Just bought my first ATV, 06 Wolverine now I have questions

[Frostbite]

This is my first post on an ATV forum. Perhaps I should have asked before I decided on an ATV but as you know chosing an ATV is kind of personal thing.

I ended up buying a 2006 Wolverine 450 for several reasons. I was the last of the hold outs in my hunting camp. I ride my TTR225 motorcycle with a luggage rack and gun/bow holder on the handle bars and I thought it worked just fine. All my buddies have utility ATVs and I rode most of them but utility ATVs just didn't do it for me. They felt as about as sporty as a small jeep or golf cart. I rode and older Yamaha Blaster and had a ball and thought What I need is a sport ATV with four wheel drive!

I considered a CAN AM Renegade but I didn't want to get instantly into the "my ATV is faster than your ATV" wars from the get go. I did that with super bikes, dirt bikes and snowmobiles and I decided this time I wanted something lighter in weight than the standard utility ATV but with four wheel drive for getting up the steep areas. Then the 500 Renegade was released and it weighed over 600 lbs like it's big (800cc brother) and my choice was made.

Now I'm asking for a little of your guidance.

I can see this ATV is going to need a few goodies to make me happy. The first one is a rear rack. I see one on E bay (a front rack too) and wonder just how thay look and actually work on this bike (do you call ATVs bikes)? I read some where guys had taken either 350 or 450 Yamaha Bruin or Wolverine rear racks and weld them to the existing stock rear rack. I have to wonder if the rear rack off a 05 Wolverine would somehow mount on this 06 model but I'm not sure how much the rear of the frame changed for 06? I would like a nice looking front rack as well to mount my bow on during archery season. What do you suggest?

I see there are 2,500 lb winches on E bay for $85. That seems awfully inexpensive. Are they ok? The wife says I need a snowplow now too.

I KNOW I will be putting a pipe on the new ATV. I have listened to the audio clips on UTUBE for the stock, HMF (or was it FMF) and the Yamaha GYT pipes. I have a buddy who can get my the new GYT pipe for $299. Which one do you guys suggest?

I see the Dynojet kits for the carb, The Fix Powersports and Earlenson clutch kits and all the aftermarkets filters being hyped for this ATV. What do you guys suggest?

Thanks for any help you provide.

FROSTBITE

_________________
My first ATV
2006 Wolverine 450 4X4
2003 RX-1 Mountain Mod
2000 TTR225
1999 BMW F-650 Classic

 

[SM Yam]

Hi Frostbite
I am new to the Yamaha line so the racks on our Cat and Grizzly
where on ...them . Now bumpers I add to the front of the Cat and
the Grizzly had them when I got it ..they are a must if you are in to trailing in heavy wooded areas...saves the front end and I would
put rear bumper on too..
Winch ..... you can't go wrong with warn ... and a few other high end winchs.... the cheaper $85.00 one I would use as rear winch ...they just don't stand up to heavy use... and if you put a plow on the bike you will be happier with a good winch...
Good luck and happy riding
SM Yam

 

[Frostbite]

Thanks for the response. I'm new to ATVs but I have been screwing around with bikes and snowmobiles for years so I have a fairly good idea on what mods have worked for me in the past.

The first thing I did with my new Wolverine was drop a Fitch Fuel catalyst F5T in the gas tank, I added a Thunder Products Inc. (TPI) low boy movable (sliding gate with fliter) to the airbox lid, I ordered a cheapo clutch and jet kit ($99 on Ebay) from Fixx performance because they are a very reputable snowmobile go fast shop.

Next it looks like I will order a GYT pipe and a K&N and an outer filter. I keep trying to call Bikeman Performance to check on the CDI box but I can't seem to get a hold of them. I do see they have a box for the Grizzly 450 and I have to wonder why that box wouldn't work? I'm interested in installing a fuel gauge as well.

My E bay (Avon Cycle) racks should be in this week. I found a large storage box at Walmart to mount to the rear rack when I need it. I still can't believe how close to Yamaha blue the box is and it was $15.00.

I will also be mounting some type of small fairing on the handlebars. Not one of the dorky looking ATV specific ones but something that looks nice and provides some protection from the cold wind in the late fall and winter.

I bought some slime (ok, I cheaped out and bought the Simoniz variety of slime) for the tires. Slime said to put 24 to 32 ounces per tire and Simoniz says to use 16 ounces per tire. I may just put 24 ounces per tire and call it good? What do you think? Is the Simoniz (yellow not green) any good?

Ok, that's enough blubbering.

Frostbite

 

[maim]

i use that stuff at home in the lawnmower tires and it works well. have not needed it in the atv as of yet. if it is carbed you are going to need to re-jet especially for the pipe. i think the ones for the kodiak450 are the same spec as the wolverine stock ones but i do not know for shure.

as to the fuel gauge, the one off of my big bear pro might fit as it is a mechanical gauge. i have seen this same type on lots of the older/lower end models over the years. not really nessasary in my opinion as mine usually holds enough for 2 days running my uncles trapline or partridge hunting. just never leave it on reserve and you should be fine without it.

 

[Frostbite]

Thanks for the tip. I will research the fuel gauge for your big bear. If the fuel tanks have the same part number perhaps the length of the mechanical gauge may work?

Frostbite

 

[maim]

could be. if i have time ill have to take a pic of it.

 

[Frostbite]

It looks like the Wolverine, Kodiak and big bear all use the same fuel tank. The fuel meter assembly land housing looks like the same part for the Kodiak and the Big bear as well so I'd guess the fuel gauge would work.

Thanks, I'll watch for the picture.

Frostbite

:rules

 

[Jaxom]

I had to remove my fuel tank. There were plastic shavings inside from the factory for attaching fittings. The shavings were clogging up the filter screen.

 

[Frostbite]

Thanks for the tip. I'll drain the tank before I do any drilling and try to vacuum it out before I put fuel back in the tank.

Now where exactly to mount it on the tank to get it to read properly is the question?

Frostbite

 

[clutch]

How many of your dirt bikes had a fuel gauge? From my experience the gauges are for the most part very inaccurate. I wouldnt waste the time or the money on one.

Reserve and a one gallon gas can will always get you home.

Just my opinion.

 

[SharkAttak]

got to love the wolvy 450

 

[MrSled]

Awesome, looks like fun.