Galen Reich at Recreative Industries

[wheeler]

Just got off the phone with Galen from RI and again had a great conversation with him. During our discussion we talked about possible changes that could be implemented on the Max's with there now being new owners and investors. I mentioned one thing that would be nice to see, as either an option or a new implementation, and that is to have a better cushioned seat or an air ride seat and one that adjusts forward or backward. Galen said that one thing they are talking about is putting on Vampire ASX? tires? as those tires give a softer ride compared to the ones that are sold on them now. I believe he said that they would offer the 12 and 14 inch sizes of Vampires.
I have some major back problems and have been having a hard time with the ride on my MaxIV. I'm a little afraid that if I can't make changes (affordable changes) that I may have to sell my machine and start looking at some other UTV's. I don't want to go that route but I may have to if I can't find a way to soothe out the ride. I am running the air pressure in the tires really low to help now but it still is a rough ride. I am going to the Midwest Spine Institute next week and will find out if I have to have surgery. I'm praying that they can find something relatively minor and I can get it fixed without much hoopla. My MRI shows some minor bulging of two disks the T8 and T9. The pain is intense between the shoulder blades and any movement to lift something just kills me.
Anyway if you have any suggestions for changes on the Max's, Galen is very open to listening and suggesting some changes to MuddOx that will help improve the machine. I have heard on several occasions of people having to sell their machine because the ride was too tough on them. If I get into selling these machines and with the population getting older this is something that I would love to see improved. Again let Galen know if there are any ideas that you have that would be improvements to these machines.

[john swenson]

just a thought, i like the way some of the guys like mike the administrator have put just a single seat in their machines. i was looking the other day in the northern tool and equipment catalog at seats. they have a nice selection of suspension seats from 100 dollars on up to hydraulic ride shock absorbing seats. those are expensive, but maybe a middle grade one would help you out. i am thinking about it for my max 2. the one they sell for big dozers and such i bet would be real comfy. good luck, johnboy va.

[wheeler]

Hi Johnboy, I like Mikes setup too. I've found some of the hydraulic and air ride seats at Northern Tool and the cost for me is prohibitive. We're talking from 350 to 450 buckarenos. That may not seem like a lot to some, but for me right now it's not possible. I think I am going to start looking on Craigslist and Ebay to see if I can find a seat there for cheaper.

[john swenson]

the main thing is if a seat like that will work good for you i am sure one will turn up for a price that will work. maybe even check online under used heavy equipment seats , etc. if i find anything i will let you know. johnboy va.

[tbone9]

Fleet farm has a nice suspension seat for 100 bucks. Put one in mine and it works great.

[john swenson]

also check on the internet under sheepskin gel seat pads, and also check under anti vibration mounts. may be a set of mounts you could put between your seat and where it mounts on your machine that would give you some floating so to speak. johnboy va.

[wheeler]

All great ideas. I will check fleet farm this week and look under the farm equipment category for a seat.
It's hell getting old. And I'm not really that old but the old back is telling me otherwise. I got thrown around by an offender who was in a fight one day and I hit the wall pretty hard. I knew that was it for me on SQUAD. I am now in visiting and hope to not get in any more fights with these young bucks. All they do all day is work out all day long.

[kghills]

Galen said that one thing they are talking about is putting on Vampire ASX? tires? as those tires give a softer ride compared to the ones that are sold on them now. I believe he said that they would offer the 12 and 14 inch sizes of Vampires.

Vendettas are the tires to be offered on the MaxIV and Buffalo truck. 26" x 12, 14 and now 16" wide on the 12 inch K lock wheels. They ride very nice as they are designed for the AATVs. There will be a 21 inch Vendetta for the MaxII in a couple months.


Keith.

[tbone9]

Could you tell me how deep the tread is on the Vendetta? Also do you know how they compare to the Vampire ASX tires?

[George]

If you could get your hands on some Goodyear Runamucks you'd find them a pretty sweet ride. Unfortunately, they've been out of production for quite some time now. The ones that are left are pretty beat or expensive...or both.

[jpswift1]

Could you tell me how deep the tread is on the Vendetta? Also do you know how they compare to the Vampire ASX tires?

The Vampire ASX have a pretty smooth ride for such an aggressive mud tire. The tread on the Vendetta isn't that deep and they aren't nearly as good as the ASX in the mud, but they're faster in the water and have a very, very smooth ride.

[Noel Woods]

I agree with JP, The Vampire ASX is a smooth riding tire and has a great tread design for pulling through the mud. They swim as well, and I recommend these as the primary tire on any machine that can fit them, I have not driven a machine with the Vendetta, but my belief if that the tread design will cake up quickly in gumbo or pudding style mud. I do believe they would be a smooth riding tire though.

If Matt could come up with about a 24" tire to fit the smaller machines, that would give the Max2 and similar sized machines a leg up.

[tbone9]

Thanks for the advice. I'm leaning towards the Vampires.

[jpswift1]

Thanks for the advice. I'm leaning towards the Vampires.

Good call. You'll be very happy with them, and their all around performance, especially in mud and snow is hard to beat. I have them on my Hustler 980 BIGFOOT and I wouldn't trade them for any other tire out there. Air them down to 1 or 2 PSI on some K lock rims and you'll be all set to go. Call Interco directly and tell them you're with 6X6World and they should sell them to you for $660 shipped to your door, or somewhere around that price. I think they were charging members here $92 per tire plus shipping.

They're asymmetric tires, so make sure you order 3 right hand tires and 3 left hand tires.

Home | Interco Tire

[kghills]

I agree with JP, The Vampire ASX is a smooth riding tire and has a great tread design for pulling through the mud. They swim as well, and I recommend these as the primary tire on any machine that can fit them, I have not driven a machine with the Vendetta, but my belief if that the tread design will cake up quickly in gumbo or pudding style mud. I do believe they would be a smooth riding tire though.

If Matt could come up with about a 24" tire to fit the smaller machines, that would give the Max2 and similar sized machines a leg up.

The Vendetta is designed to hold sticky mud and use it for traction rather than use a heavy aggressive lug that can be hard on axles, chains and sprockets. The key is to let the Vendetta do the work. It is a fast swimmer and offers a plush (for a vehicle with no suspension) ride. It is made in the USA and supports the amphibious community.

Keith