I recently bought an 02 rubicon. I'm very skeptical of this machine after all the research I've done after buying it. The only known issue it has is the water pump is leaking (very very little). Sometimes when riding it I think I see smoke coming from the exhaust but sitting idle or reving it up sitting still I don't see any smoke. What's your thoughts on this model rubicon? Was it worth $1,800? I want to put new mid tires and stuff on it but if this bike is going to give me major issues in the future I'd rather not put any money in it and just flip it and buy a more dependable model. I appreciate your thoughts. Thanks in advance guys!
price you pay , ha a lot to do with where your at, and then the basic,
conditions of atv overall
and bottom line is, WHAT SOMEONE is willing to pay for it
any model atv can be good or bad
used one's your at the mercy of what the previous owner did or DIDN"T do to the machine while they owned it
impossible to say good or bad really over the web, unless very obvious BAD that is!
Im in west, tn. I hear what your saying. I completely agree with you concerning what the previous owner may have done to it. This concerns me for sure but what I am really wondering about is this model in particular a problematic model? As far as flipping it is concerned I'm positive I can sell it for more than I gave. This bike was used as a pit bike at a drag strip mostly.
Other than the first gear issue, no know problems, minus basic's, like wheel bearings and such, things last, if you take care of them and don't abuse them, when you start to add mods, that can cause shorter life of parts, bigger tires, wear everything more, from motor, to engine to brakes to shocks and?? So on!
how much more wear and tear??, depends on mods, and well who drives it afterwards, rider in put has a lot to do with long life or not too!
At that price I think it is a good deal. It is a Rubicon so hondamatic is really only issue. That can be fixed but it is hit or miss ad to if it ever gives you a problem. That is a sought after machine. They don't come up for sale much here in so IL. When they do, unless they are trashed, they still go for around 2400 and up. I would do what you want to it and enjoy it.
Excellent! That's what I wanted to know. Thank you both. I'm thinking about putting 27" tires on it. No more than I'll be riding it I don't think I'll have any issues with wearing things out. Thinking about either mega mayhems, mud bugs, or vampires. Haven't made up my mind yet.
Rich and OP, I was thinking of the Foreman's, , that had the bad first gear, so, I am wrong with my above
welll some what. The trans issues seems to be hit and miss as said above,
, and again, basic care is key to long life most times, as is how and what you do to it in mods
so soory about the mix up?
I say keep it. Change all fluids and do a inspection of the whole machine. You can do a compression test to see where your engine stands also.
As for tires mega mayhems are heavy, I had 28's on my rincon and honestly I didn't like them. They sucked on the trail. Lots of guys are liking the mud bugs. They do good in the mud and are good on the trails also. Vampires will dig down and are heavy.
If I were you and want a mud tire, id throw some Zillas or mudbugs on it. Zillas are the lightest tire you can get.
What kind of riding are you doing? Lots of mud? Lots of trail?
Thanks bud! How do I do a compression test? I've decided on the mud bugs. 10" on the front and 12" on the back. Will 27" tires for without a lift? I've heard yes and no. The trans seems fairly firm. I've done a really thorough inspection and all seems well. Spark plug doesn't look like it's been burning oil or coolant but it could've been changed right before I bought it. I just bought new oil and a filter. Will be changing it this week.
I know 27's fit the 05-up Rubicons without a lift. Not sure on the 01-04 Rubi's
The 01-04 Rubi transmissions seem to last forever or blow up at 1500 miles. A member here went about 14K miles on an early Rubicon before it gave up the ghost.
I'd change the oil, check the bearings, tie rod ends, and ball joints, and clean/oil the air filter and ride it.
Where in W TN are you? Basfnb and I are in East Arkansas.
Love my Mud Bugs. Have them on two of mine, and the 589's will be replaced with Mud Bugs in the not too distant future.
Basfnb is planning on replacing his Outlaws with Mud Bugs too.
I'm in Jackson, TN. This bike has 3558 miles and the drivetrain looks like it's new. I just changed the oil (the oil that was in it was new) but oh well. Now I know it's new lol! I ordered 27" bugs so here's hoping they fit. I've checked everything else and it looks good so I guess once I see if my tires for I'll be off to the races! I appreciate the feedback bud.
Amazon. $403.54 for a set of 27-10 for the front and 27-12 for the rear. 4wheel is $410.06 so they're neck and neck. I'll use Amazon for their guarantee and all.
Just my opinion if it runs good now leaving it stock and out of the swamps will probley help keep it.that way my 02 is shy of 5k Always been well maintained and left stock I think it's helped and shows
I completely agree with you. The only thing I'm going to add will be the mud bug tires. No more than I'll be riding it I don't think they'll put too much of a strain on her.
Are those wheels painted black? Looks good I'd be kinda skeptical of the larger tires myself might affect the performance a nd possible put more strain on the hondamatic
They are painted and thanks! I am skeptical of the larger tires but I hunt a place where there's a lot of downed trees (which I'm not allowed to clean up). Property is owned by a tree service company. I'm hoping the extra ground clearance can make getting deer out easier. I literally flipped my last wheeler w/25's on it due to getting hung on a tree with a deer on the rack, not fun at all. If needed I'll beef up the drivetrain to handle the larger tires.
Mudbugs are light. With the size you ordered you aren't going to hurt anything. You put big or heavy tires on there it takes a lot more power to turn them, but as light as Bugs are you probably won't notice a difference at all in performance.
That's good to know! I was hoping they were power robbers. I'm looking forward to getting them in. Hope they do well in the holes and trails. Guess I'll find out soon.
Ya they look good my parents 450es had the stock gray wheels that I painted black as well But I really like the aluminum ones stock on my Rubicon so I'll leave them alone I personally buy the 2 ply tires and stock size for mine to try and get the best ride out of it I can see your need for bigger tires I personally run full syn 5w40 rotella T6 and about a quarter of a bottle of Lucas oil stabilizer in mine seems to work good and no side effects as far as the hondamatic actually seemed to quit it.down a lot
I was wondering about the Lucas oil. I put it in most of my other toys just didn't put it in this one this time as I've heard too many different opinions on it. I appreciate the feedback pal!
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