Thread: Quad bike recomendations

Hi @Tentman. As Brads has said, flowing water is definitely something to be wary of. Anything over knee deep is going to end badly and I've been quite surprised at how easily they want to float. I actually think the quad was marginally better for water crossings. Once the water starts flowing around your feet you can feel it getting light on the ground. I'm in and out of rivers almost every time I take it out but never deep, volumous moving water. I took my Hilux on the last major river trip and was very pleased I did as it was apparent the SxS would never have survived. The Hilux is not modified at all but it copes with water much better.

Big Bear is right too - the standard intake is at seat height just behind the passenger but many people install a snorkel - not for deep water expeditions but because I understand the Pioneer sucks a lot of dust from the standard intake location. I can't comment on other SxS types but suspect they're all pretty similar.

For river crossings, stick with the ute. Or a jet boat.

don't buy a Yamaha. Esp the older ones.
Not enough parts in NZ.
Heaps of Honda and Suzuki parts available and plenty of second hand ones in the breakers if you have to fix on a budget.
Yamaha, not so much. I ended up buying parts in USA and although the Big bear range are strong, parts aren't cheap.

If a std quad is your preference, I'd say look for independent suspension, or at least a live axle with two rear shocks. A single rear shock is hard work, and butt clenching on any tracks with switchbacks or when carrying a deer out on the back over unstable ground.

Thanks for all the feedback guys. The comments about the SxS definitely got me thinking since I have a couple of boys to consider. The step up in price to the SxS is a bit of an issue though, particularly if you want to maintain power steering and decent control as options. Typically SxS's with these features also run a wider track which means that they wont fit on my existing trailer, therefore more cost.

I have come to the conclusion that a new Polaris Ute will be the best fit, and then look to get a couple of second hand two wheel bikes for the boys which they can tinker with, giving them 'rider independence' as such.

Haha! Upgrading to a SxS cost me a new trailer as well.

And don't forget all the other accessories you'll suddenly want for it. Kerching!

Don't get hung up on the power steering though because while I have no doubt it would be nicer, these things are not that heavy on the steering to begin with. And a less fancy name for "Descent Control" is called brakes. They work fine.

The reason I didn't go for a "belt-drive' type of transmission is I'd heard stories of water causing the belts to slip and people getting stuck... and while its not a boat I do seem to end up crossing a bit of water and didn't like the thought of wet tootsies.

Our first sxs was a gator every little creek it would get water on the belt and loose drive until it got grip. It was a pain in the arse especially for me as i was the one that had to help push

Originally Posted by bigbear

Our first sxs was a gator every little creek it would get water on the belt and loose drive until it got grip. It was a pain in the arse especially for me as i was the one that had to help push

Yes, we had a non power steer, non descent control gator as well which is the very reason I am not so interested in going down that path. On steep hill country it was a pain in the arse. It did fit on the 8'x5' trailer though, with both tail gates down.