Which one do you like better, and give the bad points and good points of both. Or your reason why you like one over the other.

 

Shaft drive is less maintance but you lose power to the wheels. With the chain drive its more maintance but you dont lose as much power.

 

yes more power is brought to the ground with chain drive do to a higher mechanical efficiency....but the chain stretches and needs tightening...shaft it better on a utility vehicle where you can use it for pulling and not worry about the chain stretching...but less power is available at the rear or front wheels....I like shaft...

 

If weight is an issue, chain is lighter than shaft.

 

Chains are a hell of alot cheaper to replace than a shaft also.

 

It comes down to what you want the quad for. For me, I like speed and sport, jumping, power, so chain is for me. If you want low maintanance, reliability, and not so concerned with speed, you get the shaft. Shaft is more suited for the Utilities where more torque comes into play than HP...

 

Get a Scrambler and you can have both. LOL [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

Having both works very well for me.

 

Well i personally think that the chain drive is less maintainance and cheaper. I have a 03 Sportsman and we've had to replace the boots and shafts twice. That isnt cheap either. Junk if u ask me

 

The jury is still out, I sold my 1995 400 Explorer which had 3 chains, and bought an 04.5 Sportsman 500. As far as the chains go personally I never had a problem with them ofcourse I maintained them, twice a year I cleaned them good with mineral spirits and oiled them fairly frequently. Never had to change any of them, good ATV all around.
So far I think the shaft drive will be a lot less to maintain, the ride on the 500 is definately a lot better. Thus far I am pleased, but I do believe in maintaining anything I have to pay a lot of money for.