Water test w/Kenda Bearclaws

[boncrshr]

Hey guys,

Here was my first water test with Kenda Bearclaws. Not the best video, as after I reviewed the video, I don’t think I gave the Kenda’s enough time to see if they would start paddling? But, once I got out and put the front tires in contact with the bank, it comes right out. I also get stuck on a log…..apparently, Hustler made the distance from the front axle to the center axle, slightly longer than center to rear (JPSwift, 2007). I will take another video this weekend, but this time I am going to reverse the front and rear tires. I kinda just wanted to show JP the machine so far as he was curious about the Honda. I’m still working on the backseat issue, because it hits the exhaust….but even without the backseat or rack, I still have room for dog, decoys, gun and blind bag…

BTW, how do you embed the video?

[greg]

boncrshr, i put 26" bearclaws on my max4 a few years ago. traction was better than anything i have, but they dont swim a stroke.

[Mike]

I hate that those didn't swim well for you but thanks for posting the video and a synopsis. I loved the videographer's comment "Well, you're not sinking". That was great.

As for the embedded video you already did it!

[whipper-ag]

I hate that those didn't swim well for you but thanks for posting the video and a synopsis. I loved the videographer's comment "Well, you're not sinking". That was great.

As for the embedded video you already did it!

It looked like the Bearclaws failed the water test. I would say that Bo could care less as long as he gets to ride.Most ATV's swim OK with the right tires.
Sorry to see they didn't work out. Try some 22' rawhides.
Whipper

[jpswift1]

Scott, didnt that other Hustler that was parked in your garage that was owned by your hunting partner have some 22" Rawhide III's on it? Try those and I think you will be very impressed with the ride and traction.....they also swim pretty well too. I had my Max II out today in about 8 inches of snow and underneath the snow was muddy ground, but the machine still managed to climb very steep inclines in the woods in my backyard. I also had my Hustler BIGFOOT out in the snow, but those 26" Goodyear Super Terra Grips didnt grip as well as the 22" Rawhide III's did.

[boncrshr]

Bo definitely likes to ride!

Hey JP,

I actually had that other Hustler in the water once and it did not swim very well at all, maybe the tread depth is not what it should be? I could measure it. But what really turned me off on those tires was that they kept gumming up when exiting the water, I had a real hard time getting out of the pond...again, that could be a tread depth issue.

I will post up a video after this weekend and I am just crossing my fingers...plan of attack is push pole, reverse front and rear tires, and increase psi to 7.

[jpswift1]

I believe that Jerseybigfoot has some 25" Rawhide III's on his Hustler (they're a tight fit, but they fit) and he said they're not very fast in the water as well. Im willing to bet that the difference in water speed with the same tires on a Max II compared to a Hustler is the longer wheelbase and the tires spaced farther apart. My Max II does somewhat well with the Rawhide III's on it, but I guess if you stretch the wheelbase like on that Hustler or a Max IV, it hurts the water speed.
Just more information to consider, Scott, haha. The 26" Goodyear Super Terra Grips really move in the water......but then you have the get that deeper tub........hmmmmmmm.

[Meinfield]

Thanks for posting the video, bon. I have similiar issues with my 26" super grips; they swim slowly but traction in the mud is awsome. That Honda sounds strong...

[boncrshr]

Thanks Mein..

You know JP, those Escargo tracks would be the best solution to all of my problems, but I do not have a firstborn to mortgage yet

[jpswift1]

haha, I think you're right......$3200, what are they thinking?!

[jerseybigfoot]

I am quite sure Hustlers do not swim well becaue of the hull displacement. They just sit too deep in the water. The 25 rawhide III on the Hustler will swim but slower then my Argo Bigfoot

[boncrshr]

Well, no water test today. Just as the sun was coming up, we had a lightning storm roll in on us. So we waded out and picked up the decoys before the lightning got too bad.

Then my throttle cable snapped for some weird reason...but I just used my throttle return spring to hold the throttle about midway open to get to the trailer.

On the plus side, the Hustler seemed to get really good traction with the tires reversed. It was pretty muddy, and there were some pretty good size holes that were basically just that brown clay (they have heavy farm equipment on our lease) , so I played around in those, doing 360's, going horizontal across the ruts etc....went through without even a hiccup, that was kinda fun, except for the lightning.

So next week I guess, gotta find me a throttle cable pretty quick though.

Hey Jersey, this whole water speed thing has me really thinking lately, there has to be a cool solution.....don't know what though. I really like the aggressive tires for mud etc., and would hate to get rid of them.

[boncrshr]

Just an update for everyone...

I have tried the Kendas in every possible combination and they do not swim. I did put the 22" Rawhides from my buddies machine onto mine, and they swim really well....the ride is also softer, but ground clearance and mud performance have decreased. Although, I was able to climb out of the water, so I guess that is sufficient. The difference to me is seat of the pants feel. The Rawhides spin a little in muck or climbing out of a bank, whereas when you throttle up with the Kendas they just seem to launch you.....

I may sell the Kendas though, because I really need to be able to swim in order to access areas of my duck lease that are inaccessible to people on Quads...