I've been thinking about getting a big bear 400 as an upgrade from my little Yamaha bruin 250 2WD I live on a big farm and I tow stuff with my atv and from what I've read the big bear is a workhorse I also like to ride trails I don't go through a lot of mud but lots of sand and water from creeks things I would like to know dose it ride good? Top speed ? How many miles can I expect to get out of it ? What should I look for when buying one ? Thanks

 

Meant to be the anvil of the atv world. Simple, tough, and durable. A relatively safe bet if you find a well maintained unit. Top speed is kind of low, ride may be a bit rougher than the flagship models.

 

I know a couple friends who had them, rock solid machines. Great trail quads, lots of low end torque. Not so fast on top end, around 45 mph so if you want to go fast, it will be a little disappointing. Your bruin will probably outrun it. But on slower speed trails and for work, it is a great choice. The diff-lock is a great feature too.

 

These reports should cheer you up. Vehicle Reviews for 2005 Yamaha Big Bear 400 4X4 my 1989 350 Big bear is still running.

 

I don't think any of us were knocking the Big Bear. Its a solid, hard working machine. Its just not very fast on top end. I think its due more to gearing more than engine power though, its geared low for work. The 2wd Big Bear models were a lot faster, they would run 55 mph. Its relatively compact size make it a great trail quad too. At 556 lbs dry weight, its one of the lightest 4x4 utility quads ever built. There are some big-bore quads that weigh 200 lbs more, some even more than that. A Polaris Sportsman 1000 weighs 822 lbs.

 

When I was shopping for a used Yamaha ATV in 2007, I had a choice between a liquid-cooled Kodiak with an automatic and an air-cooled Big Bear with a manual. The Yamaha salesman gave me the impression that the Big Bear would soon be considered obsolete. I'd have bought a Big Bear but I didn't want to be shifting all the time and I didn't want someone else driving it in too high or too low a gear.

Lo and behold, the Big Bear remained in production through 2012. Well, I guess they are collectibles now.

 

I have a 94 big bear 4x4 and its a work horse been thru hell and back and is always reliable and ready to get the job done . plain and simple one of the toughest quads I have ever owned

 

As far as the Big Bear being a tough and strong quad...I have an 03 400 and I have used it to pull 300-500 lb trees off my property for years, has NEVER LET ME DOWN! As to top speed, I upgraded to larger mud tires and it will still hit 50 on the speedo on the highway. Granted, it's a lil rough going that fast on the highway with those big lug tires but it'll go as fast as any sane adult would like to go. Pulls like it's name...a bear.

 

Need help big bear 400
I have a Yamaha big bear 400 4x4 it's 2000s model.
it was running perfect then one day was riding and went to start it back up and CDI box started smoking, I replaced the stator, coil, Handle for start button, relay solenoid and CharinG box. AND CDI BOX.. And still can't get my starter button to work. And no fire to my plug.
HELP!!!

 

Check the fuse(s). Check the earth leads both on frame and engine. If you are good at testing electrics, get the wiring diagram and start testing circuits. If you are not good at electrics, take it to a quad or motorcycle mechanic who is. Throwing parts at a problem doesn't always work and ends up expensive, as you have found.