Hi all just picked up a 1999 bear tracker 250 for 600 dollars, I think I got a deal??? A few questions for all you experts, Is there anything I should be looking for on this unit as a problem area or any known problems?

Was wondering on the clutch and how it works, it is a 5 speed automatic clutch. How does the clutch work as far as engagement goes?? It is not like a car were you better be on the gas after it is in gear or it will die. This thing will idle in 1st gear and not even roll ahead, why is this????? I know it is working right though, just wondering why?? How slow can you go in 1st gear? Just barly moving?>

Were should I look for a used rear fender, non on Ebay now???? (green)

Thanks!

 

Anyone??

 

The Beartracker is a good entry level quad, I had a Timberwolf which was the predecessor to the Beartracker, overall very similar machines. The automatic clutch is actually a system of two clutches. There is a centrifugal clutch that allows the quad to idle in gear, it does not begin to engage until the engine RPMs are above idle. There is also a multiplate clutch which is similar to what you would find in a manual clutch quad, this clutch is released whenever the shifter is either upshifted or downshifted.

 

Thanks for the clutch info, so is it good on it to drive very very slow in 1st gear (barly moving)??

 

It won't hurt anything to crawl along in 1st gear.

 

Thanks for the info. I am just running 10w-30 non synthetic in the engine, I see that is what the owners manual calls for but should I go a bit thicker?

 

10w-30 oil is fine. If you plan to work the quad hard you may want to switch to either a 10w-40 or 15w-40. A good 15w-40 would be Shell Rotella T, it is cheap, easy to find and works well. I personally use Shell Rotella T Synthetic 5w-40 in my Wolverine because I ride rather aggressively and ride during the winter so it a good year round choice.

 

your beartracker is functioning completely normal. that is how manual transmission auto clutch atv's work. they can idle while in any gear, and as soon as you give them some gas, they move.