Broken Winch Issue

I bought my PE2000 winch from Motorcycle Factory (MFI) in Woodbridge, VA. That was unfortunately a big mistake.

On the second use of my Milemarker PE2000 winch, it broke. The cable somehow came off the spool and got pinched between the spool and the housing. The winch is no longer usable. After attempting to return the winch to the dealer as a result of it being defective the dealer told me they would try to get a refund from the manufacturer.

After much going back and forth with the dealer, they told me they would not return it. However, they did agree to give me a slight discount on a previously mounted winch....lol No pun intended here.....lol

After going back and forth with Milemarker and being told they would not return it either, I decided to file a consumer complaint with the state of Virginia. Within two days I was contacted and told MFI has agreed to refund the winch.

See, the dealer always agreed the winch had a manufacturer defect/design defect, but was not willing to take a loss as a result. However, I did not feel it was my fault, or that I should pay the price for a defect.

I now have a PE2500 and am much more happy with it. However, next time I will definitely go with a Warn, or KFI (www.kfiproducts.com).

One of the major issues with the Milemarker is trying to find a good mounting plate. I spoke with a dealer in Western NY who actually stopped selling Milemarker ATV winches because they were so difficult to mount and get mount plates for.

My first mounting plate, sold to me by MFI was the wrong one. They even had the wrong model number in the computer for the one I had. As it turns out, Cycle Country, the manufacturer of the mounting plate shipped all the plates with the incorrect model numbers.

After returning the first plate, the second plate was also the incorrect one, even though all the documentation for the plate claims it would work on my Ranger with the specific winch.

I then ordered a mount plate on the web from www.kfiproducts.com, which works like a champ. After three months of messing around, and going back-and-forth with the dealer, I now have a functional winch mounted on my atv.

Winch Opportunity

While Jason and I were out riding at Tasker's Gap this weekend, I had the perfect opportunity to use my new winch.

As we were heading from the Edinburg parking lot to the Tasker's parking lot, we came to a good size tree, which had fallen across the trail. There was absolutely no way around, or over it.

So I decided to pull out all my winch gear and get to work. I hooked my tow rope to the back of the ATV, and the opposite end to a tree. I then hooked the winch cable to the tree and pulled it out of our way. This was a pretty heavy tree and there would not have been any way to move it by hand. It easily weighed several hundred pounds.

Anyhow, the winch worked out great and I am glad I made the decision to buy one.

Honda Rancher on Trails

The more time I spend on my new Honda Rancher, the more I like it. With the low clearance height, I thought it would be a big problem. In reality, it isn't much of an issue at all. I am actually glad I got a bike with less ground clearance, because it is much more maneuverable.

So far I have changed the one, and had the valves adjusted. I have to get an air filter cleaning kit this week and clean the filter. It didn't look to bad last week, but it was really dusty up on the mountain today.

I am saving to make a few upgrades. Hopefully the tailpipe. I'd also like to get a half way decent skid plate, and A-arm protectors. I'll probably need new tires by the end of next season too.

This bike handles great on the trails, and can handle some jumps. However, it will bottom out if you come down nose first on some bumps. I don't think it is an issue though because you just have to learn how to take certain bumps the right way.

2nd trip to Tasker's Gap

Last Sunday I went riding at Tasker's gap on the lower trails. I had a great time and found some wonderful ATV trails. These one's were not very rocky either, which is what I prefer.

I had an issue on a side trail, well, at least I thought it was a side trail. However, it just ended up being a bad idea. To make a long story short the ATV rolled over and I got minor injuries. However, I was trying to back the ATV down a small hill when it happened. I know, this was a bad idea. I should have gotten off the bike and walked it backwards.

Winch on Rancher

I bought a new Mile Marker PE2000 winch and mounted it on my Rancher last week. It was pretty easy to mount and hookup, and works well. I still have to get the Roller Fairlead this week and mount that.

The only issue with the winch is the controller box is huge. I am considering getting a small, waterproof container and putting the electronics in it. Right now the controller is mounted on my handlebars. It does not look very good, but it works.

2008 Rancher 4x4

I had the opportunity to take my new Honda Rancher out on the trails for the first time since I bought it last week. I took it down to Taskers Gap in Virginia.

THIS ATV ROCKS!!!! It is a tank and can go through anything. The trails at Tasker's can get pretty rough, and are very rocky. However, this ATV eats rocks for lunch.

My biggest concern with buying this quad, over the Yamaha Big Bear was the ground clearance. Today I learned, ground clearance is not much of an issue. 6.5" is much more than you realize. I am actually glad I bought this quad over the Big Bear because it has more power, is liquid cooled, doesn't have IRS, and is much more nimble. This thing can go through mud like nothing.

I actually prefer the lower ground clearance because I have a lower center of gravity, and can take turns faster. This quad is extremely maneuverable on tight and windy terrain. I was debating getting the 250 instead of the 420 because of the 250 being so light and nimble, however, I don't think it is much of a concern anymore. This quad can move and groove with the best of them.