After scouring the market, riding the KQ, the P700, the BF 750 and the JD; I mentioned in an earlier thread that I'd purchased a new John Deere Trail Buck EX and I'd write up a review of it as soon as I took delivery.

Well I got it today. Here's the story...

First the technical stuff.

JD recently introduced a line of Utility ATVs in two flavors: the Buck and Trail Buck series. The Buck is a little more utility oriented and the Trail Buck is supposed to be more recreationally oriented. Both are rebadged Bombardier Traxtor models - either 500 or 650 cc. On the plus side, Bombs are known for their reliablity and tractor like performance. On otherside of the ledger, Bomb Traxtors aren't performance oriented machines.

The model I bought is the 650 cc EX powered by a 644 cc Rotax 4-Tec 4 stroke over head camshaft, liquid cooled, single cylinder motor. Its got 4 valves with hydraulic lifters (that means no valve adjustments). The tranny is the familiar continuously variable transmission (CVT) and the motor is fed by a Mikuni BSR 42 carb. The radiator's located in the rear of the bike and the 5.8 gallon gas tank is mounted under the seat. The bike weighs 745 lb and ground clearance under the single rear axle is 7.4 inches (front is 9.6").

According to a review I read of the 2002 Bombardier Quest 650, (virtually the same bike as the JD) the 650 Rotax engine makes 42 hp, tops out at 60+ mph and is known for its reliability. I read somewhere on the Bomb site that the 650 gets upwards of 20-22 mpg. I can't vouch for either claim, except to say that the engine has plentiful torque and go power.

The Ex is their top of the line model and comes with a factory installed Warn Winch, extended racks, front and rear receiver hitches, hand guards, custom paint and extended fenders. The bike also comes with a detailed, 81 page manual and a safe riding video. My bike also came with a 60" John Deere plow installed.


My riding impressions. I spent a few hours on the bike plowing snow (I'm in North Idaho and we got about 2 feet of snow last weekend) and hauling firewood (it's cold!). Ambient temperatures were in the middle to low teens. The full time 4 wheel drive, Visco-lok front differential coupled with the powerful engine made plowing a pretty simple task - even when I was plowing well-settled, hard pack snow.

The trick to moving snow is to keep the bike moving. Once it loses momentum, it will start to spin its tires and its time to shift into reverse and try again. Which brings me to the one noticible downside to the mechanics of the bike - the transmission's sticky. When I first started up the bike, the tranny was pretty tempermental about shifting from low range to reverse - it wanted to take its time, or just stay in the previous gear. As I continued plowing, shifts got progressively smoother and more consistent. At this juncture I don't know if its just a new bike, or if the tranny needs some adjustment in the shifting department.

The other downside is the lack of ground clearance. Bombardier has been dinged for its lack of clearance on its Traxter models in the ATV press, but it still makes bikes with a ground hugging 7.4 inch rear axle. Since I'm planning to use the ute primarily to get work done on my 40 acres and was concerned about low maintence, it didn't keep me from getting the JD. Hope I don't regret the choice.

Despite its weight (749 lbs), feels like there's a lot of performance potential in this big machine - at least that's what my seat of the pants dyno said. When I took it out on the snow covered Forest Service road I live on, the bike felt stable, controllable, and solid, even when I got on the gas. The bike was happy climbing hills and zipping around curves.

Finally, my wife jumped on the JD and went for her first ride on an ATV this afternoon. After plowing some snow and running up and down the road a few times, she parked the green machine with a huge grin. Tonight she announced that she wants one of her own!

The ergos on the bike are good, the seat's comfortable, I like the looks of it, and of critical importance - my wife likes it! BUT if it develops any significant problems, I'll be sure to post. Meantime, looks like a pretty good ride! If you're interested in looking at the company's sales pitch, here's the addy: http://www.deere.com/en_US/ProductCa...e_content.html

Roadie

 

The shifter will loosen up over time. Make sure the choke is off and the idle is low and it will get better with time. Congrates on the new machine. Great write-up.
Isn't that seat great????!!!!!

 

Thanx Doctor - you're right, the seat is very, very good. Appreciate the advice, I'll do it!