First off I'm not knocking any other machines. As far as I'm concerned they are all good and some have advantages others don't. I just want to share an observation with you. A friend of mine and I both have Polaris Quads Sportsman 500 and a Magnum 425. Last year we were riding with my neighbor and his Yamaha Big Bear in the snow we notice one of his front wheels was spinning alot and the other not getting any power. He has a differential in the front. Last week we rode with a Honda Rubicon and a Honda Foreman. They had the same problem. They were having trouble climbing alot of the hills we were and we had the Rubicon got hung up so that one front wheel was in the air and sure enough the same thing. The wheel on the ground had no power. As I said before I'm not bashing any other machines but if someone is looking to purchase a new machine this may be something to consider. Another feature I like is the ability to shut the ALL WHEEL DRIVE of and be in just two wheel drive. I believe that Polaris is the only one that offers ALL WHEEL DRIVE if I'm wrong would some one let me know.
Happy Trails to all!!

 

You'r right. WE know that, but you just try posting that message in the Honda forum.

Dave

 

Actually, Sportsman2000, some would say Suzuki King Quads/Quadrunner 250 4x4s, with rider selectable locking/unlocking front differentials, are the only ATV's currently available with "true" all-wheel drives (incidentally, 2WD is also selectable on these quads by the rider).

For better or worse, all four Polaris wheels pull ONLY when rear wheel slip occurs; at all other times, as when descending hills, Polarises are in 2WD. The shift from 2WD to 4WD on a Polaris is transparent to the rider and not under his control, unlike the lockable front differential and 2WD/4WD selection controlled by the Suzuki rider.

Which system is better? Each has plusses and minuses; each rider has his preferences.

Diogenes

 

Am I the only one who sometimes feels that Diogenes is actually Tree Farmer in disguise?

 

IndyDave,
funny you mentioned that,in the past,I have also seen a very similer pattern in both TF posts and Diogenes.I have OFTEN wondered the same thing myself.I think you may have something here?

Sportsman500,
Diogenes[Tree Farmer?] is correct,the King Quad also has true 4x4 and is also switchable from 2wd-4wd.The problem with a KQ is the tiny motor they put in it,a mere 280cc engine!Though it does a pretty good job in most area's,its undersized engine really shows up in the worst of conditions.As for the ''true'' 4x4,it works excellant on both the King and Polaris ATVs,
Bill

 

Sportsman2000, your observations are correct. The Honda differentials allow this to happen. They make lockers that you can install to make all 4 pull at once, no matter what situation.

 

True four wheel drive is only one of the reasons I choose the H.O. over the Rubicon.I could list several more but youve heard it all before.

 

Watch your language, IndyDave!

Actually, you compliment me.

Tree Fa . . . No, I mean, Diogenes!

 

Your welcome. It was not meant to be anything other than a compliment.

Dave

 

sp2000,

this is not a bash either, the front diff on a polaris only engages if the rear wheels spin 20% faster than the front. i have an arctic cat 500 auto 4x4 and if all four wheels stay on the ground, they all pull. if one front comes off the ground then three wheels pull, but, honestly, if a front tire is off the ground what does it matter if it is engaged or not--it's not doing anything is it? i have hooked a polaris magnum 500 to my ac with a chain and, the result, 8 holes in the turf.
hey mr. ciliberti ain't i just a big pain in the ***--chuckle, chuckle.

texascat