Iam looking into buying one, a 99, are they under powerd ? are they n e good in mud ? And iam not to hot on that heal toe shift, is their n e way to get it to be a shift lever or auto ? Or should i just deal w/ it lol ? thanks for the help guys

 

Easy, AC sells a "normal" toe shifter through their dealers. If you want to, just take the shifter off, cut the heel section off and reinstall it a few splines up so you can get your toe under there.

 

o ok thanks, do you know about the rest of my post ? I would aslo like to add is their any probelms with them ?

 

From what I hear, the 300's are bulletproof. I don't think you'll win any races with it, but it'll go anywhere. I think it's close to a Suzuki built a few years back, with the 3 range tranny and independant all the way around. It's just missing the locker. They're good bikes.

 

Give the heel/toe shifter a try before you change it.
I like mine just fine and know of two other guys that switched to a toe shifter
and ended up going back to the heel/toe shifter.

 

trailblazerguy250, i have a 98 300 and have been more than happy with it. i got it for its low end pulling power and in low range 1 it can pull like nothing else. it is by no means fast, so if you are looking for something that will go 50 mph or faster this is not the bike. also since this is a 99 you can adjust the 4x4 lever on the front dif. to get 2 wd, 4x4, and 4x4 locker. it has the same front end as the susuki and you can make it a locker by undoing the lever, taking it off, rotate it up a little bit then put the lever back on, put the 4 wheeler up on jack stands and you can feel the 3 postions in the front diff when the lever is in the right position. if you go with mud tires you can run 25's in the front and 26's in the back. you will loose top end speed but the traction you gain from the tires and the power you have in low 1st is a very good combination. as for being reliable mine has started when ever i have wanted it too. i live in Alaska and at -20 or -30 i can go out and start it no problem. i would give the heel/toe shifter a few weeks i got used to it quick and i like it now.

 

I have a 1999 300,..bought it new.....excellent machine and it has seen rough duty.Leave the rocker shifter...you will like it once you get used to it.The 99 model has a locker front end..all you need to do is adjust the lever/bellcrank on the front diff..I use the locker all the time....the machine will just about go anywhere.I use mostly low and middle range....the high range is too high for any real use.The machine is very durable,brakes are excellent ,fuel economy excellent,quiet,rides very well ,very stable.
The shortcomings are: ground clearance could be better,Front ball joints were recalled,(mine were gone in 400 miles)the new joints are fine.The jetting was a bit lean and the units have a tendency to backfire under hard deceleration.Front outer cv joints have no protection.I put a set of oxlites on mine for protection. The unit has a tendency to run a bit hot under extended low range heavy use so change your oil often.
I own Honda atvs also and I consider the 300 4by4 cat the best small displacement atv on the market.

 

I just did a search and ran across your question. I have a little different approach to this problem. I put a short piece of 1 in. square tubing to the heel part of the shifter. Or you can heat and raise the heel part about 1 in. I have done this to many of the 250/300s and everyone likes it.

 

300's are tanks I love them next to my 400, try the shifter out it took me a few days to get into it, I don't think they sell a toe shifter for the 300 just 400 and up. I could be wrong because at first I was the same way from riding dirtbikes, but now it's second nature.

 

mrmom103ny is absolutley right on the mark. I have a 1999 300, I also have a 2002 375 and a 2004 650, all 4 wheel drives. To go thru the roughest and steepest places I would definetely take the 300. It is stable as a rock. I did put a moose lift kit on mine and gave me about 1 1/2 more inches of g/c. I don't think there is a better 4 wheeler made. Anway I didn't like the heel toe shifter at first, but now I'm used to it, plus I bolted a piece of metal to the heel and toe raising it up about an inch higher and can shift a little better.