We Need More Reviews--Please Read!

[BadForeman]

James and I were talking yesterday about some new modifications to TBF. One of the things we thought we needed to do is to update and add some more reviews. So here is what we need you guys and gals of TBF to help us with. We need everyone who has modifications done to their ATV to pick some (5-10 accessories if you have that many) accessories that you have and write a small review of it. Ex. Tires- Outlaws, Pros: Awesome in the mud and pretty good on the trails, 6 ply tire, would recommend to people who ride mud and trails. Cons: Kinda heavy, rough ridin at slow speeds. Include more details or more info if you want. Thats just something small. You can do a review for any accessory, tires...power modifications....other accessories (DGL, Snorkel, Rack bags...ect..). If you guys and gals could do this for us it would really help TBF out and help keep people commin' back. Thanks for all the help so far to this point!!

Chad- BadForeman

[Foreman Rider]

Well you wait a few days after christmas and ill tell ya how my accessories are gonna turn out. But yeah we need Product reviews and probably some more members. All you got to do is have a foreman, list your acc., attach a few pics and youll be on the home page under Members Directory, pics and more! This lets everyone see how Bad your Foreman really is,

[BadForeman]

ForemanRider and all members,
For this all you have to do is own a atv. If you own an atv you qualify for this. Like I said, post a small or medium size review and James and I will add it to the ones we have already. The sooner we get it the better. Thanks for everyones help!!

Chad- BadForeman

[TRHOD]

ITP MUDLITES

Recently put 26" ITP mudlites 10x12x26 front 12x12x26 rear on my foreman. I was looking for a good tire for all conditions mud, trails, snow, pavement. I do alote of plowing snow with my bike so yes even pavement.

Pro: Excellent traction in all conditions. The V tread design makes it very smooth on pavement, and in the mud and dirt these tires will move some serious real estate. If the tires are spinning you are digging. I have not, in any conditions, so far felt that the larger tires with the aggressive tread design were too much for my stock foreman to turn. The 6ply design is great to have when you are bowling over thornapple trees and the like.
Con: At Very low speed, when you just barely throttle up in 1st gear, you can really feel the aggressive tread vibrating through the handle bars. The headlight rattles around pretty good also. This will go away very quickly as you throttle up, but it is there.

Future concerns:1> Still haven't been able to use these tires in a heavy, wet snow to plow with. Have a concern about their effectiveness in this condition. I will have to get back to you on this one. 2> The possibility that these aggressive tires will rip apart my stock suspension and drive-lines.

CYCLE CO 60" PLOW BLADE,PUSH TUBES, ATTACHEMENT PLATE

I've had this setup on my bike since I got it in 2001. Here is my opinions:
Pro: The 60" blade has never been too much for the foreman even in the heaviest snows. Sometimes in really deep WET snow, I have to skim a layer of snow off before being able clear down to pavement. Very easy to put on and take off. 2 pins mount the push tubes to the plow bracket. Still have original cutting edge on blade. It has been a very reliable piece of equipment under light to moderate use (I plow 12-15 driveways when ever I go out).
Cons: This blade has 3 positions left, straight, and right angle. It would be nice if it had 5 positions like the polaris set up.

Future concerns: I hope to in the near future add the (new) Cycle Co power angle attachment. It is a pain in the butt getting off the bike everytime you want to change the angle. I might add the side shields the the blade, sometimes in heavy snow it will leave trails of snow that you have to go back and clean up.

SUPERWINCH 2000LBS WINCH

I've had this on the bike since 2001.

Pro: Pretty reliable piece of equipment. Very easy to install. I use it to raise and lower my plow mostly, but have use it to pull other bikes out, deer up hills, etc and it works very well. Priced right. If I remember correctly I paid $199 which was significantly less that other winches at that time.

con: The toggle switch is UGLY looking. Great big orange box sitting on top of the handle bars. I have had problems with the electical connections in the switch coming loose. The bracket that I have it mounted to has the winch underneath the front fender, makes it difficult to free-spool the cable. The winch will kill the battery if you don't put a 30amp off/on switch. Had to replace cable once due to fraying. Probably my fault, several times I will spin the cable without tension cable causing it to loosen on the spool.

Future concerns: I've already got my money's worth from this if it were to break tommorrow. When replacing cable, don't pay the $50+ most places charge. Take a piece to the local hardware store and for about $15 you can get 50' of aircraft cable in the same diameter as the winch cable.

HOT HANDS GRIPS

Had these on the bike since 2001

Pro: When you put these on the high setting you will need gloves on. These things get HOT. Very easy to install. A must have if you are ridding in cold climates.

Cons: VERY, VERY, VERY HARD. These are not very comfortable.

Future concerns: I am looking for a gel grip to go overtop of these to make them more comfortable. I will be getting a thumb warmer soon.

MOOSE HEEL/TOE SHIFTER

Just put this on summer 2004:

Pro: If you've ever rode a motorcycle with a heel/toe shifter I don't need to say anymore. This is a must, and for $20 it is a cheap addition. If you've ever had your bike hung up on a log and can't get your foot under the shifter to lift up, you'll know exactly why you need this. Very easy to install.

Con: The heel part is too high. You have to lift your foot off the peg to shift. I have size 11 1/2 foot, sometimes I have difficulty getting my foot between this shifter to rest on the peg. Especially in heavy klod-hopping boots.

KOLPIN CHAINSAW VICE

Had this on bike for about 2 yrs. It is a great idea, but someone needs to do some design improvements on this concept.

Pro: Very nice way to carry your chainsaw. Keeps it off the rack and very secure. Easy to install, cost about $40.

Con: I absolutely destroyed this thing. It was all beat up after 2 yrs and I had to take it off. I kept getting the big bolts that tightened down on the chainsaw bar caught on trees, etc. They were bent all up and the plastic nuts were destroyed. I have a 20" bar and manytimes going up an incline my bar would drag (I mounted this on my rear rack).

AMSOIL SYNTHETIC MOTOR OIL AND DIFF FLUIDS

Started using this product in my 03 VTX this year and was amazed at what it did for that bike. This bike has a characteristic 1st to 2nd gear clunk when shifting that sounds like you've just left the transmission in a million pieces on the pavement when it happens I switched to Amsoil and the clunk is virtually gone. I fell in love with this stuff that I became a dealer, not necessarily to make money, but so I could pass this stuff on to other people.

Pro: I could go on and on about pros, so if you want to look into it check out my website. Basically in a nutshell amsoil products make a superior product that lubricates better and last longer than almost any product on the market. Oil breakdown isn't what causes engine damage and wear. Dirt, grim and oil sludge does. This stuff takes a long time to breakdown and doesn't have the sludge problem that dyno oils cause. This is a far superior product that dyno oils and data show that it is the best synthetic oil on the market.

con: I'm not sure weather or not to put this as a con, but synthetic oil cost more than dyno oils. Now if you factor in the extended change interval with synthetic oil as well as the improved lubrication to your engine (translation longer engine life) the cost isn't so much of an issue. I would rather spend a little now, rather than alot later.

Future concerns: I guess only time will tell if synthetics are better than dyno oils. Test show, statistics back the fact that synthetics are superior and will prolong your engine life. Hopefully, this will translate into a cost savings over the long haul, but only time will tell.

This may seem like a shameless plug for my Amsoil business, and if someone takes it that way I apologize. That's not what it is, I'm simply trying to inform those who may not realize the advantages of synthetic oils and products for your bike. If you have any questions I urge you to visit my website, or drop me a PM. I would be glad to help you out in making the decision about weather to switch to synthetic or not.

Well there you go. I don't have any performance improvements on my bike, it is very basic. I use my bike to play, but I usually use my bike for work. The things I've added are not bling-bling, just down and dirty work mods. Hope this is what you are looking for, and helps someone else out.

TRHOD

[TRHOD]

By the way, where is your product review section? I saw you said you would add these, but I didn't see where that was.

Thanks,
TRHOD

[Foreman Rider]

TRHOD, you find the product reviews on the home page under Foreman Accessory Reviews. Here is a link:
www.teambadforeman.vzz.net/reviews.html

I've got a review also,

Ricochet Rear Differential Skid Plate

This skid plate works very well. It is so much better than the Honda stock rear differential plate. This covers the differential, and is long enough to almost meet with a full belly skid plate. It also covers some of the axle to the right of the differential so sticks and brush cannot enter. Very easy installation too! 10 minutes tops.

[KSims1868]

These products I'm reviewing here are installed on my 2002 Foreman 450 ES.

HMF Exhaust Pipe
Purchased from HMF (through eBay) during a "scratch & dent" sale. I couldn't even find the imperfection, but they said it was there. I bought a black powdercoated HMF Exhaust pipe for $140
Pros: Excellent sounding exhaust. Looks and fits perfect. Installation took 20 minutes, and most of that was removing my stock exhaust. Very free flowing exhaust and can definitely feel the hp gains.
Cons: Some people think it is loud, but IMO - with the quiet core insert left intact (as it comes)...it sounds perfect.
Highly recommended - I would buy again.

26" Outlaws - mixed feelings
Pros: They seriously kick major @ss in the mud and water. They are a great tire for serious mudding. They are 6-ply, and bullet proof. VERY tough tires that wear very slow.
Cons: VERY heavy. If you run outlaws I'd suggest buying aluminum wheels to help off-set the weight gain from these tires.
Recommended for heavy mud riding - I probably won't buy them again, but I'll go with 27" Gators or some other tire that isn't as heavy.

HL Lift Springs - EXCELLENT
Pros: This is a great way to boost those tired stock springs. They were very easy to install and really did add 1" of lift to my Foreman.
Cons: Stiffer ride (to be expected), and they are BRIGHT yellow...which can be changed or covered up with shock boots I guess.
Highly recommended - I would buy them again

HL front disc brakes - Mixed feelings
Pros: WHEN they work...they stop on a dime.
Cons: When wet...forget it...you have to pump 3-4 times before you stop, and by that time the person or tree in front of you stopped you already.
I probably wouldn't buy them again unless they had some sort of self cleaning mechanism designed or something

This is all for now.

[HondaForemanNo1]

I've got MOST of these updated. Check it out and let me know if anything is wrong.

Keep 'em coming! ;D

[Foreman Rider]

I got a 3000 lb winch and Aluminum Products skid plates being installed in Feb. and got a Penland HMF pipe, Dial-a-jet, K&N, Dyno Jet, and TPI Valve comin before Spring Break.
I'll keep ya posted,
Ethan

[XtremeForeman]

XtremeProducts Disc Brakes

I have had these on my Foreman for over a year. Still have not had to replace the pads and have never had a failure. Have actually had the rear tires off the ground while winching someone out.
Only issue is if the master cylinder is a weak, the brakes will seem a little soft.

[TRHOD]

TRHOD said:

ITP MUDLITES

Recently put 26" ITP mudlites 10x12x26 front 12x12x26 rear on my foreman. I was looking for a good tire for all conditions mud, trails, snow, pavement. I do alote of plowing snow with my bike so yes even pavement.

Pro: Excellent traction in all conditions. The V tread design makes it very smooth on pavement, and in the mud and dirt these tires will move some serious real estate. If the tires are spinning you are digging. I have not, in any conditions, so far felt that the larger tires with the aggressive tread design were too much for my stock foreman to turn. The 6ply design is great to have when you are bowling over thornapple trees and the like.
Con: At Very low speed, when you just barely throttle up in 1st gear, you can really feel the aggressive tread vibrating through the handle bars. The headlight rattles around pretty good also. This will go away very quickly as you throttle up, but it is there.

Future concerns:1> Still haven't been able to use these tires in a heavy, wet snow to plow with. Have a concern about their effectiveness in this condition. I will have to get back to you on this one. 2> The possibility that these aggressive tires will rip apart my stock suspension and drive-lines.

Chad,
Update on the ITP Mudlites. Got a chance this week to plow in heavy, wet snow (over 10"). Tires were awesome. They were much better than the stockers. I don't think I spun- out once, and didn't have to raise the blade and take the top layer of snow off and then go back and clean down to the pavement like I use to have to do with the stockers. That was the clincher for me, these are great all around tires for all conditions.

TRHOD

[WrecklessKelly]

Lift kit

I have a custom made 2" lift kit for my bike. It raised the bike the full 2" and the handling is still pretty good. It's mor etipsy than stock but once you are used to it its not bad.

Symtec hand warmers

These hand warmers installed easily and they work great! They are very hot on high which is nice. The grips are pretty comfortable as well.

27" ITP Mudlites

I've heard a lot of people say that mudlites wear fast but its not true. My rears show some wear becuase of all the spinning i do on gravel with them but the front are like new. Very good trail tire and good for occasional mudding. Ride a little rough at 2-3mph but after that theyre pretty smooth. Great tire for snow riding.

[TRHOD]

CYCLE COUNTRY BLADE ANGLING KIT
This product operates by a cable that is wound around a motorized spindle. Each end of the cable attaches to a plate which is located under the blade and on top of the push tube. Once mounting the angling kit you have to adjust the tension on the cables. The cable attaches to the motorized spindle by wrapping around (3) times.Tightening the cable tightens tension of the wrapped cable around the spindle. This kit simply moves the blade from notch to notch on the push tube.
Pro: Cycle country has a great idea with this kit. It is pretty easy to install, but does take a little time because you have to remove the blade from the push tube and a couple of other things.
Cons: Cycle country has really dropped the ball with this one. The idea is great, but the design is horrible. The kit has an electrical quick disconnect plug, that does not have a plug to protect the contacts when you take the plow off. I've have the kit on my bike for a grand total of 15 days and have already burned up the cable that angles the blade. I have had to take the plow off several times the adjust the tension on the cables. Without the proper tension the blade won't turn. A definate thumbs down on this one as it is right now.
Future concerns: I talked to a product developement representative from Cycle Country about some ideas I had to improve this product. He stated that once the company recoups the developement cost he will be doing extensive product developement and improving this product. I would wait till this is done before buying this product.

[Foreman Rider]

3000 lb. Warn Winch.

This winch works great. Like most winches it was a pain to install but it works great. I winched up a tree a few days ago. Has enought pulling power for anyone. I takes a lot of juice because it reals in so fast. That is one thing that it reals scary fast. Real tough though. Sealed in 8 places and mechanical drum. Would recommend to anyone with a quad that is 600 lbs.

Plasma Synthetic Winch Line.

I love this stuff. It works much better than cable. A lot stronger and easier to work with. You cannot tie it around a tree you have to use a tree strap then hook the strap because of cutting the rope. I is a little spend but well worth the money.

[TRHOD]

[quote author=TRHOD link=board=Accessories&thread=1102039411&start=3#0 date=1103622700SUPERWINCH 2000LBS WINCH

I've had this on the bike since 2001.

Pro: Pretty reliable piece of equipment. Very easy to install. I use it to raise and lower my plow mostly, but have use it to pull other bikes out, deer up hills, etc and it works very well. Priced right. If I remember correctly I paid $199 which was significantly less that other winches at that time.

con: The toggle switch is UGLY looking. Great big orange box sitting on top of the handle bars. I have had problems with the electical connections in the switch coming loose. The bracket that I have it mounted to has the winch underneath the front fender, makes it difficult to free-spool the cable. The winch will kill the battery if you don't put a 30amp off/on switch. Had to replace cable once due to fraying. Probably my fault, several times I will spin the cable without tension cable causing it to loosen on the spool.

Future concerns: I've already got my money's worth from this if it were to break tommorrow. When replacing cable, don't pay the $50+ most places charge. Take a piece to the local hardware store and for about $15 you can get 50' of aircraft cable in the same diameter as the winch cable.

Update to SUPERWINCH

Last week I contacted superwinch about the switch problem as previously stated (killing the battery, not working) They now have a switch conversion kit for the older model winches (like mine) which now has a silenoid. The new kits was about $60. I put it on yesterday. Fairly easy installation. The actual rocker switch doesn't look very good, but I had a Ramsey rocker switch I used instead of the rocker sent with the conversion kit. One important not. If doing this conversion make sure you attach the jumper wire. This wire attaches to a flat wire connection on the selenoid and goes to the ground. If you don't attach this, the winch won't work. Superwinch stepped up on this one. Thumbs up

TRHOD