My '07 Suzuki King Quad took a crap a couple days ago. That machine did a lot of work for me on three different properties. I started looking for a replacement and guess what I found for electric/battery options locally? Nada. Nothing.
I’ll be picking up a gas powered Yamaha Kodiak next week. It will likely be the last ATV I will need to purchase in my lifetime
Electric options are pretty much the bleeding edge for this kind of stuff. E-bikes are still a novelty in the US, I’m pretty sure China has been using them for a long time.
There are DIY forums and folks who have been doing conversions for over a decade. If I can locate a free, or close to free 4x4 ATV with a blown engine, I may try a conversion with a fork lift motor or something similar. That’s about the last thing on my list currently but it would be such a fun project.
USDA is offering farmers a cost share option for alternative energy funding which makes the electric options seem more enticing currently than they were previously. The whole idea of ‘running the farm on electric’ is very desirable to me, but out of reach currently.
You’re welcome to come pick up my old King Quad. I am sure a skilled mechanic could get it back up and running for 1.5-2 times what a new gas machine costs.
A bit too far of a day trip for me! It does get to a point of no return, that’s when a conversion to another power train is an option like I said above.
I think new quads cost more than I’ve paid for most of my cars…