atv experiance for a newb

[severn don]

So for a few years now I have wanted an atv and finally got one. I thought I would share my experience of what this entailed. I had a set budget of $3000 so this meant I had to buy used easer said than done. I also wanted it to be 4x4 in decent shape and not to far away to travel in order to look at it. The only place I could think of to look was kiji or word of mouth, forget the dealers. I diligently looked at ads since last January 10 to 20 times a day,I found them to far away or to many people were ahead of me already or for this price range they were just junk. I finally scored after a disappointing day at an auction. As stated in another post, I found an honorable gentlemen who I made an deal with over the phone although I had some restrictions involved due to immediate cash and pick up time. Even when he was offered more money and cash in hand he honored the deal to me. A 2003 arctic cat 500 automatic independent suspension 4x4 $3000. I rented a trailer for $35 and off I went to pick it up.
Got the machine home and went over it top to bottom, I ended up changing the rear wheel bearings $32 each and the clutch belt on clearance $20. The bearings were easy but with the belt the clutch has to come off, were I had to use a torch to loosen the nut and buy a larger socket $14 also put new brakes on it forget how much. I also had to replace the two back tires $430. And a couple cans of rust check $20. I figured I would look for a trailer, as I did not want to keep renting one. This also had to be a 5x8 size as the machine would not fit on a 4x8 I figured I could get one for around $500.I found one for $450 from a young gentlemen who was selling the estate for his wife who's father had just passed away. This made his wife and sister cry when they found out I was a hunter and needed it for my atv as this was what there father had used it for and were very happy that it was going to some one for the same reason. got the trailer home and repainted it with tremclad replaced the tires and wheel bearings total $300. bought new lights $35.
Finally got the machine up north were I had to rent a barge to get it to my place $85. So counting all the things I may have forgot that I purchased such as a helmet and cover for the machine, Approximately $4800 Total before I could ride it for the first time. I have never been on a atv before so it took some getting used to but I am quite confident now that I have spent a week on it clearing trails a climbing hills and going threw mud holes. I am looking forward to many years with the machine, next week I will be doing the fire wood. as well as exploring areas I have always wanted to go but to far to walk.1604745.jpg1604755.jpg

[Bushmoose]

Great story Don! They're an amazing toy. Have fun and be safe!

[natehunter]

Great post!

[IFH]

Thanks for posting your endeavor SD. Can I suggest you get a tire patch kit and small 12 volt air compressor or air pump. Other things you might want to carry are a small folding shovel (military surplus) tree strap, rope, saw. Good luck I hope you get lots of enjoyment out of your new toy!

[Bushmoose]

as well as exploring areas I have always wanted to go but to far to walk.

As IFH suggests, keep some repair gear with you. And remember, if it is too far to walk, when the atv breaks down, you will have no choice but to walk if you're alone.

[Brampton Mike]

Great looking machine Don and i'm sure you will enjoy it for years to come and it will be a workhorse as well!

[severn don]

Thanks guys Those were some of the things I forgot to mention. I got the patch kit- small bottle jack -sockets that would fit most nuts and bolts on the machine as well as various other tools. I put on and rust checked new winch cable- have spare belt- oil- coolant- small container of gas - zip ties- various nuts and bolts- gas tank repair patches- small tube of jb weld-small 12 volt air pump registration- insurance. Then a small back pack with my normal gear. Like I said before, I had never been on one before until I had to put it on and take it off the barge. I just figured I would give an insight on the possible costs involved to any body else considering the buying of one for the first time. my eyes were opened and have learned a lot since I figured, Shure I will drop $3000 and maybe a couple hundred more. All the best Don

[patvetzal]

A small pulley for the winch cable can come in real handy on a hard pull....a burnt out winch motor can spoil your whole day...

[severn don]

where do you place the pulley and what size patvetzal I have been wondering about this and can not find any information. Thank you Don

[last5oh_302]

I've never needed to use a pulley (snatch block), so far, but the one I carry looks like this:

Secure pulley to tree (I carry a D ring for that), feed winch cable through pulley and attach winch back onto ATV. It increases pulling power substantially.

When I started out I had a cable as well but have since switched to synthetic rope. I went through the burring cable, cut hands, kinks and bends in the cable and I've also seen what happens when a cable breaks.
Synthetic rope is much easier to work with, it doesn't sink in muddy water, if it breaks it just falls to the ground rather than snapping back like cable, if it breaks you can just tie it back together (never had one break but you can't tie cable back together), it's lighter, you don't need to be wearing gloves like you do when handling cable, etc

If you change the fairlead make sure it's aluminum and not plastic. I learned that one the hard way doing some winching and the rope burned notches right into the plastic.

I've bought stuff from this guy before and he stood behind his product when I burned up a plasttic fairlead. He gave me an aluminum one free of charge.

http://stores.ebay.ca/BLITZKRUEG-products-LLC?_rdc=1

Those new back two tires look like Carlisle Mud Wolf's. I used to have those. Don't worry about those going flat. They're so hard you can run them with 0 psi.

Anyway, hope that helps, and a few pics of the Mud Wolfs..lol