Manual trans ATVs

[MultiMow]

Several years back, I traded my Arctic Cat 400 for an Arctic Cat 700 EFI Special Edition... worst mistake I ever made.

My 400 was a manual shift with 3 ranges (High, Low, Super Low), had soft suspension that rode like a Cadillac, and was light enough to be nimble/manageable. I once rolled it and was able to get out from beneath it and go about my day. If the same accident happened on the 700, I'd have been a dead man.

Arctic Cat doesn't even offer a manual anymore, and everything I've found with independent rear suspension is sprung harder than a one ton pickup truck.

Can anybody help? I don't care of I have to buy some off brand China/India... ****, I'd even buy Pakistani of I could get what I want. I want a plush ride (soft springs and IRS), no bigger than 450, manual trans with low range (3 range super low preferred)... basically, I want my old 2003 Arctic Cat 400 with modern EFI.

Any suggestions?

 

[deserteagle71]

Only ATV with a manual tranny these days I know of is the Honda Rancher. 420cc and probably the most dependable ATV ever made. Not sure if they have a low range in them though - never been on one - just know that a lot of the big farms/ranches around here use them and wouldn't use anything else. 5 speed manual tranny with reverse.

 

[dusty3030]

Ever ridden a Honda Rancher? The new dual clutch autos give you a true geared transmission that can shift automatically or you can shift it manually using the push buttons. IRS and rides well. 2?21 FourTrax Rancher FEATURES - Honda
The dual clutch transmission gives you a true low range as well - it has double the gears of a regular manual transmission.

The other Rancher mentioned above is a great bike too. The true manual has solid rear axle but rides well.

 

[Coboco]

I really like my 2000ish Honda Foreman 450 4x4. It was the ES (electric shift) that uses two buttons by thumb on the left handlebar to shift. That was always troublesome so I welded on a 12mm wrench that I bent to the stubby output from the trans case and made it a foot shift lol.

They do make a foot shift version, but harder to find than the ES probably because they are amazing, reliable machines that no one want to sell!

It is a solid rear axle, shaft drive. Doesn't have a lot of suspension flex but is super stable and does everything I ask of it. The seat is plush so it's a joy to ride

Much safer feeling on hills than a big independent suspension Yamaha Grizzly (600?) I test rode.

They are full time 4x4 so steering might be tough for people with less upper body strength.

For farm work/maintenance, I think the older generation solid axle Foreman 450 4x4's are a solid choice. I paid $2600 for mine 2 yrs ago.

 

[Coboco]

It would be hard for me to consider any other machine if I had to replace this one.

 

[nybirdman]

The old Honda's are the closest match but have their quirks.Most if not all but Honda have gone to CVT type transmissions,few people want a manual.The electric shift is a problem at least in cold climates.Even Honda has gone to IRS for most machines.Solid axel manual shift are a thing of the past.

 

[ArlyA]

The old Honda's are the closest match but have their quirks.Most if not all but Honda have gone to CVT type transmissions,few people want a manual.The electric shift is a problem at least in cold climates.Even Honda has gone to IRS for most machines.Solid axel manual shift are a thing of the past.

:thumbsup::thumbsup: CVT's have been working fine in ATV's and UTV's for many years. No they're not perfect, but still pretty darn good.

 

[deserteagle71]

It is a solid rear axle, shaft drive. Doesn't have a lot of suspension flex but is super stable and does everything I ask of it. The seat is plush so it's a joy to ride
Much safer feeling on hills than a big independent suspension Yamaha Grizzly (600?) I test rode.

Your feeling about the independent suspension was correct. Very unstable in off-camber situations. I have a Yamaha Kodiak 450 that I've been riding for 14 years now - I've rolled it 3 times now despite being old and careful. One of my riding partners has a Honda Rancher with the solid rear axle and he has no problems going on side slopes I would not consider.

 

[Motorboatin]

The Honda Fourtrax Rancher would probably be a good fit. You can get it with independent rear but they ride nice and you can shift them. Plus they are cheap compared to the bigger models

 

[MultiMow]

Thanks for all the input, folks!

 

[Bocephous]

The old Suzuki Vinson and Eiger each had the option for manual shift, but had a solid rear axle. I had a Vinson from 2007-2020 and it was very reliable, never had carb problems (used stabilizer for years then non-ethanol gas) and was a very good work quad.

 

[jmc]

Here's a similar thread, except I wanted a manual clutch too.

https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums...atv-fully-manual-transmission.html?highlight=

 

[timswi]

I had a Yamaha Big Bear which was a 5 speed (I think) manual. It was a real workhorse but now that I have an automatic CVT Polaris 570 Sportsman 2up Touring model, I'll never go back to a manual trans.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I paid a small fortune to have the Snowmobile Tranny rebuilt on a slightly used Diesel Mule. And first time out (when new) in maybe three or four inches of snow, I could smell the belt smoking and had to shift to low. Is there an issue with just my MULE? Maybe. But, I for one am not impressed with a belt drive tranny on a "work" vehicle. Getting at the clutch or even just belt is also a hellish job! If it was cheap to replace and easy to get at, I'd say, fine, it'a a cheap easy solution for transmitting power, but this isn't the case.

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I paid a small fortune to have the Snowmobile Tranny rebuilt on a slightly used Diesel Mule. And first time out (when new) in maybe three or four inches of snow, I could smell the belt smoking and had to shift to low. Is there an issue with just my MULE? Maybe. But, I for one am not impressed with a belt drive tranny on a "work" vehicle. Getting at the clutch or even just belt is also a hellish job! If it was cheap to replace and easy to get at, I'd say, fine, it'a a cheap easy solution for transmitting power, but this isn't the case.

You have to "choose wisely" grasshopper! lol

Yamaha has a belt, BUT it's always under tension, and it doesn't "smoke", it just works and last about forever!!

Yamaha has a separate "oil bath" clutch, for the clutch, not a sno-mobile system that smokes belts!!

I've pulled big loads of stones and even tractors with my old Grizzly and I've never had the belt slip in any way, not even one time, and it's still on it's original belt!

SR

 

[Industrial Toys]

Mule, Gator with no FWD, and Polaris, with no Rear Dif, was all that was available as I recall back in 2000.

Having the great pleasure I do with my E-Gator, if I had to get a 4wd UTV today, I might consider the electric Polaris, I just wish it had more utilitarian styling.

 

[Zebrafive]

I paid a small fortune to have the Snowmobile Tranny rebuilt on a slightly used Diesel Mule. And first time out (when new) in maybe three or four inches of snow, I could smell the belt smoking and had to shift to low. Is there an issue with just my MULE? Maybe. But, I for one am not impressed with a belt drive tranny on a "work" vehicle. Getting at the clutch or even just belt is also a hellish job! If it was cheap to replace and easy to get at, I'd say, fine, it'a a cheap easy solution for transmitting power, but this isn't the case.

What model Mule w/diesel do you have? I know they make several. Even the old 2510 could be had with a diesel. Just wondering if it's the DX or DXT?

 

[Industrial Toys]

I had the old (original?) 2510 Diesel. The wonderful model where the passenger can stretch out.

Noisy and full of vibration, I do gotta say, give those glow plugs a few seconds to do their thing and that engine jumps to life pretty much as fast as you can release the key.

 

[deserteagle71]

I paid a small fortune to have the Snowmobile Tranny rebuilt on a slightly used Diesel Mule. And first time out (when new) in maybe three or four inches of snow, I could smell the belt smoking and had to shift to low. Is there an issue with just my MULE? Maybe. But, I for one am not impressed with a belt drive tranny on a "work" vehicle. Getting at the clutch or even just belt is also a hellish job! If it was cheap to replace and easy to get at, I'd say, fine, it'a a cheap easy solution for transmitting power, but this isn't the case.

I learned the hard way - after changing two belts - unless you are just driving at speed on flat ground with no real load on the drivetrain, to always use low range! Whether poking around in the mountains at slow speeds or pulling a trailer on my place, ALWAYS use low range. Belt will last forever that way.

 

[Oldpath05]

I had the 96 Artic Cat 454 with rocker shift and low range it was a good machine, then in 2004 I bought a 650 atv, low range was like high range in my 96 454, good for riding but no good for pulling trailers.