Can any XT/Traxter owners out there share their reliability issues. I'm in the market for a big bore and live in the Yukon Territory, so cold starting is a fact of life for us. How would you rate the ride and steering for trail riding, particularly with the extra width of the XT?

 

I've had my 2001 XT since October and am very happy so far. Some have complained about cold starts, but I haven't had a problem. I live in Southwestern Ontario, so it's now way near as cold as your climate. But it sat outside before
in windy -15 to -20*C and started no problem.

I like it's stability when climbing hills, very well balanced. It is very easy to stear for a wide quad. It has alot of torque, pull or push heavy loads easily. Not really fast, tops out at about 52mph. I don't care for the slow electric shift, not as responsive as Hondas. Auto version comes out in spring, might be worth a look. Dispite that I still really like it. Good luck with your purchase.

 

Ranpap -

Can you please tell me where you heard that the XT will be coming out with a fully auto tranny in the spring? Thank you. (I'll be getting one in the spring and this would definitely be a bonus... :-)

- Tim

 

Hi Tim,

My dealer told me of the auto tranny when I
bought mine. I'm not sure if it's available
on both Traxter and Traxter XT models. It's
supposed to be similar to the Rubicons, you
can overide the auto mode and go to manual
shifting. I wished i would'nt have been so
impatient and waited for the auto.

Go to bomardier-atv.com ,click on the
regular Traxter icon. It gives a brief
description.

later, Randy...

 

Glad to share the info I've found, easy starting as long as you just use the choke and not touch the throttle.
Had mine reprogrsmmed for shifting, now quick sharp shifting.
Not the quickest but the best for working hauling, pulling or pushing. Had the Honda 450ES, a nice unit but not in the same class for doing work.
Know you will love the Traxter series once you get it.
Good luck

 

SprintPusher,

Did the dealer reprogram the shifting for you?
Was it warenteed?, or did you have to pay out of
your pocket? My dealer has only carried the
Traxters for about 4 months, any info would be
appreciated.

Like I said other than the slow shifting I love
my quad.

Thanks , Randy...

 

Norsemen,

I noticed inside this thread someone made the comment that the Traxter auto is like the Rubicon. This is not the case. The Rubicon is a fully hydraulic system while the Traxter is a conventional geared transmission with a hydraulic clutch mech. As for reprogramming the transmission, I was at a Bombadier dealership recently and he told me that it's a 4 minute procedure. You'll need a 9 Volt battery and two leads. I'm uncertain about this procedure, but your supposed to use the instrument panel as an interface and there are over 20 settings for the shifting. I was also told that the factory sets the tranny up to shift slow.

As for the fully automatic tranny, it's supposed to use the same technology as the original traxter with a cpu and shift mech. This would very much model a cars tranny. You can get more info from Bombadiers home page. There's a link at "atvconnection". I'ld further recommend that you consult a knowledgable dealer if you have access.

One more thing, from all my research, the traxter is one heck of a machine, solid engineering and innovative. I was just put off by the weight.

Good Luck

 

Norseman,
The changing of the shifting program is simple for any schooled Bombardier tech, The tech at PB Sports in Orange, VA simply installed a jumper in the electrical harness and started punching the gearshifting buttons until he had gone through the entire computer, checking for any problems and also to check and adjust the settings for everything.

I was afraid of the computer CPU modules etc used in these new fangled things, but now I feel very comfy with the entire unit.

In the end it shifts perfectly and crisply, just like a foot shift type and I do love it !

As to cost, well it was in for a speedometer problem, they fixed that and there were 3 or 4 updates / service letters that needed attention. In the end only cost to me was for oil and oil filter when they did the oil change.

I've ridden this 99 Traxter in deep water alot and was concerned about water getting into something, also work it alot in deep 10-14" soupy mud so they had to remove the bottom shield / pan for the speedometer sender, they found no problems at all. I slept well that night.

This Traxter does not have a easy life riding around in the grass and trails, when its time to go, it goes and where it goes scares me sometimes.
I've flipped this thing back over on top of myself, that is not recommended. As for the Traxter, the left handle bar got bent alittle, that must be the one that landed on me.

Comparing the Traxter to a 450ES or Grizzly is like comparing a Humvee to a WW2 Jeep.
Good luck.

 

By your wording you seem to place the Traxter as equal to a WWII jeep and the Foreman 450 and Grizzly as equal to a Humvee. Please correct me if I am wrong, but I think you have insulted your own machine! I hope it's new-fangled computer does not have internet access or it may revolt after reading your post! LOL

 

Thanks to all who responded. Sounds like Traxters are quite reliable. For you XT owners with ploughs, how do you find the location of the winch switch?