WHAT'S GOOD AND BAD ABOUT MY BIKE
These pros and cons are for the '01 Honda 350 M 4x4 *The following is my opinion and no one else's. Like it or not.*
PROS
THE LOOKS
I think I have a pretty good looking bike. I think Hondas are some of the better looking bikes out there. Polaris 325 Trail Bosses look sort of like cab-over transport trucks. Yamahas are good looking except for the brushguard. I think maybe if the brushguard was moved up to actually cover the headlights and the front of the bike it would probably look better. It's like the headlights have no coverage and the brushguard is just sitting below the headlights and covering empty space, i.e. nothing. Kawasaki Bayous look kind of like Hondas.
Quads are kind of funny looking. Except the Yamaha 660R Raptor. THAT THING LOOKS COOL, AND BY COOL I MEAN TOTALLY SWEET! Go HERE for a picture of it.
THE GROUND CLEARANCE
My bike has a lot of ground clearance. Almost 10 inches. That's more than most 4x4 suv's on the market.
Having that much space under the bike gives me a bit more peace of mind out on the trail. I have more confidence when I'm on the trails that I can run over stuff and not scratch/damage the underside of the bike. Currently, I have a skidplate and I like it a lot.
THE TRANNY
I love the 5 speed manual with reverse. I can't see wanting to pay the extra money for the automatic. I like the control over the tranny and it's less parts to break on the trail. I've seen broken auto's on the trail with tranny problems but never a manual.
CONS
FRONT DIFF
It's nice having an *open* diff for steering because it makes it easier to turn the bike, you don't have to fight against the tires. BUT... when the going gets tough, the tough just seem to spin around. I've been stuck in snowbanks (and mud) a couple (read: lots) of times and usually the bike will be at an odd angle, with one front tire in the air (not touching the ground) and I have noticed that it will be spinning and the other front tire (still touching ground/snow) will not be turning at all. It bothers me because then I have to get off and kick out a path for the tires with my boot. I've tried tapping the front brake to get through it and that doesn't work.
Sometimes I can just gear down and tromp 'er and she'll bog through it.
I think Honda should have an optional front diff locker. It could have the shift lever to the left of the handlebars on the fender like the 2wd/4wd shift lever on the Yamahas. I guess now they do. I think it's from the company that makes 'Detroit Lockers'. They make some good stuff. I'd like to put one on the bike. But there about $600-700, so it'll be a while before that happens.