I am looking to here from some experienced ATV'ers that have done a lot of water crossings. I have heard some sceptical information that if a water crossing got to deep you could step off and foat your machinei accross. Wow, is that true! I have done several deep water crossings on my stock 1999 Kodiak and it didn't seem like it was going anyware but down. However, once the water got really deep ,(rack level) if I punched the throtle real hard the front tires seemed to be lifting off the bottom putting me into an under water weely. I never had the nerve to go any deeper to see if I leaned over the handle bars and went full throtle if the rear tires would also lift and would drive themselves off the bottom and make a deep water crossing. I read one persons forum that floated a grizzly in water.
Do you guy's have a great technique for water crossings? Will stock machines foat?

Help me; Help me I going dowwnnnnn!

Thanks
1999Kodiak
Ride Hard/Tread Lightly

 

I have HEARD of some old 3-wheelers floating with huge baloon tires, but I can't believe a 500+ lb quad would ever float.

 

no it doesnot float!!!

if u cross a creek then if i have tires that have good floatation and alot of air in them they will lift ur quad off the ground alittle bit when u get in deep water

but far as going into somethin over ur handlebars i wouldnt try without a super good snorkal cause its not gonna float and if the water gets deep enough it will flip over on its back

when u do deep water crossings its best to put ur weight to the back of the rear racks and gas it and dont let off the gas

 

They will definatly float. At least my AC 500 will. I don't advise that you try it unless there are at least 2 of you to keep the machine upright and stable. Also how in the world would something be able to turn over if it didn't lift off the bottom?

 

my warrior will float if you step off the quad .i know this for a fact.i tried water skippin it ONCE.it only took about four feet of water and a littel river currrent.by the way dont try water skippin.

 

The answer is yes. I have floated my Grizzly most of the way across a river a couple of times. I think the reason I float is because I run with 10 pounds of air in my tires. One time I had to jump off because I hit a rock underwater that I didn't see and thought I was going to flip. The water was up to my waist, and my Griz was trying to float away from me. It was alittle hair raising, but everything worked out just fine.

Rick

 

water skipping? what's that?
Is it going fast enough to stay on the surface (or try)?

 

My '99 400EX Floats.

 

Do TURDS Float? Some do and some do NOT. Same with quads, and none seem to float well, so if your planning on floating to the Bahamas or to cross the English Channel you may need to rethink your plan.

 

Flip it up side down and maybe it'll float...Of course the only thing staying dry would be the bottom of the tires = )