ATV'S

[3030]

I use Kendra Bear tires.

[Roe+]

I will always test out before I buy anything Roe. I appreciat your concern but the overwhelming majority on and off the forum say to go with Honda so I will do so if I find a good used one. Many people I talked to insist on it. I'm not knocking any of the other products, I just like to buy the best of everything. I dont like surprises especially when out in the bush where things can get ugly pretty quick.

I was actually referring to testing different make and models because there can be a big difference in ride and handling ie. solid rear axle vs. independent suspension. There's no way I would buy something used without a test drive either.

Roe+

[Pat32rf]

Some of the Honda electric trannies are great. Others are lemons. Same as anything else...
When you use a directional drive tire as a non driving steering tire, then everything changes.....

[MikePal]

There's no way I would buy something used without a test drive either.

It reminds me of the time we (camp members) were over at the neighbours farm and one of the guys had his brand new 750-800 cc (?) Arctic Cat. He gave everyone a chance to 'test' drive it. All of the them took it down to the pavement and proceeded to wind it thru the gears for the 0-60 test....how fast would it go..seemed to impress them...LOL..

My turn..., I took a hard left and headed to the back of the property and tried to bury in the mud out in the swamp....bought it back just soaked and dripping in mud, no shiny chrome The look on his face was priceless..he was good about it though, it was 'tested' where we drive during the hunt.

Test drive isn't a parking lot ...

[Roe+]

Some of the Honda electric trannies are great. Others are lemons. Same as anything else...
When you use a directional drive tire as a non driving steering tire, then everything changes.....

That's probably true Pat, but I've seen about 4 that are. The other problem with them is if your battery dies or get too low on charge it's extremely difficult to shift them into neutral to start or tow them. I've driven one at camp. The other thing you always have to remember to shift the machine into neutral before shutting it off. As far as durability, other than what I have said above, I've seen them take a large amount of abuse and keep going.

It reminds me of the time we (camp members) were over at the neighbours farm and one of the guys had his brand new 750-800 cc (?) Arctic Cat. He gave everyone a chance to 'test' drive it. All of the them took it down to the pavement and proceeded to wind it thru the gears for the 0-60 test....how fast would it go..seemed to impress them...LOL..

My turn..., I took a hard left and headed to the back of the property and tried to bury in the mud out in the swamp....bought it back just soaked and dripping in mud, no shiny chrome The look on his face was priceless..he was good about it though, it was 'tested' where we drive during the hunt.

Test drive isn't a parking lot ...

That is true Mike. For the couple of years they had the Great Canadian Outdoor Expo at Innerkip near Woodstock Ontario. They set up an off road course where you could test drive ATVs. I chose a 500 Can Am and was quite impressed with it. The course had logs mud holes etc.so it was a good challenge for the machine. I had already started looking and was adamant about buying a Can Am, but I ended up with a Suzuki and I haven't been sorry. Oh and the guys at camp lined up to test drive my machine when I first got it. LOL

FYI - nobody tried to bury it in the mud!

Roe+

[line052]

Mental Note: Never let MikePAL test drive my machine.....lol

[rambill]

Believe nothing an internet outdoorsman tells you, and only half of what he shows you!!!!!!!!!
See you at my hunt/fish/trapping/beer drinking cabin next time your up.

[Outdoorsman]

Honda...All the way!

[last5oh_302]

Honda...All the way!

If all you want to do is run around the farm, then get a Honda, or any other small bike will do the job as well.

[mbhunter]

I run a 350 big bear. It only gets used at deer camp and on moose hunts so it is strictly a utility machine. 100% reliable and bulletproof. I have dragged whole moose and carried out 2 deer at once on it. Mini log skidder. What it isn't great for is sport riding. it has full time 4wd and minimal suspension so can be tiring to drive. Never let me down and has dragged home bikes worth 3 times it's price. It all depends on what you intend to do with it. Buy a Yamaha or a Honda and you will never regret it.

I also still have a Yamaha Big Bear 350. I'm the 3rd owner (my father bought it off another camp member, and he sold it to me). It has seen MILES and still runs like a top. The usual maintenance of course, I've done the wheel bearings, regular oil changes, diff fluid changes, etc. That engine will outlive us all.

When dad sold me the Big Bear he went with another Yamaha (Kodiak 450). His only complaint was that it burned more fuel that the 350, ha. He's now riding with 2WD/4WD select, independent suspension that the Big Bear never had.

Yamaha by far. As Terry said, they are workhorses and will never leave you stranded.