Looking to get my first Argo

[Rj1]

I've had ATV'S most of my life , me and my family go ridding a lot I have 1 Polaris RZR XP 1000 1 Polaris Ace 900 2 Suzuki 750 King Quads and 1 Honda Odyssey FL250 and a Honda Odyssey FL350. I was wounded a couple of years ago in Afghanistan I lost my lower left leg and my right leg is screwed up so I use the ACE. Most times I ride but the foot pedals are hard to use sometimes. The Odyssey's aren't AWD and you need that on the trails we ride. Not long ago I ran into a guy on the trails and he was in a Argo Frontier 600 6x6 with tracks. It looked like a blast he said there not that fast and it's kinda a rough ride but he never gets stuck and it floats. Now I want to get one but I have a few questions. Like how fast are they and is the ride really that rough. How are they to maintain do they brake down easy. How are they without tracks or are they a lot better with tracks.. Are they worth the money I love how there all hand control which would be great for me because of my legs. If someone here could give me some information on them that would be great . I'm from N.E PENNSYLVANIA Scranton. And there's no dealers for them here and if I get one I would want a new one or a used one in great shape. So if anybody knows of a dealer near me that would help me out a lot. Thanks

[Grizzly10]

Rj, The Argo is slow, with tires you can cover ground more quickly, with tracks it will be slower. The terrain has to do with how slow it will be. Im in the northeast. It’s basically like a crawler. I cannot cover ground quickly. With tires you will get high sided more than with tracks. (Basically Stuck). Access and egress into the machine is something to consider as well. It tears up the ground when turning, and with tracks it’s a little worse in the soft stuff. They give off a good amount of heat as well. So when your driving them awhile you sweat your ball’s off. It’s like the Ace. ( I have an ace ) they get hot. Maintenance is something to consider. I have found some tricks to make it easier but it’s a dirty job no matter how you do it. The chains have to be maintained as they are subject to moisture and water all the time. Basically any water that gets in the tub, can be drained , but theirs always residual moisture most of time. Gotta be on the chains. The idler chains need adjusting from time to time and you would need some 1/2” drive long ratchet and socket to adjust tension. I’m right down the road from you. Not to far anyway. Pm me. I would be willing to let you try mine out before you buy one and explain what I have learned owning one. This may help in your decision. They aren’t cheap. Even the base model, price creeps up quick with accessories you need.

[Rj1]

Grizzly 10.thanks for the info.do you know of a dealer in this area?. So far the closest one I found is a 3 hour drive.

[Grizzly10]

NP. The only dealer I know of is Shanks or Jersey Powersports in Flemington Nj. A haul either way. Another thing, if you get one get it with the high torque transmission. I think it’s beneficial when turning in situations. I would get it if I bought another one. I bought mine in NJ. Nice people. I have the carb model. Starts fine in all weather and runs great. Not sure how much better the fuel injection is. It will have more power because they are 23hp. I bought the base and I don’t have any regrets other than I wish I had the high torque transmission. I have tracks so I run in low most of time.

[Rj1]

Grizzly 10. I saw a 1998 Argo Frontier 8x8 with tracks for about 5500. It looks to be in good shape but I always get a little scared buying older ATV because of the abuse they take. I have yo decided now if I want to get that one or a new Frontier 6x6 but then your looking at another 2500.for tracks. Do Argos hold up and do you think 5500. Is a good price for a 22 year old machine. Like I said before I have to Honda Odyssey I put a lot of work in both and now there in great shape and if I was to sell the FL350 I would ask for at least 4000.dollars. and that's a 1985 model so it's 36 years old.

[Laird]

Not meaning to butt into your conversation but the Argos are high matenence machines. An older unit will probably take some work. Some owners are right on the ball fixing anything right away. Others not so much . If you should decide on a used machine, before you buy it, get it off the ground high enough to wiggle the tires and wheels. If the seller is reluctant to help you out that way it may be wise to walkaway. Check out the tires. They are not cheap. Do you have a preference on the engine make? Is 6x6 or 8x8 your preference. Are the people you ride with hotrodders or old guys like me who like to get when I get there. There is minimal suspension, as in none, the tires absorbing what bumps there are. Lots of things to think about. I too have owned quads, three wheelers, side x side but come back to the Argo. It gets me where I want to go and back again. You have an offer for a try out in a machine. Take the offer. You will either be won over or you won't. If you enjoy wrenching, as I do, then it may be suited to you. If you don't. .......Anyway this is my second one, purchased with the object of a project machine. And it has been . But dam# they are a hoot.

[Grizzly10]

Thanks For summing it up Laird. I don’t think theses Argos should be compared to anything else. Truly a unique machine.
I watched every video on you tube and read the forums before I bought mine. I think someone buying one can make a big mistake. What they think they are , they are not. They are slow and in my opinion , unless every one you ride with wants to go 3 mph or wait for you all day, these are a solo , get out in the woods go anywhere machine. They advertise 22mph but honestly think about it. No suspension, 6 or 8 wheels with no suspension that don’t turn. These are slow machines. I can’t emphasize that enough. They are rough riders. Depending on what I do with mine, I come out of the thing beat up. Not to mention I get beat up maintaining it( I’m joking , but they are a different animal) I bought tracks for mine but after the fact, I honestly think I could of done without them. Granted I go more places, but that just gets me more in trouble lol. Really do the math buying one. I bet I have the price of machine and same price in accessories. I don’t regret it but I am glad I have my other atvs. I like riding solo and enjoying the outback. The Argo is a blast to take camping etc. Really think it through. You mentioned your leg issues ( sorry for your situation brother) but these are not easy to get in and out of. Good luck. If you just want another toy , go for it. Lol. Anything off-road I’m a sucker for. Lol.

[Rj1]

Guys thank you for the advice. When I got done with all my surgeries and mad to retire from the Marine I was lost not knowing what to do that's when I got into ridding again . I truly think it's the only thing that keeps me from going crazy.I love working on my machines as much I l love ridding them sometimes I think I like working on them more.One thing I'm not looking for is a speed machine I already have those plus when I'm on the trails I never go that fast what I want is to be able to take it were my other Atv' s can't go. I was thinking of getting tracks for my Ace but with tracks on turning sucks and what I've seen and read about the Argo is the turn on a dime with or without tracks and I like that. I know they say the top speed is about 22mph but what do you goes usually go I know you don't keep it floored all the time so what about 15mph average ? And you said about them not being easy to get into and me with my wounds trust me when I say I don't let anything get in my way which drives my wife nuts I guess I just have to many years in the Corp and 7 of those years I was a drill Sergeant the one word we never used is CAN'T. I have to decide today if I want the 1998 Argo Frontier 8x8 or get a new Frontier 6x6. The guy selling told me he's hold until the end of the day . I did check out spot he wheel bearings and there all tight the chains look good it really looks like it was well maintained and I like that it comes with tracks which means in really getting for about 3000. because tracks go for about 2400. How is getting parts for an older Argo do they still carry new parts because I know when I rebuilt my 2 Odyssey a lot of the parts I had to use were old parts that I would get on eBay. If I can still get parts for it that helps out a lot.

[Grizzly10]

Definitely won’t be going 15 or even 10. Of course it can go that fast, but it is comfortable going slow in woods conditions. On the coal dirt flats it can go faster. The steering system on the new units is different slightly from
The older ones I believe. The new model is a progressive arch type steering pattern verse the skid steer segmented steering increments ( hope you understand that or somebody chime in and save my explanation lol) I do think it sounds pretty good tho. ). I guess they are all the same basically. You will save a lot with the used one. What tracks is he giving you? Rubber? Adair? Etc.

[Rj1]

Like I said speed is not important to me when I go ridding with other people they always have to wait for me now because I don't go fast on the trails it cause to much damage to the machines. But the one thing in need to know is how is getting parts for the older models? I don't want to get it then find they stopped making parts for the older models. The tracks on the 1998 one I'm looking at are not rubber there plastic tracks what I've been reading the plastic tracks are a little better then the rubber tracks. One more question though where I ride is about a little less then a mile from my home there's an old paved road that we take to get to the trails will the pavement damage the tracks because I know it does a number on my ATV tires wears them down fast.

[ARGOJIM]

If you are dealing with that guy in Sussex I believe that machine was taken care of. Best thing for you to do with any machine is to drive it. There are alot of Max guys riding Lost Trails Saturday, be there at 8am and catch a ride but be advised that that system is rocky so it is rough.

[Ruffus]

Getting in and out is not that bad, just different from a typical ATV. My knee's are shot & in need of replacement. I get in backwards, plant my butt on the seat & use the hand rails to hoist my sorry ass up, sometimes I'll plant my heel on a tire to help, getting out it's feet first. Try to go in and out on the passenger side, no controls to snag that way & in the winter when you're all bundled up it's definitely easier getting in & out on the passenger side. If you decide to go new, I'd recommend the 700 with F.I.

[Grizzly10]

As far as parts for the 98, I have no experience with that. This is my first Argo. The tracks will wear to some degree I assume and will have limited traction. The Adair tracks I have are plastic and they are slick on rock, pavement and wood. Gotta be careful with tracks in certain situations. They are best in mud and dirt from my experience. Swimming is NG with tracks compared to tires. Don’t get in any running water with tracks where the machine is floating. I would head to lost trails (warhorse) and check out the machines and talk with the guys if you can. Nothing to lose. After buying my Argo for no other reason than wanting one , I want a mud ox with the kubota diesel. The steering on that must be bad ass. These Argos do something to you. I have a maverick and ride my Argo more. Something about them.

[Laird]

A lot of the parts are generic like bearings and chains and the engine parts if needed. If you should need something like axles or sprockets as far as I know, parts are available for stuff back in the seventies. And a lot of things , like axles or even sprockets can be fabbed up in your local machine shop. My first Argo was a 83 6x6 in which I built all new axles 'cause I wanted the heavier axles. The only problem you may have in getting parts is for the tranny from Argo but someone has parts or an extra tranny kicking around. And what I have had experiance with the trans is you really got to beat the crap out of them to break them. Argo's trans are or were built by ODG (Ontario Drive and Gear....who just happen to build argo) Your wearables like brake pads are readily available from the dealer and I think(?) I saw some on Ebay. Unless the previous owner has let the axle bearings go to the point of wearing out the housing, most everything, other than the body and tranny parts can be made. They really are a simple machine in that sense. My current machine is a 91 6x6 into which I have just transplanted a Briggs Vanguard 23 hp. It had a 16 briggs opposed twin which was sufficient but I have the 18 in super tracks and I personally thought I needed more hp. My tracks are the Argo brand and on slick stuff they will slip. I added ice cleats which make a world of difference. Like has been mentioned, they are not fast but will go where your quads and side x sides, dirt bikes won't go. You really need to try one out, in a swampy area preferably, before you buy one.

[Rj1]

Argo Jim. I live 10 min from Lost Trails the trails I ride by my house takes me right to it and have rode up there many of times. I would love to meet up with you guys but I'm having another surgery I my leg Friday morning. The guy with the 1998Argo Frontier said he would give me until the middle of next week now because of my surgery. I really think I'm just going to buy it tomorrow I've looked at it a few times now and it really seems to be in great shape for its age. But the more I look at the 2021 Argo Frontier 6x6 I like it. The one thing holding me back is after the mark ups and getting tracks for it with tax and everything else I'm looking at 13 thousand. And the 1998 all in with the track and tax and getting tags I'm a little over 6 thousand. I have all my ATV registered with tags on and insured all but my Honda Odyssey's do these need registrrd in P.A ?