Yamaha Grizzly/Bruin 350 Question

[noleman]

I want to get an ATV in this size & price range.  I'm a fairly big guy, about 230 lbs so I felt like the 250 cc bikes might be too small.  I like the looks of the 350 Grizzly and I'm looking at a 4X2 type.  I live in NW Florida and I don't really feel like I would need a 4 wheel drive machine.  My main uses would be for hunting and recreation.  Unfortunately there aren't many places around here to ride.

I'm interested to get input as to the reliablity of the Yamaha, any brake or belt issues and your overall opinion of the bike.
Thanks in advance for any input.

[Graybeard]

I've had a 2005 Bruin 350 4x2 for almost two years now. Tough machine, we've used and abused it pretty badly. I often use it to pull my 17 cu. ft. trailer loaded with dirt, rocks or gravel weighting in excess of a ton at times. That's twice the rated towing capacity of the machine but it's always handled it with ease. When Matt gets to playing on it he can be some kinda tough.

Mine has never been off my property since I bought it. Here in Bama there is no riding on public land except on a single riding trail up in the Nat. Forest and it's used by speed freaks mostly, not my style. I bought it for work here on my small farm and that's how I use it.

The machine has plenty of power to tow, haul and carry whatever you'll need and you have to get it in some really bad situations to need more than the two wheel drive. I got the Warn Winch for mine and so far it's never been needed.

[bearfat]

I agree with Graybeard on a 350 being big enough.

I've had 3 ATV's ranging in size from 350,425, and now a 700.
The 350 and 425 hauled some heavy loads in their days and rarely did they stop unless it was a steep incline. Only once or twice I had to hand winch (come-along) the 350 and trailer up about 20 feet on a steep incline.

The 700 is definitely overkill and it will wheelie over if you crack the throttle with hardly half it's rated rear capacity. I have not flipped yet and don't plan on it. So the 700 will haul the trailer up the steep incline but I run the risk of flipping if I give it enough gas! What did I gain? Oh well... it was an upgrade from a freak accident lawsuit settlement my wife got. (Some guy had new tires put on his van and made it a mile when one came off. Smacked her and broke a couple bones)

I'm sure the 350 will handle 99% of the stuff you throw at it.

                              

Corn feeders being hauled out 10-09-06. Good thing I got them out to when I did.
Already had 3-6 inches of snow at my shack.

[Ramrod]

I've not had a single problem with my '04 Bruin 350. Oil and filter changes have been it's only maintenence so far. My son has rolled it a few times (he's an idiot), but no damage done. This spring I dragged a few snow-storm downed trees about a 1/4 mile, and didn't even feel like I was pulling any load at all. When I want to play, I can go fast enough to scare the crap out of me. An air-born 500 lb. machine with an almost 200 lb rider aboard is more thrills than I need anymore.