I have the same exact one same year and everything. It fires up everytime you want it to even in the winter. First fourwheeler I ever had and I’ve never wanted another one. Always been a fan of the way the 90s models big bears and kodiaks look.
Absolute beast of a wheeler. I have a '96 one of these with the high/low tranny and I've always been a fan of it being a wheeler that'll get you just about anywhere you need. Only thing that'd make it better is if it had a diff lock
These things are just about as tough as they get. I owned a 1993 with the high low sub tranny, a 1997 identical to this one but the tranny blew (probably towed too much and wasn't equipped with low range) and currently a 1989 with high low range that is almost too nice to work so I just trail ride with it occasionally. Awesome machines
I've got a 1999 big bear 350 4x4, my 4wd is broken but I've never had a problem getting through some deep mud, I've only ever gotten it stuck once and that's it
Aye nice video thanks for explaining more, should do another video on when is good time for shifting, I'm also haven a yamaha big bear 350 fixed up, n at most u will do if u hit is 50 mph but bout 45 is where they would reach, but where I go around I just need one to get thru mud and sand so speed don't matter to me but nice video man hope u do more
@@rockspowersports 1994 400 5 speed foot shift, what a little tank, got it from 1rst owner last year with 3000 km of hunting, no mudding or crazy crap. It's mint
These things climb like a goat. I have a 2004 Big Bear 400 and not a lot of difference in them with some exceptions. My four wheel drive is selective and a couple other things. I also have a 2003 Bear Tracker 250 in two wheel drive. I recently bought a 2022 CForce600 but I'm keeping my Yamahas. Too nice to get rid of.
Great machine. 45 is about all you need really out of a utility focused ATV. I have a bear tracker 250 and it goes the same. It's a good happy medium speed between work and play.
Love this video. I have the exact same year and color 98 Big Bear 4x4. (Have a video on my channel showing it and my Timberwolf). Love the machine but wish it had just a little more grunt. I bought a 10:1 piston to install soon I'm hoping it makes a noticeable difference. Great channel sub'd!
I paid $2800 for the same one last year from a one owner who also got the yamaha winch and snow plow from the dealership. It also came with a Kolpin "trunk" or whatchamacallit. I love it, easy and cheap to maintain. I'm not sure how depreciation effects the resale value, but I think 2-2500 is a fair price for a fair big bear. I do know they can be surprising difficult to find in solid good shape like such without being totally beaten or made from donor parts.
Great Video. I just picked up an 02’ Bear Tracker 250 and it’s been great. Quick question though, would you know where i could find a replacement front rack? Thanks Bud
@Ariel Acosta I’ve had a Beartracker 250 before, they are very tough wheelers! I do not have any parts for them at the moment. If I was looking to purchase a used rack I would check out EBay.
I have an option to buy one of these or a 2020 Polaris sportsman 450. Plowing snow and hitting Alaskan trails for some hunting. Which would you choose?
@Devon Edwards It all depends on your price range im sure the big bear is quite a bit cheaper. The weight of the sportsman will plow better and ride better. The big bear is tough as nails but the sportsman will outperform it in most cases.
I have a '97 i just bought and it has the high/low, im new on it so i didnt push her too hard, but it hit 40 in 4th no problem, seems like it would run 50 no problem. Steering is pretty good, but i lift my front end climbing all the time lol
Sounds like it would run at least 50 then. Those machines like yours with high and low are great work machines. With the low range and the 5 speed you can really lower the gear ratio to anything you need.
The original 350 with the high low could hit way higher speeds the one with just the standard 5 speed no high low will hit 40 maximum I’ve tested it 40 is pegged full throttle 5th gear
@Billster1955. Therea quite a few machines that have a differential lock in the cc range. If you taking about Yamaha though, you would want a Yamaha kodiak or grizzly 450 those came with a locking front differential. Also the Yamaha grizzly 660 has a locking front diff but that sounds like a little bit bigger than what you want.
@@rockspowersports Thanks a bunch. I saw a review that ranked Honda ATV's #1 for reliability. Have had a lot of Honda motorcycles and they were very reliable. I have a 2004 VTX 1100S and I have 24K miles on it with out a single failure.
@@rockspowersports my brother in-law had a 1998 big bear with high/low range. They originally came as one model from 1987-1995 model years and 1996-1999 you could get either the "recreational" model (no low range) or the more work oriented model with the high and low range. How I know this there was a screw up when ordering parts for the transmission and they gave him the whole run down. Haha
I have the same exact one same year and everything. It fires up everytime you want it to even in the winter. First fourwheeler I ever had and I’ve never wanted another one. Always been a fan of the way the 90s models big bears and kodiaks look.
Great reliable machines.
One of the best bikes ever built in my opinion it's up there with the fourtrax 300
I have a 1998 2wheel drive i bought brand new. Still looks and runs good.
Absolute beast of a wheeler. I have a '96 one of these with the high/low tranny and I've always been a fan of it being a wheeler that'll get you just about anywhere you need. Only thing that'd make it better is if it had a diff lock
They really are! Your 96 with the low range I bet would pull anything you needed it to.
These things are just about as tough as they get. I owned a 1993 with the high low sub tranny, a 1997 identical to this one but the tranny blew (probably towed too much and wasn't equipped with low range) and currently a 1989 with high low range that is almost too nice to work so I just trail ride with it occasionally. Awesome machines
Great machines! Glad to hear someone else is still getting some use out of these older atvs.
I've got a 1999 big bear 350 4x4, my 4wd is broken but I've never had a problem getting through some deep mud, I've only ever gotten it stuck once and that's it
Same exact thing with mine mine is a 98 with the 4x4 broken I get mine stuck a lot but it’s usually because I’m in places I shouldn’t be😅
@@trucks_n_tractors_6335 yeah mine was in an area where it was extremely swampy and it was up hill so it dug a hole😅
I have the same kind but a 99. It's a beast of a work horse. Amazing machine
we owned the same big bear when i was a teen.i was in the mud with that machine to the waist and still running
Pretty hard to kill these old things!
Aye nice video thanks for explaining more, should do another video on when is good time for shifting, I'm also haven a yamaha big bear 350 fixed up, n at most u will do if u hit is 50 mph but bout 45 is where they would reach, but where I go around I just need one to get thru mud and sand so speed don't matter to me but nice video man hope u do more
Good video I just bought one and I’m glad to see the good review
I rolled mine and it shift to reverse without having to turn the nob 😂😂😂
Must be the lever on the engine got bent during the roll over.
Love it, I have a Kodiak 400 from the same Era. What a great machine
@Marc Lebrun Is your kodiak the standard foot shift version? I’ve never had one of those. I’ve had plenty of the 2000 and newer kodiak 400 automatics.
@@rockspowersports 1994 400 5 speed foot shift, what a little tank, got it from 1rst owner last year with 3000 km of hunting, no mudding or crazy crap. It's mint
@@marclebrun641 Nice! I bet that thing is a little tank. Even this little 350 big bear is a good little worker.
@@rockspowersports ya it is
Came for the review, stayed for the true VT accent.
Got the exact same one and i wont cruise over 30mph but i keep it around 25 unless a car us behind me
Very informative video. I have a short video on my channel with a bigbear 350 that my grandfather bought new in 99. Great machines!
These things climb like a goat. I have a 2004 Big Bear 400 and not a lot of difference in them with some exceptions. My four wheel drive is selective and a couple other things. I also have a 2003 Bear Tracker 250 in two wheel drive. I recently bought a 2022 CForce600 but I'm keeping my Yamahas. Too nice to get rid of.
How do you like the new Cforce? I’ve been possibly thinking about getting one.
Great machine. 45 is about all you need really out of a utility focused ATV. I have a bear tracker 250 and it goes the same. It's a good happy medium speed between work and play.
@G K I’ve had a bear tracker 250 those are tough little machines! There’s not to much difference between the two.
I had one of these as my first quad with a visco lock front diff. Wish I’d never sold it…
I would love to find one in good condition for plowing some snow !! They are a work horse quad for work
I've done 50mph on my big bear a few times and I think it messed some things up because of it but it still runs and I keep it closer to 40mph now
Ya 40mph is a Much better speed for these things.
Love this video. I have the exact same year and color 98 Big Bear 4x4. (Have a video on my channel showing it and my Timberwolf). Love the machine but wish it had just a little more grunt. I bought a 10:1 piston to install soon I'm hoping it makes a noticeable difference. Great channel sub'd!
I’m sure that higher compression should give you a nice little increase in power.
What is a good price for this now in good clean shape?
I paid $2800 for the same one last year from a one owner who also got the yamaha winch and snow plow from the dealership. It also came with a Kolpin "trunk" or whatchamacallit. I love it, easy and cheap to maintain. I'm not sure how depreciation effects the resale value, but I think 2-2500 is a fair price for a fair big bear. I do know they can be surprising difficult to find in solid good shape like such without being totally beaten or made from donor parts.
I have one that’s been sitting for 20 years just got a new carburetor and started right up i want to sell it how much do they go for
What brand exhaust? I like that and want one for mine
Great Video. I just picked up an 02’ Bear Tracker 250 and it’s been great. Quick question though, would you know where i could find a replacement front rack? Thanks Bud
@Ariel Acosta I’ve had a Beartracker 250 before, they are very tough wheelers! I do not have any parts for them at the moment. If I was looking to purchase a used rack I would check out EBay.
@@rockspowersports Thanks bro
What's the yellow handle for cheers.
It was a manual lift for a plow setup
@@rockspowersports Cheers from OZ great channel
I have an option to buy one of these or a 2020 Polaris sportsman 450.
Plowing snow and hitting Alaskan trails for some hunting.
Which would you choose?
@Devon Edwards It all depends on your price range im sure the big bear is quite a bit cheaper. The weight of the sportsman will plow better and ride better. The big bear is tough as nails but the sportsman will outperform it in most cases.
Doesn’t seem like there was too much difference between these and the Wolverine 350
Very similar machines.
This video was just uploaded two years ago today!
Been two years since I had a big bear!
You still have it or did you sell it?
That one’s gone. I have a 2000 Yamaha big bear 400 right now but it needs the engine rebuilt.
Yeah, I think I saw it on when you did a tour of your whole four-wheeler junkyard.
@@colinthepanamerican Yeah I think I had it at the time.
what is that lever with the yellow handle?
@Trav Harrell That is a aftermarket plow lift.
@@rockspowersports Yeah, I don't think I'll need that here in Mississippi. 😁
@Trav Harrell Probably not then haha!
What’s the lever on the left mine doesn’t have that. Assuming it’s a high/low range lever
It was just the manual plow lever on this one.
thank you fir video
I have a '97 i just bought and it has the high/low, im new on it so i didnt push her too hard, but it hit 40 in 4th no problem, seems like it would run 50 no problem. Steering is pretty good, but i lift my front end climbing all the time lol
Sounds like it would run at least 50 then. Those machines like yours with high and low are great work machines. With the low range and the 5 speed you can really lower the gear ratio to anything you need.
The original 350 with the high low could hit way higher speeds the one with just the standard 5 speed no high low will hit 40 maximum I’ve tested it 40 is pegged full throttle 5th gear
Where did you get your extension for the high low reverse selector? Looking for one for my Big Bear
This big bear does not have high and low only the 5 speed. The lever you see is to lift a snow plow
@@rockspowersports
Ohhh, ok. I gotcha, thank you!
What 350cc to 500cc ATV's have differential lock? I need one to pull my firewood trailer up and down steep lakefront yards.
@Billster1955. Therea quite a few machines that have a differential lock in the cc range. If you taking about Yamaha though, you would want a Yamaha kodiak or grizzly 450 those came with a locking front differential. Also the Yamaha grizzly 660 has a locking front diff but that sounds like a little bit bigger than what you want.
@@rockspowersports thanks
@@Billster1955 another one I forgot about is the 2007 and newer Yamaha big bear 400 had a locking front differential and independent rear suspension.
@@rockspowersports Thanks a bunch. I saw a review that ranked Honda ATV's #1 for reliability. Have had a lot of Honda motorcycles and they were very reliable. I have a 2004 VTX 1100S and I have 24K miles on it with out a single failure.
@@Billster1955 Honda atvs are certainly tough machines.
Cool
What is the blue thing on the handlebars and fuel cap?
It’s just a gas vent line usually they are black
Loving the test drive video: Check out our big bear service videos!!
Where is this filmed? PA?
@Shannon Stiles This is Northern Vermont
Big bear 350 was the answer to the Honda fourtrax 300 it was the second 4x4 atv ever the Honda was the first
Both good machine!
How well do they hold up to a fourtrax?
strange. mine has a HIGH/Low/Reverse shifter on the side. my Big Bear is a 1989 and my Kodiac is a 1995.
Yes the older one had a high and low the newer ones did not.
@@rockspowersports my brother in-law had a 1998 big bear with high/low range. They originally came as one model from 1987-1995 model years and 1996-1999 you could get either the "recreational" model (no low range) or the more work oriented model with the high and low range. How I know this there was a screw up when ordering parts for the transmission and they gave him the whole run down. Haha
Is it for sale
No it’s already sold
Vallllves bro you can hear it slapping 😂
It’s 26 yrs old leave it alone
Do u want to sell it and how much
It’s already gone.
and the kw bayou 300
I have a 1991
Yours probably has the high and low range?
Yeah
It high low and reverse
@@roberthance5342 Nice! That low range is great for towing heavy trailers.