I have a 400 Explorer and would like to start going thru the mud holes instead of going around
them,but would like some tips before hand.Looking
for riding techniques as well as bike set ups.

 

~Well since I only have 2wd I like to turn the handlebars back and forth to get me through deep mud...People use this technique for jeeps and trucks with 4wd.
This technique would work best with 4wd...of course.
~If you start slowing down then you know your sinking and going no where....before you bury yourself in mud you should get off and push at the handlebars and give it gas at the same time.

 

400Bossman

Mud is the best!!! Anyhow, the first key on a Polaris automatic is do not hit the water extremely fast unless the PVT is snorkeled. The water will splash into the belt system and you will go no where until the belt gets dried off (accomplished by reving the machine in neutral). The second, keep the tires moving. The tires stop, you sink. Third, unless you have a modifed sportsman with high ground clearance, ruts in the mudhole from the last guy through will doom you every time. Try to avoid dropping the tires in a rut as this will bottom out the machine and you will go no where. As far a modifying the machine, look at the post by Gregsim. He has done extensive modifications to snorkel out his entire machine. Email him and I am sure he will give you some pointers. Also, if you get the radiator packed with mud, better plan on cleaning it or it will overheat. And last but not least, be prepared to spash your buddies on there 3wd Hondas that are stuck in the mud after you made it through. LOL

 

Redneck Style.....

Step 1) Drink 12 pack of your favorite brand of beer. (There 3 to choose from, Miller Lite for the normal Redneck, Bud Lite for the Abby-Normal Redneck, and Coors Lite for the golf playin punk who WANTS to be one of the two above.)
Everybody KNOWS you carry lite beer cause it don't weigh as much and put so much strain on the suspension of your 750 lb., CB equipped "bubba mudder"
Step 2) Repeat first half of step one... (This process is used to weed out the true rednecks from the wanna-be's)
Step 3) Find bike... Mount bike..(Bike being a 4 wheeler, not Redneck wife)
Step 4) Find Mud... in East Texas that can be found along side highways, golf courses (follow sick wanna be's to find course) front yard, nice tracks can be made by just being creative with broken down cars already IN yard. Position chained animals strategiclly for "Expert" Track.
Step 5) Find line in mud where Caterpillar D11N (for those of you who DONT know.. Thats a BIG A$$ED Dozer.. 2400 Cubic inches of v-8 diesel power) has just been winched out of.. Procede with 750 lb. bike, (again see definition) 85 lb. cooler of beer, old lady into mudhole...
As machine starts its slow and graceful roll into the abyss... grab overhanging pine limb, cooler, CB Radio, and old lady.. (in that order) and struggle to shore. Sit down in shade, (usually can be found by sitting in fire ant pile) drink more beer, talk about how you ALMOST made it but your old lady shifted her weight wrong..(and theres ALOT of that weight to throw around!!) Wait for winch, pull bike out, remove air filter..(if still equipped with one) Start bike without caution to oil condition, IMMEDIATELY revv engine to the moon... While revved to orbit, reinstall mud soaked oil filter (see Rednecks ALWAYS thinkin', if you rev it up high and stick the filter on, it will immediately clean the filter by sucking all the mud thru the motor!!)
Drink more beer while bike starts to smoke..(MUST be jsut mud in the muffler making it smoke!! Right???)
Ride bike back to camp area, drink more beer and tell everybody how u "tore that hole up!!"
Continue drinking the rest of the weekend as you ride, all the while waiting on that mud to burn out...
Sober up on Tuesday morning, carry misquito spraying machine back to the dealership screaming about how it HAS to be a manufacturer defect and threaten with a lawsuit from the guys that you saw on the T.V...
Continue b!tching as you take out a loan against your furniture to pay for the repair bills.Continue drinking..!!..

 

Mudmachine,

You are one sick puppy! Have you considered therapy?

All,

To really understand the extend of his mud sickness you have to check out his pictures at the URL listed in his signature ...

DJ

 

Yeah, and dont ever go out there and ride with him......ITS CONTAGIOUS!!!!!

I find myself showing up in more and more of his pictures!!

 

Pflect,
I saw your pictures...pretty awsome...wich one was you??? and who won the drag race in the mud???

 

thanks ATV-MAN, Im the one wearing the red and blue helmet on the Xpedition 425, although its hard to tell with so much mud! The race was against a brand new SP500 and in mud like that, it was an even race except for the time I got sideways and nearly hit him, had to back out of it....a little!

 

Just one tip for ya. Ya can't learn noth'n from the cheap seats. Get in the mud, and have some fun, there's no right or wrong way, its what works for you. I do agree with mudmachine about the beer, and remember this a bad day rid'n is a hell of lot better than a good day at work.

TAZ