Worst condition's your ATV was ever in...

[bearfat]

Had a week off in February 2005 I was ice fishing. Snowed about 6-9 inches every other day. End of the week we had a firm 24" settled on ground. It was really light and fluffy stuff and I was able to keep it packed down. One night coming in from lake I honestly was pushing snow in front of me all the way up to the top of front rack. But like I say it was extremely light and fluffy, also I was wide open on the throttle. Photos above shows bringing the ice house off the lake. Photos below shows taking the ice house back to cabin. Note how high snow is off to sides. Like I say I kept packing the fresh 6-9 inches down every day going back and forth to the lake.

[markc]

I am shivering just looking at those pictures.   Don't think my mud driving quite compares, but maybe it does...

[Golsovia]

Worst conditions?

The only picture I took was the really sadly pathetic one that resides in my head, the four slim slices of rubber sticking up about the surface of the ocean next to my half-swamped boat after the boat drifted, swamped and the ATV rolled out - and it was nearly brand new! (Yes, they float....... upside down.)

Here's how the rig looked 48 hours later:



Many miles later and and 700 feet higher.

[bearfat]

Yes I've heard they do float. I sold a Honda Foreman to a guy who let his buddy use it. The buddy attempted to cross too deep of water and it literally bobbed and flipped over underneath him.

What happened later on with your machine. Did you notice any problems years later? You just swapped out all the fluids right? What about the electrical?

I guess if you get a vehicle truck/car wiring harness totally wet (the stuff under the dash) because of driving in flooded streets etcetera the vehicle is toast. Which is a good testiment for your ATV.

I can imagine the sick feeling in your gut looking at a nearly brand new ATV bobbing upside down. I really hate to run on the frozen lakes up here, I have seen too many close calls. I have mine fully insured and they do cover going thru the ice. Every year I renew I ask.

[Golsovia]

We'll see what happens. It was only two months ago so I haven't yet felt all the pain the incident will cause, I'm sure. My engine took virtually no water at all as I suppose the rig simply turned over in the water before it had a chance. Much of the oil ran out through the carb though as well as into the cylinder. (I thought water had locked up the cylinder but it was actually mostly oil in there - perhaps a good thing!) One problem that happened right away - and not unexpectedly- was the wiring close to the battery "melted' off due to corrosion, the positive wire. It also did in a couple of electrical components. Saltwater and electrically charged metals really react so I wasn't surprised. I had to start it by hand, a rather arduous chore with it being reluctant to go as it was. I know many of the cables - the throttle, choke, brake. etc must be in some sort of meltdown mode, but so far, even with freezing weather upon us, nothing. We'll see. I know I'll pay for it.

[old geezer]

Worst condition one of mine was in was an almost new Sportsman.  Looked in the rear view mirror and seen it doing end over ends after it came off the trailer.

[Scott T]

OUCH!

[bearfat]

Oh my!! That would be a sight burned into one's memory.

[old geezer]

It ended up not being so bad.  Coming back to the campground after the last day of a four day ride, so didn't loose any riding time.  Took it to a ridiculously high priced dealer to get the insurance estimate done.  They estimated it at about $1800.  Insurance paid $1700.  Went to my favorite dealer to buy the parts, about $900, and fixed it myself.  Ended up getting a Warn winch and a good set of aftermarket tires out of the deal, and still had change left over.  Added benefit, I got to know the bike real well.

And yes, I am now paranoid when it comes to tieing one down.