ATV downsides

[Rippinlip]

Looks like the time of year that people will be looking to buy wheelers.

I thought we should start a category of dislikes on the machines you own, we all have all kind of positives because we own them.

Here is mine. I own a 2008 Polaris 500 HO.

My dislikes are where the winch is mounted, seems too high and when you are pulling someone or something out it darn near pulls the rear wheels off the ground.

Where the radiator is mounted, it is protected good, no issues there, but does tend to fill with mud easily.

I have not overheated it, but always seem to washing that area out well.

[coombia21]

2008 king - coating on the racks and how flimsy the racks are they bend very easily

2006 cat 400 - size, but the size comes in handy sometimes because it has 15 inches of ground clearance now with a lift and once again rack coating

[gunmunky]

1992 Yamaha Moto 350

Only thing I would change would be to have 4wd. I just have to be more aware of what I'm getting into. On the plus side with out 4wd it is much lighter and I can pick each end up, move it over, and usually I'm on my way.

[MNexpoler]

2003 Sportsman 700/500/400: The 700 Cold Blooded, somewhat hard to start in winter and takes forever to warm up. The 700/500/400; Rear wheel bearings go out, and ball joints go out, polaris should just scrap the headlight pod on the handle bars, its wrothless. Just make the two lights down front brighter.

2002 Arctic Cat 300: underpowered could use a 350cc

2001 Honda Recon: Could use a high 5th gear or larger rear tires, also could have less vibration; going down the Soo Line at 40mph for 50 miles not fun.

[motley man]

2003 Artic Cat 400 gets the job and play done! Good in deep snow and mud, with plenty power and lots of rack room.

[dkhntr]

2001 AC 400.

Would like automatic next time. And wish a little bigger to keep up with friends on those long flat runs, like MNexplorer, the soo line

[Ryan_V]

Love everything on my 07 cat 700. Fuel inj is nice on those -20 days on mille lacs when you going out!! the only thing I'd change would be to have better tires out of the box!!

[Eric Wettschreck]

2000 Big Bear 400.

All time 4WD makes it hard to turn on dry gravel.

Other than that, it's a good machine. When I rolled it last summer it was much easier and cheaper to fix than I was.

[backlash 1]

2008 Cat 400 auto. Love the machine, but not totally happy with the shifting. Idle speed is down as low as possible, and still about half the time I have to rock the machine to get in or out of gears.

[BobT]

1999 Kawasaki Prairie 300.

Air-cooled engine tops my list. Hasn't given me trouble but I have to pay attention to engine temperature, especially if it is idling a lot or when not moving fast enough to keep the engine cool. Newer models are liquid cooled.

Full-time 4x4. There are times when it would be nice to be able to switch it to 2x4. Newer models have this.

No engine braking. A bit of a challenge on steep downgrades. Newer models have this.

That's about it.

[JeffB]

Honda rubicon great machine, but way to cold blooded. In winter I have to hit the primer button on the carb which is hard to reach.

[sparkyaber]

2003 prairie: low ground clearance, and lack of EFI, what a cold blooded bugger.

It has a strait rear axle, which stinks on trail ride, but I love it when I am working it.

[Fishing Junky]

2009 Polaris RZR. Gets to hot in the cab when I have the heat on too high.

[elkrivermn]

2007 Outlander 500 Xt the thing I do not like about it is everyone wants to see it start it up and drive it. Holy porupine needels, I never get to ride it!!

[Ryan_V]

2000 Big Bear 400.

All time 4WD makes it hard to turn on dry gravel.

Other than that, it's a good machine. When I rolled it last summer it was much easier and cheaper to fix than I was.

you didn't buy that at an auction in Paynesville did you??

[Eric Wettschreck]

Nope, sorry.

I bought it brand new from a dealer in Marshall in 2001.

[Ryan_V]

Ahhh, sorry. my old big bear sold at auction a couple years ago!! thought your avatar looked familiar, my bad!!

[Macgyver55]

Honda Foreman here, biggest problem is 8500 miles and I cant break it and it wont wear out enough to justify a new one.

[gr8icefishinmind]

2007 Kawi 650 V-twin Brute force with:

HMF Exhaust

27"mudlites on 15 inch ITP wheels

Dynatek CDI

Jetted

Different Primary and secondary clutch springs for better low end and middle power with the bigger tires on!!

The ONE AND ONLY thing I would change about the kawi is the fact that I have a straight axle which makes it ride extremely rough when ditch riding!!

You CANNOT beat the kawi V-Twin except for the can am twin of course!!

[gr8icefishinmind]

Honda Foreman here, biggest problem is 8500 miles and I cant break it and it wont wear out enough to justify a new one.

Ain't that the truth......those hondas are tough machines!!

[slurpie]

I get to choose between three diffrent machines. The only downside is they all suck with this much snow out there.

[slammer]

2004 Honda Rincon 650. Another cold blooded machine, and is a bit larger than others so it takes up alot of trailer space. Still like the bigger machine for the smooth ride.

[jltimm]

2005 Suzuki Kingquad 700. Racks are small, de-tuned from the factory (although it still has alot of power) rear a-arm design holds alot of snow and ice which you have to watch or it will pop your cv boot clamps off,plastic rivets for body panels are expensive and junk (go with Yamaha's design),junk stock tires,and it needs to have a park feature.

[Riich]

2008 Honda Rancher

Perfect in every way, except for the non-independant rear suspension. It's dependable as can be, but the ride is compromised.

[Dave]

Honda Foreman here, biggest problem is 8500 miles and I cant break it and it wont wear out enough to justify a new one.

Take it off the asphalt once in awhile, Mac