I am looking for something that is a good mix of utility and sport. My main question would be, does full time 4x4 affect driveability? I've had a lot of people tell me if I want 4x4 to get something that I can shift into 2wd. I am used to riding OLD smaller quads so i'm sure anything is an improvement. I'm no out jumping these things but I do trail ride. As far as the utility end goes i'm just looking for light work, towing trailers of wood or branches and such. Is the "sportiness" feel lost in a full time 4wd?? Any advice would be appreciated. I am currently looking at the Yamaha Wolverine and the Big Bear 4x4.

 

You might also (if you haven't already) look at the Prairie 650 V-Twin -- I know I am! It's my idea of the perfect marriage between sport and utility.... AND, it does have selectable 4X2 or 4X4. Who knows, might be just what you're looking for....

 

Check out the Yamaha post. Wolverine review youll get all the info you need on it. I just got one a week ago and really got a chance to get on it this weekend. I'll I can say is what a machine!!. You notice its in 4 wheel drive but it still handles good. Its really fun in my opinion.

 

i have a big bear 4x4 and all is true about the in and out of 4wd if you like to play alot. in a full time 4wd it is harder to just slide the rear end out a little. i ride in 2wd most of the time but when i need 4wd its just a push of the button. thats what makes the new utilities more sporty.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

take a look at the kodiak if you want an automatic.

 

I have a Scrambler 4x4.

Aside from the slight power loss when the 4x4 is engaged I can not tell much difference in handling on the trails.
The 4x4 is very nice in tight turns on trails because it will pull you out harder (when sideways) than with just 2wd.
GO TEST DRIVE A 500 4x4 Scrambler, Very nice combination of sport and Utility.
It will not come with racks or a trailer hitch but they are inexpensive upgrades.

 

RIGHT ON Perrya!!!! I have a 00' Kodiak and love it everyone who rides it says WOW this thing is great!! It's got the pushbutton 4X4 and I've taken it out on a scramble track and flat track and played w/ it. I think it's the best of both worlds you get utility which we use it alot for heavy duty stuff and you get sporty in 2WD. Hope this helps in fact there's a pic of me barrel racing it on www.atvaddiction.com website under media, that'll show you it can be sporty!!! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]
OH by the way on the handling, it handles like a dream in 2WD and 4WD!![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

My old big bear, a fulltime 4x4 350, was a little heavy handed in trail riding, but it served me faithfully for over four years on my farm. I moved a lot of wood with that guy. I just upgraded to a AC 500i, which is a vast improvement in both ride and handling, though the emphasis with the AC is more utility than sport. It's still a lot of fun on a trail, handles like a dream. I haven't noticed much difference between 2 and 4wd for spirited trail running on the AC, but I'm just running rough and narrow trails, no hotdog stunts. All the 500cc+ quads I looked at (and I looked at most of them) were very good, and any of them will exceed your needs by a wide margin.