I might be close to purchasing a 2015 Foreman TRX500FE2F.

Reading the various forums, If I understand correctly, the Foreman has breather pipes to avoid sucking water.

What is the maximum depth you can submerge the 4 wheeler before sucking water or needing a snorkle?

Thanks in advance, I need to advise my teenage chill'rn of it's limits!

 

I haven't examined a new 500 Honda but all the old ones have breathers, including the intake for the air box, just above seat height, but you are going to create waves, even if the water is still, so I recon the seat base height is the absolute max, for one thing those huge tyres are going to make the machine float and then "turn Turtle" if you get too deep.

 

got it, the wife and I watched a couple of youtube videos where the bikes went under water, both by accident and on purpose.

we figured this can't be good and wanted to avoid damage.

we will let the kids and their friends ride them, so you know the rest of the story

thanks for the reply!

 

It's as simple as where is the air box intake on the quad located. If it's at seat height give yourself a little extra to make sure you don't suck water in. Best place, other than snorkels is right under the plastic just behind the handlebars. If that's where they are you can go up to rack deep without a problem. As merryman said when you get in a deep waterhole you push a bow wake in front that will effectively allow a little extra fording depth. If you get in too deep and the air intake is located under the plastic by your handlebars you can lean back, and goose the throttle a little bit to bring the front end up. Water wheelie. I had my front rack disappear under water in a hole none of us had been through. Was able to get the front end up enough that I didn't suck any water in. Scary surprise though.