Unhappy with new ATV. Advice please!! HELP ME - ATVConnection.com ATV Enthusiast Community

emmittman · #1 (**permalink**) 05-01-2009, 09:24 PM

OK....so what 4x4 fourwheelers are there that dont have the gosh forsaken belt drive. I heard all the do is get wet and start slipping. I would like to buy a ATV that I wont have to worry about getting something wet and it not running properly.

I just bought a Hemsin 400 4x4. It has a Yamaha 400 engine.

OK......anyway I got a great deal on it...3000....brand new with 1 yr warranty. But I took it out and am kinda not impressed.

I have been riding for a long time and got it B\C it is all mechanical. It has manual shift, and a actual lever for the transfer case. There is no push button this or electronic that.

Again...anyway...it has ONE shock for the rear axle and in my opinion the suspension sucks. Also...when i took it on the road it only got up to about 30mph. I wasnt going full out, but to me it does not feel very peppy for a 400cc. I was looking at throttle cable and carb linkage. When I have the throttle wide open it looks like it is only opening up around 60-70%.

Are new quads DE-tuned? IS it set like that to make sure the motor is broke in properly (SO you dont over rev it)?

Long story short.....I think I am going to sell my BRAND NEW Hemsin and just buy something used for around 4000. I have found Vinsons and Praries but after a quick bit of research I see they have belt drives. I enjoy going mudding and offroading more than anything and want something that can hold up to my abuse. NO BELT DRIVES

HELP HELP HELP

HawkeyeRider · #2 (**permalink**) 05-01-2009, 09:37 PM

I dont know what problems u might have had with belt driven trannys, but if u look at some vids on you tube for atv muddin. U'll see that the majority of these atv's are belt drives. There are a few that completely swamp their bikes under water and float around. (with snorkel kits) Check it out b4 u decide on replacement for ur Hemsin!!!

This milage was on my last ride, factory belt, no problems, and I have been in plenty of mud/water.

emmittman · #3 (**permalink**) 05-01-2009, 09:56 PM

what kind of atv is that u have

HawkeyeRider · #4 (**permalink**) 05-01-2009, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emmittman

what kind of atv is that u have

It's a 2006 Polaris Hawkeye 300 4x4

fsstnotch · #5 (**permalink**) 05-02-2009, 05:47 AM

I have 1 and a buddy has 1 Sportsman 500's that both have 2" lift and 27" mud gear tires on them. One is 08 and one 09 and we have never had a problem with the belt slipping! I have had the 08 in so much water it was floating and have had both of them up to the top of the fenders in mud and no slipping. My 08 has had the belt housing filled with water to the point that it stalled the wheeler and I had to drain it. Drained it out, started it up and kept right on going. No slipping at all. NOW, that being said, this is riding in Low gear. If I put it in high gear and do the same things, it slips badly and you can smell it, but you should never be riding in mud or trails for that matter in high gear. Had them both up to about 55 on the road in high gear. I plow snow all winter with it, ride in snow up to the racks, never a problem.

No offense to you, but it sounds more like your atv is slipping than it does the entire belt drive system on every atv out there being junk. My first hand experiences on Polaris Atvs are that the belt drive systems are pretty solid.

there are some pics and vids here
http://s425.photobucket.com/albums/p...02008/?start=0

Some winter riding
http://s425.photobucket.com/albums/p...0April%202008/

BTW, these are mislabeled. They were taken in feb and april 2009

upnort · #6 (**permalink**) 05-02-2009, 07:59 AM

There is a reason the vast majority of atvs are CVT clutches. I think Yammi, cat, zuki still make a manual clutch utility machine. Bought my 1st machine in 97 and went with Po cause they were the only machine I could find with a cvt, now most all are.

jaybeecon55 · #7 (**permalink**) 05-02-2009, 08:10 AM

The odds of a drive belt slipping in deep water are much less then the odds of having poor performance from a piece of crap off-brand ATV. While many of the off-brands are getting better and some are pretty good, it still boils down to you get what you pay for. Sell your Hemsin for whatever you can get out of it and look for a quality bike (used or new). Then you can post about how much fun you're having with your new ATV.

TLC · #8 (**permalink**) 05-02-2009, 08:37 AM

All the serous ATV are belt drive, you will not see a 5 speed win any mud or dead pull contest. The belt only gets wet if you go deaper then the intakes even a 5 speed has a air in take for the carb.

just try and name a powerful non belt drive 4wd ATV. The largest 4wd 5 speed is the Foreman 500 and AC 500 and both of them only make 27 and 30 hp while a belt 500 Outlander makes 40 hp and a SP500 makes 36HP.

A yamaha 24 hp 400 big bear only does 45mph so your ATV is probably fine if it has the same motor, if power and speed it you thing then get a belt drive 4x4.

reconranger · #9 (**permalink**) 05-02-2009, 10:26 AM

Your first mistake was to get an "off-brand" machine!!! These things have a low purchase price, but getting one is "false economy". Ditch it before it blows up completely....

The Honda Rancher lineup has a manual transmission. Find yourself a foot shift model (avoid ES), and you will be set up for worry free riding for the next 20 years. I have a Rancher 350 that is 10 years old now, and never has one single problem of any kind. I also have the newer Rancher 420, and it is a real peach!

As I recall, Yamaha and maybe Suzuki, also have manual trans models in the intermediate displacement class.

jumbofrank · #10 (**permalink**) 05-03-2009, 09:01 PM

I've had my Polaris' in water up to the racks without the belt slipping, so I know it's not a problem with most CVTs. IMO you should sell the Hemsin and get a Sportsman or Grizzly, etc.