Viper Max Winches - Honda Foreman Forums : Rubicon, Rincon, Rancher and Recon Forum

GhostRubicon · 06-04-2009, 01:46 AM

Does anyone have any experience with Viper Max winches? I know I know, I should go with a Warn but these things are half the price and I don't see myself using it too often. I heard that these were the most reliable from the "cheap" brands. Any comments would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

**toodeep** · 06-04-2009, 10:14 AM

They are a good winch, I have 4 yrs. on mine without any trouble besides switching to synthetic line. They (like warn and every other winch) can have a bad one but mototaaliance is great about getting it fixed asap. That was said because of a buddies, the line jumped over the spool and messed up the drum and bushings, they sent out the new parts (updated bushings that the new ones come with now to fix the problem) and he was good to go.

dentpusher · 06-04-2009, 02:41 PM

Ive got the 3500 lbs and its worked fine for me.Having a remote is a nice option imo

GhostRubicon · 06-04-2009, 05:38 PM

So how difficult is it to install these things? The dealership charges a nut and half of the other to do these things. I'm new to ATV but I would say I'm somewhat mecahnically inclined and have common sense.

Also, whats the proper way to use these things when your stuck in a mud hole? Are you suppose to get off the ATV and use the remote, or do you stay on? Can you tie on to a tree thats to the side of where your stuck, or does it need to be directly in front

dentpusher · 06-04-2009, 06:09 PM

Ive pulled mine sideways several times and had no problems.I mean if your stuck and you tie on to a tree thats within arms reach its not going to pull you far.The remotes just nice to have in all kinds of cituations imo.A remote would be useless if you didnt get off the wheeler b/c then you could just use the rocker switch.you should have no problem instsalling a winch.......pretty straight forward imo.

mccartam · 07-09-2009, 09:16 AM

Just got a Viper MAX #4000lb yesterday. Starting running all the wires and getting everything mounted up. My question is, what wire do you tap into on the ATV that is controlled by the key? I was thinking possibly the 12v wire to the accessory power outlet??? How have others connected theirs? And does anyone know the color of wire i should be looking for?

**toodeep** · 07-09-2009, 09:46 AM

The acc. outlet power wire is where I tap into. It depends on the atv on the color of wire (white with black stripe is common) just remember green is ground on a Honda.

temp989 · 07-09-2009, 05:31 PM

On my foreman instead of tapping into the ignition wire or the AC wire..i ran it right to my battery- i can run my winch without my 4x4 running & it beats splicing wires...

stevemuise · 07-09-2009, 11:59 PM

For winching....its common sense...if your buried to the headlights...its better to try to hook as straight on as possible...and if possible....higher than ground level....its a lot easier on the winch..and the machine if you pull it somewhat UP..and outta the mud...rather than drag it straight through.If you have to pull from the side..again..try to pull the ,machine upwards...just get the wheels cut in the direction you are pulling before you start...and if not possible...as soon as its moving a bit. Hope this helps. and a tip I learned a long time ago from 4x4 ing in a truck...no tree to hook too..no problem......dig a small trench in a good spot in front of the machine...and directly in line with the bike....cut a lil (path)..for the winch line. Bury a small log after fastening the winch cable to it..(running the line through the (path). This is called a deadman...and is a great way of getting out..when there are no trees around...or the one you need is 2 feet too far away...lol..

mccartam · 07-10-2009, 08:47 AM

QUOTE (toodeep @ Jul 9 2009, 08:46 AM)

Quote:

The acc. outlet power wire is where I tap into. It depends on the atv on the color of wire (white with black stripe is common) just remember green is ground on a Honda.

Thanks, I was able to locate the wire and tap into it easily enough.

QUOTE (Foreman48706 @ Jul 9 2009, 04:31 PM)

Quote:

On my foreman instead of tapping into the ignition wire or the AC wire..i ran it right to my battery- i can run my winch without my 4x4 running & it beats splicing wires...

You should still be able to run the winch without the ATV running as long as the key is turned on. I thought about wiring it directly as you did, but I had a buddy on an older ATV that hooked his up that way and could never keep his battery charged up after that. Of course, he had a cheap winch which may have been the problem, but it always drew current even when he wasn't using it.

Where did you guys mount your contactor? The directions say to put it in a dry place such as under the seat or in the rear compartment. I don't really have a place to mount it under the seat, and i'm not to fond of drilling holes in my rear storage compartment because I use it quite a bit, but i may have to. Any other ideas?

06-04-2009, 01:46 AM	#1 (permalink)
GhostRubicon Honda Rider Join Date: May 2009 Location: Dallas & Mission, Texas Posts: 73	Does anyone have any experience with Viper Max winches? I know I know, I should go with a Warn but these things are half the price and I don't see myself using it too often. I heard that these were the most reliable from the "cheap" brands. Any comments would be greatly appreciated, thanks. __________________ 2008 Rubicon (Stolen)

06-04-2009, 10:14 AM	#2 (permalink)
toodeep Administrator Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: south dakota Posts: 8,602	They are a good winch, I have 4 yrs. on mine without any trouble besides switching to synthetic line. They (like warn and every other winch) can have a bad one but mototaaliance is great about getting it fixed asap. That was said because of a buddies, the line jumped over the spool and messed up the drum and bushings, they sent out the new parts (updated bushings that the new ones come with now to fix the problem) and he was good to go. __________________ A 420 and 300 with some stuff...

06-04-2009, 02:41 PM	#3 (permalink)
dentpusher Honda Addict Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: abilene texas Posts: 200	Ive got the 3500 lbs and its worked fine for me.Having a remote is a nice option imo __________________ 09 CAMO FOREMAN Black 14 INCH ITP 212rims with Bighorns Ricochet full skids Viper 3500 koplin hitch Custom rear bumper with lights CTE shocks 5000k HIDS K&N w/ outerwears pre filter *Triangle snorkel(yea ill build my own next time)

06-04-2009, 05:38 PM	#4 (permalink)
GhostRubicon Honda Rider Join Date: May 2009 Location: Dallas & Mission, Texas Posts: 73	So how difficult is it to install these things? The dealership charges a nut and half of the other to do these things. I'm new to ATV but I would say I'm somewhat mecahnically inclined and have common sense. Also, whats the proper way to use these things when your stuck in a mud hole? Are you suppose to get off the ATV and use the remote, or do you stay on? Can you tie on to a tree thats to the side of where your stuck, or does it need to be directly in front __________________ 2008 Rubicon (Stolen)

06-04-2009, 06:09 PM	#5 (permalink)
dentpusher Honda Addict Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: abilene texas Posts: 200	Ive pulled mine sideways several times and had no problems.I mean if your stuck and you tie on to a tree thats within arms reach its not going to pull you far.The remotes just nice to have in all kinds of cituations imo.A remote would be useless if you didnt get off the wheeler b/c then you could just use the rocker switch.you should have no problem instsalling a winch.......pretty straight forward imo. __________________ 09 CAMO FOREMAN Black 14 INCH ITP 212rims with Bighorns Ricochet full skids Viper 3500 koplin hitch Custom rear bumper with lights CTE shocks 5000k HIDS K&N w/ outerwears pre filter *Triangle snorkel(yea ill build my own next time)

07-09-2009, 09:16 AM	#6 (permalink)
mccartam Honda Rider Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 46	Just got a Viper MAX #4000lb yesterday. Starting running all the wires and getting everything mounted up. My question is, what wire do you tap into on the ATV that is controlled by the key? I was thinking possibly the 12v wire to the accessory power outlet??? How have others connected theirs? And does anyone know the color of wire i should be looking for?

07-09-2009, 09:46 AM	#7 (permalink)
toodeep Administrator Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: south dakota Posts: 8,602	The acc. outlet power wire is where I tap into. It depends on the atv on the color of wire (white with black stripe is common) just remember green is ground on a Honda. __________________ A 420 and 300 with some stuff...

07-09-2009, 05:31 PM	#8 (permalink)
temp989 Honda Rider Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Saginaw bay-Michigan Posts: 58	On my foreman instead of tapping into the ignition wire or the AC wire..i ran it right to my battery- i can run my winch without my 4x4 running & it beats splicing wires... __________________ 08-Olive-Foreman 500 ES wEPS With a lot of add on's

07-09-2009, 11:59 PM	#9 (permalink)
stevemuise Honda Rider Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Halifax Nova Scotia. Canada Posts: 19	For winching....its common sense...if your buried to the headlights...its better to try to hook as straight on as possible...and if possible....higher than ground level....its a lot easier on the winch..and the machine if you pull it somewhat UP..and outta the mud...rather than drag it straight through.If you have to pull from the side..again..try to pull the ,machine upwards...just get the wheels cut in the direction you are pulling before you start...and if not possible...as soon as its moving a bit. Hope this helps. and a tip I learned a long time ago from 4x4 ing in a truck...no tree to hook too..no problem......dig a small trench in a good spot in front of the machine...and directly in line with the bike....cut a lil (path)..for the winch line. Bury a small log after fastening the winch cable to it..(running the line through the (path). This is called a deadman...and is a great way of getting out..when there are no trees around...or the one you need is 2 feet too far away...lol..

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