Anybody know 4 wheelers: ATV's? That has....

[mikehaugen]

I would imagine it's also lighter

 

[dfkrug]

It really puzzles me that Honda and few others like Kubota's sxs are the only ones that can
make an auto tranny without a belt.

...and Kubota has recently offered an entry-level RTV with a CVT drive, instead of the HSTs on all the other RTVs.
Cheaper to make.

Belt-type CVTs have proven themselves over the last 50+ years....there was recently even a tractor (CNH 8N) that
used it. And Nissan proved you could even use CVT with high hp (>250), but not using belts.

 

[DK35vince]

...and Kubota has recently offered an entry-level RTV with a CVT drive, instead of the HSTs on all the other RTVs.
Cheaper to make.

Belt-type CVTs have proven themselves over the last 50+ years....there was recently even a tractor (CNH 8N) that
used it. And Nissan proved you could even use CVT with high hp (>250), but not using belts.

I've been running the CVT belt type on snowmobiles for nearly 40 years.
I have the CVT on my ATV. Love it.
Here is my current sled

 

[rmk700]

I've been running the CVT belt type on snowmobiles for nearly 40 years.
I have the CVT on my ATV. Love it.
Here is my current sled

Me too ( a rmk700), and have indeed changed my share of belts. For snowmobiles there is really no other option other than CVT.

After riding a Rubicon with hi/ low, full auto, manual shift option, very smooth, quiet and unbelievable engine braking. There is just no way I could get a noisy CVT in a ATV.

 

[dfkrug]

I've been running the CVT belt type on snowmobiles for nearly 40 years.

We can probably thank Polaris and BRP for getting CVTs "sorted out" for ATV & scooter use.

Never got a chance to ride/drive a snowmobile, even when they were being used on the highways back in MI during the infamous winter of '78, when that was all that could get around for a few weeks.

I have now owned over 25 ATVs, and all major brands except Can-Am/BRP. I don't really have a favorite brand. Just sold our Polaris CVT, and mostly use a 96 Honda 300 4x4 semi-auto.

Some reflections, if anyone cares:

I DO like how Honda is consistent about always putting the reverse/pkg brake on the left handle.

"Sealed" drum brakes are a disaster in my experience....they only seal the water inside. Otherwise, they stop nearly as well as discs, if you are not racing. But discs seem cheaper to make, so all quads should have them, F & R.

All the trannies have pros and cons, but I still love a hand clutch manual. Newbies, and reluctant users (like my wife) should always start with full-autos, IMO.

I like a chain final drive, so I can screw around with the final drive ratio. Can't do that with a shaft drive. Does not apply to 4x4.

It disturbs me a little that some makers have moved to OHV engines from OHC. And no oil filters? Both seem retrograde. (e.g. Honda TRX250 Recon).

As with pickup trucks, 4x4 is overrated, and most folks don't need it. Adds weight and cost, and worsens the ride. 4x2 with super-low 1st will go most places.

Weight is your friend with tractors, and if you want to use your ATV as a tractor (plowing, towing, skidding, etc.). If you don't, a light quad is preferable for most utility duties. A 250cc 2WD 475# quad is more nimble and economical than a 700# 800cc 4x4.

A sport quad with 10" of suspension travel is going to ride much better than a utility quad with 5". Some even have auto and semi-auto trannies now. Nowadays, all have reverse, too. (Not the racers.) You can buy a sport quad for half its new cost within a year or 2 of its purchase new. They are seen as toys, not tools.

New on the block is Kymco, with its own US dealer network. They seem well made, and parts are available. Check out the '14 Kymco MXU 500i. It may just give the Sportsmans and Foremans a run for the money. They also make SxS units.

 

[WilliamBos]

...and Kubota has recently offered an entry-level RTV with a CVT drive, instead of the HSTs on all the other RTVs. Cheaper to make. Belt-type CVTs have proven themselves over the last 50+ years....there was recently even a tractor (CNH 8N) that used it. And Nissan proved you could even use CVT with high hp (>250), but not using belts.

NONE Of the tractor cvt/ivt use belts. The best one of the bunch, the one that started it all, the Fendt Vario does not have clutch packs, where as the competition does use them.

 

[WilliamBos]

We can probably thank Polaris and BRP for getting CVTs "sorted out" for ATV & scooter use. Never got a chance to ride/drive a snowmobile, even when they were being used on the highways back in MI during the infamous winter of '78, when that was all that could get around for a few weeks. I have now owned over 25 ATVs, and all major brands except Can-Am/BRP. I don't really have a favorite brand. Just sold our Polaris CVT, and mostly use a 96 Honda 300 4x4 semi-auto. Some reflections, if anyone cares: I DO like how Honda is consistent about always putting the reverse/pkg brake on the left handle. "Sealed" drum brakes are a disaster in my experience....they only seal the water inside. Otherwise, they stop nearly as well as discs, if you are not racing. But discs seem cheaper to make, so all quads should have them, F & R. All the trannies have pros and cons, but I still love a hand clutch manual. Newbies, and reluctant users (like my wife) should always start with full-autos, IMO. I like a chain final drive, so I can screw around with the final drive ratio. Can't do that with a shaft drive. Does not apply to 4x4. It disturbs me a little that some makers have moved to OHV engines from OHC. And no oil filters? Both seem retrograde. (e.g. Honda TRX250 Recon). As with pickup trucks, 4x4 is overrated, and most folks don't need it. Adds weight and cost, and worsens the ride. 4x2 with super-low 1st will go most places. Weight is your friend with tractors, and if you want to use your ATV as a tractor (plowing, towing, skidding, etc.). If you don't, a light quad is preferable for most utility duties. A 250cc 2WD 475# quad is more nimble and economical than a 700# 800cc 4x4. A sport quad with 10" of suspension travel is going to ride much better than a utility quad with 5". Some even have auto and semi-auto trannies now. Nowadays, all have reverse, too. (Not the racers.) You can buy a sport quad for half its new cost within a year or 2 of its purchase new. They are seen as toys, not tools. New on the block is Kymco, with its own US dealer network. They seem well made, and parts are available. Check out the '14 Kymco Maxxer 500i. It may just give the Sportsmans and Foremans a run for the money. They also make SxS units.

4wd is over rated??? LOL ! I ho places in my 4wd truck that no 2 wd truck will go! Same with my Polaris. 4wd is far from over rated! And todes just as smooth as a 2 wd truck.

 

[dfkrug]

4wd is over rated??? LOL ! I ho places in my 4wd truck that no 2 wd truck will go! Same with my Polaris. 4wd is far from over rated!

Yes! I would say that most 4x4 quads and pickups never make use of their 4WD capabilities. Indeed, in
the US, most pickup trucks rarely, if ever, go off the road or in the snow. (Or carry a load for that matter.)

I did not say 4x4 did not work, or was not necessary in some cases. I use them (4x4 ATVs and PUs).

 

[DK35vince]

4wd is over rated??? LOL ! I ho places in my 4wd truck that no 2 wd truck will go! Same with my Polaris. 4wd is far from over rated! And todes just as smooth as a 2 wd truck.

I agree.
I would never own a 2 WD truck. NEVER.
I use the 4WD on my ATV often.
My last ATV years ago was a sport quad with a 6 speed transmission (Honda TRX 250 R). Nice machine.
I've outgrown sport quads, (getting to old). The 4x4 sport/utility ATV's are perfect for the type of trail riding I do now. And with my 750cc V twin and CVT tranny I still have plenty of speed/power.

 

[ddb123]

I agree with dfkrug that 4x4 is overrated. That is not the same as saying that it is no good. It is just that a lot of my peers tend to think that anything that doesn't have 4wd is a POS. My little 2wd atv is ridiculous fun and will go anywhere on my property. I have never owned a 4x4 vehicle (unless you count my tractor) and have never been stuck, nor backed down from any conditions.