Yes it is a good time to own a 4 wheeler. The trails are improving and the quads themselves are improving. Only 18 more payments to go and I might consider a different one. Who knows what will be available in a year and a half.

An Arctic Cat "Sportsman Killer" ????

A V-Twin Kawasaki rugged and fast???

A Polaris 700 ???

A Rubicon Deluxe???

It will be fun to watch the product introductions and the enthusiasm that it will generate.

 

How in the world did someone that you just met let you ride his $7000 machine and then you go out and jump it, ride over logs, park it on a steep off camber hill with a tire off the ground.

I cant believe that you would ride someone elses bike like that. How did he feel about you treating his bike like that ? Im sure he was very proud after you beat the crap out of his ATV.
I would be interested in hearing what you did to your ATV and how it held up but to put someone elses bike through that is pitiful.. What would you have done if you would have flipped it on your so called off-camber test ???

 

Thor,
in regards to the 3 sets of rear pads on Polaris quads within 600 miles?Yes it happened to me,however,I'd like to see ANY 4x4 quad with drum brakes ride the mud that I ride and have NO problems.It wont happen often,if at all.I've seen it done to many times to be convinced otherwise,===Bill

 

HA!, that's too funny, I was thinking the same thing. I know people (strangers) have asked to ride my 400 and the SP335, and the answer is always. NO! Go buy your own. HA!

 

sportsman500-

A- It's a Honda!

B- I sure Cstark is fully insured like myself and i would trust his judgement to ride my quad.

C- I have also rode the Rubi, and man that thing is smoooooooth!

 

I agree with everything that was said so far. ATV's are advancing almost as fast as computers.

Bill, I'd nominate the Honda 450ES to do your mud riding. I know the drum brakes will go the distance on there, since ours have 1500 miles on and are still like new.

 

Tired of hearing the brake thing. My useless drums have 8700kms (5200miles) and I replaced my brakes last week. The rear needed it but the front didn't but I had bought them and did it anyway. As for mud riding my quad sit in a mud hole for 14hours water and mud up to the top of the seat and the brakes never took on any water at all. I had it for a drive yesterday with me and my buddy on with me. We figured with all my stuff plus the both of us it weighed in somewhere around 1150lbs. The brakes will lock up if you want. I feel the drums are a way better setup than disk because they are sealed great, if not your not sealing them right. I guess the only complaint I have at all with my 450ES is the rear shocks don't hold up to a load. Does anyone know where I can get some stiffer better springs?

98 Honda Foreman 450ES "THE OLE YELLER BEAST"
99 Honda Fourtrax 400EX "THE LITTLE RED ROCKET"

 

The brake issue is very old. I took my Rubie through some mud and water filled holes up to the seat (well almost, I got stuck) but anyway checked the brakes when I got home, dry as a bone.
I think the reason Honda drums may last longer is becouse of the engine braking. My brother's SP500 is faster and excellerates faster than my Rubie, but it also weighs more and with extra weight and speed and less engine braking it only makes sence that it will go through brakes faster. Example, Going down a steep hill, On the Honda let it coast down the engine brake will hold it. On the SP500 engine brake and the use of the brakes to hold it = more brake pads.

 

sportsman500,

While I was riding this guys Rubicon, he was riding my EX. Even though I'm a sport quad rider, my family owns plenty of utility machines. Every time I visit home, I help my dad with the chores and ride his utility. So I am not totally clueless.
However, the guy with the Ruby that was riding my EX. Has never rode a "sport" quad before, and maybe I should have warned him alittle better about the power and handling of mine. Because no more than 2 minutes into the ride.... He flipped my machine down a hill and broke the rear grab bar and bent both front tie-rods making the machine unrideable for the rest of the day. But I don't blame him. It's not like he ment too do it.

 

Bis, In the stock tires I ran 5 psi.

cstark, bummer about the EX

beast450, go to www.highlifter.com they have stiffer shocks for the 450