Sept 13, 2004 14:15:53 GMT -5
Weevil,
Welcome to Team Bad Foreman first off!! You'll like it here.
To answer your question, ES is kinda reliable. I know many people who have problems with it and I know a couple who have had no problems and love it. I perfer the S model because i'm use to shifting with my foot or driving an automatic atv. If you had gotten an S model you could have just added some off-road floorboards from Yasky ATV or HighLifter and it would pretty much be just as good if not better than the ES floorboards. This is just my opinion though. Just wait and some other people will reply.
Chad- BadForeman
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Post by 1badrancher on Sept 13, 2004 19:22:36 GMT -5
my dad owns a mud camp with his friend who has a foreman es and he says that it was not worth the extra money, if it were me i would go with the s because you have less things to go wrong and i just like to shift with my foot. you can buy new floorboards at highlifter, yasky
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Post by HondaForemanNo1 on Sept 14, 2004 7:20:23 GMT -5
From what I hear, the ONLY problems I've ever heard from the ES models is an occasional mud caked behind the buttons, some water freezing it up in extreme cold, and the occasional angle sensor. I have rode each S and ES, and the ES is a HELL of a lot more comfortable than the S. I love them full floorboards, and whoa, does it sure make a difference in how clean you stay. I doubt you'll have any trouble with it. Do you plan on takin 'er muddin any?
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Post by weevil on Sept 14, 2004 8:40:40 GMT -5
I do plan on taking the es in the mud. I'm not going to get to crazy though. It could be buyers remorse that's making feel bad about buying the new honda. I wanted a reliable machine and that is why I bought a honda. I was sick to my stomach when I kept reading about how sorry the es system was. I'm afraid to get in the mud or water now. Does honda sell a lot of the es models?
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Post by HondaForemanNo1 on Sept 14, 2004 12:12:27 GMT -5
The ES is VERY popular. I see just as many, if not more, ES models out and about than S. You should have no problems with it unless you dip the whole thing under water/mud. I don't think you should worry about it until you get passed the handlebars, then you might wanna take some precautions with it.
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Post by hellbilly on Sept 14, 2004 18:16:31 GMT -5
the es will do just fine, just take care of it like you would any other 4-wheeler... i know alot of people say the s will have less problems than an es but the bottom line is you made a smart choice in buying a honda.
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Post by RubiconJeff on Sept 15, 2004 6:15:30 GMT -5
Weevil, on these internet forums most people only post to report a problem or help with an upgrade. The ES just happens to be one of the best selling bikes (and for good reason) and are just as reliable as any other electronic shift quad which includs the Rubicon, Rincon and many other atvs.
All quads have their issues none of them are perfect get on the thing and ride your butt off for a couple tanks of gas then come back and tell us what you think.
I'm sure the buyers remorse will go away, this is coming from a Ferrari owner so I can tell you first hand what sleepless buyers remorse nights are all about, so get on it and drive it and you'll be dreaming about riding some more.
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Ezrider
Sergeant
TBF Member
Posts: 89
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Post by Ezrider on Sept 15, 2004 19:51:35 GMT -5
I would have to say I like the ES, Yes if you get a problem it can be abit of a pain, but when a problem arise,s alot of the time the LED will flash a code telling you what is wrong. That aint so bad, if I were buying another one, I would have to say I would buy the ES again, and I have been through some odd problems, However I have also been in water and mud over the handle bars to.
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Post by KrazyK on Sept 15, 2004 21:37:10 GMT -5
I've got a '98 450ES and love it. I've got about 1000 miles on it and the only problem with the ES is if you cut it off in gear you will sometimes have to rock back and forth to get it in neutral (happens on manual shifts sometimes also). The only other time it is a pain is when my Dad rides my wifes Rubicon and stops to get a drink, He rides off wide open with the drink on the automatic and I can't catch him while holding my drink and not being able to shift the ES's buttons. I really love the ES. Keith
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Post by HondaForemanNo1 on Sept 16, 2004 7:12:43 GMT -5
Sounds like you need a start-in-gear switch, found on the Team Bad Foreman website! ;D But yeah, that happens on S models too. I've found it's the best to push or roll backwards just a little bit and it will give it the 'click' to put it in neutral. |
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Post by 4X4tom on Oct 28, 2004 11:05:57 GMT -5
that's main reason why i bought the ES was so my wife could drive it (but she never does) plus i liked the full floor boeard. It's very hard to drink and ride an ES thats why I have my wife hold my drink. or you can go to the boat store and get a cup holder that clips on the handle bars. works good too. I have owned my ES for 8 months and I've had no problems with mine (knock,knock,knock)
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Post by KSims1868 on Oct 29, 2004 20:35:21 GMT -5
I have a 2002 450 ES. Love it. I ride my foreman HARD. Deep mud, deep water. I have flipped it and submerged the ES buttons a couple times. They have been caked with mud MORE than a few times.
After every ride I clean my machine thoroughly. I go through the switches and buttons with compressed air to blow out any water and I change the fluids after any heavy mudding/water riding.
I have over 1000 miles on my Foreman now and it has NEVER skipped a beat. Never been in the shop, and never left me stranded because of mechanical failure. I have had to get towed back ONE time because I milked it by flipping into a drainage ditch with a LOT of water...WOOPS. But NEVER a mechanical failure.
You won't regret the ES. It is a very convenient feature.
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Post by Jake on Nov 25, 2004 21:02:41 GMT -5
The electric shifter is a very reliable unit. Failures per mile is akin to differential failures in another model. Driveshaft failures in another yet. The reason you hear about it so much is that it'e electric, and that scares people. It doesn't work, so instead of thinking it out, they throw parts at it until it works. Now their ES is junk, because it needed This, this, that, and those. Really all it needed was one thing, if that. Probably only needed the buttons cleaned out anyhow.
If you have an ES, (or any ATV ever made) and plan to drive it in deep water and mud a lot, you really need a factory service manual. Not so much for the overhauls, but because the silly little things that only need TLC but no parts will stack up on you and kill you if you're paying for labor and waiting for an appointment every time.
The best PM you can do is to unplug every critical connector, put a small bead of di-electric grease in them, and re-attach them. There are lots of connectors, but it's a one time thing and really helps. Don't forget a dab under the spark plug boot and wire, and the regulator/rectifier hanging way out back above the right rear wheel.
I think you'll be happy with the ES model, and I further think that if something should go wrong, a cool head and a service manual will lead you quickly to a simple answer.
Either model is a good choice; Don't look back.
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Ezrider
Sergeant
TBF Member
Posts: 89
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Post by Ezrider on Nov 25, 2004 21:44:31 GMT -5
Jake what happened to the Jakes 450? you did,ent sell it did ya?
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