Automatic ATVs

Will_C · Oct 28, 2003

I am looking at buying an ATV, and boy have they changed since I bought my last one in 1993. It seems that many of the models I am looking at have an automatic ,belt driven transmission. It reminds of the snowmobiles I rode 25 years ago. Do any of you have any of these quads? Are they reliable? And finally, what is the advantage over the gear shift transmissions? I have a hydrostatic tractor, and would not have any other type, but am I missing what the advantage of a auto tranny on a quad would be?
Also, if any one has advice or recommendations on a machine in the 5-6,000 dollar range, with 4wd, sound off /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Will

jamieac · Oct 28, 2003

Hello, i have had 4 different automatic atv since 95, 2 polaris explorer 400 and 2 polaris 4x4 scrambler 400. I wouldnt buy an atv without the automatic cluch!! Makes trail riding much more enjoyable because its not the constant shifting that i used to do with the gear driven ones. I love the polaris's and wouldnt buy any other atv.I would buy a 400 2 stroke polaris for you money i dont think it can be beat.

MF1455v · Oct 29, 2003

I have a '99 Yamaha Grizzly. It is a 4x4 with the automatic. I love it! I have only done the normal maintance on the quad. Have yet to buy a part for it. I used it with a Swisher ATV mower to mow 3 acres just after building our house. Had bare patchs along with places that had a lot of grass. With the auto was able to speed up and slow down making the job a lot faster. I now have more land and use it with a spot sprayer to spray the fence rows, etc. with roundup. Can use one hand to drive and other to spot spray on the run. I cound not imagine doing the jobs I do and have to change gears.

I have had other quads, this is by far the easiest to handle and operate.

thcri · Oct 29, 2003

I had a Polaris Sportsman 500 with automatic. Loved it but had lots of troubles with the belts and the clutch. In 800 miles I went through 3 belts and one clutch and when I was told I needed another clutch I said enough was enough and the dealer gave me a great deal on a Sportsman 700 twin 2002.

I think the reason I had so much trouble with the 500 was a friend of mine took mine out for a ride and didn't take the brake off. When he came back he told me couldn't get it to go in high and barely in low. The thing stunk like hot belt when he came back. Anyway my 700 has over 1400 miles and is running great. I would never go to a standard or electric transmission. The belts seem to handle things so much better.

murph

hillslider · Oct 29, 2003

I have a Polaris 325 2X4. This ATV has been great. Plenty of power and comfort. It is also an auto using a belt setup. I love the automatic. When you are going up a steep hill and realy working her you can just pour on the power and you never bog down the engine. You dont have to let up while changing gears and loose your momentum. If you are a bigger person I would stay with the polaris namebrand. These ATV's are larger....bigger seat and foot boards.

1bush2hog · Oct 29, 2003

Will,

There are some really nice machines out there now. You didn't mention what your primary use will be for your new ATV. This would help us give you more details.

I personally have a 2002 Yamaha 660 Grizzly. I compared it to the Polaris 700 and the Kawasaki also before I bought. All of these are great machines. The Polaris is more for work, while the Grizz and Kaw are a little more sporty.

All have enough power to satisfy the fun element in most sane people.

Honda also has a new 650 out, but I am not familiar with it, but Honda has a great reliability record on most of their machines.

The automatics are great, but sometimes the belts get wet and slip a little if you submerge them in deep enough water.

There is a great forum for atv's, if you would like send me a PM and I will email you that info. There are also some great mag articles that compare the diff models for you.

Best advice I can give you is decide what you want to use it for, and then do your homework. You may also want to consider independent suspension vs solid axle, 2 stroke vs 4, towing capacity, reliability, and service/parts prices, before you buy.

I love my Grizz, cause I refuse to grow up! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Adirondaks · Oct 29, 2003

Go to http://atvnation.infopop.cc/6/ubb.x
Lots of opinions and info on all ATV's. I have a Polaris 500HO Sportsman. I love the automatic, it uses the same system invented by Polaris 50 years ago. Riders with gears are always going too fast and have to down shift or going too slow and have to up shift when riding. I belong to an active club we ride weekly. I have seen quite a few different brands. Just like your CUT you need to test ride and decide what you want it for, and pick a dealer with a good rep.

BarryNeedham · Oct 29, 2003

We have a couple of Polaris Sportsman 500’s and we are VERY happy with them. They get about daily use here at the ranch – probably 300-400 hours a year of operation on each of them.

We use them for everything from hauling building material and feed, to running down to the post office, hunting, camping and just general fun. These machines have been 100% reliable for the 3 years we have had them – nothing has been required but standard maintenance.

The automatic transmission is a major improvement over the manual models we have used in the past. It’s just like the hydro on the tractor – you can think anout what you are doing and not worry about running the machine.

One word of warning, you can take these ATVs places where you can’t get a horse. That is because the horse has more sense!

Will_C · Oct 29, 2003

Thanks for all the responses! I will use the quad for some trail riding, hunting, and I might let it take some duties away from the BX (trailer towing, lawn rolling,) but nothing too heavy duty. I guess I would say that I am looking for an all around machine- part toy, part truck, part tractor.
I have owned quads before, so I am not a rookie, it just seems overwhelming with all the models out there. It is good to know that you have had good experiences with the belt drive. It now becomes shopping time /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif I just like to know a little bit before I start talking to dealers.
Will