Author Topic: Your dream ATV? (Read 2711 times)

markc · « **on:** March 13, 2003, 05:17:14 AM »

I've been window shopping new ATV's lately and it seems that all brands offer some things I like, but none seem to offer everything. I want a dual range tranny, manual shift, selectable 4X4 with locking front Differential, atleast 600cc of motor, with 12 inches of ground clearance, 400 lbs combined rack capacity, with 1500lbs towing capacity, removable cab system, warn winch front and rear, four KC Daylighters head lights and a four year unlimited warranty with built in back rest. LOL Ok, what features would make your dream ATV?
markc

bigcountry · « **Reply #1 on:** April 08, 2003, 05:15:39 PM »

The biggest manual shift utility atvs i know of are in the 500cc category.

markc · « **Reply #2 on:** April 09, 2003, 03:48:36 AM »

Why have the major ATV makers marketed the BIG bores in an auto tranny set-up? I would prefer a manual shift for a heavy duty atv, and just like you wrote, they all seem to be auto above 500cc. Maybe they just sell more atv's in auto rather than manual transmission set ups.
markc

bigcountry · « **Reply #3 on:** April 09, 2003, 03:27:39 PM »

I am not sure why they haven't offered a standard utility atv over 500cc. But I am just like you, I would love to see a Yamaha Grizzly 660 manual shift.

wareagleguy · « **Reply #4 on:** May 13, 2003, 03:31:43 PM »

Actually saw my dream ATV. It was a homemade job that was powered by a Kubota 3 cylinder diesel engine. The drive train was hydraulic!!! Full independent suspension and each wheel pulled with its own motor. When one tire would slip the hydraulic system would automatically reduce the drive to that tire or he could switch it to full time 4x4 or could also make it front wheel or rear wheel drive. It had enough power to pull ANYTHING.

I talked to the guy that made it and it was about the most professional work Ive ever seen. This thing took heavy duty to a new level but didnt seem to be too heavy to get around in the woods. I never got to ride it in the woods but got to ride in the parking lot. A few of his friends were saying there was not a 4 wheeler that could touch it. I mean the thing had ungodly amount of ground clearance and it was setup where two people could set side-by-side. It also had a dump bed in the back hydraulic of course.

I asked if he considered selling those things but he said he didnt think he could because he cost was around $12,000 !!!!
:shock:

markc · « **Reply #5 on:** May 14, 2003, 03:13:57 AM »

that sounds like the new utility vehicle Bobcat recently came out with. The bobcat one allows for a variety of different attachments for the front of the vehicle. It is way heavy duty and all, but I think they listed the price at $30,000. I guess I have to stick with my little mule for now. Hey
bigcountry, on Sunday I rode my bro-n-laws Grizzley again. I rode it a bit when it was brand new a year ago, and now that it has a good number of hard hours on it, I rode for half an hour or so, climbing steep hills, going fast etc.. I gotta say that they thing has become noisy. Very noisy compared to when it was new. Seemed like when you were going around 30mph and let off the throttle, the belt slapped or something. It made quite a racket, but everything still functioned well. I still prefer a manual shift atv.
markc

darrell8937 · « **Reply #6 on:** August 15, 2005, 12:38:08 PM »

wow.. Hydrostatic is great for tractors and a very specialized Atv. The drive train is so fuel inefficent and inheriently slow. Not a ideal set up for what a Atv is traditonayl used for. interisting though. Fluid drive is exspenxive, inefficent,, loves to eat gas or diesel. Requires a large cooling system. plus a sizeable hyd resvoir.

Savorino · « **Reply #7 on:** August 15, 2005, 06:28:21 PM »

I think the reason you don't see many manual trans's is that the market says people prefer auto's. I was wanting a manual for reliability and the ability to know I'm in the gear I want, but bought an Auto Arctic Cat 500. Didn't regret it a bit. I wish I could have kept it but finnacial priorities. I would buy an auto again next time. My cat sounds exactly like your dream machine except the manual and a few cubes.

loaded4bear · « **Reply #8 on:** January 12, 2006, 06:53:09 PM »

the ultimate workhorse...

http://www.polarisindustries.com/en-us/ATV/2006Models/Sportsman/SportsmanMV7/

MadJack · « **Reply #9 on:** February 17, 2006, 02:14:02 PM »

You guys need to check out the PUG BADLANDS, articulating 4X4 steel dump-bed, 4 speed, 23hp engine. google it and see what you find...

demented · « **Reply #10 on:** February 17, 2006, 07:33:52 PM »

I own a Suzuki Vinson 500 with manual shift. One reason for the larger versions being autos is they might be over powered if they had manual transmissions. My Vinson will get out from under you in a big hurry if you're not careful. I've been looking at ATV's myself and have just about decided on a Yamaha Kodiak 450 4X4. Plenty power, auto drive for less wear on the rider, front diff lock, selectable 2-4 wheel drive, I.R.S. for rock crawling capability and riding comfort. All in all a good multi-purpose ATV

Special Ed · « **Reply #11 on:** February 20, 2006, 05:27:38 AM »

This is the way to go..........

http://www.rolligon.com/Vehicles/4440.htm

Ed

45north · « **Reply #12 on:** February 21, 2006, 03:29:11 PM »

Have you looked at a polaris ranger 6x6. This year they came out with a 700 EFI twin, top speed 44 mph it will haul 1500 lbs seats two in comfort very nice.

45north

Hildy · « **Reply #13 on:** February 21, 2006, 03:30:10 PM »

Interesting topic about the hydrostat or auto drive versuses manual.

I guess for comfort auto is nice but when you want to get the power to the ground I will guarentee you manual is better. You want full lockup for heavy duty conditions...no belt slip or fluids to get hot and fail.

I've been pulling stock modified tractors for a while now and the main competition has always been the guys using ol gears and clutches over hydrostat drive. Just delivers the power to the track for effectively.

black powder · « **Reply #14 on:** February 22, 2006, 01:30:15 PM »

honda rubicon .500cc..full automatic or elect. shift ..tires [bear claw]

[URL=http://imageshack.us][img]http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/9721/p1010007copy5gm.jpg[/img][/url]

markc · « **Reply #15 on:** February 23, 2006, 08:12:15 AM »

black powder, did that Honda come with that attachment on th rear rack or is that an aftermarket accessory? I like those tires too !

Bought a Rhino 450 this year, sold the little Mule... Love the kodiak 450 set-up, very nice..

black powder · « **Reply #16 on:** February 28, 2006, 10:49:58 AM »

Quote from: markc

black powder, did that Honda come with that attachment on th rear rack or is that an aftermarket accessory? I like those tires too !

Bought a Rhino 450 this year, sold the little Mule... Love the kodiak 450 set-up, very nice..

it's a HUNTING ACCESSORY ...

camsdaddy · « **Reply #17 on:** March 01, 2006, 02:46:25 AM »

Well while only playing on the trail ride circuit for a short time I have found one thing that is definately important HONDA man you can not kill these things we ride with several highly modified Kawasaki's and they are great in the mud but do not get them wet unless you have a good while to drain and get them running again. A honda on the other hand if you drown it wnough to shut it off either crank it back up or pull the plug pump it out and drain the airbox and get back to the adventure at hand. While I dont have exp. with other brands I can say that i am completely impressed with the hondas ranging from 2wd 300's to Rincons with 29's and snorkles the people just make great quads

264 WIN MAG · « **Reply #18 on:** March 05, 2006, 05:42:47 AM »

In my line of work I have the opportunity to test a whole lot of bikes and products that are out on the market. I have ridden and tested just about every bike I know of on the market today.

If you ask me right off the bat manual vs. auto (belt auto that is) I will always answer auto. Its just superior to a manual. Now I do agree there are some things that need to be done to the belt drive bikes in stock form to keep water out of the belt if you are crossing water thats over the headlights. If you can snorkel the belt drive they are almost unstoppable. On a positive note most of these belt driven bikes these days have the stock transmission hoses at almost the same height as the air intake so if you were to fill the transmission it would not be much longer before you would be filling the motor.

My bike for example is set up with 24 ground clearance vs. the stock grizzly 12 ground clearance. With my snorkels I can ride up to close to 5 deep flat on the bottom before I fill up the transmission or air intake.

Speaking of the Polaris MV7 we had the chance to test that machine before it was released onto the market. Its a great machine, but there is a catch. Its an extremely heavy machine. When we tested it we had several other bone stock Polaris models including some stock 700s. Racing wise the MV7 is beat badly by the regular 700. The extra weight makes the MV7 a little slow honestly, but if you dont care about racing around its not a problem. On the trail its much more difficult to navigate through holes and so forth with the additional weight, but there is a plus side. We found that in climbing the weight kind of helped the bike in sticking to the ground. It climbed just about everything we tried to send it up. The stock set-up on that bike is awesome though with the solid steel racks, two fuel tanks, two winches, etcWe were testing the bike for durability and we tried to break it; although we failedits a tough machine, no doubt.

Sourdough · « **Reply #19 on:** March 06, 2006, 03:29:51 PM »

I bought the Kawasaki 750 Brute Force. Great ground clearance, winch, good carrying capacity, lots of towing power, two range, 4X4 or 2X4, differantial lock, autiomatic transmission, lots and lots of power, but most important it is big enough for my 6'2" frame to stand up at full height while driving.

BradM · « **Reply #20 on:** March 26, 2006, 07:00:07 PM »

Quote from: loaded4bear

the ultimate workhorse...

http://www.polarisindustries.com/en-us/ATV/2006Models/Sportsman/SportsmanMV7/

I like the MV700 too. I think it would make a great overnight camping/expedition machine, though I wouldn't use those runflat tires. The good news is that the price has come way down on them this year. I'm planning on taking a hard look at one this year.

markc · « **Reply #21 on:** March 27, 2006, 05:26:33 AM »

I noticed the link under your post. I haven't logged on to your forum yet, ut was curious as to whether or not you have driven the Alpine Loop in Co? My wife and I and some friends are talking about the possibility of taking the ATV's and Rhino's up there this summer. I've read some reviews and seen photo's of it on another off road site. It looks awsome!..

BradM · « **Reply #22 on:** March 27, 2006, 05:51:26 AM »

Quote from: markc

I noticed the link under your post. I haven't logged on to your forum yet, ut was curious as to whether or not you have driven the Alpine Loop in Co? My wife and I and some friends are talking about the possibility of taking the ATV's and Rhino's up there this summer. I've read some reviews and seen photo's of it on another off road site. It looks awsome!..

I haven't myself, but there are guys on that forum who live in Colorado and do a lot of riding.