New guy - 2007 Honda Rancher

[olcarnut]

I just bought my first ATV after owning MANY motorcycles. It is a low mileage (237) 2007 Honda Rancher 420fe. My question is this: Is it normal for the ATV to "jump" a little whenver you shift the trans into gear (either first or reverse)???? I adjusted the clutch per the owners manual and it did not change anything......

[reconranger]

Your idle is a little high. This makes the autoclutch's centrifugal clutch engage as soon as you shift into gear, rather than feathering up like normal.

This issue has come up before, and I think that the consensus was that the idle is not user adjustable on this fuel injection system. However, I would get a service manual and see what it has to say (there is nothing on this I can find in the owner's manual), and talk it over with the mechanics at the dealership.

[olcarnut]

Thanks- that makes sense and I do have a shop manual coming... The idle sounds like it may be around 1200 to 1300 (from my motorcycle tuning days) which should be normal. I was hoping there was some other common cause.... I have automotive test equipment and don't know if I can hook up a tach and get a good reading from this one cylinder 4 stroke with two firing pulses... guess I'll go try...

[HondaMechanic]

I use a Fluke 88 automotive for RPM ...

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[olcarnut]

I don't have a shop manual yet... Obviously I need one.... From your excerpt it looks like an air leak is my most likely culprit although valves out of adjustment could be also..... Thanks!!!!

[reconranger]

Still....not really "adjustable" is it! No knob to turn it up or down like a carb.....

[tramp]

I have two 420 Rancher ( 1 is ES and 1 is MS) and both will jump "a little" as you mentioned when first put in gear. My neighbor has a 420 and a friend has a 420, both of those are ES and they also jump "a little" when put in gear.

I would say this is a normal operation, Just hold on to the brake lever when putting in gear. As you probably do your car or truck when you put them in gear.

[olcarnut]

Thanks for the info. I found out that if you let the engine warm up enough (been raining here - not afraid of mud, but don't want to bring it into my shop) the idle slows down and the 'jump' is not as pronounced.. I can live with the situation.... Only rode ATV briefly, but I am going to have to develop a shifting technique different from my (manual clutch) lifelong motorcycle experience.... This site is great - keep up the good work!!!!!

[atvhobby]

mine when brand new did it, its normal hold the brakes tighter like he said. i tried idle screw i thought the same it doesnt matter i tried the adjuster for the clutch too didnt change a thing.