GUNK Carburetor Parts Cleaner: Independent Consumer Review by Everything ATV UTV Reviews

Before you give up on cleaning and rebuilding you're old dirty ATV carb look at this product by GUNK.  Over the years I've used and tried many different types of carburetor cleaners.  Some of the aerosol types are a complete waste of money if you're carb has major buildup from sitting with gas in it for years.  Recently I worked on a completely plugged Mikuni carburetor and as you know they don't manufacture a complete rebuild kit and buying a refurbished Mikuni is expensive.  You can easily buy individual parts for the Mikuni or attempt cleaning.  The cheapest and easiest alternative was to take a chance on a GUNK Carburetor Parts Cleaner.  This kit by GUNK comes in a gallon paint can bucket and it's opened up the same way.  After placing my parts in the cleaning tray I submerged them back into the can and sealed the lid.  The next day I pulled the parts out and it was incredible how clean everything was.  Another advantage to the kit, after pulling the parts out of the cleaner you wash the remaining fluid off with soap and water.  Purchased the GUNK Carburetor Parts Cleaner for $25 here in Kentucky, consider it a great value and it can be used again and again.   Watch the GUNK Carburetor Parts Cleaner go to work on this trashed Mikuni ATV Carb.

SureCan: Independent Consumer Review by Everything ATV UTV Reviews

Over the years I've purchased gas can, after gas can, after gas can, until recently introduced to the SureCan.  All the gas jugs I've purchased in the past eventually started leaking around the pour nozzle and made a huge mess on our ATV's, UTV's and other power equipment.  More than ready to try something different I ordered the 2.2 gallon SureCan.  Ordering was easy on the Surecan website, although the $40 price tag, plus $5 shipping, was a bit hard to swallow.  If you have Amazon Prime shipping is free!  They do offer a 5 gallon jug option for another $10 and this version is available in blue, yellow and red colors, depending on what type fuel you're putting in them.  The gas can arrived a few days later and excited to see just how it worked I unwrapped it and filled it up.  This video review will show you exactly how it operates.  Surecan has their own videos on their website, but I figured they were just paid actors or folks getting some kind of kick back from the company, our video review is unbiased as we hold no stake in the company.  Since owning the Sure Can I can honestly say our family gravitates toward the gas jug whenever we need to filler up.  It's sturdy, has some nice safety features and most importantly doesn't make a mess.  Now we've not dropped it off a cliff, shot basketball with it or even ran it over with a pickup truck as SureCan demonstrates, but so far so good.  In conclusion, the SureCan is a bit pricey, but worth a few extra bucks for the performance and quality the SureCan delivers.

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Comparing the thumb shift Rancher ES to the foot shift Rancher S model

Honda introduced the Rancher 350 Fourtrax ATV with two different transmission options, manual foot shift or manual electric shift controlled by an up and down arrow on the left side of the handlebar.  Honda badges the electric shift model as ES and the manual foot shift Ranchers as the S.  Both transmissions have their advantages as well as a digital dash readout on the ES.

The S model or manual shift Rancher is about as bullet proof an ATV that has ever been manufactured.  Honda introduced this Rancher FourTrax 350 in the year 2000 and it was a great seller and many good Ranchers still exist tucked away and forgotten about in garages and barns around the states.  The manual foot shift model has a very basic dash readout, consisting of indicator lights for neutral, reverse and high temperature warning.  The shift pattern; start in neutral, down for reverse and 1-5 gears up from neutral (R,N,1,2,3,4,5).   This edition Rancher equates to less electronics and things to tear up and replace.  Basic, but practical explains the "S".  Watch the Rancher S in action

The Rancher ES, also introduced in 2000, was an industry first for manual thumb shifted ATV's and still remains the only manufacture to use this type transmission control.  The ES operates just like the foot shift model, but instead of cycling through the gears with your left foot you change gears with your left thumb by a pair of up shift and down shift arrows located on the handlebar.  From experience I can say that after long trail rides you feel less fatigued on the ES.  The dash readout also offers much more information, including: speed, odometer, trip meter, engine hour meter, time, reverse light, neutral light, high temp light and digital gear indicator (R,N,1,2,3,4,5).  The most commonly replaced electrical component on the ES is the Angle Sensor, which is relatively easy to install part and less than $50 at your local Honda shop.  To avoid trouble with the ES keep it out of mud and water where the engine is submerged for long periods of time.  Watch the Rancher ES in action

Rear Independent Suspision IRS versus Solid Rear Axle SRA comparison

The advantages of a rear independent suspension (i) versus a solid rear axle (SRA).  A solid rear axle can be a lot of fun and there are advantages to both rear suspension types.  This article will explain the differences and what you can expect out of both.

The solid rear axle has been around since the first ATV rolled off the assembly line.  It's tried and true and has some unique advantages over the newer independent rear suspension.  The SRA offers a solid more stable ride and is a top choice for folks who enjoy riding their quad aggressively.  The SRA doesn't load up when quickly spinning the quad around like the independent suspension tends to and is a top choice for those who race their quad.  It also serves as a great utility quad platform where hauling and pulling heavy loads is the ATV's primary purpose.  It is a bit less forgiving on the trail, but defiantly has its advantages.  Less moving parts involved in this setup, which means less to tear up.  The solid rear axle just makes the atv fun to ride.  Unfortunately the SRA is being phased out on the big bore sport utility quads and to own one you'll have to buy used.

Independent rear suspension has been around for some time now in the ATV industry and has became quite popular with folks.  If trail riding is you're primary use for the quad, independent rear suspension offers a superior ride quality.  Unlike the SRA, independent rear suspension allows each rear tire to react independently to the terrain.  Most all independent rear suspensions incorporate a sway bar that lightly mimics the characteristics of the SRA and allows sportier more aggressive cornering, but not near the solid feel of the SRA.  Independent rear suspension setups will cost more when purchasing your quad, but after a 50 mile trail ride you'll be glad you paid a bit more.  More moving parts to tear up in this setup, but manufactures continue to improve on their designs.

Having put many miles on both setups I can say that both get the job done.  It will really boil down to what your major purpose for the ATV will be.  If your in the market for a big bore atv you're only choice will likely be the (i) rear suspension setup.Watch SRA ATV in Action

Semi-auto versus Fully Automatic CVT ATV transmission

How to decide which type transmission best fits your ATV riding style.  There are many good transmissions out there and we'll be covering the the two most widely available in this article.  This comparison is just explains their operation and may help you decide which best suits your needs. 

The most basic is the semi auto manual transmission and is generally shifted with your left foot.  These transmissions usually have five forward gears and one reverse gear.  From our experience these type transmissions are very dependable, are very tough and are great for pulling loads or heavy chores where a slow consistent speed is desired.  Several manufactures still offer this platform and the majority of the older sport/utility and utility ATV's used it, but can still be found on select new ATV's.  This transmission has been around since the first ATV's debuted and is time tested tough.

The second style transmission is the fully automatic CVT (Constant Variable Transmission) that utilize two clutch baskets with a belt.  These transmissions originated from the snow mobile and found their way into the ATV and UTV market, with Polaris being the pioneer way back ago.  The fully automatic transmission has its advantages and has came a long way in reliability since first introduced.  To operate these fully auto transmissions you simply place it in gear, either High, Low or Reverse ranges.  There is no shifting gear or worry about, simply pick it and go!  Check out our many reviews over at our Youtube Channel.  The automatic transmission does all the hard work for you.  This type transmission is very popular and most all manufactures have their own respected version they've engineered.  The fully automatic CVT tranny is great for trail riding or any long extended ride where you may get tired of shifting through a semi-auto trannies gears time and time again.  In future posts we will get more in depth on which manufactures fully auto CVT is the Best: Kawasaki, Suzuki, Yamaha, Polaris, Can-Am... etc. 

How to change oil Kawasaki 400 Bayou 4x4

Changing the oil on the 400 Bayou is a simple task and very crucial to its long term reliability.   Mostly due to the incorporation of the hassle free spin on style oil filter and sight glass oil level gauge.  The only tool required for this job is a 17mm socket and ratchet.  To start, remove the 17mm drain plug located in the middle of the belly skid plate.  As the oil is draining remove the oil filter by turning it counter clockwise.  I like the Wix filters, part number 51358.  Replace the oil filter and reinstall the drain plug.  Make sure you have at least 4 quarts of wet clutch compatible oil on hand.  This oil is often stamped motorcycle or atv oil which contains the friction additive.  You will find the case to be stamped with 3.7 liters, which is equivalent to almost four quarts.  Pour 3 quarts in and then begin gradually adding the 4th quart, checking the sight glass until its just below the upper mark.  Now start the Bayou and let it idol for a couple minutes.  Turn it off and then wait a couple minutes for the oil to drain back down and then recheck the oil sight glass.