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ATV question-new owner

different_seasons

By different_seasons
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different_seasons Enthusiast

different_seasons

Posted
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I just bought my first atv, an '05 Honda 350 Rancher 4x4, new, and it came with everything but the gauge package. I'm wondering how you guys do your oil changes and maint., by the hours or mileage? And what about synthetic oils? The dealer told me it wouldn't make a difference.

Truckman031 Senior Enthusiast

Truckman031

Posted
Posted

I have a 95 Honda 300 4x4(almost the samething as yours) and I guess with the fluid changes. Every couple of rides I will change the oil and stuff. If I'm in deep mud and water, I'll change the diff. fluid.

donaldbc Enthusiast

donaldbc

Posted
Posted

Congrats on the atv, you won't be dissapointed with Honda. When I bought my '05 Rancher, I bought an hour meter. I bought mine at a local ATV shop and I mounted it under the seat. Then you run the wire that comes with it and wrap it around the spark plug wire. As soon as you start the key, the electricity off of the spark plug wire "turns on" the meter and starts to keep track. As soon as you cut the machine off the meter stops counting. It works great and was super easy to install +-5 mins. I think it was like $20...

So, I maintain mine by the hours.

different_seasons Enthusiast

different_seasons

Posted
  • Author
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Congrats on the atv, you won't be dissapointed with Honda. When I bought my '05 Rancher, I bought an hour meter. I bought mine at a local ATV shop and I mounted it under the seat. Then you run the wire that comes with it and wrap it around the spark plug wire. As soon as you start the key, the electricity off of the spark plug wire "turns on" the meter and starts to keep track. As soon as you cut the machine off the meter stops counting. It works great and was super easy to install +-5 mins.  I think it was like $20...

So, I maintain mine by the hours.

 

 

 

 

 

 

whats the hour schedule? I'm almost due for the 100 mile one but after that I'll go by hours. I plan to buy an hourmeter when I go in for the oil change but then I'm going to buy a few filters and do it myself. So an oil change and service should be how many hours? Thanks

HillHound Senior Enthusiast

HillHound

Posted
Posted

For starters, Honda recommends changing it after the 1st five (I think) tanks of gas. Check the manual. I have a 2003 Honda Foreman S 4x4. It has an hour meter and odometer. I have always changed mine every 400 miles, which comes out to about 3 times a year for me.

 

As long as you don't get water in the oil by going in over the air intake (under the gas tank shroud) or sucking water in through the muffler you'll be fine changing 2 or 3 times a year. Only exception would be if you ride in a lot of dusty areas sometimes the oil ges dirty faster just like a truck/car would.

 

MY Wife has a 2003 Rancher S 4x4 and I change it's oil twice a year since she doesn't use hers as much as I use the Foreman. Got 2200 miles on the Foreman and no trouble at all so far. Same with the Rancher.

TA462 Enthusiast

TA462

Posted
Posted

I have a 2002 Polaris Sportsman and a Yamaha Kodiak. I change the fluids in the Polaris every 3 months because I ride it a lot. If I'm ever under water or doing alot of mud running then I change the fluids when I get home. The Kodiak is the wifes bike and I service it every 4 months or so.

I-H8-4Ds Enthusiast

I-H8-4Ds

Posted
Posted

I was told to not use synthetic oil in a motorcycle or ATV. Since they have wet clutches, the synthetic would be too slippery for them, and your clutch would not grab when you want it to.

Machine Enthusiast

Machine

Posted
Posted

I have 2 Honda Ranchers and they are all but bullet proof. Enjoy yours. I change my oil by the hours. About every 40-50 hours.

different_seasons Enthusiast

different_seasons

Posted
  • Author
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I have 2 Honda Ranchers and they are all but bullet proof. Enjoy yours. I change my oil by the hours. About every 40-50 hours.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I just bought an hour meter on ebay and after the first servicing I plan to change it about 30-40 hours. How important is the valve clearance check on these Hondas?

Wingnut Senior Enthusiast

Wingnut

Posted
Posted

As far as I'm concerned, valve clearance checks are cheap insurance...I check the clearance on my Suzukie twice a year.

HyperBuzzin Enthusiast

HyperBuzzin

Posted
Posted
I was told to not use synthetic oil in a motorcycle or ATV.  Since they have wet clutches, the synthetic would be too slippery for them, and your clutch would not grab when you want it to.

 

 

 

 

 

I use synthetic oil in both my streetbike & dirtbike and have never had problems with any slipping.

 

I do a good bit of hillclimbing with the dirtbike, and some of the hills are quite steep, and still have never had it slip.

 

Sometimes we do a "Slow Man Up The Hill", in which you try to get to the top going as slow as possible, and even then I have never had any slippage.

 

Snythetic oil isn't recommeded for breaking in a NEW engine, but after that, go for it !!

different_seasons Enthusiast

different_seasons

Posted
  • Author
Posted
As far as I'm concerned, valve clearance checks are cheap insurance...I check the clearance on my Suzukie twice a year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

how difficult is this? I have no idea how but I did just order a service manual for my atv which should explain it.

Wingnut Senior Enthusiast

Wingnut

Posted
Posted
As far as I'm concerned, valve clearance checks are cheap insurance...I check the clearance on my Suzukie twice a year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

how difficult is this? I have no idea how but I did just order a service manual for my atv which should explain it.

 

 

 

 

 

Don't know...I've never done it on a Honda. My Z400 is pretty easy though.

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