I've been riding the trails around Derry, NH since I was 15. I'm 25 now, and I've NEVER seen anyone with more than 1,000 miles on their machines. I've seen other Big Bears and they were in the low hundreds. Right now, I have a 2006 Big Bear (red) with 130 miles on it (2.3 when I took it home); I picked it up 2 weeks ago. But my question refers to my previous machine.

Brand new, I bought a 2002 Yamaha Big Bear 400 4x4. 0.5 miles when I took it home. I really beat this machine up. I changed the diff fluid at the dealer maybe twice in 3 years, the air filter and oil filter once (although when I did oil changes I cleaned them out), and I NEVER replaced the spark plug (or tires for that matter). I never once had a valve adjustment either.

I redlined the engine alot, hit rocks while riding, sunk it THREE times (got it running after being dragged in gear for a mile ish; this happened each time) And my oil was white after so I had to flush it. Basically the only maintenence I DID do on the machine were oil changes. Sadly, after about 3,000 miles of a small "knocking/whirring" type noise, the cylindar cracked and that was the end of it. Sold the body for $950, and someone drove up from Kentucky to pay $1,050 to the guy I sold it to for the machine in pieces.

When My 2002 Big Bear died, the odometer said 9,180 miles. I was SO CLOSE to my goal of 10,000!!!

All of the abuse my old Big Bear took is the reason I bought a new one. On the old one, every 4,000 miles I had to replace the speedometer cable, I did 1, maybe 2 front brake jobs, had to replace the wheel spindels at 4,500 miles and had to replace the rear shock after 6,000 miles. But the transmission and 4x4 system worked PERFECT the entire time. And since 1st and 2nd gear are so small, I started out in 3rd gear unless I was hilllclimbing. (it had an automatic clutch) The clutch needed NOTHING the entire time. Never wore out or had to be adjusted. Never blew fuses, but I had to put new headlights on it. The bulbs kept burning out. All in all, it was the best ATV!

Obviously I'll take better care of my new machine; I already have diff fluid for changes, air filter oil, etc. Look forward to seeing any pics of odometers too! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

I have had my 700FI for 5 months and just turned 3000 miles. I take good care of it and do all required maintenance.

I would be happy with 50,000 miles.

Best Regards[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

Forgot to mention. I have a friend that has an 660 Grizzly with over 12,000 miles.

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

 

You people are insane. I got my Wolvy last year around this time maybe a in june.....anyway, I have only put on 300 miles in a year. Which kinda sucks.....I know. But when I have to drive over an hour either way to go play....a full days riding for me is like 5hrs. About eachtime we go out its only for like 30-40 miles at a time. But I guess when the time comes to get a new one.....like next year maybe.....I guess it might be worth more money.....Next year this time, I will hopefully be getting a Raptor 700 for dirt cheap...

 

Big Bears are bullet proof machines. I only have around 2500 miles on mine, but no issues so far. Just oil and the speedo cable.
Just a thought - how many times did your speedo cable go? How much riding did you do before replacing it each time? Maybe you really did get over 10,000!
If Yamaha gave the Bear another 100cc and a 6th gear I would buy it again in a heartbeat

 

I thought of that, but I never went more than 50-75 miles each time the cable broke. I believe it broke like clockwork once around 4k miles and once around 8k. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

My grandpa's 300 fourtrax has 28000 kms on it, and he had the quad a year before he got the odometer for it. (crazy old farmer) he rides a couple hrs every day checking the cows.

 

1993 fourtrax 400 4x4. 10,000+ miles, and still running strong.....................

 

I had a 2005 Big Bear and put 4450 miles on it with out any problems.

I have a 2007 700 FI for 6 months now and have 3625 miles on it.

I plan to keep the 700 for awhile and could possible go 35,000 miles. Why not?

What can stop it? What would wear out that could not be replaced?If something breaks, I will fix it. The worst thing would be the tranny gears. Mostly anything else could just be replaced.

I ride the Arizona deserts and get out a couple times a week.

I am an old retired engineer.


Best regards

 

"If Yamaha gave the Bear another 100cc and a 6th gear I would buy it again in a heartbeat"

The Big Bear really could use a 6th gear. When I'm in 5 I always feel like I need to shift on more time!

I have a 2003 Big Bear 400 4x4 with 7900 miles on it. The CDI box just went out on it. That is the only major problem it has ever had. It was owned by the railroad and was used daily by my father to ride out and check on train cars in the train yard.

I also have a 2001 Big Bear 4x2 that has the same history, but it doesn't have a speedo on it. being two years older, I woud guess it has around 10-12 thousand on it.

I think it is part luck, part how they are driven and part how they ar4e maintained.
I have an 87 jeep cherokee with over 200k on it and it still runs good and looks nice, but I have seen others with a blown engine at 90k and looked like crap.