ATV Riding Weekend - 5 & 6 October

[ironpony]

Sorry I missed this! but with close to $100 million worth of horses @ PG Equestrian center and more than that in boats at the two shows .... I have to walk around and pick up the cash

[slsc98]

Originally Posted by Stoveman

A few of us are heading up to . . . blast off on ATVs for the weekend.

Hey, Stoveman, et al - pretty (VERY!) cool thread and you’ve succeeded at lighting a fire under me to “push up” my starting to shop for an atv / utv and I know absolutely zero, other than my priorities ...

I dove headfirst into jet skis with the same TOTAL LACK OF ANY KNOWLEDGE but, these priorities served me very well.

Q - What make / model is the most “bulletproof” as far as trans and engine?

Q - What make / model is the most “DIY-friendly” as far as basic, preventative maintenance (Fluid, Filter, hose and belt changes), etc?

Something else I’ve learned is, once I identify the mfr who offers the answers to the preceding priorities, it doesn’t make sense (economically or any other way) to try and save money by “buying in” at an “entry level,” only to get bored or what have you and wind up going through one or more machines before eventually investing in close to top of the line performance.

I say “close to” as, I am function over form and I am hoping you experienced riders can help me identify those options that are truly worthwhile (as opposed to the button-stitched leather seats a sporting clays acquaintance has on a, iirc, Polaris he recently acquired).

(The thing is drop dead gorgeous bit, when I started asking him about transaxle Fluid and filter changes he pointed way, way up under the chassis and said, “Oh, the h*ll with all that, I just take it back to the dealership (which I spell $tealer$hip!). And, he admitted he has to pass two dealerships with service depts that have reputations for doing more harm than “service” in order to get to the one trustworthy dealership Svc Dept he has found (- - in Tennessee!!!!!!)

I am kind of excited about getting into this (give us something to enjoy outdoors when it’s to cold to boat / jet ski - there is I believe a designated riding trails area not far from us in the Pisgah National Forest!) but, in order to ensure the all positive experiences we have had with jet skis, I intend to research this thing to death.

Any help you guys can provide in pointing me to the “bulletproof/DIY maintenance friendly” makes and models are most appreciated.

I do know I am probably not looking for a quad or single seater ... 2 seater will be fine ....(for now, he-he!)

[Biggfoot44]

And your first questions for yourself is to what extant your tastes are for Utility ( jeep- like) vs Sport ( motocross - like) .

[Stoveman]

Originally Posted by slsc98

Hey, Stoveman, et al - pretty (VERY!) cool thread and you’ve succeeded at lighting a fire under me to “push up” my starting to shop for an atv / utv and I know absolutely zero, other than my priorities ...

I dove headfirst into jet skis with the same TOTAL LACK OF ANY KNOWLEDGE but, these priorities served me very well.

Q - What make / model is the most “bulletproof” as far as trans and engine?

Q - What make / model is the most “DIY-friendly” as far as basic, preventative maintenance (Fluid, Filter, hose and belt changes), etc?

Something else I’ve learned is, once I identify the mfr who offers the answers to the preceding priorities, it doesn’t make sense (economically or any other way) to try and save money by “buying in” at an “entry level,” only to get bored or what have you and wind up going through one or more machines before eventually investing in close to top of the line performance.

I say “close to” as, I am function over form and I am hoping you experienced riders can help me identify those options that are truly worthwhile (as opposed to the button-stitched leather seats a sporting clays acquaintance has on a, iirc, Polaris he recently acquired).

(The thing is drop dead gorgeous bit, when I started asking him about transaxle Fluid and filter changes he pointed way, way up under the chassis and said, “Oh, the h*ll with all that, I just take it back to the dealership (which I spell $tealer$hip!). And, he admitted he has to pass two dealerships with service depts that have reputations for doing more harm than “service” in order to get to the one trustworthy dealership Svc Dept he has found (- - in Tennessee!!!!!!)

I am kind of excited about getting into this (give us something to enjoy outdoors when it’s to cold to boat / jet ski - there is I believe a designated riding trails area not far from us in the Pisgah National Forest!) but, in order to ensure the all positive experiences we have had with jet skis, I intend to research this thing to death.

Any help you guys can provide in pointing me to the “bulletproof/DIY maintenance friendly” makes and models are most appreciated.

I do know I am probably not looking for a quad or single seater ... 2 seater will be fine ....(for now, he-he!)

Certainly NOT an expert and can only comment on what I have experience with.

I have two Hondas a Suzuki and a Kawasaki ATVs and a Razr side by side and out of the bunch the Razr has seen the inside of a shop the least.

The Notorious AOB was with us on that trip and he is somewhat of a .gov certified expert so I will let him weigh in on the particulars.

[slsc98]

Originally Posted by Biggfoot44

And your first questions for yourself is to what extant your tastes are for Utility ( jeep- like) vs Sport ( motocross - like) .

Excellent point, thank you! No doubt about it, the “adult” in me realizes we will need the first one we buy to be a UTILITY. That is, #1 priority will be getting gas cans, marine gear, etc. up and down the hill to the dock (hard to find level lots on true mountain lakes — off trail “fun” in the backwoods will be secondary, fer sure so, thanks for reminding me to point this out!

Now, having said all that, the reason we have multiple jet skis now is because I quickly got bored with the 3-seater which was our first (and very wise) purchase (a Yamaha VXR, now called the GP1800r. It is as top of the line as you can get without going supercharged - as soon as you go supercharged your statistically opening the door to more problems beyond the average DIY-er :-(

So, I MOST DEFINITELY ALSO see me investing in something Sport / hell-bent motocross, a year after we get that first utility box checked off!

Originally Posted by Stoveman

I have two Hondas a Suzuki and a Kawasaki ATVs and a Razr side by side and out of the bunch the Razr has seen the inside of a shop the least.

This is EXTREMELY helpful - Thank YOU! (And yes, anxious to hear AIB weigh in, also!)

[squaregrouper]

My deer camp is just of Rt901 and Deep Creek Rd in Gordon/Hegins. It is a 15-20 minute drive away. I could probably arrange free "hunting camp" indoor lodging for 5-6 guys next time you go out.
ATV's for me and the landowner would likely seal the deal.

[slsc98]

Damn, there’s a reason I married this woman; the wife is weighing in is and reminding me:
“Buy just / only what we need to get up and down that hill when we’re both in our 70’s - YOU KNOW you’re gonna want to spend heavy on whatever Performance-level single seater you buy for yourself, the next year!”

[slsc98]

Originally Posted by squaregrouper

My deer camp is just of Rt901 and Deep Creek Rd in Gordon/Hegins.

Near Hickory, NC?

[squaregrouper]

Originally Posted by slsc98

Near Hickory, NC?

PA coal region, Schuylkill County, west of I-81.
Only thing I got for Hickory is that I built the filtration systems at The Catawba Science Center.

[slsc98]

Originally Posted by squaregrouper

Only thing I got for Hickory is that I built the filtration systems at The Catawba Science Center.

My bad. Hey! I remember that and we finally made it there, last month. What a massive install; and, pretty cool place (and we were a group of all adults!)

I don’t know how this place compares with the PA mountain which Stoveman, AOB and all the others hit in the OP but, it is figuratively a stones throw from where I am seated typing this. But, IT IS THE ONLY PUBLIC place within reasonable trailering distance so, unless I find someplace private to ride ... sort of a double edged sword ...
http://www.atvtrails.org/Carolina_AT...nmountain.html

The Admiral wisely counsels, “Get whatever you want to go up there and “catch air” (and she “may” get into this also) but, seriously, check off our need for a utility (carry 2 persons and cargo (fuel cans up/down steep, BRUSH COVERED hill and snow), FIRST - - please!”

I am getting kind of stoked and, years from now, I will be able to point my grandkids BACK TO THIS THREAD for lighting this fire

Thanks a LOT, Stoveman!!!!