Are the Grizzly's Mud/Water capabilities really that bad?!
 

I have been considering buying a Grizzly for some time now. I have ridden bikes and quads for 20 yrs but have never owned a 4X4. My friend has a 2000 Polaris Sportsman and has never had a problem with it. I have ridden it thru deep water and mud and never had any troubles. I have owned a lot of Yamahas and Hondas but am not partial to any brand. My question is this......for those of you with Grizzly's that have not experienced any sputtering problems while going thru water, how does the machine perform. I really like the Grizzly but now I getting a little nervous about buying one because I've heard a lot of negative things about performance in the mud and water- If I'm going to spend 6000+ for a quad it better #?%ing perfom!

Are the Grizzly's Mud/Water capabilities really that bad?!
 

for every rider you hear that has a problem with a Grizz, there are 100 more that haven't had the problem. It's just that the people with problems are more vocal about it

I have had NO problems with my 02 Grizz, except once I went in a hole in a pond and got water in the belt housing. No biggie, pull the drain, let the water run out, limp home, let it dry, good as new the next day

Never overheated, never sputtered... nothing

the best all around big bore out there. IMO, the Polaris is better for pure mud, but not a better all around bike.

Get the 04 Grizz

Are the Grizzly's Mud/Water capabilities really that bad?!
 

Thanks for the info Kraw. Any reason why the Polaris is a better mudder? (tires, ground clearance, heavier weight?)

Are the Grizzly's Mud/Water capabilities really that bad?!
 

well, it's really more of an opinion. I think they are better cause they are bigger, ie, taller. And highlifter makes some big lifts for them. Most of the monster quads I have seen are Polaris with 28" Outlaws. Check out www.climbatv.com picture section. They have some MONSTER bikes up there (I used to live up there [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] )

Are the Grizzly's Mud/Water capabilities really that bad?!
 

When you are in the water deep enough to drown a grizzly , 3/4's of the other bikes won't be with you. The height of the grizzly intakes etc. are a lot higher off the ground than most 400's and 500's. man I've been in deep water with my kodiak 400. but it can't compare to my new grizz.

Are the Grizzly's Mud/Water capabilities really that bad?!
 

I have been through many mud holes (and have been pulled out of a few). Some have been deep enough to have water nearly to the bottom of my seat. I have never experienced a problem with sputtering. My ’02 model Grizzly has a built-in rev limiter for reverse and front diff-lock mode, plus when switching to diff lock mode you must be completely stopped otherwise the engine will not run properly (regular 4WD mode can be engaged / disengaged while you are moving if desired). Perhaps some of the sputtering that some have encountered or witnessed was in reality the machine being held back by these rev limiters.

I believe the newest models have override buttons for at least the reverse. I have seen specifications posted on the forums to make your own override switches for both the reverse and diff lock rev limiters.

Also when comparing mudding capabilities with Polaris models, the Polaris factory has been equipping their machines with better stock tires than what comes standard on most other brands. Put the same kind of tires on each ATV and the results are more even. A stock Polaris will sometimes have an advantage over a similarly equipped Grizzly simply because of it’s extra weight (especially when towing something). Depending on the kind of mud hole, extra weight may be an advantage or a disadvantage.

Other things to be aware of, I’ve heard that ’03 Grizzlies have had a case of chronic u-joint failures (they had changed suppliers for that model year only). Also if they are ridden very slow for extended periods of time some have had over-heating issues involving boiling gas (also causing a temporary sputtering condition). There have also been fixes posted for this on the forums. This particular problem has not been an issue with me at all for normal trail riding (only when pulling a 628 lb. mower for hours at a time at speeds averaging around 3 mph)…

Are the Grizzly's Mud/Water capabilities really that bad?!
 

2TV, how slow do you have to be going to swich in and out of limited slip 4X4 on the Grizzly? BTW thanx for the info.

Are the Grizzly's Mud/Water capabilities really that bad?!
 

Hi Rackman,

Not to change the subject or anything but I'm interested in a 2004 Yamaha Grizzly 660 LE and interested in installing the ITP C-Series wheels.

Would you happen to have any pictures of your machine? I would like to see what it looks like with the wheels on it?

Thanks,

IronBear..[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

P.S. InsaneApe, I heard nothing but good things about the Grizzly. There are several guys in the club who own them and swear by them!

Are the Grizzly's Mud/Water capabilities really that bad?!
 

InsaneApe, I’d say every time I’ve switched into 4WD (the red button) while moving I was doing less than 15 mph, and I am coasting when I do it (slowing down because of a situation ahead, thumb comes off the throttle and moves up to press the red 4WD button) then ease back on the throttle. Then by this time 4wd has engaged (indicator is present on the display) and you can go full bore if desired. Same with disengaging, just move your thumb off the throttle, press the red button, then move back to the throttle.

The owners manual actually advises against engaging / disengaging 4wd while in motion because it can have a sudden effect on the way the machine handles (i.e. traction control) and I assume this was a CYA statement for legal reasons. Mechanically it seems to work just fine. Just don’t try to engage diff lock (the yellow button) while you are moving. You must be completely stopped to engage that one from my experience.

Are the Grizzly's Mud/Water capabilities really that bad?!
 

Iron Bear. If you would like to see the LE with rims email me your email address.
gheins@sympatico.ca

Insane Ape , I've switched into 4x4 at a lot faster speeds . just make sure yor front and rear tires are going the same speed. do not switch to 4x4 while spinning or when turning corners.