The more you drive it like you stole it the more that will break until the bugs are worked out. It also depends on how the buggy was put together. Let me explain: When a dealer receives a shipment of atv, buggies or whatever he will assemble them, than a good dealer will check the things that were assembled at the factory. An experianced dealer will know what needs tweeking prior to the customer getting it. This is called dealer prep.Now let us all realise that with what we pay for these buggies they are no Honda, but the cost of either will reflect this. The reason you pay so much more for a Honda is that you have many more layers of quality control which requires more people therefore the cost elevates.
This is one reason Hammerhead, Carter, Blade,Kinroad, Roketa ect. cost more than the average online buggy which may look identicle to any of the above mentioned, because they have better quality control and are more consistent with parts used procedure in building ect. So with that being said these buggies will break more than say a honda. But than again you did not pay $5000.00 for it either. The two most important things to look at are the structual frame and the engine. If these are good you are on your way with some tweeking to having a good buggy. The yerfdog has many flaws but many still own them and love them.
If the buggy was not assembled correctly by the previous owner and or dealer and nobody bothered to make periodical checks at first you will be prone to more breakdowns. You need to go thru these buggies completely and than you will still come across some weak points which need correcting, but once these weak points are corrected you will have a much more reliable buggy. But also you must realise that these buggies come basic from the factory, that is they are primarily intended for kids to drive in fields and trails. When you start to add weight,climb greater than 20deg. hills, and drive it like you stole it things are going to break. You need to mod with better parts since you are now driving a machine in ways not intended by the factory.
Yes you will have to tweek them spend money to upgrade, but you will end up with a great machine that's a blast to drive for a fraction of the cost as compared to a Honda, polaris or whatever. Now first thing is this, lock nuts used on these buggies are not the best, so after your next several rides you will need to check all bolts eg. fender,sprocket, anything found loose use red loctite on when tightening. Tighten rear hubs using an air impact making sure to line the castle nut with the hole and use the largest cotter key possible for usually the cotter keys supplied from factory are way too small, a good quality aircraft grade locking wire can be used in place of the cotter keys. Check all front end components for tightness, adjust as required. Note: do not use locktite on any component using a castle nut or if splines or tapered shafts are used eg. hubs, balljoints, tierods. Hope this is helpful and will get you much more driving time in.
Tom
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