I hadn't even considered a Wolverine until I spent an hour reading postings in this forum today!

I am getting back in the sport after a 13 year absence. I've been looking at Z400's (and clones), 4x4 Eigers, 4x4 Arctic Cat 400's with IRS and the Honda 400 EX. My brain is frying with all the choices!

I'm 6' and about 225 so I need something big enough to be comfortable but don't want something that weighs in at 600 lbs, either. I plan on trail riding with a little dune running thrown in a couple of times a year. Perhaps some snow, too. I also want to shift and either an automatic or manual clutch are fine. While there are lots of newer higher-tech sport bikes out there, the Z400 for example, I'm not opposed to old school reliable and cheap, either. Since I'm getting back into the sport I'm not too concerned about being the fastest at this point. Also, at age 48, I'm not really interested in becoming known as the old man wheelie king, either. I want a balanced bike that can serve multiple purposes. A couple of years down the road I may want to upgrade to something faster.

My latest want is a new leftover '03 Honda 400EX for $4,399. The price is right, aftermarket parts are pretty cheap and it is a reliable Honda. But it doesn't have reverse which is nice to have.

For $4,699 I can get a new '04 Wolverine. Low maintenance shaft drive! There seems to be lots of hop-up parts available for this bike, too. That's definately a plus. A Warn 424 is on the list of things to do if I purchase a Wolverine.

Any advice from you Wolveriner's out there? I'm especially interested in hearing from you guys that are about my size regarding the comfort aspect.

 

for $4,699 you can get a perfect condition warrior and load it up with extras or buy a new one..same motor as a wolverine...manual clutch..alot faster..and lighter...i got a 97 and love it.

 

Lets see what I can do to help. First, I am maybe 5 10 and weigh about 160. So youll have to ride one to see about the comfort issue. The wolverine is considered to be very reliable, though as you said, a bit outdated. The wolv is the lightest 4x4 on the market. It has a very sporty feel about it. It has minimal mud protection, and due to a kind of high first gear it is not a mud monster. That is, if you get in gumbo over the tires and you have aggressive tires or go up a tire size, expect to bog. Unless you are a hard core mudding enthusiast this is not a problem. The semi auto shifter is no problem to use. It has plenty of power for running trails. I must say that a Warn 424 should be bought and installed as soon as the quad makes it to your door. It makes the riding experience at least 100 percent better. I can not comment on its duning abilities. I will say its not really suitable for work tasks that feature long slow pulling aspects. The only case of a wolv overheating I have found is after a one hour slow grueling mountain climb. I have nothing bad to say about them. The comfort issue I hope you can find some answers on. Good luck.

 

""

 

TurboGuy,
as a fellow 'old man' (42) I can say, my Wolverine has served me well since I bought it new back in 95. It has been to both Silver Lake and Little Sahara dunes, and did very well (got some great video of gettting air off a small dune). In the winter, when riding with my buddies, I was the trail breaker, the sport quads counted on me to make a path through the deeper snow that left them spinning. Surprised a lot of them trail riding,sliding the corners and keeping up with the group. Even now, my son still has problems keeping up with me on his 300ex, with the new parts in the motor, it is running better than ever. Over the years, I have added stuff here and there, shocks, tires, wheels, and lately the 424 ( a must have ). Yes, there are faster, better handling quads out there, and big power monsters that can pull down a tree, but for all around fun, it is hard to beat a light, sporty 4x4 like the Wolverine. Just test ride all of the quads on your list,and pick the one that fits your needs the best, and you'll have fun no matter what you ride. Glad to have you back in the sport of ATV riding !!!

 

a wolverine is a GREAT all around bike.. not as fast as a Warrior, but can go more places [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

TruboGuy... I am 6'4" tall and 220 lbs. I ride a 95 wolverine as does 95wolv. I use mine to hit the trails hard as well as do many long, hard, strenuous climbs in the toughoust of jeep trails in Colorado. I used to have a warrior, and for me, it was a bit small.. knees bent too much while sitting. The wolverine fits just a tad better. As mine has many modifications to give it that extra umph and it was that way when I bought it, I am impressed with the stock version which a buddy of mine has. His is an '03 and it does just fine on the trails. Granted, I think it would have a bit of trouble where I ride in Colorado, but that isn't what he bought his for. Try and find someone who has one near you and give it a whirl... You can't tell if you like it by looking at it. LOL.

Glad to have you back in the sport.

Ride on (when you get one).

 

P.S. Just realized you are in Warren, maybe we can get together some time... drop me a pm.

 

Howdy,

I have a 97 Wolv - they are light, fun to ride, and can do about anything you will need to do. Pretty capable in the mud, fast on the trails, excellent flat jumpers .... all around a great bike to have. On those tight twisty trails you just can't beat 'em. I rode this summer a few days on those trails with a Z400, a Banshee, and a Raptor and was keeping up just fine. They were all impressed. Get the Warn 424, get some better meats, and you are good to go for years of fun trail riding like no other 4x4 can offer. If I had to do it all over again and could only have 1 ATV, another Wolv would be in my stable. I haven't seen another excel at so many different things. ~ Zack

 

I've got a 98 wolvy had it since it was new. I really like mine, no major complaints. The Warn 424 gives it a little sportier ride. I haven't had any major break downs at all. If there is a weak spot I would say the front wheel bearings would be it. Could use a way to grease them without dissassmbly. There are faster 4x4 machines out there but the Wolverine is a GREAT all around machine. The gearing is a little high so taller tires kinda add to this minor problem. I'm 5:11 245lbs and it fits me fine. I even double sometimes but she's just 110 lbs. The Wolvy does good even when hauling both of us. I had a Big Bear before I got the Wolvy and it was not nearly as good of a machine. The big bear may have had it beat for low speed heavy pulling and slow work conditions, but the Wolvy beats it at every thing else.