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A little OT perhaps, but what would a good 4x4 ATV be for Lake Como road? I'm thinking something with lots of clearance and low range gearing, if such a thing is made. Winch might be useful, as well.

danb wrote:Bill, I'm glad you have done that road. I got some "go to hell" looks on my ATV from hikers. It is the only time I have ever ATV'd up and probably the only time I ever will, but I just could not miss the opportunity to combine two things I love in one trip!

I found the biggest problem to be the loss of power at higher elevation...running only a 330cc engine. The obstacles were a total blast.

Yeah, I've received those looks, but I don't let it bother me. I've also had some "Hey, can I get a ride up the road?" requests which I usually try to accommodate if I don't have too much gear on the back.

djkest wrote:A little OT perhaps, but what would a good 4x4 ATV be for Lake Como road? I'm thinking something with lots of clearance and low range gearing, if such a thing is made. Winch might be useful, as well.

Most 4WD ATVs are going to have 4-Lo. A larger ATV with large, stock tires and good-clearance is best for that road and the big manufacturers all sell them, but they are going to be anywhere from $5 to $9k new.

Way back when, I got the first year (1995) Polaris Sportsman 400 4x4 2-stroke and it's my rig of choice for tough roads like Lake Como. Great power, clearance and light in the back end if I have to move it around. I still use it to plow my driveway in Breck! I now have a 2012 Polaris Sportsman 500 H.O. 4x4 4-stroke which is much heavier but lots of clearance. Both have winches but I usually only use it to get out of mud, plow snow or pull a deer up to the hanging pole . The wife has a 2001 Polaris Sportsman 335cc 4x4 4-stroke which has also been up that road. Not a ton of power but great in Low.

The new UTVs (side-by-side seating) are pretty wide and wouldn't be as good on a rough road like Como but I've seen a couple make it to the lake.

um, is that Andrew Martinez's 4Runner?