Upgrading a BIG BEAR

[Mare]

I have a 92 Big Bear 350 and want to do some upgrades. Not sure if or what I can do as I dont know alot about quads YET.

I want to put bigger tires and rims on it, How big can I go without changing the other factory components?

Seems like the gears are low in this machine, Im all out of gears and not going to fast. Im not looking for mind blowing speeds, but seems real slow for a 350. Is there anything I can do or check, to pep this quad up?

This last question is not about an upgrade but more for info.

These machines are oil cooled, not sure what thats all about. Are there any issues with oil cooled quads? What is the odds of over heating on 25+ degree days?


Thanks in advance for any help......:d

 

[DaveB]

I've run 27"x12 and 27"10 tires on smaller quads over the years with no problems. You'll use low range more...but that's OK. My buddy ran his BB350 for years with the stock rims and 27x10s on the rear and 27x8s on the front. Edit: go for a light tire like a Mudbug....something like a Mudzilla or Outlaw will sap your power huge.

Pepping up the BB350 isn't really easy. The motor is reliable, but slow. Outside of big-bores, hi-comp pistons, cams, etc....there really isn't much to be gained.

The oil cooler works fine. The engine is air-cooled actually....with an oil cooler. Should run a good long time with regular maintenance.

 

[medler]

Like we talked before.My old 97 Kodiak never overheated allthough it had a fan on the oil cooler where i think the Big bear doesn't.Bulletproof quad.I had 25 10-12 and 25 12.5-12s on the rear There were Kenda Bear claws.It is low geared i don't think it will go much faster than 65-70 k If you get a chance check the front drive shaft for play in the u joints the air filter for tightness to the air box mine seemed to get dirt in the main jet every now and again .it is a good hard working machine

 

[ttpowersports]

ya they are geared pretty low, but best bang if you want more speed is a taller tire. depending on what kind of terrain your on depends what your best option is. you could easily go up to a 27 on the bear, but there are so many options. are you mostly hard ground or, 50/50 mud/hard/ let me know i can offer a few suggestions.

Terry

 

[Mare]

ya they are geared pretty low, but best bang if you want more speed is a taller tire. depending on what kind of terrain your on depends what your best option is. you could easily go up to a 27 on the bear, but there are so many options. are you mostly hard ground or, 50/50 mud/hard/ let me know i can offer a few suggestions.

Terry

It would be 50/50, between trails to mud/snow in winter. If I go to a 27, do I use the same rims or do I need bigger ones? I do want something nicer looking than whats on there. :d

 

[medler]

It should have 12'' rims on it now.Try a dealership if you want nicer rims .I have black ones on mine and i bought an extra set of four with stock grizz tires all for 2 hundred bucks.Each rim new is 200 .good deal i thought.Yours are steel rims,so if you changed them out to alluminum it would save you some weight as well.Those older quads weigh as much as the new ones do.Alot more steel in them.Happy Tails

 

[ttpowersports]

dont have to change your rims, but you could upgrade the rims to "stock take off rims-new" for about 50 a rim or less, only challenge may be there are not a lot of new stock quads that have the same rear offset that the bear has... 50/50 riding - i would say a swamp lite, lighter tire, still six ply, cheaper which is good, had a set on a 04 eiger for 3 yrs they work good, not problems plowed snow, trail rode, muskeg, all pretty good... also a bear claw isnt a bad tire, fairly cheap, decent grip in all conditions but not real aggressive tread...

good luck

T.

 

[Mare]

Anyone know where I could get a set of nicer rimsrolleyes: that fit) with either the swamplites or bear claws? At a reasonable price!!!!

 

[Mare]

Looking for replacement plastic for the big bear. I dont care for the faded grey/green thats on it. Is there different color plastics for a 92 bear? Maybe red or blue, ever black. ANYTHING is better than whats on it. :d

 

[ttpowersports]

acutually all the big bear plastic from 1986-1995 is interchangable. the rims i have some ifyou want to get some $$ on them call me 9-5 at the shop 780-826-6121 or pm me and i can give you some numbers...

Terry