By Bud on Unrecorded Date: Edit

We got a little over a foot of snow here in east/central Kansas. I spent the day running the new MaxII through its paces to see what it can and cannot do. Some observations:

1) 20" of drifted snow in a swale along the road will cause you to high center, but you can push it out with another driver manning the throttle.

2) If you hit a 28" snow drift at 20MPH you will high center, and have to go get your Jeep to pull the Max out. :D

3) Don't drive down a 45 degree bank into a frozen pond this early in the year if you are a novice like me. While I was able to drive for 15 yards or so, the ice was not thick enough to hold the Max for long (it was only 4" thick or so). When I broke through the ice, the large shards pushed against the body, keeping the tires from grabbing and breaking up the ice or allowing me to get back on the bank. I used a shovel to pole the Max close enough to the bank for my son to get out and get my wife, and we spent over an hour pushing, poling and busting up the ice in an attempt to get the Max out. A friend happened by, and he snatched me out with his 4x4 using my nylon jerk strap. I had visions of the Max being frozen in the pond until next spring. A man has got to learn his limitations, and I am slowly learning mine. :)

Overall, a very fun day. I am impressed with the depth of snow that this Max II with the 18 hp Briggs and 22" tires can handle. A foot of snow is no problem at all. Full speed 360 power slides are a blast; even my wife had fun with those! We pulled our teenagers on a boogie board tied to a rope on the back. They had a ball.

For those that do not have a heated throttle cable: Get one! My throttle cable was stuck fast this morning, but a few minutes with the heater and it was off to the races!

Bud

By Missouri's Max Dealer (Brandon_price) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Sounds like a great time Bud! We got 6-8" of snow here in Missouri and I was stuck worse than you... not a single ATV on the property for me to ride. I should have just came back to your place and joined the fun.
Rocking the Max will get it through some impossible stuff. When my Max broke through ice, I would rock it forward and backward to break the ice. Give it some gas to make it swim forward. When it rocks back, the front will go up on the ice. The ice will usually break when the machine moves back down. Any way you look at it, the Max comes out of there in better shape than a quad would!

By BigRedWolf on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Now this is a very intersting discussion to jump in to! Hey Bud, if you do get a lot of snow down there, and good frozen ice on the lakes and water, you might want to consider trying out a set of those snow tracks that R.I. makes. With four inches of good ice, and a set of those snow tracks, you should be able to stay on top of the ice with out breaking through, and you will definately stay on top of the deep snow with them. The tracks will distribute your over all weight, which should allow you to stay on top the ice much better. You can also go and buy some of those steel track cleats, that they makes for snow mobiles, and install them on the tracks. The cleats may also help to provide better traction to climb back onto the ice. Not completely sure, however, it would be worth a try any way.

Up here in Michigan, we have quite a few poeple that are real hard core ice fisherman, and they quite often venture out on the first fresh ice, in search of a good catch. I have watched them go out on foot, on only an inch or so of fresh ice, just to go after some fish. I think that I tried it one time, and said that was enough for me. You probably hear about it, and see it on the news once in a while, that some one broke through the ice some where, or that fisherman are stranded on the ice flows that broke off the main pack, and have to be recued by the coast guard, or local fire departments.

I have to get myself a good set of those snow tracks eventually. I will probably be wishing that I had already bought a set, as soon as the snows falls start piling up and accumulating.

By Bud on Unrecorded Date: Edit

I'm certain that my novice technique limited things to a great extent yesterday. I plan on re-watching Brandon's Max Action video for tips (and intimidation) as I continue to learn.

What I really can't wait for is an AATV get together with some of you folks. I'd love to bring the family and learn firsthand from the collective expertise of the other riders.

Tracks defintely look like an awesome upgrade for not only ice and snow, but ugly mud as well. The way that things are looking now, a Max IV 950 T might be in the cards in the next year or so. Tracks may be a part of the package if I can get approval from the "boss." You married fellows know what I'm talking about. :)

If not, we still are having a ball with this Max II!!!

By Midwest atv's #1 since 2000 (Hustler) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Bud,
Sounded like you had a blast. You said something about looking at Brandon's video to see if you can learn something. It will help, but the best way to learn is just going out there and doing it. You should think about going to Haspin Acres this Jan for the ride. Its a great place to ride. I am also going up to Rockport Off-Road Park on Jan 1st. Not an offical ride, but some of us are going there. Oh yeah, if you think the max II with 22" tires are good in the snow, you should ride the max IV with the 26" tires. Much better. I have had mine in 20" to 24" of snow with 2 other guys in it giving a demo ride and we all had a blast.

By Bud on Unrecorded Date: Edit

I just checked mapquest, and Haspin Acres is a bit farther away than I can set aside time for, much to my dismay (nearly 600 miles). Rockport is a little less than 300 miles away, though; I will check the calendar and see if I can swing it on January 1st. If not, it will definitely be in the plans for later in the year.

Bud

By Midwest atv's #1 since 2000 (Hustler) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Bud,
I also put on a very nice ride at Deepwater every March or April. Either last weekend in March or first weekend in April. Its a lot closer to you.

By bigkodiak on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Bud
Never let distance stand between you and a good time. I have been on a number of rides pushing nearly 1000 miles each way.
The comaraderie, fun and new skills you can obtain are most certainly worth the trip.
Russ

By Bud on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Sounds great!!

By Midwest atv's #1 since 2000 (Hustler) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Hey Bud,
If you wanted to make it to the Haspin Acres ride, let me know and you will be going through St. Louis. That is where I am. We can meet up and follow each other there. You will have a great time just like Bigkodiak said. Not to mention that you will see people do stuff with these machines that you would never think could be done.

By Bud on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Due to time commitments at home and work, Haspin Acres is probably not in the cards. I do appreciate the offer, though, and look forward to Deepwater!!

I will be in St Louis on business in either January or February. I may drop by your business for a chat if I can get the time.

By Midwest atv's #1 since 2000 (Hustler) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

Just let me know.

By mike martindale (Wetsu) on Unrecorded Date: Edit

bud, i highly recommend deepwater.it is a grreat place for a novice, to learn different riding techniques. and plenty of places to ride.and there is always somebody out there to help if you get into trouble.there is also 2 small atv parks up near lawrence ks. at the perry lake res.not that great but ok for a beginner.if you should ever get a chance to go to haspin.....it is well worth the trip. i went from kansas city last june when i sold my bigfoot..........after i left i wished i would have waited a day before i sold it,so i could have driven it there.