Thread: Farm bike vs quad

Originally Posted by Flyblown

After the last trip, the reality hit hard... as per comments made already, no way would you use a bike in the wet. But in the summer, it could work really well as the surface is rock hard.

The next question is quad vs s-x-s. Have been using a CanAm Defender and absolutely love it. The rough tracks it just attacks with glee, point it roughly in the right direction and up it goes. Whereas you'd be worried big time about the quad tipping. Was also amazed at how fuel efficient it is compared to a Honda 500.

The only issue with side x sides are the extra size so need a bigger trailer (not that big of an issue) and the cost to purchase /service.

Have heard of some ridiculous prices for a basic service on Yamaha s x s, if you do it yourself then not an issue

Originally Posted by Beetroot

The only issue with side x sides are the extra size so need a bigger trailer (not that big of an issue) and the cost to purchase /service.

Have heard of some ridiculous prices for a basic service on Yamaha s x s, if you do it yourself then not an issue

Yeah, and service them you must. For the Yamaha Viking I was using before (not mine) was last seen looking very sorry for itself in a paddock high up the hill - seized engine. Simple matter of being owned and run by someone who doesn't tend to think of things like oil.

Originally Posted by Beetroot

The only issue with side x sides are the extra size so need a bigger trailer (not that big of an issue) and the cost to purchase /service.

Have heard of some ridiculous prices for a basic service on Yamaha s x s, if you do it yourself then not an issue

Another issue with sxs is because of their width they neither fit the ruts of 4x4's or quads so are always tipping over with one side in the rut all the time.

Originally Posted by DavidGunn

Another issue with sxs is because of their width they neither fit the ruts of 4x4's or quads so are always tipping over with one side in the rut all the time.

Yeah but you can say exactly the same of a quad being used on a property dominated by wider tracked side-by-side machines.

That's the issue on the one property that I go to, probably 75% of ATV use is side-by-sides. And yep you guessed it the ruts are primarily the width of a typical side-by-side, and can't be a bloody nightmare on a quad.

Bottom line is that on private hill country properties a good land owner will do their track maintenance. You see the difference clear as day, the cockies that have a good operator and a decent machine on the books somewhere, who puts the effort in year after year. It's also got a lot to do with careful planning of stock movement and how to travel around the seasons. I can think of two adjacent properties in steep papa country where quite simply you're banned from using the shorter steeper routes during the big wets because of the inevitable track damage. You go the long way round, end of story.