| Click to Post a New Message!
Page [ 1 ] | | | | |
|
|
|
The Gold Wing of ATV s
Some of you may have followed my troubled journey into ATV land. There is a new chapter, but first a brief re-cap.
The RTV 900 didn't work out well. It is a good work place hauler... maybe none better.... but it is not a true off-road machine. With my altitudes(5000-9000 feet) and soil conditions it was underpowered and prone to get stuck.
Next I fooled around with a used Suzuki Samurai (now up for sale) but I just plain don't fit in some vehicles and the off road ride left something to be desired with my 50 something back.
Trust me when I tell you that if you shop in the 3XL tall section and wear size 14 tenny-runners, the Samurai is not your vehicle.
People have offered lots of input and the advise has been appreciated, but I have had a concept of what I wanted.
Basically I am not thrilled with carburetors(due to high altitude problems), air cooled engines(extreme heat environment), harsh rides, bias ply tires, drum brakes, drive belts, free wheeling drive trains, marketing hype and questionable quality.
It looks like Honda solved my problem this year. I picked up a 2006 Rincon last Friday.
It has a(new for '06) 675cc fuel injected, liquid cooled, gasoline engine with electric starting. The ride is supreme with 4 wheel independent suspension, disc brakes all around and standard low pressure radial tires.
Believe it or not, it has a scaled-down, automotive-style, 3 speed automatic transmission complete with torque converter and oil cooler, plus it is set-up to use engine braking to help control downhill descents.
No drive belts here: you get a transfer case and drive shafts to front and rear wheels and limited slip axles on both ends. It has a 500 pound weight capacity on the machine and will tow 800 pounds on the rear hitch.
And need I add Honda quality?
Let the long term test begin.............
|
|
 Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
| |
|
The Gold Wing of ATV s
What? No cab? How are you gonna keep the sun off your noggin?
|
|
Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
| |
|
The Gold Wing of ATV s
I got a "cab" for $49.95, it's called a helmet. And yes...it fits!
|
|
Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
| |
|
The Gold Wing of ATV s
Did you have the helmet custom made?  ! I take "extra large water melon head". ;O) I have a similar problem with my clod hoppers on the peddles to at 15EE.
That belt drive is what was holding me back from the Polaris Ranger XP. You got a real nice ATV Mark. Be sure to post some pics and any mods you make.
|
|
Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
| |
|
The Gold Wing of ATV s
Interesting choice DR, I have been mulling over the kawasaki mule vs honda foreman/polaris sportsman, hawkeye to get up on my "landlocked" mountain land left to me by my father. It was part of a farm he and my grandfather owned. I question whether the mule could really get me as far into the woods as an ATV. Right now the only trails up there are used by ATVs.
I have to balance that with the fact that my wife would like to get into the woods also and doesn't like the idea of riding on the back of an ATV. I probably won't buy either as I probably won't get the use (time is more the issue) out of them to justify the $$.
|
|
Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
| |
|
The Gold Wing of ATV s
Good choice DR, I've been running Honda's for 22-yrs now and wouldn't run anything else.
David
|
|
Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
| |
|
The Gold Wing of ATV s
Hey, DRankin, I have read about your travails with ATVs with interest.
Tell me more about your experience with Suzuki Samurais.
You can buy these in working order for only a couple $K.
The new Honda Rincon must have run well over $10K. I am
sure it is a sweet machine.
I have considered buying one of the later Suzukis (Trackers)
with EFI and removing the body to get an off-road ATV with
side-by-side seating and (like you wanted) a real automatic
tranny. Maybe even a hydraulic dump bed.
|
|
Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
| |
|
The Gold Wing of ATV s
Actually the Rincon was $7600 before taxes at a dealer in Sonora, CA.
I didn't get too far with the Samurai project so other than a new bumper and remounting the seat it is pretty much stock.
Have you surfed the net to find all the stuff available for the Suzuki's? It is pretty amazing.
If you wanted to stick with a manual tranny you can have my Samurai cheap.... I will even deliver, but not today! I don't think there is a road open between us!
|
|
Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
| |
|
The Gold Wing of ATV s
Are you in the Reno area?
There are many of these vehicles on Craigs list in the SF bay area, where I am. I was hoping for an EFI automatic Tracker or Sidekick, rolled over. And....one I did not have to drive too far to pick up. All the ones under $1000 I wanted so far have been farther away than I wanted to drive.
What do you want for your Sammy?
|
|
Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
| |
|
The Gold Wing of ATV s
Yes.... Reno area.
If I put it in the paper I would start at $1500 knowing I would net $1400 or less after paying for the ad.
|
|
Add Photo
Bookmarks: |
|
| |
|
Page [ 1 ] | | | | |
Thread 122132 Filter by Poster:
5 | 2 | 9 | 3 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
|
()
Picture of the Day
candoarms
Unanswered Questions
Active Subjects
Hot Topics
Featured Suppliers
|
Gas Generator Weather Protecti
01-02-2006, 07:51 
Digg It 
Del.icio.us 
