Looking at buying a 2006 Rubicon CTE!!! Wondering about the the 4 wheel drive system( Do 4 wheels spin most of the time or is it 3.5 wheel drive) I had a polaris where all 4 wheels would spin( but the bike was constant problems)?????

 

No Honda ATV currently has a locking front differential. So in other words, there will be instances where you won't have all 4 wheels turning. That said, these instances are rarely needed, but it's something to consider none the less. I've heard awesome things about the CTE Rubicons and they sound like a great machine, finally a 500-class performance competitor. I would say go for it.

 

They have what amounts to a clutchless limited slip in the front diff now that will give you 4x4 spin up to about 85% of the time. Its only when one wheel is really jammed up and the other free spinning that the locker cant kick in, but in most situation like mud holes and snow you'll have 4 wheels spinning.

If your a hardcore mudder you can get a detroit locker or a spool from highlifter. The spool works great but makes steering more involved, the detroit locker while more expensive is better than any factory locker out there IMHO, they've been making lockers for a long time.

 

the Rubi diff is not an open differential. It is not 3wd as the Honda detractors would say (not you RG[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]).

It will transfer (if I remember right) 5 times the torque to the wheel that isn't spinning as fast. The caveat being if you have zero traction with one tire it transfers 5 times zero torque - or none. We get plenty of snow here and all 4 tires will get power in the snow. the traction will switch back and forth rapidly between the fronts when you are in high enough snow to hold back the machine. If you do have a wheel up, the front brake trick does work, if you are coordinated enough I guess. I learned how to ride on a bike so I am not intimidated by split braking (and actually prefer the added control of split brakes, even without being able to switch to 2wd, you can transfer weight using the brakes in 4wd)

a locker would be better for absolute traction (not steering), but a pain. When do you activate a locker? When you are already stuck? Or if you think you might get stuck? For anything but a mudder, it is a nuisance. Nothing like coming around a corner and finding out that puddle is a 2 foot deep mud hole, and you didn't have a chance to hit the locker button until you were already buried.

I've heard mixed reviews about the DL. I know I don't want a spool. I guess I wouldn't mind a locker. IMO a visco-lock would be ideal for anyone but the serious mudders.

Anyone that learned how to ride on a motorcycle knows that the best way to get through a mud hole is not a locker, but keeping your momentum up. A locker should not be why you do or don't buy a particular quad.

 

 

For the most part, I do not do any serious mudding but I pull a trailer and sometimes when hunting we get up 30cm of snow!!! I do most of riding in Parry Sound !(lot's of hills and some mud) I think, if i put some good rubber on the Rube CTE, it should be what I need!! Oh! by the way , what is a open differential??? Are they on the older Models???

 

http://www.howstuffworks.com/static/differential.htm

 

its swowing to beat hell here in manitoba right now. i just got in from ripping around on the CTE and found that the diff works awesome in snow. i always had all 4 wheels spinning. my CTE is stock and it went through some pretty deep stuff. i'm gonna go back out later to see if i can find enough snow to get her stuck[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

Ok,for the sake of sounding dumb what is the CTE model? I also am not sold on the diff that Honda sells.I can show you a pic of a 2004 Rancher at Hat/Mc last trip that was trying to climb a rocky ledge.The right front was firmly planted on the rock and the left was spinning for it's life.I disagree that mudding is the ONLY time lockers are nice.That was one of the reasons I went with the Prairie over the Rincon (besides engine).I like climbing the tough stuff and being able to grab that locker when needed is very nice.I realize Kaws is diff than the others and you are right about the stopping to push the button AFTER you need it but for climbing nearly verticle stuff lockers are a great option.Just my .02
02 650 Camo

 

Yes, the problem with the Rancher is that it had one wheel with no traction - so no torque going to that wheel. Simply said, since the spinning wheel has zero torque on it, zero torque will be transferred to the other side. If he had applied the front brake the spinning wheel would have torque and it would transfer torque to the tire that wasn't spinning. I've been in that situation myself. A locker would have made the climb easier for me too - I am not knocking lockers.

Sounds like a pain in the butt with the torsen, and you have to think quickly and take action that requires dexterity, but I never said a torque sensing differential wasn't a compromise. But as VJ said, it works - though there are times when it requires thought and technique.

There are compromises with lockers too. Steering effort and directional control are compromised by locking the front end. Did you see the Kodiak on the Bombardier front differential demonstration rack? Locker locked, but not....

I didn't mean mudders are the only ones that benefit from a locker - just that it is not perfect either and you should not rule out a machine because it does not have a locker.

Hardcore mudders are willing to deal with fully locked front ends, I'd rather not have one. I think the visco-lock is the best front differential available for an ATV. How can I get one for my Honda?

and CTE=Canadian Trail Edition