atv winch bumper

Amccoy · #1 (**permalink**) 06-21-2011, 06:34 PM

What do you guys believe is the best front brush guard for my 2011 550 X2? The lovely wife gave me cash for father's day with the instructions to buy something for my atv. She's awesome!
Btw, this will be my 1st modification/add-on. Do you believe I should spend my money on something else first (similar money as the brush guards)?

Nwcid · #2 (**permalink**) 06-21-2011, 06:45 PM

I guess it depends on your style of riding. For me GOOD tires are #1, no question about it. I want a tire that has a side wall that is heavy enough that I can run flat if needed so that is what I get. I have had too many bad experiences with flats on stock tires. Tires are what get you there, keep you there, and get you back. They are the #1 piece of equipment used on your ATV every time you go out.

Normally my #2 thing is A-Arm guards and winch (which usually works best with a bumper). On my newest machine I did winch/bumper and still waiting on A-Arm guards.

ATV-Guru is the man to see about bumpers,

crimson850 · #3 (**permalink**) 06-21-2011, 06:52 PM

Personally Im a fan of the RATH bumpers. They are made from chromeoly and are VERY light and VERY strong. You can get them in black too but heres a picturehttp://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.atvriders.com/atv-sxs-wallpapers/images/2010/2010-08-25-daryl-rath-polaris-sportsman-850-xp-atv-roost-400.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.atvriders.com/atv-sxs-wallpapers/atv-riders-2010-08-25-sxs-quad-wall-papers-p3.html&usg=__3JdEC0Ofzu2LcAoUZ_1OaraxMsc=&h=240&w =400&sz=72&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=x8VM1RtpgTAQ SM:&tbnh=119&tbnw=199&ei=v1gBToa4OsGdgQequc3ODQ&pr ev=/search%3Fq%3Ddaryl%2Brath%2Bpolaris%2B850%26um%3D1 %26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D1339%26bih%3D613%26tbm %3Disch&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=643&vpy=80&dur=54& hovh=174&hovw=290&tx=151&ty=91&page=1&ndsp=15&ved= 1t:429,r:12,s:0&biw=1339&bih=613

elmerkit · #4 (**permalink**) 06-21-2011, 07:31 PM

I also like the look of Rath bumpers, the only problem is that is quite expensive and hard to find in your place.

crimson850 · #5 (**permalink**) 06-21-2011, 07:33 PM

I Know Daryl so if you want a RATH let me know. Pm me and I can see if we can do better on the price

Bruteforcebob · #6 (**permalink**) 06-21-2011, 07:47 PM

Atv-guru bumpers are the best made IMO

Amccoy · #7 (**permalink**) 06-21-2011, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nwcid

I guess it depends on your style of riding. For me GOOD tires are #1, no question about it. I want a tire that has a side wall that is heavy enough that I can run flat if needed so that is what I get. I have had too many bad experiences with flats on stock tires. Tires are what get you there, keep you there, and get you back. They are the #1 piece of equipment used on your ATV every time you go out.

Normally my #2 thing is A-Arm guards and winch (which usually works best with a bumper). On my newest machine I did winch/bumper and still waiting on A-Arm guards.

ATV-Guru is the man to see about bumpers,

This got me thinking... Should I go with a-arm guards before a bumper. I can avoid trees easier than sticks and rocks and such. Or are the a-arm guards beyond stock that much better at protection? I'm a newbie, so please excuse if that's an idiotic question.

Action · #8 (**permalink**) 06-22-2011, 05:53 AM

A arm guards were the first thing that I put on. Skid Plate's and tires were next. Then the front brush guard. A lot depends on where and how you ride. I was worried about tearing up CV boots and rocks damaging the underside of the machine. The terrain I ride in has lots of large rocks and sticks. If you ride in different conditions then your choices may be different. As far as which brush guard to pick, I went with ATV Guru. They are twice as much as the Polaris guards but offer a lot more protection.

Action

Nwcid · #9 (**permalink**) 06-22-2011, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amccoy

This got me thinking... Should I go with a-arm guards before a bumper. I can avoid trees easier than sticks and rocks and such. Or are the a-arm guards beyond stock that much better at protection? I'm a newbie, so please excuse if that's an idiotic question.

I would normally choose A-Arm guards before a bumper. Since on a machine this size a winch is a MUST I went with a winch. The way the winches and bumpers mount on the new Sportsman's they really both need to be installed at the same time, Winch instal (how to) so my money went to a bumper before A-Arm guards.

While bumpers can be nice and handy and are functional to me they are more cosmetic. If you look at the A-Arm guards on my old machine you can see they get well used and often. What comes on the machines are NOT A-Arm guards, they are plastic plates that kinda protect the CV boot. An A-Arm guard is a bit piece that is usually metal that wraps from the front of the arm, under and to the back side providing good protection and extra strength.

Right now I know I do not have A-Arm guards on my new machine so I am limiting my off trail riding till I get them on. They are on list of things to get next (in a couple weeks).

Hope that helps. As others have said it also depends on your riding style. If you mostly ride nice trails/roads they would be lower on my priority list. I do lots of off trail riding.

NaplesMudder · #10 (**permalink**) 06-22-2011, 10:04 AM

Riding conditions will really dictate the need for upgraded aarm guards IMO If youre riding rocky trails guards are a must. if you trail ride or mud ride theyre not needed as the stockers will get the job done. One problem associated with the larger aarm guards is they gather more debris. Not a good idea having gumps of mud trapped in there along with anything else rubbing against moving cv boots. Your terrain really should determine any and all mods you do to your machine.

Nice fathers day gift BTW..im jealous = ( lol Good luck with your choices and keep the board up to date!