2006 Yamaha Big Bear... ready to mod!

[RedRider_AK]

Hey all, what's up?

Anyway, it's my birthday in 6 days, and my father is getting me a brand new Yamaha Big Bear 400. All in all, I like it, it's a good do-it-all machine. My question now is, how can I modify it? I'm one of those guys who can't wait to get something new to bolt on a bunch of crap onto them.

Things I've been considering have been an HMF Utility Race or a Penland Pro slip-on pipe, an HMF/K&N power kit (air filter, outerwear and jet kit) and some better tires. What are good utility machine tires? I don't want to make it a "Bigfoot" machine, I just want a nice set of tires that'll be durable and suit my riding terrain and style. I ride hardpack and soft dirt, sand, wet trails and occasional rocky patches. I've been looking at Bighorns, but at 100+ bucks a piece, that's too rich for my blood. Any other picks?

Thanks

P.S. Pics will be posted as soon as we get it from the dealership, which may be as soon as tomorrow.

[Tri-ZNate]

Dirt Devils would work reak well for any 4x4 but the stock wheels that come on it are awesome mud tires

[TravEX]

Big Horns are a great tire. When my ATP needs tires, that's what it will get.

[Lomax]

Are you getting the IRS or straight axle version?

[wheelie king]

Definitely pipe and jet it, and run MUd Lites for tires. They are the lightest and best, IMO. Put a clutch kit in it for a little more oomph, also. Good luck, and post some

[RedRider_AK]

Are you getting the IRS or straight axle version?

D'OH! Stupid me not checking the Yamaha site first.

Oh yeah, and for the rest of you who wanted pics, here they are! I had a fun 2 hours of breaking it in. Even driving at half throttle, this machine has some noticably larger huevos than the Rancher!

[twgranger]

Get the big bear with the IRS. The new 07 has it. Hmf is a great pipe but it will cost some coin. K&n filter are great plus the new big bear already comes with Mudlites tires!!!. I have them on my 05 kodiak.

[twgranger]

some pics, nice machine.

[RedRider_AK]

Get the big bear with the IRS.

Um, yeah, except I already got the other one.

But yeah, I've been looking at a 2 inch suspension lift from Super ATV (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-S...spagenameZWDVW.) How do these lifts work? It's like, 99 bucks, so I'm wondering about the durability. Also, do they make wheel spacers w/ the Big Bear's bolt pattern?

Tire-wise, I've been thinking of Kenda Executioners, probably in 25-inch variety. Do you think the new tires will work with the stock rims? I REALLY don't want to buy 4 new rims, because the shipping will be terrible.

Oh yeah, one last question: If I get the 2 inch lift, will I need to buy new CV axles?

[twgranger]

the 2 inch lift is pretty easy to install. You wont need new axles either. Go to www.highlifter.com and they sell everything you need for lift kits. Their forum is very helpfull too.

[RedRider_AK]

All right, thanks! I think the HighLifter site is down for maintenance right now, cause I can't connect to it, but I'll do it sometime later today. A definite must for the Big Bear is a skidplate covering the bottom of the engine case, cause there's literally nothing there to protect it. I'll be getting a full skid set first, then the lift kit. A couple of guys have already come to me wanting to buy my 2001 YZ80 for 1200-1500 bucks, so if I decide to sell it, I'll definetely be getting a crap-load of other stuff for the Big Bear, like perhaps a full HMF exhaust system and power kit, new rims and tires, and other goodies.

Damn, it feels good to own something brand new.

Hey, If I buy new rims, what sort of offset should I get for the front and rear? I was thinking 2+5 and 5+2...

[RedRider_AK]

All right, folks, here's my list of stuff I'm going to be putting on the Big Bear, as soon as I get some cash, in order of appearance:

-Moose Skid Plates all around
-High Lifter 2" Lift Kit
-25 or 26" Kenda Executioners
-ITP Delta black wheels
-HMF Penland Pro slip-on
-HMF Powerkit w/ K&N Filter and jets

That's all I plan on buying this summer, but if I get more money over the winter...