winches

Coolwizard · June 27th, 2010, 02:49 PM

My Gorilla winch on the '08 pretty much died on the trail yesterday. At least it won't spool out or free wheel. This is the 2nd Gorilla winch to disappoint me. Neither of them were used very much.

Now I need 2 winches, one for the Camo Brute and a replacement to go on the Green Brute. I'd like to get a warren but since I need 2, I don't want to spend that much money. I've been looking at the Viper winches but I wonder if they are any better than the Gorilla. Any one have any recommendations?

NMKAWIERIDER · June 27th, 2010, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coolwizard

My Gorilla winch on the '08 pretty much died on the trail yesterday. At least it won't spool out or free wheel. This is the 2nd Gorilla winch to disappoint me. Neither of them were used very much.

Now I need 2 winches, one for the Camo Brute and a replacement to go on the Green Brute. I'd like to get a warren but since I need 2, I don't want to spend that much money. I've been looking at the Viper winches but I wonder if they are any better than the Gorilla. Any one have any recommendations?

Bunch of guys on MIMB using the Viper over the Gorilla. Most seem happy with them. I still like Warn but I think I'd the 3 or 4 thousand not the 2500.

Tennessee · June 27th, 2010, 10:06 PM

I have used my 2500 Warn many times and have never been disappointed. I have always used Warn and even though they have a lifetime warr. I have never had to send one back. You might be able to get away with 1 winch that will connect to a trailer hitch on both bikes. I personally will never get stuck in a hole and count on any other winch. If you never ride alone then it isnt your only way out so saving a couple hundred might be your right choice.

NMKAWIERIDER · June 27th, 2010, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tennessee

I have used my 2500 Warn many times and have never been disappointed. I have always used Warn and even though they have a lifetime warr. I have never had to send one back. You might be able to get away with 1 winch that will connect to a trailer hitch on both bikes. I personally will never get stuck in a hole and count on any other winch. If you never ride alone then it isnt your only way out so saving a couple hundred might be your right choice.

I gota agree with Tennessee, I have the warn 2500 and although I don't use it much, it has never not worked perfectly and I do ride alone...a lot. Not sure I'd bolt something else under there.

Coolwizard · June 28th, 2010, 10:00 AM

I do ride alone alot. Most of the time I've used a winch on the trail has been to pull some one else out of the mud. When the gorilla failed I was attempting a steep up hill rock crawl on a narrow trail. I made it without the winch but I was nervous the whole time (my recent roll over was fresh in my mind). I might just spend the extra bucks for the warren just so I'll have peace of mind. Do you guys use cable or synthetic rope?

NMKAWIERIDER · June 28th, 2010, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coolwizard

I do ride alone alot. Most of the time I've used a winch on the trail has been to pull some one else out of the mud. When the gorilla failed I was attempting a steep up hill rock crawl on a narrow trail. I made it without the winch but I was nervous the whole time (my recent roll over was fresh in my mind). I might just spend the extra bucks for the warren just so I'll have peace of mind. Do you guys use cable or synthetic rope?

I use good-ol cable but that's because I ride in rocky places that might cut or nick the synthetic...and besides...that's what it came with. Others use the rope and love it until it gets damaged. Its much lighter.

Thom · June 30th, 2010, 10:32 AM

I have the viper on my brute. i cannot kill this thing. Constantly buried under water and used weekly. I would recommend one from moto alliance.

Coolwizard · June 30th, 2010, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thom

I have the viper on my brute. i cannot kill this thing. Constantly buried under water and used weekly. I would recommend one from moto alliance.

Thanks, that's what I was hoping to hear. I probably will go with the viper max.

NMKAWIERIDER · June 30th, 2010, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coolwizard

Thanks, that's what I was hoping to hear. I probably will go with the viper max.

Good choise from what I hear.

Slumlord · June 30th, 2010, 10:20 PM

That's what I have, the 3500lb viper max on mine. Haven't used it but a couple times. Haven't found a whole lot that I couldn't drive through or out of! Good to have that since of security though...