Hi
I'm new to atv's and I just picked up a Sportsman 500ho.
I have a question about hill climbing. The manual says not to go up a grade steeper than 25 degrees. This sounds very conservitive. Is there a practicle way to tell if I'm getting to steep on an incline or decline? How about sideways rollover if I get stuck having to cross a hill? I'm sure with more experience I will get a better idea of these situations. I'm just trying to figure it out without too many broken bones!
Thanks,
Ringwood

 

There is not an exact degree where you should not go up (not like your going to pull your protractor out anyway) But one thing to remember, is always keep your weight towards the up part of the hill. So if you are climbing a hill, lean up. And if you are coming down one, sit back. If you are crossing sideways, shift your weight up hill.

Pretty much climbing hills is a judgement call. When you come up to one you havenot gone up before, you might just go up the hill about 1/4 of the way real slow just to see how you do, if you believe you can do it, roll back down and build up some speed and hit the hill. If you dont think you can make it, go around the hill, you can just about always find other trails.

Have fun

Derek

 

I don't agree with the going 1/4 of the way up then coasting back down... that could be pretty hairy. Otherwise that last post was right on.

My only advice would be to ride with people you trust. Ask thier opinion about hills, watch thier lines when they climb. Don't take unnessary chances at first. The more you ride the better judge you'll be.

I've only been riding for a few months and these tips have helped me ALOT.
After not to long, You'll be calling the shots.

Good Luck,
Andy

 

Ringwood, It's a judgement call. My Traxter's are more stable than most ATV's but I don't trust them past my own equilibirum(sp) that thingy in your ears telling you, you are off balance. I saw that Highlifter.com has a thing called spacers that can push your tires out about 2-3 inches. There about $80 bucks and may help. Sportsmans ride higher that most at 11 inches.

 

Ringwood- My best advice I could give you is to not do anything you are uncomfortable with. Tackle small obstacles first to get your skills down then go for bigger obstacles. Good Luck.

 

one thing for sure, stay on the gas till you reach the top or you'll be sorry [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-frown.gif[/img]

 

Hey Ringwood, I flipped my 2x4 big bear abour 6 months ago. I had went down in a creek bed, going in was not to bad....but the climb out was a little steeper. Well....I made it to the very top, but there was just a little ledge that kicked up my front end. 30' up on the side, then it came tumbling down. I was VERY lucky. I just cracked a bone in my elbow, and bent the racks, handlebars, ect... Lessons learned. I now have a 2002 Kodiak 4x4 !!!

 

foneguy is right. The biggest mistake you can make is getting nervous half way up and letting of the gas. Now your stuck and bad. When deciding to go or not to go you have to be sure and if it's a yes you need to commit. As far as whether or not to go in the first place it's a judgement call. There are just too many variables to make up a firm rule of thumb. I do agree with the going a little wasy up and seeing how it feels. May be not 1/4, but a little way can tell you a lot. The only problem with that is the hill might get steeper half way up and your new found confidence might be unfounded. Like I said, there are a ton of variables.

 

don't forget, lean and stay over the bars or you will flip have fun be safe[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

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