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ATV rear suspension?

bjkpharmd

bjkpharmd

New Member
Getting serious about an ATV purchase. Narrowrd down to a couple different makes and models. One has independant rear the other has a one piece rear axle. Going to be used to haul a sprayer around, maybe a seeder, doubt I ever pull anything unless it is just a spike tooth harrow to cover seed. Is this going to make any difference? Looking for something to help me decide.
 
When I was buying an ATV IRS was one of my deciding factors. That narrowed it down to two (at that time) and the dealer choice made my final decision. Reasons why I wanted IRS: ride, stabillity, traction, drive shaft insteadt of chain/belt, it was able to tow more than a "regular" rear suspension of the same CC size. It is more maintenance than a one piece but to me it was worth it.

FWIW, and it ain't worth much.

The 'Bonker
 
I have a Honda 300 and it has been a workhorse since I urchased it in 97. It's just big enough for light duty chores, and small enough to load into a pickup. I have a small utility trailer that I load with wood and bring in and out of the timber. I also place a water tank on the trailer for trees, spread fert with a pull behind spreader, aeriate yards plow snow,etc.
These new 4 wheel drive 2 seat thingy's are interesting. I think Polaris, Yamaha, John Deere and others are making them. I like the area on the back where you can haul materials around, and I think some of them dump?? The biggest disadvantage of this unit would be the size and needing to be hauled on a trailer. I would like to play with one for a month this spring and see how it works. I think we need to find a major company to lend one to Iowa Whitetail for a field test for a couple months, then Pharmer and I could give a report on how the field testing went...
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I would definately go with the independent suspension. The ride isn't even comparable on rough terrain, The independent on most models has much more clearance than the straight axle.Its also much more stable on sidehills etc.
 
I've pulled trailers (up to 5x10 loaded with rock), harrow, disc, logs, swisher rough cut mower, just about anything I can think of with my Sportsman, which is IRS. It may squat slightly with a very heavy load but it never caused a problem. A sprayer on the back rack was fine too. IRS is well worth it in my opinion.
 
If you are looking for something to do some work, i would really also look into one of the utility vehicles like the mule or polaris ranger. The bed works a heck of a lot nicer for hauling and putting stuff into. The only downfall is if you want to go out fourwheeling with people on fourwheelers in really nasty and muddy stuff you wont be able to keep up with them. You can get some of the smaller utility vehicles in the $6000 range which is around the price of a midsized fourwheeler.
 
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