Looking for the Pro's and Con's of the various AATV's still made

[PlumCrazy]

Quote:
Originally Posted by offfishn View Post
I have decided on the 6x6, but have no clue what to "look for" or "out for"!
I'm looking for something that will get me through sand, mussy lake bottom, cat-tails, tall lake grass and over/around some size able rocks.
Unit should still have new parts available, track capable is probably a must AND of course....water tight.

I have been reading through a ton of posts here, looking for the pro's and con's of the different units. Not sure I really understand it all....
Really the amount of info here is very mind boggling to say the least.

I have been looking at the classifieds also, I think a used machine from one of you guys would be the best place for me to start, since I have zero experience with ATV's.

later...ed
================================================== ====

Hey All!
I would like some info on the good and the bad features of the presently manufactured AATV's.
I know everyone is partial to his/hers particular make/model, just looking for some of those points to ponder as I'm out looking for a machine. Actually all the "looking" has been on the web, I have not found any dealers yet.

I didn't mention in my original post that I was an avid fisherman also. I never thought about using one for ice fishing either, that usage when right past me.

thanks in advance...ed

[Dirty Harry]

My $.02

I can only speak for the Max brand. My cousin's been borrowing my Max II to haul his ice fishing shanty and gear on & off the lake for many years now, as well as getting to his stands for deer season. I personally use it more for play than work. I've taken it to several group rides (ALWAYS a blast) and done lots and lots of pleasure riding - in all four seasons. I don't regret buying a Recreatives Max ampihib one bit. I've met a lot of great people through it and made some great memories with it over the years.

My advice is to look for a newer Max. The newer machines have o-ring chains and 2 bearings per axle (inner & outer) now, making them much more durable and more reliable IF you keep them greased regularly. Throttle & clutch cables are better-made now too, so there's less to fart with there as well. Of course the latest Maxes also have bigger engines - and more power is always a good thing.

If you don't mind tinkering and are mechanically inclined then an older model might be more to your liking. Depends on how much you like to wrench. If that's not your thing then steer clear of older amphibs of ANY manufacture. These rigs demand regular routine maintenance - otherwise they will quickly fall into disrepair and start to give you problems. I don't mean a complete tear down every other day, just commonsense stuff that goes above & beyond the "ride it hard and put it away wet" method that you can get away with on a modern quad/UTV.

Remember: a clean amphib is a happy amphib! Any time you take your machine into the woods or through mud, wash it out afterward!! Pull the drain plugs and hose out the tub to keep mud, sand, leaves & twigs out - or your chains & drivetrain will surely suffer. Wash the outside too - especially your wheels, and don't forget to inspect the backside of your wheels where the axles enter the body; remove any build-up of grass, weeds or muck on your axles. The rig will run better and your bearings will last a lot longer if you do.

Make certain fluids & filters are changed regularly - especially if you ride where it's dusty. Lube the cables once or twice a year (or more, depending on how much and where/when you ride) to prevent sticking/stretching/breaking. Even pressure on all tires is critical to a smooth, pleasant ride. Buy yourself a low pressure gauge and keep it handy. Chain tension is also a must or you'll start to have steering / handling issues. (Not to mention more frequent chain replacement if neglected. )

I don't mean to make these rigs sound like a upkeep nightmare. Just basic stuff really, but failure to do regularly scheduled routine maintenance will mean major headaches for you if left undone for long. (Don't ask me how I know this. ) These little buggers are TONS of fun and will give you years of riding pleasure if you understand and are willing to adhere to a few simple 'golden rules' of amphib care. There's nothing like the fun of doing things your buds on quads/UTVs could simply never do. Oh they may still say their rigs are better than yours, but you can bet they'll be amazed (and envious) each and every time you bull through mud and conquer terrain that their machines could only dream of... and of course the never-ending delight of purposely looking for bodies of water & slow-moving rivers to drive into that those poor fellows have no choice but to avoid - unless they want to sink.

[Silverbullet75]

Shameless Plug...

http://www.6x6world.com/forums/aatvs-sale/8929-2007-argo-frontier-6x6-sale-las-vegas.html

[PlumCrazy]

6x6 or 8x8 Wanted in Michigan

My $.02

I can only speak for the Max brand. My cousin's been borrowing my Max II to haul his ice fishing shanty and gear on & off the lake for many years now, as well as getting to his stands for deer season. I personally use it more for play than work. I've taken it to several group rides (ALWAYS a blast) and done lots and lots of pleasure riding - in all four seasons. I don't regret buying a Recreatives Max ampihib one bit. I've met a lot of great people through it and made some great memories with it over the years.

My advice is to look for a newer Max. The newer machines have o-ring chains and 2 bearings per axle (inner & outer) now, making them much more durable and more reliable IF you keep them greased regularly. Throttle & clutch cables are better-made now too, so there's less to fart with there as well. Of course the latest Maxes also have bigger engines - and more power is always a good thing.

If you don't mind tinkering and are mechanically inclined then an older model might be more to your liking. Depends on how much you like to wrench. If that's not your thing then steer clear of older amphibs of ANY manufacture. These rigs demand regular routine maintenance - otherwise they will quickly fall into disrepair and start to give you problems. I don't mean a complete tear down every other day, just commonsense stuff that goes above & beyond the "ride it hard and put it away wet" method that you can get away with on a modern quad/UTV.

Remember: a clean amphib is a happy amphib! Any time you take your machine into the woods or through mud, wash it out afterward!! Pull the drain plugs and hose out the tub to keep mud, sand, leaves & twigs out - or your chains & drivetrain will surely suffer. Wash the outside too - especially your wheels, and don't forget to inspect the backside of your wheels where the axles enter the body; remove any build-up of grass, weeds or muck on your axles. The rig will run better and your bearings will last a lot longer if you do.

Make certain fluids & filters are changed regularly - especially if you ride where it's dusty. Lube the cables once or twice a year (or more, depending on how much and where/when you ride) to prevent sticking/stretching/breaking. Even pressure on all tires is critical to a smooth, pleasant ride. Buy yourself a low pressure gauge and keep it handy. Chain tension is also a must or you'll start to have steering / handling issues. (Not to mention more frequent chain replacement if neglected. )

I don't mean to make these rigs sound like a upkeep nightmare. Just basic stuff really, but failure to do regularly scheduled routine maintenance will mean major headaches for you if left undone for long. (Don't ask me how I know this. ) These little buggers are TONS of fun and will give you years of riding pleasure if you understand and are willing to adhere to a few simple 'golden rules' of amphib care. There's nothing like the fun of doing things your buds on quads/UTVs could simply never do. Oh they may still say their rigs are better than yours, but you can bet they'll be amazed (and envious) each and every time you bull through mud and conquer terrain that their machines could only dream of... and of course the never-ending delight of purposely looking for bodies of water & slow-moving rivers to drive into that those poor fellows have no choice but to avoid - unless they want to sink.

Hey DH,
That's the kind of info I'm looking for. I have no clue what I will end up with but I plan on having some fun with it here in Michigan, all year round.
Fortunately I'm not new to everyday maintenance. I own four(yep) motorcycles and I'm a service tech(mechanical) for a global machine tool builder.
Knowing what to do appears to be the key(and I know zero about them) and I agree everyday cleaning makes the task easier.
I will end up with either a 6x6 or an 8x8 probably, depends what the wife lets me get away with.
You guys keep me in mind if you see something 4sale in the midwest area.
.
BTW....How thick of ice should we have before we take a 6x6 or an 8x8 out on it?.
.
Are there any AATV magazines?
.
later...ed

[B.A.]

Traveling on ice

here is a link to info on ice capacity

http://www.gowalleye.com/ice_test_info.pdf

[AKTrail]

Take someone who owns a aatv along with you when you go to look at one.

Study the photos of the inards of healthy aatvs on this site before you shop.

Old aatvs are half the price of new for a reason. But they can be fixed up by anyone with tools and little skill as these are simple machines.

Ditto on everything that Dirty Harry said.

[PlumCrazy]

Thanks AKTrail
I'd take someone, but you folks are the only one's I know that use them!
Like Dirty Harry said, CLEAN is GOOD!
I would not consider any machine that has not been kept clean, 9 out of 10 times the rest of the maintenance has been neglected also.
I have no problem wrenching anything. But parts availability in the Michigan thumb area is about ZERO, or 200+ miles away so NEWER will be the theme.
.
Another problem I have is, it's the wife that asked me to look into getting a AATV.
She wants to use it at the other house to get out to the water which is down about 2ft in the Great Lakes and that equats to about a 600ft walk on our area of Lake Huron, through cat-tails, lake grass, rocks and her all time favorite...SNAKES. So the unit needs to run/work when I'm not there (working for a living), thus be dependable. There is no one there to tow it in for her.
I do have a design in mind to allow her to tow it in with the help of my tractor, but that's another story.
.
Do all the manufacturers use the snowmobile type clutch/belt setup?
.

thanks...ed

[trebmaster]

if you find yourself on the other side of the state (Grand Rapids) look me upId be glad to help give you a ride, take you out ice fishin whatever
Also member NERO lives near you try pm,ing him

[Stalkerette]

Treb and I have a blast with his Argo and I have a Puma Stalker. Love my stalker.. I use his Argo to drag and disk up my arena (I am a barrel racer) ..

We have a family cabin up above Lake City and we go trail riding all day long, once you and your wife get one get in touch with us, maybe we can get a Michigan ride together...

[artist1018]

if you find yourself on the other side of the state (Grand Rapids) look me upId be glad to help give you a ride, take you out ice fishin whatever
Also member NERO lives near you try pm,ing him

I live in Clio, not too far for a test ride. Call me up , if you want to see an Argo 8x8 & get behind the sticks!!

Art

[PlumCrazy]

Thanks for the invites guys.
Gonna have to really try to hook up with a couple of you to see/ride the different models. I travel out of state a lot, so free weekends are a premium(wife stuff).
Like you guys I'm sure, the money is tight on this side of the state also. So I don't want to go to nuts, OK...so the wife doesn't want me to go nuts on the $$. I do like Arts 8x8, just cant swing 9500$ right now.
In Ohio right now, boy they sure have a lot of old ones in the papers down here.
I guess they used to race them or something down here.
later...

[lewis]

Smart move

Smart move there, get with a group and check out all the different types of machines, if there was one perfect machine there would be manufacturer. Each has his/her reason for the machine they have.

There are a few going to Ashtabula in October if you could make that i am sure the members will be glad to help you.

[PlumCrazy]

Pass that Ashtabula (Ohio) date along when you get it.
I will be there....
That must be why they have so many AATV' 4sale down there!
.
We will be installing a front wheel drive transmission cnc machining line (56 machines, 16 over head gantry/robots, 24 conveyors, plus ancillary support machines) at GM Toledo starting Oct 5th. I'll be in and out of there for about 3 years, then it's on to GM Flint South and the GM VOLT project.
.
thanks...
later...

[Eldon]

I bought a 2003 Max II last year.It has a 23 hp Kohler engine.I too can only speak for a Max but here is my two cents worth: The Max II is the only one I know of that has adequate legroom which is a plus.Also it is a bit quicker in water than most though I'm told the Max IV with 26 inch tires is quicker.The light weight of the Max II makes it very good on tracks in the snow.It is a bit smaller than most others letting it fit in tighter places.I believe it is easier to work on than the Argo or the Max IV but none of them are really a joy to work on. That said I think the Argo is a more rugged built machine,is easier to afix an outboard to and is much easier to learn to drive with the new handlebar control plus it has a two range transmission.
I'm a staunch Max II fan for the above stated reasons though it can only take two and space is at a premium.Every different design out there will have some sort of speciality that exceeds all others

[Roger S]

I like Max II's and if I get a second machine it'll probably be one. Ocassionally I get to drive a buddy's II. You can put your legs out in front of you. That's nice if you're on smooth ground, but my argo lets me put my feet under me so my butt doesn't take the full impact. An argo seat is taller off the floor. Like on a tall bar stool, you never feel like you need to have your feet out in front of you. I think what's easier to work on depends on what you're doing to them. I think argos are heavier duty, max's have some great features like a quiet, effecient transmission and are not front heavy, and don't have a tailpipe in your face.