Agreed! I would avoid a mud machine too and there really is only one reason to have that radiator mounted up high, to allow better cooling when plowing through mainly mud. All the grit in the mud can increase wear on suspension/braking/ etc.


One item I didn't see mentioned...

Tires. If you are looking for an older, lower mileage ATV, seems better chance than not the original tires may still be on there or, the originals were swapped back on to sell. Many here have learned, myself included, that a large portion of OEM tires are not very good in terms of traction especially when looking at older models. Seems lower quality tires were supplied by OEMs to make that price point more attractive... until the most recent years where that is starting to change a bit. So, you may want to consider keeping in the budget some extra money to get a good set of traction tires installed.

I find that with good traction tires, even out here in the CO mountains over ALL kinds of terrain, I keep my Grizzly 700 in 2wd at least 95% of the time.

 

I don't think any of the listings I've seen have stated mudding as being on the top of the favorites list. Many have actually said "No mudding". Now, how many of those are true, who knows.

Are there any tell tale signs an ATV has lived it's life in the mud? I'm assuming mud specific tires are made, not sure though.

Tires are something that I have never considered. A couple of the ATV's I've looked at have mentioned mudlites or swamplites. I'm guessing these machines have been put through the above? Or are these tires just a name and not for dedicated mudding and riding through swamps?

If I do end up buying an ATV with stock/poor tires, do you have any recommendations for replacements? How much are tires too? I have no idea for anything other than a car, truck or mower.

Between a winch, plow, decent tires and a few other items (2up seat, heated grips, additional lighting, battery tender, etc.), those sportsmans and older grizzlys are looking better and better price wise...

Thanks again everyone.

 

Snorkels for getting the air intake above a mud/water line along with radiator reloation are tell tale for someone building a quad for mud. Large tires in the 28"/30" range can also be a sign but not an absolute. Not so certain the tire name would be an absolute give away but could be.


There are many who like the Maxxis Bighorn Originals (non 2.0) for traction for an all around trail style traction tire... it is what I use. I've also used them in snow on trail and thought they did fine and we had CO snow conditions up to 2 1/2 ft. I say CO snow as it is lighter and not like oatmeal. Bighorns are not a mud style tire.

Tire recommendations will be many based upon what has worked for riders in certain conditions. Expect to pay about $400+ for a quality set of traction tires.

 

If you want tires that would be a good all-around tire, something like an itp mudlite at or Kenda bearclaws would be good choices for a reasonable price. They are better than the stock tires but aren't super aggressive either. The Maxxis Zillas are a little more aggressive and don't cost much more and are in fact the lightest mud tires you can get for an atv. Moose just put a set of swamplites on his quad and I believe his is quite pleased with them so far. I need to put something better on my Grizzly as it still has the oem tires and they're fine for easy trails but don't do very good in mud. If you can't get good traction, it doesn't matter if you have diff lock when all 4 tires are spinning.

 

Exactly. That was my point as well as I am surprised how much terrain I ride in only in 2wd. I have excellent traction tires and set my Grizzly suspension up a bit more sport than utility as I like to rip around on trail, sliding out the back end when desired.

Some good general information on suspension setup that actually originated from this site although the link is from another: Making your quad more stable (Less Tipsy)

 

I haven't seen any with snorkels, but I'll be sure to avoid them.

I do agree that tires are important, but they are also something that I can add on later after saving some $. If I find a great deal on a machine and the tires are crappy I know I could live with them for at least a few months.

On a similar topic, even with very good tires, what is everyone's opinion on adding chains to the rear? I will likely be plowing a path out behind the house to where the woodshed is located. Some of these sections are rather steep too. Chains would obviously help on glare ice, but what about ice fishing where there's 6-12" of snow over ice?

I do know certain types of chains shouldn't be used on driveways, so I wouldn't get anything too aggressive.

I gave the article a quick look and will read it in full tonight. I would plan on setting mine up for utility as oppose to sport or trail riding.

 

I think you are on the right track. You will have to evaluate tires at some point, but even decent stockers with some chains would probably get the job done with 4x4. Expect to spend $400.00 for new tires on your own rims, plus the fee to mount them if you can't do it yourself.

 

If a ATV had a hard life it will show it. Its going to have banged up skids, bumpers, rims or plastics ,that something a pressure washer can not hide or fix.

 

Interco Swamplites are a good all around tire for just about every condition. They are more aggressive than stock tires but not as aggressive as some of the dedicated mud tires. A lot of guys I ride with run the Kenda Bearclaws. I didn't get them only because the tread depth is about 3/4". I just wanted more wear time and got the Swamp Lites with 1-1/4". Bearclaws would fall between OEM and Swamplites as far as aggressive tread goes.

Chains essentially add more tread bars on the tire. Being metal they are great on the ice. Snow too, especially when it gets packed. We do some snow rides out of Warren, NH and had a kid with 2wd with us. He had chains and was able to get enough traction for the most part. So, they do work.

 

Unless a quad was only used on old railbed trails (railtrails) it's probably had a hard life. Or, a guy who just drove it around his yard and decided he didn't need it anymore. My son's first quad was a Polaris ATP 500 that we got a great deal on that way. Was mint, until my son got it.