In my search for a new ATV I've narrowed down my choices between the 500 4x4 and the 550 H1. I'm using it mostly for hunting, and 75% of the season my property is under 1-2 feet of water. Any advice on which bike will be better suited for those conditions? Which bike is more dependable? A review on each one would be really helpful. Thanks.

 

I dont know much about the 550 since its new, but its supposed to be just about as powerful as the 650. In your search, are you wanting an automatic or manual? The 500 comes in either and have seen both perform and both are bulletproof, ( i have a manual 500). the 550 is efi as the 500 is carb. The 500 is about 30 hp and is plenty of power for what you want. Although you can never really have enough!! the 500 is only going to top out at about 50mph give or take e few. Thats about it as far as know,but you might want to look at the 700 as you may be able to get one about the same price as the 550 and have a bigger bike. I paid 6800.00 ( the 500s go for 6600.00 around here) for my 08 700 in sept. i have seen one being sold here in st louis with 60 miles on it for 5700.00, its a 2009 camo. Its on craigslist and it might be lagit as he left his phone number. If you want, take a look at the pics in my profile. These are pics of my 2002 500 manual in some mud holes that i have literally only seen cats make it through and im not bashing other brands. Tires also play a part as i have 27" 589s on it then and no diff. lock. good luck with your purchase!! P.s. i just looked at my profile and for some reason all my pics are not there.

 

I can't go any bigger than the 550 because of weight issues. I actually load my bike into my boat to get to my hunting lease. I'm actually a little leerie of the automatics, I've heard they're more likely too stall in deep water.

 

well, your right they are more likely to stall,do to water getting in the belt housing. Not saying it will or it wont but your safe bet is the manual for sure. That way you just have to worry about the air intake. If its alot off water you will be in then i will say due to alot of mudding i did with my 500, the bearings went out alot more often. I have read somewhere where you can get a better sealed bearing aftermarket though,which last longer. Id also recommend a more aggressive tire, and my 500 had no problems turning 28s if you wish to go that big. Took a little power away though. Typicaly the bigger the tire you go the bigger the lugs and thats what i like personally as i have 28 " sawmplites with 1.50" lugs,but its what you prefer.

 

How can a water in the the belt housing stall a engine? Water in the air box sure will. The air intakes of the belt housing are usually at the same hight as the air intake of the motor so if your in that deep to drown the belt your going to drown the motor also along with it.

AC and Polaris are know fro making tree crushing heavy tank Utility ATVs, if weigh is a concern the look else where. A 700 Grizzly weighs less than a 500 AC or 500 Polaris for example.

 

700 grizz would be a good choice and i didnt say water in the belt housing would stall the engine, i said your more likely to stall if you get water in the belt housing, because it will slip the belt therefor stall the bike. even though most bikes have the air intake and belt intake at the same level i managed to get water in my belt housing and not in the air intake which i could not move. stalled. With an auto you have to worry about water getting into two areas that could handicap you, with a manual ,you have one.

 

700 Grizzly is a good bike, but a lot more than I'm looking for. My boat can handle the 700 lb. 550 , I'm just not going to go anymore than that. The belt slipping could pose a problem though. I've heard people before tell me about that. The 500 manual might be a better option for me.

 

I believe you will have to go with the 500 because I am pretty sure the 550 H1 only comes with an auto tranny. The 500 can have either auto or Manual.

That said, I have a 400 manual and a 500 TRV manual (same engine/tranny as 500). I have had both the manual and the auto in deep water (barely to the bottom of the racks) and I have not had any belt issues on the auto OR water in the engine intake. Neither are snorkeled but I don't want to go any deeper. So an auto tranny is good as long as it is sealed up and you can always snorkel it if you like to go in deeper stuff.

Just my 2cents

SJ

 

The water I go in isn't near that deep, maybe 6-7 inches above the floorboard. I might be safe getting an automatic. Having to constantly shif the manuals drives me nuts anyhow.

 

not sure how fast your gonna go in water but on the trails and with 27" tires i am able to stay in 3rd all day for some 15mph riding or sometimes i have to shift if the terrain gets nasty. You can easily start off in 2nd though so shifting isnt really all that bad. But like you said, ou wont even be that deep so an auto can and will do just fine. Its your choice and both are bulletproof.