4-wd keeps you from sliding when you're applying power.

It's also nice to be in 4-wd and you apply the rear brakes so the rear wheels don't lock up and slide all over.

When I put it in 4-wd I want it in 4-wd. Is that too hard to ask??

 

What Moose said.

 

I only use 4wd if there is a section that may get me stuck. If I had trails where there was not possibility of ever getting stuck I would own a 2wd sport ATV and do some real fun power sliding.

 

So my Honda Fourtrax 300 with full time 4x4 but open diffs is a pretty much an outdated dinosaur?

 

2nd

Can-am is my favroite also.

 

how goodare the yamaha grizzly's as far as 4wd goes?

 

Their system goes from 2wd to 4wd with a limited slip front end when you move the switch. You have to push another button to go into fully locked front end mode. Works as good as any other. When it all comes down to it, if it makes all four wheels turn it's going to work pretty well. Ground clearance, and depth of whatever you're going through (mud, snow, water, sand) are going to be the limiting factors after that.

 

Honda does seem to be the last manufacturer to get on board with a lot of stuff like IRS,selectable 2-4wd,diff-lock and disc brakes.
Saying all that though they are some of the most reliable bikes out there.Even with a strait axle and basically a 3wd My 450 Foreman goes through just about anything that my Can-Am Max goes through.The lack of ground clearance is usually what stops it.I've got a fairly heavy 20' skiboat in the backyard and if I want to move it I use the old Honda.Tried it with the Can-Am and even in low range I figured it was too hard on the belt,so now I stick to the Honda.

 

i like my older xplorer 4x4,..just push a buttun an its there,all 4 wheels!! push it again an its off!! dont see why anybody would want it any other way!!

 

manufacturers are trying to make it a seamless transition to all wheel traction control with minimum driver input- which is why polaris & can-am have been pushing the R&D on the visco & awd systems- they are the two best systems out there.

forget kawasaki- you have to push a button to engage the 4x4 system, then actually hold in a lever the entire time you want the front diff to stay locked up