Just recently I have been giving thought to getting my first atv. So I have been thinking of getting a Vinson, since it is one of the few larger atvs that still offers a manual transmission. What I would like is feedback from Vinson owners who have both manual and auto trans----any problems with either transmission, the pros and cons of each. All of my experience in the past have been with Jeeps and dirtbikes, all with manual transmission, and this makes me reluctant to try an auto, especially having heard stories about slipping belts. I am mainly looking for transmission reliability issues, so any information that you can provide will be appreciated, and will help me make my decision. Thanks for any insight you can provide.

 

http://forums.atvconnection.com/sear...esttimeout=500

 

Thanks for the referral, but when I tried twice to get there, this is the message that came up: "The page you were accessing requires variables to be passed on to it." Have no idea what that means.

 

I don't know whats up with that. But if you do a search on (Vinson 5 speed) not (Vinson 5-speed). Select title or body and dates form 01/01/2002 thry 09/01/2004 and select all catagories you will get a great list of messages about the Vinson 5 speed including shifting problems on the earliest models.

 

Thanks, I did the search and found a great deal of info. Seems like there is no consensus on this one, all individual preference. Wonder if the King Quad will be eventually offered with a manual?

 

No, it wont. The trend in the industry is towards belt drive transmissions. The bigger bore machines are putting a lot of power to the ground and the auto clutch systems have never been exposed to that kind of stress. The vinson is the most powerful atv that I know of ever to be equipped with an auto clutch, and there have been considerable problems with it.

If you have to have an auto clutch manual, the big bores are out of your future.

 

I had heard rumors that a manual would be forthcomming, but I can see your point---cost of development would not be recaptured, since just about everyone is going for the belts. I had spent some time looking at the Kawasaki belt problems, but it seem that Suzuki has been a lot more reliable. However, if I had my choice, a well designed manual has a lot of appeal, since there is no expensive belt replacement, power is greater, there is no slippage in water, and it would provide a greater engine braking on steep downhills. I currently run a modified Jeep, and although auto transmissions have their advocates in the Wrangler crowd, the engine braking ability and solid reliability have made me very partial to a 5 speed. Thanks to everyone for the feedback.

 

check out atvnation.com

those guys have a little different opinion on the 5spd, get a AUTO!!

 

Both my friend and I have the manual transmission 2004 Vinson. It is the best quad I have ever driven. The manuall tranny makes it feel much sportier than the auto. It feels like a 700cc.

 

I have a 2003 Vinson 5spd and love it. Nice sporty feel. I have had it miss shifts a few times but it is usually because I just taped the shifter not pushing it fully up or down. Once you tune the suspension this avt is a monster on the trails.