ATVConnection.com

Dear ATVC:

I’ve noticed that running my ATV without its air filter in the air box results in a noticeable increase in power. When I ride alone on days that aren’t overly dusty or muddy, am I risking damage?

Absolutely. The dust your filter is catching before it can enter your engine is often so fine as to be invisible to the naked eye. Over time, thanks to the patterns of airflow within your airbox, the dust builds up into a visible layer of dirt.

The process of increasing your engine’s power by reducing the filter media’s ability to catch dust and dirt particles is legitimate but doing so is asking for trouble.

This is why companies like K&N, Twin Air and Uni offer higher-flowing filter elements that don’t compromise the protection of your engine’s internals.

We would strongly recommend going that route and making sure your filter is cleaned and properly oiled before getting out on the trails; even if it doesn’t look like a sandstorm out there!

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Dear ATVC:

I was wondering if you could shed some light on how much oil is normal for a fouled plug in a 1987 Honda 250R?

While it’s difficult to determine what classifies as “normal” when it comes to a fouled out spark plug, we suspect the following chart from Atlantic Jet Sports will answer your question better than we ever could:

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Dear ATVC:

Norf Georgia

Well the simplest answer to that question would be to go with a 2013. Why? Because not only is it the latest/ most refined version of the machine, it’s also going to come with factory warranty should you purchase it new.

Assuming you’re curious about used models, however, you should take comfort in knowing that the Grizzly has a long and proven history and that no particular model year was known for having problems.

The vehicle’s heritage can be traced back to 1998 (the Grizzly 600) that used an already proven motor from the XT600 motorcycle.

It became the Grizzly 660 in 2002 when Yamaha decided to integrate another time proven engine of theirs (the 5-valve 660 from the Raptor). It also went from a single shock to fully independent rear suspension in transitioning from 600 to 660.

From there you’d be hard pressed to find any changes made all the way up until 2007 when it became the Grizzly 700 and included such perks as fuel injection and EPS (Electric Power Steering). This is the top of the line Grizzly still offered today.

So in short, you really can’t go wrong with whichever year you decide. Base your choice on budget, location and the condition of the individual specimen in question.

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Dear ATVC:

A friend of mine’s dad calls all ATVs “ATCs” even though we constantly correct him. What does ATC mean anyway?

ATC or all-terrain cycle was Honda’s designation for its 3-wheeler line. Don’t forget, while today’s do-it-all quads and UTVs have very little in common with motorcycles on a given manufacturer’s line, this certainly wasn’t the case in the late 1970s/ early 80s.

Interestingly, as the industry evolved to require a minimum of four wheels, Honda changed its model prefix from ATC to Fourtrax (or just “TRX”); a tradition that it carries on even to this day.

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Dear ATVC:

Is rim scrub a viable means of determining if I’m running too much or too little air pressure in my ATV without a tire gauge?

Good question! For those who don’t know, rim scrub is, like the name suggests, what happens when the sidewall of a tire folds over onto the rim just enough to clean the rim’s surface due to the rubbing.

It’s a popular technique used by motorcycles but the key difference between their setups and ours is that most bikes run tubes (while conversely most ATVs run tubeless wheels/ tires). However the simple science at play here does indeed transfer.

In short it’s an easy means of, literally, at a glance, determining if your tires are too hard or too soft out on the trails or at the track.

While the moto business has a much clearer view of how to read the evidence left from the tire/ rim contact but do keep in mind that a spoked moto wheel contains much less surface area to read. Additionally, ATV rear wheels are often too concaved to offer much info.

However, with front wheels especially, checking to see if there’s rubber scuffs present during a ride, you’re likely running too much pressure. If instead the area where the rim meets the tire bead is sparkling clean in contrast to the rest of the wheel, you’re likely running too little.

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