Hello & ??

[grump]

Hello, I'm new to this forum. I don't own a wolvie but am considering one. Since I assume you're the die hards, I'd like to get your take on this.

I'll be looking at getting a new quad this fall. I've always been a sport bike rider. 200x, 350x, Quadracer, 250R, YZ250. So when I first started looking, I thought naturally the 400ex is the bike. But with further review, I realize things are a bit different now. I live at 7000ft at the base of the national forest (instead of in the desert) and my primary riding buddy is going to be my wife (who is an inexperienced rider) on a bayou 250 whereas I used to ride with my cousin on a 250R. So with that in mind, I decided I should probably get an auto clutch so I'm not working it all the time. And a bike that does around 55 would be plenty as my wife's tops around 45 with her on it (about 40 with me on it). I'd like a little extra speed so I can occasionally get out and jump on it when the opportunity presents itself.

In trying to narrow down the list, I thought a 5 speed auto light weight bike ought to work. Well, 5 speeds are nearly a thing of the past and I'm not a big fan of CVT's. Also, most cvt's are heavy utilities which I don't need. And can honestly say that a light 2wd ATV doesn't get stuck, sure I understand the heavy ones need 4wd. Needless to say the list of bike is small. The original wolvie 350 with a 5 speed would be great, but now it's CVT, argh. What was the last 5 speed year?

Now considering the above info, here's my list I've narrowed it to:
Honda 250ex
Honda Rancher 420 2wd - likely higher priced than I want to spend
Yamaha Wolverine 350 2wd auto
Yamaha Wolverine 450 4wd auto - likely higher priced than I want to spend
Polaris Scrambler 500 - only if a great deal can be had
Artic Cat 300 DVX

The 250ex is cheap enough, but I would probably add a bore/rocker kit and exhaust to get more oomph out of it. The 420 Rancher is a grand more and no faster, so I'm unlikely to get it - why lug the extra weight just to get the same speeds. The Wolverine 350 sounds great other than the CVT, but haven't found much here on this site on the cvt models or anything anywhere else really. So I'm concerned that it is quite a bit slower than the 450. The 450 is a grand more, so I probably would stay away from it. The Scrambler is a great bike other than it's 600lbs and a CVT, but it is as fast as the 400ex so I'd be happy with it - only if I can find a closeout last year model at a great price. The Artic Cat looks interesting, but it's a rebadged Kymco Mongoose 300 and new for '09 - so I'm hesistant as info is too limited.

What are your thoughts? Does the CVT hinder the new 350 wolvie quite a bit? What kind of top speed does it pull off? The biggest concern I have, is that I've ridden a Polaris 330 2wd with a CVT (similar to the wolvie) and it's no faster than my wifes 250 bayou with the 5 speed and I'm afraid the 350 wolvie with cvt will be about the same. Oh yea, I'm 6'2 and 200lbs so the smaller bikes worry me for comfort and power. My wifes bayou is too small and I get muscle cramps if I'm on it too long.

Thanks

 

[b_700x]

Welcome to the site!

Would you want to get a Wolvie 350 semi-auto? I think the last year for them was about 03 or 04. There are still some nice ones out there that and deals can be found.

I would stay away from polaris, they just arent as well made as the hondas, yamahas, suzukis and kawasakis. Ive known a lot of people with them and theyre just not reliable machines in the slightest bit.

I like the 250ex, but Id still get a wolverine over it. The new wolverines are basically Kodiaks, which are great bikes and well known for their durability. I was always worried about CVTs too, until I owned one. You get really sued to it, and will end up loving it eventually. And the CVT on the ayamah is one of the best made.

 

[grump]

That's why I came here, to learn about the wolvie. I'd definitely much prefer a 350 semi-auto. But I don't see them around much. If '04 was the last year they were made, I'd consider it for sure. But if I'm going to plunk down some change on a bike, I don't really want to end up with someone else's problems either. Since I seem, at this point, to have until early Nov. to decide, I'll probably flounder around from bike to bike having a tough time making up my mind. 'Cause that's what I do.

Since I've posted this, I've looked at the Kawasaki 700 since they've thrown a ton of HP to that CVT which in turn makes it perform like a 400ex out of the box. But it's a little higher than I'd prefer to spend and I'm still not sold on the CVT for a quad. I know they're reliable, but they are such power robbers. I've also thought about going with a new '07 400ex since there are still some around and putting a Revloc auto clutch on it. But it's almost a grand for the clutch, yikes.

Altogether from the previous list, I've only really eliminated the Artic Cat 300DVX from it. And have added the 400ex plus a grand in clutch and added the KFX700. Realistically the 250ex, 400ex, 420 Rancher are the ones I have considered the most. But am highly interested in the Wolverine too. The last semi-auto Wolvies that were produced, did they make them in 2wd? Or have an option to run 2wd? Where are they being found for sale? Maybe I'm not looking in the right places.

Thanks.

 

[h0p16]

Welcome Grump,

I ride an 07 450 that at stock I could get to about 60 mph. I have taken it in every type of riding environment (except really deep mud bogs) and it has done well.

I dropped in a slip on can, jetted the carb and put a K&N fliter in and gained more low end power which gives me a faster take off ...not sure about top speed as I have not been out on the flat sand lately.

The only real complaint that I have is the suspension. I have mine on the softest setting and at only 165 lbs it still kills me after a while going over rocks and roots out on the trails. If you want raw power and comfort out on the trails then I would suggest getting a grizzly 660... lots of power and very comfortable over the rough terrain.

If you want a great looking quad that does ok in all types of environments that get yourself a Wolverine!

 

[DJ]

Wlvie 450

I am by no means a expert on these rides but I can tell you that I came from the two wheel background also and was looking for something I could ride safer as i get older. I bought the TRX 450r and it was a blast. But going fast is not where I ride the most. I like to ride trails and woods where if you can get to 35 you are doing well. I like technical trails that I explore areas I have not been before and the Wolvie is the perfect rig for that. It definetely sucks up the rocks better than the TRX and is very nimble. I dont use the 4WD much but when you need it its great and gets you up the hills faster.

 

[QMaze]

Welcome grump.