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Author
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Topic: Hillclimbing ATV's
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sporterweight
Knows what it's all about
Member # 189
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posted May 28, 2003 07:01 PM
I'm thinking about getting an 4-wheeler.I'm sure a 4 wheel drive is the only way to go in the soft stuff.My question is how do you guy's think a 2x4 stacks up against a 4x4 on inclines?I really don't want a 600 lb machine that doesn't "look" like it will fit in a step-side truck.Something more nimble and light would be better in the woods.The biggest thing I'd be packing would be a coyote or a 4wheeler-less hunting buddy.I'm pretty much set on a Honda.So is there a big difference in climbing[steep] hills? 2x vs 4x?
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You got space invaders ?-No
You got pac-man ?-No
You got asteroids ?-No -but dad does -can hardly sit on the toilet somedays.
Posts: 91 | From: Meridian ,Idaho | Registered: Apr 2003
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WhiteMtnCur
Knows what it's all about
Member # 5
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posted May 28, 2003 07:39 PM
The Honda 2x4's are predominantly sport machines. Most are loud and not exactly what you want in a coyote hunting ATV.
The 4x4 Hondas will definitely do what you want them to when it comes to climbing, agility (Honda Rancher), etc.
Posts: 97 | From: Nevada | Registered: Jan 2003
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John/Alaska
Knows what it's all about
Member # 25
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posted May 29, 2003 07:31 AM
A 4 wheeler is safer then a 2 wheeler on steep inclines. Especially uneven ones. Not a good thing to flip one back It can sure spoil your day. Get one that can run in either 2 or 4 so that you can get better steering. The full time 4 whl drives kinda suck on that. Just my dime on it.
Posts: 62 | From: Tok Alaska | Registered: Jan 2003
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Krustyklimber
prefers the bunny hugger pronunciation: ky o tee
Member # 72
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posted May 29, 2003 02:21 PM
Sporterweight
I will address your questions bit by bit.
How do I think a 2wd stacks up against 4wd on "steep inclines"... I think a good 2wd quad will blow away the best hunting/farm and quad! Hands down!
If you wanna "hillclimb" you go get a lightweight sport quad powered by a moto-cross engine!
But as John stated, a little too much throttle and you could easily "blow over" once forward momentum is lost... having been under the soft side (and the hard side) of my sport quad I can attest that rolling one onto yourself spoils your day but good!
I do agree that a giant heavyweight may not be the best option, but remember when 4-wheelin gravity is your friend, that weight means traction and stability. But, it means the machine will almost always have to go under its own power too... no grabbing the rear end and swinging it around the other way, no helping it over a rock or log.
I too am a dead-set Honda man, but there are a few machines which get "Honorary Honda" status... Yamaha's Wolverine (4x4 Sport-Quad) comes to mind but I don't know about it's usefulness as a hunting rig... you don't need to approach a stand at 50mph and airborne! LOL
I think the use of a big trail hippo is good for hunting, it causes you to ride in a more hunting like manner, which is easier on your body, your gear and gun, and anyone who might ride along with you. As well as provide you with racks and space to bring along the things you need for more extended forrays.
You might also think about using a small trailer to haul your quad (one with a tip bed is so nice) so that loading and unloading is much much easier, and most trucks can tow three times what they can carry, and you can then carry one and haul one (if you should hunt with a partner who had one).
Few quads are over 48" wide, and few fullsize truck beds are narrower than that between the wheel wells (even stepsides) so one should fit in your truck.
I hope this helps,
Jeff 
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Think about how stupid the average person is, then realize that half of them are stupider than that!
Posts: 1912 | From: Deep in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia | Registered: Jan 2003
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sporterweight
Knows what it's all about
Member # 189
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posted May 31, 2003 03:32 PM
Thanks for the ATV input,I think the little 250 sport might be right for me.It weighs only 349lb. and should do all I need for easing around on.Maybe I can get one of those stealth exhaust systems for it.
I've got a cr 500[2-cycle] motocross bike that I've flipped over a"couple"of times.So my reflexes should be ok on a 250-4-stroke! ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif) I might have to gear it down a couple of teeth in the back so it will grunt up hills a little better.
I drive a Kawasaki mule at work it goes pretty good for a 2x4. Sporterweight
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You got space invaders ?-No
You got pac-man ?-No
You got asteroids ?-No -but dad does -can hardly sit on the toilet somedays.
Posts: 91 | From: Meridian ,Idaho | Registered: Apr 2003
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Lil'dawg
Knows what it's all about
Member # 165
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posted June 02, 2003 01:18 PM
Regardless of size a 4x4 is the only way to go. I've got one of the new Kodiac 450's with push button 4wd & diff. lock. It has gone up and down some pretty steep hills. It weighs 589 lbs and it's not to hard to move around and I'm a small person. As far as I'm concerned it's the best thing since sliced bread.
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GO DAWGS !!
Posts: 26 | From: Middleton, Idaho | Registered: Mar 2003
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onecoyote
Knows what it's all about
Member # 129
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posted June 08, 2003 02:33 PM
I always thought a 4x4 was a truck or a jeep or something like that? ATVs are now called 4x4s? Are they better to hunt predators with, do you get more animals? Where do you put all of them coyotes and bobcats you get? Wow how times change. I remember when we called it the outdoors, now they are calling it the outback? I remember when all we needed was a hand call and our rifle, now you got to buy the store to go hunting? lol. Good Hunting.
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Great minds discuss ideas.....Average minds discuss events.....Small minds discuss people.....Eleanor Roosevelt.
Posts: 893 | From: Walker Lake Nevada. | Registered: Feb 2003
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Jeb
PAKMAN
Member # 207
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posted June 10, 2003 07:23 PM
Hello Sporterweight,
I have a Yamaha BigBear 400 4x4 and it allows me to climb steeper hills without having to get up much speed. Now my son has a Yamaha beartracker 250 and it will go anywhere I've taken the Bigbear so it really all depends where and how you drive. Goodluck on your atv choice. Btw I'm new here, howdy folks !
Jeb
Posts: 2 | From: N.W. Georgia | Registered: Jun 2003
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sporterweight
Knows what it's all about
Member # 189
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posted June 11, 2003 05:42 PM
Hey Jeb,
Welcome -Glad you came over.You'll enjoy it here ,I know I do. -Cozy!!
I saw some small racks and hunting accessories for the sport models,although I might need a biggg rack "onecoyote".
That is basically what I'm getting at Jeb,wondering will a 2x4 just pull up a hill.
Yeah,Onecoyote times has changed-rangefinders,gps,remote callers,etc.I use to leave the house walking with a 22mag.and a dollar in my pocket for a mountain dew and snickers at the country store. ![[Wink]](wink.gif) Sporterweight
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You got space invaders ?-No
You got pac-man ?-No
You got asteroids ?-No -but dad does -can hardly sit on the toilet somedays.
Posts: 91 | From: Meridian ,Idaho | Registered: Apr 2003
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Leonard
HMFIC
Member # 2
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posted June 11, 2003 05:49 PM
Welcome to the New Huntmasters, Jeb. Glad to have you on board. N.W Georgia, eh? Nice country, I spent a while stationed at Fort Gordon, near Augusta.
Good hunting. LB
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EL BEE Knows It All and Done It All.
Don't piss me off!
Posts: 32361 | From: Upland, CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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onecoyote
Knows what it's all about
Member # 129
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posted June 13, 2003 02:13 PM
Yeah Sporterweight, I've noticed. To be honest, I can get lost in todays world real easy. But hey....I still got both my 4x4s.....a Ford F150 and a Jeep I can hook-up behind my motorhome and go get lost lol, Good Hunting.
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Great minds discuss ideas.....Average minds discuss events.....Small minds discuss people.....Eleanor Roosevelt.
Posts: 893 | From: Walker Lake Nevada. | Registered: Feb 2003
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BillfMO
Knows what it's all about
Member # 192
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posted June 19, 2003 05:05 PM
I too am looking at buying my first 4X4. I was leaning to the 2X4 until I got to asking about getting aroung in snow. From what I've seen and heard on that makes me think I can only do with a 4X4 and am looking hard at the Polaris 400 Sportsman.
I have a new question I would like to bring up.
Have any of you used the Stealth Exhaust Systems for any lenght of time and do they cause any problem with engine back pressure? To me they sound like they could and that would be hard on the engine performance.
BILLfromMO
Posts: 24 | Registered: May 2003
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sporterweight
Knows what it's all about
Member # 189
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posted June 19, 2003 07:57 PM
Onecoyote,
Getting lost on purpose rules.Nothing like being way away from the rat-race!!
BillfMo,
A search on here will give you some opinions on the stealth exhaust.But I bet you'd have to get with the manufacture for technical stuff.
A friend has the 375 polaris and loves it due to the soft suspension,his wife has a 250 recon honda---night and day in the ride dept.!! Sporterweight
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You got space invaders ?-No
You got pac-man ?-No
You got asteroids ?-No -but dad does -can hardly sit on the toilet somedays.
Posts: 91 | From: Meridian ,Idaho | Registered: Apr 2003
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