P500 GKA wheelz test during Icefishing trip, snow mud riding affordable solution

[solrus]

Alright fellas , was able finally after a year of wait to test GKA wheelz , just got back from the ice fishing trip, tired and will provide with snap info, and later will answer your questions and post my opinion.

I've started to think about alternative or better say intermediate link between tires and tracks, found J wheels, asked them to put a kit together for Pioneer 500, they replied with this, where I even had pay ridiculous money for metric bolts to upgrade from their standard 10mm bolts. :

Quote: "
- (J-014&J-032a) 4x4 J-wheelz kit, 12mmx1.5, $674.99

- (J-028) 4-bolt upgrade 12mmx1.5, $139.99

- (J-023) Tall Blade Upgrade $49.99

- Shipping $55

- TOTAL: $919.97

We don’t have any discounts for group memberships, but shipping to you by Feb 6 should be workable. I will try and connect with you later today or early tomorrow morning and we can finalize your order, get your shipping and payment info, and get your set of J-wheelz on the road. "

So I could not afford to pay 900$ for a plastic buckets . Started to google and found this Russian ATV accessories dealer that makes cheaper alternatives to Jwheelz, found GKA brand http://gkasport.ru/view/115/ - here right click anywhere on the web page and choose translate into English .

I've paid around 400$ shipped (shipping was almost 200$ by air, should be half price by sea, but a bit longer) , here is few threads where we have discussed snow/ice riding:

P500 - Deep snow. Chains? What type and brand?

P500 - Ice riding

Short video of mine :

Video 2 close view (sorry all filmed on my cell phone, improvised) - GKA wheelz Pioneer 500 wet snow test close view - video 2


Main points:
- helped me to stay about an inch above ice in dry powder snow
- wider tracks ( 72 " now) and not possible to tip it over doing donuts, I also lost control going down hill on country road from the lake and was turned 360 degrees with going into side snow pile and they helped me to to flip into that snow pile.
- very helpful in wet snow and slush , worked like paddles, I did not need to have chains and also it helped me to stay on top of thin superficial ice as if I go faster , so footprint pressure reduced greatly
- I think it should work very well in wet sand and mud
- If to use them for ATV then it will add more flotation then for ours P500s.

Cons: - not working in dry powdery snow, BUT it would help to stay on top of truck ruts and if its packed snowmobile tracks

In 2016 price for GKA wheelz was - 246$ (with discount (for hondsxs members + shipping was 154$ by airmail. By sea should be half of this.



Here is video collection of both GKA and J wheelz

J-wheelz Hill climbing

At the end I felt more safer with them on the lake then without , this effect will have more ground and justification for ATV owners since they 3 times lighter then P500 (I guess I'm about 1200 - 1300lbs now with all add - ons )


Next trip will be in two weeks to the country for cow elk hunt , will continue to test them.

 

[Jshell3]

Alright fellas , was able finally after a year of wait to test GKA wheelz , just got back from the ice fishing trip, tired and will provide with snap info, and later will answer your questions and post my opinion.

I've started to think about alternative or better say intermediate link between tires and tracks, found J wheels, asked them to put a kit together for Pioneer 500, they replied with this, where I even had pay ridiculous money for metric bolts to upgrade from their standard 10mm bolts. :

Quote: "
- (J-014&J-032a) 4x4 J-wheelz kit, 12mmx1.5, $674.99

- (J-028) 4-bolt upgrade 12mmx1.5, $139.99

- (J-023) Tall Blade Upgrade $49.99

- Shipping $55

- TOTAL: $919.97

We don’t have any discounts for group memberships, but shipping to you by Feb 6 should be workable. I will try and connect with you later today or early tomorrow morning and we can finalize your order, get your shipping and payment info, and get your set of J-wheelz on the road. "

So I could not afford to pay 900$ for a plastic buckets . Started to google and found this Russian ATV accessories dealer that makes cheaper alternatives to Jwheelz, found GKA brand http://gkasport.ru/view/115/ - here right click anywhere on the web page and choose translate into English .

I've paid around 400$ shipped (shipping was almost 200$ by air, should be half price by sea, but a bit longer) , here is few threads where we have discussed snow/ice riding:

P500 - Deep snow. Chains? What type and brand?

P500 - Ice riding

Short video of mine :

Video 2 close view (sorry all filmed on my cell phone, improvised) - GKA wheelz Pioneer 500 wet snow test close view - video 2


Main points:
- helped me to stay about an inch above ice in dry powder snow
- wider tracks ( 72 " now) and not possible to tip it over doing donuts, I also lost control going down hill on country road from the lake and was turned 360 degrees with going into side snow pile and they helped me to to flip into that snow pile.
- very helpful in wet snow and slush , worked like paddles, I did not need to have chains and also it helped me to stay on top of thin superficial ice as if I go faster , so footprint pressure reduced greatly
- I think it should work very well in wet sand and mud
- If to use them for ATV then it will add more flotation then for ours P500s.

Cons: - not working in dry powdery snow, BUT it would help to stay on top of truck ruts and if its packed snowmobile tracks

In 2016 price for GKA wheelz was - 246$ (with discount (for hondsxs members + shipping was 154$ by airmail. By sea should be half of this.



Here is video collection of both GKA and J wheelz

J-wheelz Hill climbing

At the end I felt more safer with them on the lake then without , this effect will have more ground and justification for ATV owners since they 3 times lighter then P500 (I guess I'm about 1200 - 1300lbs now with all add - ons )


Next trip will be in two weeks to the country for cow elk hunt , will continue to test them.

View attachment 31573

I saw these on your P500 about a week ago and watched the promo videos, immediately. I watched the guy take the sledgehammer to them, too!
Impressed. I could see where they'd benefit you up in the frozen stuff.
When I checked them out last week, I thought I'd seen a $600 price, so the $200 deal you've got coming from Russia is really good!

I could see this making big waves (pun intended) in the duck hunter fields...
Thanks for posting

 

[solrus]

I've emailed GKA and will find out how much to ship by sea 2 vs 4 add ons.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

 

[Deleted member 3748]

How did I miss this post? This is cool! Thanks for sharing.

 

[solrus]

Another trip with GKA wheelz , and update, I've noticed the bolts became loose , most likely with higher speed and tires rotation, I think the solution is to out two nuts to lock.

Was by my self and it was cold did not film a lot , just took pics of elk and had to dig out P500 few times and one time with winch.

 

[popeye]

So you dodnt have any issues with ordering from the russian company.

Sent from my LGMS631 using Tapatalk

 

[solrus]

So you dodnt have any issues with ordering from the russian company.

Sent from my LGMS631 using Tapatalk

I've ordered in January 2016, got them around Feb 2016, did not tested for a year until this winter. They did sell it for a promo price, I think I was the first who ordered them from States. I think another member was trying to buy from them but the price was higher . I emailed them and was told that if we group buy, lets say 10 sets ( each = 4 wheels) , the price per 1 wheel will be 76$ plus shipping. Last year 1 wheel was shipped around 35$ by air.

 

[NPN]

Alright fellas , was able finally after a year of wait to test GKA wheelz , just got back from the ice fishing trip, tired and will provide with snap info, and later will answer your questions and post my opinion.

I've started to think about alternative or better say intermediate link between tires and tracks, found J wheels, asked them to put a kit together for Pioneer 500, they replied with this, where I even had pay ridiculous money for metric bolts to upgrade from their standard 10mm bolts. :

Quote: "
- (J-014&J-032a) 4x4 J-wheelz kit, 12mmx1.5, $674.99

- (J-028) 4-bolt upgrade 12mmx1.5, $139.99

- (J-023) Tall Blade Upgrade $49.99

- Shipping $55

- TOTAL: $919.97

We don’t have any discounts for group memberships, but shipping to you by Feb 6 should be workable. I will try and connect with you later today or early tomorrow morning and we can finalize your order, get your shipping and payment info, and get your set of J-wheelz on the road. "

So I could not afford to pay 900$ for a plastic buckets . Started to google and found this Russian ATV accessories dealer that makes cheaper alternatives to Jwheelz, found GKA brand GKA Sand Mud Snow Wheelz (песок грязь снег) - here right click anywhere on the web page and choose translate into English .

I've paid around 400$ shipped (shipping was almost 200$ by air, should be half price by sea, but a bit longer) , here is few threads where we have discussed snow/ice riding:

P500 - Deep snow. Chains? What type and brand?

P500 - Ice riding

Short video of mine :

Video 2 close view (sorry all filmed on my cell phone, improvised) - GKA wheelz Pioneer 500 wet snow test close view - video 2


Main points:
- helped me to stay about an inch above ice in dry powder snow
- wider tracks ( 72 " now) and not possible to tip it over doing donuts, I also lost control going down hill on country road from the lake and was turned 360 degrees with going into side snow pile and they helped me to to flip into that snow pile.
- very helpful in wet snow and slush , worked like paddles, I did not need to have chains and also it helped me to stay on top of thin superficial ice as if I go faster , so footprint pressure reduced greatly
- I think it should work very well in wet sand and mud
- If to use them for ATV then it will add more flotation then for ours P500s.

Cons: - not working in dry powdery snow, BUT it would help to stay on top of truck ruts and if its packed snowmobile tracks

In 2016 price for GKA wheelz was - 246$ (with discount (for hondsxs members + shipping was 154$ by airmail. By sea should be half of this.



Here is video collection of both GKA and J wheelz

J-wheelz Hill climbing

At the end I felt more safer with them on the lake then without , this effect will have more ground and justification for ATV owners since they 3 times lighter then P500 (I guess I'm about 1200 - 1300lbs now with all add - ons )


Next trip will be in two weeks to the country for cow elk hunt , will continue to test them.

View attachment 31573

Thanks so much for the very helpful and real info. It makes this forum so valuable. Having contacted five dealers who have been selling j-wheels, none are overly excited but did agree that they are excellent in swampy areas and slush. The added width keeps many from buying them as it creates transportation issues. I guess installing them upon destination would help. I like the design of the Russian ones but as a Canadian would rather support American made.

 

[solrus]

Thanks so much for the very helpful and real info. It makes this forum so valuable. Having contacted five dealers who have been selling j-wheels, none are overly excited but did agree that they are excellent in swampy areas and slush. The added width keeps many from buying them as it creates transportation issues. I guess installing them upon destination would help. I like the design of the Russian ones but as a Canadian would rather support American made.

But testing showed that they are not good for mud. So I would not invest in. Russian or American made. Just buy good mud tires. Or add detachable tracks. I had hell of a traction with mine diy tracks

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

 

[NPN]

Alright fellas , was able finally after a year of wait to test GKA wheelz , just got back from the ice fishing trip, tired and will provide with snap info, and later will answer your questions and post my opinion.

I've started to think about alternative or better say intermediate link between tires and tracks, found J wheels, asked them to put a kit together for Pioneer 500, they replied with this, where I even had pay ridiculous money for metric bolts to upgrade from their standard 10mm bolts. :

Quote: "
- (J-014&J-032a) 4x4 J-wheelz kit, 12mmx1.5, $674.99

- (J-028) 4-bolt upgrade 12mmx1.5, $139.99

- (J-023) Tall Blade Upgrade $49.99

- Shipping $55

- TOTAL: $919.97

We don’t have any discounts for group memberships, but shipping to you by Feb 6 should be workable. I will try and connect with you later today or early tomorrow morning and we can finalize your order, get your shipping and payment info, and get your set of J-wheelz on the road. "

So I could not afford to pay 900$ for a plastic buckets . Started to google and found this Russian ATV accessories dealer that makes cheaper alternatives to Jwheelz, found GKA brand GKA Sand Mud Snow Wheelz (песок грязь снег) - here right click anywhere on the web page and choose translate into English .

I've paid around 400$ shipped (shipping was almost 200$ by air, should be half price by sea, but a bit longer) , here is few threads where we have discussed snow/ice riding:

P500 - Deep snow. Chains? What type and brand?

P500 - Ice riding

Short video of mine :

Video 2 close view (sorry all filmed on my cell phone, improvised) - GKA wheelz Pioneer 500 wet snow test close view - video 2


Main points:
- helped me to stay about an inch above ice in dry powder snow
- wider tracks ( 72 " now) and not possible to tip it over doing donuts, I also lost control going down hill on country road from the lake and was turned 360 degrees with going into side snow pile and they helped me to to flip into that snow pile.
- very helpful in wet snow and slush , worked like paddles, I did not need to have chains and also it helped me to stay on top of thin superficial ice as if I go faster , so footprint pressure reduced greatly
- I think it should work very well in wet sand and mud
- If to use them for ATV then it will add more flotation then for ours P500s.

Cons: - not working in dry powdery snow, BUT it would help to stay on top of truck ruts and if its packed snowmobile tracks

In 2016 price for GKA wheelz was - 246$ (with discount (for hondsxs members + shipping was 154$ by airmail. By sea should be half of this.



Here is video collection of both GKA and J wheelz

J-wheelz Hill climbing

At the end I felt more safer with them on the lake then without , this effect will have more ground and justification for ATV owners since they 3 times lighter then P500 (I guess I'm about 1200 - 1300lbs now with all add - ons )


Next trip will be in two weeks to the country for cow elk hunt , will continue to test them.

View attachment 31573

 

[NPN]

Just wondering if you still have your P500? I see by the pictures that you have the factory door kit. Any advice on the doors? -does the windshield fog up a lot? Can you drive highway speeds with the doors in place? Overall, for winter use, are the doors worth while? Thanks much!

 

[solrus]

Just wondering if you still have your P500? I see by the pictures that you have the factory door kit. Any advice on the doors? -does the windshield fog up a lot? Can you drive highway speeds with the doors in place? Overall, for winter use, are the doors worth while? Thanks much!

Yes , I still have it. And yes highway speed if fine , but park it in the open trailer rear end forward and use a strap or rope to secure doors, just wrap around. The window does not fog , windshield has big openings but in winter it's better to use heater if you stationery if you drive it does not fog .

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk