In the event that you're hunting regarding a classic quad that will will not die, the 98 yamaha big bear 350 is basically the gold standard for bulletproof engineering. It's 1 of those machines that you still see chugging together on farms, strong in the woods during hunting period, or clearing snowfall from driveways while much newer, more fancy rigs are seated within the shop along with electrical gremlins.
There's something regarding the late 90s era of Yamaha ATVs that just hit the lovely spot. They weren't trying to be spaceships back then. They were just attempting to be reliable tools that could take a beating and keep on ticking. In case you've just picked one up or you're scouring Craigslist ads and Marketplace to get a deal, here's a look at what it's really like to reside with this popular four-wheeler.
The True Workhorse from the Late 90s
The 98 yamaha big bear 350 wasn't constructed for high-speed trek blasting or catching big air. If that's what you're after, you're looking at the wrong 10 years. This quad has been built for power. In '98, this was a top-tier choice for guys who required to transport wood, pull the small trailer, or even get through solid mud without stressing about breaking a plastic belt.
One of the first things you observe when you stroll up to 1 is how solid it feels. The particular racks are made of thick steel, the plastics are heavy-duty, and the general footprint is small but sturdy. This has that classic "square" look that will just screams energy. It's a 4WD machine that doesn't rely on the bunch of complex sensors. You've got a lever to interact things, and you've got gears in order to click through. It's mechanical, it's tactile, and it makes you think that you're actually driving the particular thing rather than just being the passenger on a computer-controlled couch.
Exactly what Makes the 350 Engine Special?
At the heart of the 98 yamaha big bear 350 is the 348cc air-cooled, four-stroke SOHC engine. Now, 350cc might sound small by today's standards where 1000cc side-by-sides are typical, but don't allow the numbers trick you. This engine is all about torque. It's designed low, meaning it can pull way more weight than you'd expect.
The particular engine also features an oil cooler, which is a lifesaver. Since it's air-cooled, you may be concerned about it getting hot if you're idling through dense brush on a summer day, yet that oil much cooler does an amazing job of maintaining the temps in check. Most proprietors will tell a person that as long as you keep clean oil within it, this motor will easily continue decades. I've seen these things with thousands of hours on all of them that still begin on the very first or second crank.
The carburetor setup is furthermore pretty straightforward. It's a Mikuni, plus while carburetors can be a bit finicky if they sit for too long with bad gasoline, they're incredibly quick cleaning and rebuild. You don't need the laptop to beat this quad; you just need a screwdriver and a little bit of patience.
Handling and the Semi-Automatic Experience
One of the almost all defining features of the 98 yamaha big bear 350 is the transmitting. It's a five-speed semi-automatic. This implies you have a foot shifter, but there's no clutch lever around the handlebars. A person just click this into gear plus go.
This setup is the greatest associated with both worlds regarding a lot associated with people. You receive the control of selecting your gear—which is usually huge when you're descending a high hill and would like engine braking—but you don't have to worry about stalling it in the particular middle of a mud hole. It also has a sub-transmission that provides you the "High" and "Low" range, plus change. When you place this thing within Low-4WD, it feels like it can climb an up and down wall. It's not fast, but it's unstoppable.
As for the ride, it's certainly "old school. " It uses the swingarm rear suspension instead of independent rear suspension (IRS). This means it's a bit stiffer and you'll definitely experience the bumps even more than you will on a modern Well bearded. However, the tradeoff is stability when towing. Since the particular rear end doesn't squat just as much as an INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE machine, it deals with heavy tongue pounds just like a champ.
Maintenance and Common Headache Areas
Even though the 98 yamaha big bear 350 is constructed like a container, it's still over 25 years outdated. Things are going to wear out. If you're searching at purchasing one, presently there are a few specific things need to check.
First, check the CV boots. The top axles are a common spot for cry, and if grime gets in presently there, the joints may start clicking plus eventually fail. Replacing a boot is cheap; replacing an entire axle is a bit more associated with a pain.
Following, the brakes. These quads used a drum brake setup in the top and an one drum in the rear. They weren't the strongest brakes when they were brand new, plus after two decades associated with mud and water, they can get pretty weak. Usually, the cables obtain seized or the shoes just wear down to nothing. It's a bit of a sloppy job to rebuild them, but it's worth doing regarding safety.
One more thing to look at is the energy petcock as well as the outlines. The rubber is likely to dry rot as time passes, leading in order to small leaks. Furthermore, check the consumption boot between the particular carb and the engine. If generally there are cracks in this rubber, the engine will suck in "lean air, " that makes it run sizzling and pop throughout deceleration.
Is definitely It Still Well worth Buying Today?
You might wonder if it's worth purchasing a 98 yamaha big bear 350 when there are usually newer machines accessible. I believe, absolutely—especially if you're on a budget or you're a "keep this simple" kind associated with person.
Brand new ATVs are costly. You can very easily drop $10, 500 to $15, 000 on a modern four wheel drive quad. You can usually look for a clear Big Bear 350 for a fraction of that. And the best part? This won't depreciate very much more. If a person buy one with regard to $2, 000, get care of this for three years, plus choose to sell this, you'll probably obtain your $2, 000 right back.
There's also the "fixability" factor. If something goes wrong on the new machine, you're often stuck taking it to a dealer to get plugged in to a diagnostic personal computer. Using the Big Bear, most repairs can be done inside your garage with a basic set associated with wrenches. You will find loads associated with YouTube videos plus forum posts devoted to these machines, so you're never really alone when this comes to troubleshooting.
Final Thoughts about this Old School Quad
The particular 98 yamaha big bear 350 represents a moment whenever ATVs were real utility. It's the bit noisy, the particular ride is the little rough, plus it's never going to win any drag contests against a contemporary 700cc machine. But that's not why people love all of them.
People like them because they are dependable. Whether you're using it to transport a deer out of the woods, check fences on a farm, or simply explore some local trails, it feels like a partner that won't let you down. It's a testament in order to Yamaha's engineering that so many of these types of are still within the trails today.
If you find one that's been halfway taken care of, jump on it. Replace the oil, put some fresh tires on it, and maybe give the carb the quick clean. Perform those simple issues, and that 98 yamaha big bear 350 will certainly likely outlast most of the newer stuff currently sitting within the showroom floor. It's just the solid, honest device that does exactly what it was designed to do—work hard and maintain going.