that is my question!

I live 5-10 minutes from either entrance ramp at the Pismo / Oceano Dunes here on the Central Coast of California. I'm an avid Big Game and Waterfowl Hunter and that is really why I just bought my new Polaris 400 Sportsman. I've been on the dunes many-a-time but it was mostly in my ol' 55 *****'s P/U 4x4 and also on a couple occassions in sort of an official capacity when I was driving my truck with the County Sherriffs SAR team. I've been out also a couple times on a rental bike.

My question....What do you think about taking the new rig out to that inhospitable environment? These GO FAST Quads that some of you guys have are really made for that stuff with the open frames for sand to breeze right through. I just look at the complexity of the drive train on this new, almost $7000 dollar machine and I cringe at the thought of the fine, powdery Pismo Sand abrading my wheel bearings, U-Joints, and everything else it's gonna get caught in.

What would YOU do?

 

I have had mine to the dunes here in Oregon and had a blast. I purchased mine for the same reason: hunting first, playing second. But its a lot of fun on the dunes. Granted, you wont go as fast as the bikes built for it, but, the trails you can find on the edge of the dunes to play on are unlimited.
I have thought about buying some 22" or 23" sand freindly tires just for the coastal trips.

Jes

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I rode a friend's Polaris 400 around some at Pismo last summer. The bike is kind of heavy for the dunes and the ride (suspension) was rough, but traction and power were good enough to get around most everywhere. As for drive train, my personal opinion is that the design is needlessly complex, so don't even get me started on that one...............

Between us and all the different people we ride with, we must have every bike (3 and 4 wheeled) represented that has ever been built. We have all been riding around in the sand, dust, mud, and water for years and years, with no problems! Go ride the tires off the thing, and don't worry! Just wash the salt off it after every ride.

 

I take my Prairie to the dunes and it's a blast! I can't do some of the things that my buddies are doing on their EXs and Banshees, but they never leave me behind!

I too was concerned about riding in the sand and it getting places where sand shouldn't be. A friend of mine told me that water and mud can slip past seals easier than sand, and I ride in mud holes all the time. Don't worry about it, go out and have fun!

 

You know BrianT, you pose a real good point and I should have known better, especially with all those years of college and Soil Science classes!!! The finest particles in soil structure are Silt particles and that's all that is pretty much suspended in water to make MUD! I guess if I can be comfortable riding in mud, which I have not yet done, then sand is really just a minor thing. I was told however, by one of my employees who is a true Dunite by means of his variety of Sand Toys, the thing to be cautious of on OUR dunes (Pismo) is SALT. It's present in all the sand on the dunes. Nothing a good pressure washing couldn't handle though!

I think I'm gonna go for a dune run this week sometime. Gotta go get my flag though!