Take a look at these 2 pictures. Tell me you love IRS, I know I sure do. How can a solid axle even compare? Why do they even make solid axle quads now? Once you see these pictures you will be asking yourself the same questions. Hehe


Rancher Solid Axle

500i IRS

 

How can a solid axle even compare? A solid axle can't! Its hard to believe people still buy Hondas (swear by them and defend them to the death) because of their lack of features i.e. IRS and disc brakes not to mention a 2/4x4 system, and a diff locker. I will never buy a quad that doesn't either have IRS or a semi-independent rear suspension.

 

I would like to see the 500 ACT on this same rock. I wonder how it would do?

 

I put a pointer in the Honda Forum to here. I can't wait to see the response I get from those Honda guys. Hehe.

 

It would be interesting to see an ACT on the same rock. The ACT seems to offer almost all the benefits of an IRS without the extra CV boots & joints, although the body roll can be an issue, especially when trying to keep on faster trails.

 

i havent had any experience with IRS but i would take the solid axil over it any day. they way i look at it if you have all of this extra bolts, nuts and joints there is more that can go wrong. i think that people would go with the solid axle just for the durability.
Again i don't have any experience with the IRS, this is just my opinion.

 

OK someones with ACT suspension this is your mission. Find level ground with a 1 foot tall rock and do what I did. Take a picture of it and post it on this forum. If you can't post it e-mail me the picture and I can post it.

 

Thats always the case, more moving parts the more chances you have to break things. Its a fact of life. Hmm....lets think about this though. The front end of the quad is independent as well. The differential is constantly applying power to one or two tires all the time or appling power back and forth between tires. The rear end of the 500i is independent as well, it does not apply power to either tire, it applies power to both tires. So less wear and tear on the rear end. So this should make the front end on the quad weaker? If that is true, how many times has the front end of your quad gone out on you? None? Once? How proven is that technology? Since 85 or 87 I think. So that would make IRS a proven technology for 15 or so years.

I would take IRS anyday over any axled quad.

 

IRS is ok on a utility quad but sport riders want nothing to do with them. In addition to the body roll you get with IRS machine you have a an inherent weight penalty. I will keep my solid rear end thank you.

 

Well yah. IRS on a sport quad might be kinda weird but were talking utility machines.