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So I went out to the desert in Arizona today. Mile marker 11.5 aka the boulders. Really nice with lots of steep hills, woops, sandy turns, burms, etc. Anyway as I came down a trail I shifted gears and the reverse light came on and the quad started sputtering and didn't seem to be in gear correctly. It definitely wasn't in reverse and it seemed more like a fuel or airflow issue than a trans problem. Well I thought I was stuck in a small gully and started to worry. I played around with the reverse lever, shifted up and down and messed with the throttle and clutch. As unexpectedly as the issue arose it also seemed to resolve spontaneously. I rode for another half hour and no further problems. WTF?? Does any one have any idea where the problem was? HELP!! I don't want to end up stranded out on a trail. There were plenty of people there today and I'm sure I could have gotten towed out but if I were in a less popular area I could be in big trouble.
I'd also like to add my impressions of my very first ride. I can see where the 13 tooth sprocket would make this thing come alive. There were a lot of rocky sharp turns. huge 20- 40 foot drops followed immediately by a steep climb. The gearing between 2nd and third seemed too far apart so I could definitely see the 13 making 3rd more useful.The trail had 8-10 inch boulders that I literally couldn't feel. What a great suspension. The front end does seem to want to plow through the tight loose turns but I'm sure that I can learn to get it to slide and know better tires and perhaps a sway bar will help with the under steer. Boots. I had a pair of $200 motocross boots on that saved my ankle as I stupidly put my foot down when the quad leaned and got it jammed under the peg. Broke a buckle not a bone. I was going to get nerfs but having good strong boots may be enough. Matlock, yeah I know he's a pro, only uses heel guards. I wonder if he believes nerfs are not needed if you have good boots.
This was literally my very first time ever on a quad. I'm 49, too heavy by 30 pounds and not as nimble as I used to be. The quad very responsive. I am the type who likes to push a vehicle to it's limits and while I'm sure I didn't come close I did push my limits.
I learned how to ride motorcycles when I was 15 and rode street bikes. My last was a Valkyrie. Every bike I ever owned was a Honda. I really thought I'd have a problem with the thumb throttle but I honestly never even thought about it. Throttle and clutch control just came instinctively. I also intuitively didn't use the clutch except when I had to. That was a first for me as well.
To the guys who want more power, I can't wait until I get to that level. For now a $22 sprocket should do for my needs but I would like to put a slip on and K&N filter on pretty soon just to let it breath a bit better. I'm 10 minutes away from great riding area and hopefully will be riding at least 3 days a week. By next fall I hope to really have this thing under control. I will need a lot of practice. But this is fun and great exercise as well. I had a great time.
I'd also like to add my impressions of my very first ride. I can see where the 13 tooth sprocket would make this thing come alive. There were a lot of rocky sharp turns. huge 20- 40 foot drops followed immediately by a steep climb. The gearing between 2nd and third seemed too far apart so I could definitely see the 13 making 3rd more useful.The trail had 8-10 inch boulders that I literally couldn't feel. What a great suspension. The front end does seem to want to plow through the tight loose turns but I'm sure that I can learn to get it to slide and know better tires and perhaps a sway bar will help with the under steer. Boots. I had a pair of $200 motocross boots on that saved my ankle as I stupidly put my foot down when the quad leaned and got it jammed under the peg. Broke a buckle not a bone. I was going to get nerfs but having good strong boots may be enough. Matlock, yeah I know he's a pro, only uses heel guards. I wonder if he believes nerfs are not needed if you have good boots.
This was literally my very first time ever on a quad. I'm 49, too heavy by 30 pounds and not as nimble as I used to be. The quad very responsive. I am the type who likes to push a vehicle to it's limits and while I'm sure I didn't come close I did push my limits.
I learned how to ride motorcycles when I was 15 and rode street bikes. My last was a Valkyrie. Every bike I ever owned was a Honda. I really thought I'd have a problem with the thumb throttle but I honestly never even thought about it. Throttle and clutch control just came instinctively. I also intuitively didn't use the clutch except when I had to. That was a first for me as well.
To the guys who want more power, I can't wait until I get to that level. For now a $22 sprocket should do for my needs but I would like to put a slip on and K&N filter on pretty soon just to let it breath a bit better. I'm 10 minutes away from great riding area and hopefully will be riding at least 3 days a week. By next fall I hope to really have this thing under control. I will need a lot of practice. But this is fun and great exercise as well. I had a great time.
