Thanks y'all for the input!
I've heard Yamaha's CVT is pretty darn good! Polaris' CVT is questionable.
The manufacturers claim they designed their own versions of the CVT due to consumer demand; this is hard to understand, when I've read so many people still prefer the autoclutch/manual shift method over the CVT.
When it comes down to it: How often does someone have to service the CVT vs. the autoclutch/manual shift? It seems the CVT would be more of a burden in the long-run; compared the autoclutch/manual shift.
What do y'all think? I know everybody has their favorites, let's hear the opinions.
Thanks for your time everybody, this is a good forum. I know a lot of y'all have years of experience in this technical area; that's why I figured I would ask.

 

idk, i only know one person with anything even close to cvt, and thats my buddies 800h.o. xp polaris....and everytime he takes it through more than 1-2 feet of water it starts slipping BAD....to the point it almost won't drive, not to mention it doesn't like running when it gets wet(WILL NOT IDLE TILL DRY)

 

A lot of people who have the automatics now, whether it's the CVT or hydraulic, seem to like them a lot.
Some people wouldn't admit it, if they feel they made a bad decision in going with the autos. I would probably be one them, too LOL!
No seriously though; I just wanted y'alls input on this subject, because it's a good learning subject for me.
The last ATC I had was a 1984 Honda 200X; I loved that thing! It was a manual clutch with a 5 speed tranny; The only thing I had to fix on it, was a bent rear axle, that's it! I used to Run that bike hard too; but it wouldn't break. Of course, I babied it when it came time for maintenance and all. I always kept the oil clean, etc...
I remember a couple of us crossing the Quinnebaug river, a couple of spots were around 5 feet deep. We had to jump off, let the bikes float as best as they could, while keeping them running, fun stuff!
I guess I'm old fashioned when it comes to the off road trannys and stuff; but I'm trying to learn about this new stuff.

Thanks for any input

 

Our 97 SP 500 has 7500 miles, just change the belt every 2000 miles, even though it could go farther by the looks of the old belt. Polaris has been making CVT in sled that push more power than any ATV made for over 40 years so I think they have it down pat by now.

They do not even make a powerful non CVT Utility ATV, if you want over 39hp you have to go CVT thats all there is to it.
After the 680 Rincon there is no NON CVT utility ATV made thats over 27hp,that tells you something right there.

What does KAPS mean?

 

Thanks for the reply! KAPS is/or was Kawasaki's name for their CVT setup, I'm not sure if they still use that term or not. I was talking about the CVT in general.
I figured the ATV I'll need is between a 400 or 500, or somewhere around there. Where I will be riding; the big boys wouldn't really be anymore of a benefit than say a 500, I most likely wouldn't be using all the power of anything bigger, you know?
Thanks again!

 

500cc does not tell you the hold story of power.

The 500 Honda Foreman OHV motor has 27hp
The 500 H.O Polaris Sportsman SOHC motor has 35hp
The Can AM 500 Outlander Ttwin motor has 40HP.

A 400 Yamaha Kodiak has much more get up and go than a 400 Yamaha Big Bear.

 

Thanks for the reply.
That's interesting. Do they measure the horsepower at the back wheels? Probably so.

I remember seeing some Can Am dirtbikes in my youth! They were always known to be "rockets" Along with the old KTMs, and Maicos, man those bikes were FAST!
But they were always pretty darn expensive also!

I was reading more about Yamaha's version of the CVT; it seems like it's designed well. What do you think of them?
Thanks for any input

 

No those hp numbers are from the crank.

I rode a 660 grizzly for 25 miles miles last weekend,if Yamaha has a different CVT set up I cant tell by riding it.

My first most Sport is Snowmobiling and I had a Yamaha Sled,theres nothing special about there CVT clutches on those.
They all work the same to me ,you gas and it goes, no matter what brand and I had them all.

 

Thanks for the reply!

 

Why not list the Rubicon's 33.5 hp? That's a better representation when comparing with the others you have listed here.