Hello everybody my name is andrew and im new to the forums and reletively new to the ATV world I have ridden them before jus never owned one before. I am only 17 and was just wondering wut you guys think of the yamaha Big Beatr 400. I am fortunate enough to own a use 2002 Yamaha Big Bear 400 4x4. It only has 400 hours on it. We paid 2600.00 dollars for it from a dealer who took it in on trade.

 

Some here may give what you got a thumbs up, others a thumbs down. The important thing is-YOU GOT A RIDE!. Check ebay for a repair manual, learn to fix things yourself, wear a helmet, ride with common sense; and enjoy yourself. That's what's important. Not 'how much money can I blow in order to squeeze out a few more HP, or go a little faster; and win a drag race'. SAVE your money, ENJOY what you have, learn to ride safely; and as you grow up, move up to a bigger machine that will have more performance than you EVER could have squeezed out of what you have.

Good Luck,

Hefty

 

The BigBear is a great atv tons of LOW END POWER it will last 4 ever and as hefty said save your money and enjoy what you have put money in it as it need's it JUST have FUN which im sure you will the bear is a great for mud due to it's supper low gearing..And welcome to the fourm's and good riding to ya..

 

Well thank you guys very much. Im currently attenting the local trade school for OPET ( Outdoor Power and Eqiupment Technolegies) Or small engines. Its greagt but I haven't really gotten into the Atv part of the course but when I do it needs a good tune-up. So as far as fixing it myself I think I have that handled. Thanks for the info and the tips .

 

Big bears are very good quads for trail riding especially. Just don't expect it to be a rocket like the sport quads as it is geared to low. I have a 99 350 2x4 and I love it for trail riding. I wish I had the 400 4x4.
I bought mine used also.
Next step will be a 700 Grizzly or similar.

 

Great machine, bulletproof! They've been making 'em for 20+ years for a reason!
Bought mine new in '02 and it has performed flawlessly. Get's me through everything and never breaks down. No trouble keeping with the big boys on tight trails and mud but you have to suck a little dust on the high speed roads/trails.
Besides regular fluid & filter changes all I've had to do was the wheel bearings and speedo cable (known to break after a while). I did a couple mods that paid off nice (got the pipe real cheap) but otherwise there isn't much performance gains to be had without spending more than it's worth. Save your money for something bigger down the road.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: Honeyduck96

Great machine, bulletproof! They've been making 'em for 20+ years for a reason!

Bought mine new in '02 and it has performed flawlessly. Get's me through everything and never breaks down. No trouble keeping with the big boys on tight trails and mud but you have to suck a little dust on the high speed roads/trails.

Besides regular fluid & filter changes all I've had to do was the wheel bearings and speedo cable (known to break after a while). I did a couple mods that paid off nice (got the pipe real cheap) but otherwise there isn't much performance gains to be had without spending more than it's worth. Save your money for something bigger down the road.</end quote></div>

Thanks for tellin' me that I was lookin at this http://www.atvoutfitters.net/performance_kits.htm .

But now I really dont want it to much. I still want to get a lift kit and some bigger tires for it.

Oh and forgot to ask wut kind of plug do i use? And wut do I gap it at? I really think it needs a new plug I dont know how long the other has been in there, so figured I might as well replace it.

 

plug is a NGK DR8EA, not sure of the gap right now.

That kit seems pretty cheap if it includes the slip-on pipe. Nothing wrong with putting a little money into the Bear. That should give it a nice boost in power and sound good to boot. For some of us, part of the fun of owning a quad is trying to improve it.I just wouldn't bother searching for more top speed, or doing any expensive motor work (port&polish, big bore, etc).
Big Bear will clear 27" tires without the lift kit. On a straight axle quad, the lift won't get you any real ground clearance, only fender clearance for bigger tires.

 

The first thing I got for my 2000 Big Bear was aftermarket footboards. The 2007 has full plastic footboards from the factory. Makes it much easier to throw the machine around in the mud, snow, and on hills. Plus you don't have to worry about having your foot slip/get knocked off & run over by the machine. Those of us "old enough" to remember 3-wheelers have all had that happen.

I could ride with any machine on the Big Bear. I totaled it out doing something I shouldn't. I tried to climb a hill that was just too steep. The machine rolled sideways 5 times & then end-over-end six more. The engine was still running when I got to the bottom.

Nice choice on a first machine!

 

Just recently rolled mine as well. Slow motion backflip on a long steep uphill.Tried to get past a 24" vertical section. It came over and landed on me (I didn't jump quite clear enough). My back bent the rack, but stopped the Bear from doing a 100' downhill cartwheel. I kinda like it without the front rack anyways.