Help! I am back in the ATV market looking for a machine to ride the WI trail system. Is 4x4 really necessary for most of the trails? I haven't been on an ATV since I sold my Honda back in '88, but I want to get back into it next year after grad school. I've been looking at the Wolverine as it seems to be a pretty good blend, but the Warrior and 400EX surely offer more bang for the buck if the 4WD isn't necessary.

I'm looking for drivetrain opinions from others who have ridden the WI trail system. Oh yeah, I also want to be able to ride on some lakes in the winter, so that's where I'm also skeptical of a 4x2's performance - in the snow. I don't feel like doing the tire studding thing.

Thanks for your help![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img]

 

Basically its like this . if the snow on the trails is so deep you need a 4x4 then you shouldnt be on them because it will rut the crap out of them and evyeone will be pissed at you.( snowmobilers,trail groomers ,me) We havent got enough snow around here in years that was so deep we couldnt blast through it out on the lakes and rivers with our 2 wheel drives. There have been a couple of times though when we would have a blizzard and no one would be out on the trails because of the drifts and thats the one time where the 4x4s came into thier own. Check out my page where I dumped it in about 4 feet of thick slop going across lake Dubay. Im glad I didnt have a heavy tank,we would have never got it out of there.

Now for summer if you need the mud ,we got the mud and you will need 4x4 for the few serious mud trails but otherwise most trails need good suspension for the whoops and rocks.

 

WISTECH, Thanks for the info. If there's snow on the trails in the winter, that's what Ski-doos are for. My parents have a place on a lake up north, so I would just be tooling around on the lake. Would 2WD do me any good in 10" of snow on the lake? Or would I be going nowhere fast?

For the summer it sounds like either way is OK. If there's DEEP mud on the trails, I'm assuming there's usually a way around it for the 2WD folks who prefer not to get stuck. True?

 

A good 96.492643% of the trails will be fine with 2wd. And if you do get into some muck there is usually someone that will be by to pull you out. Have pulled out a few sport type machines, even pulled out a motorcycle. Also the sport type are lighter so you can muscle it through.

 

upnort, I figured that was the case as far as trail riding was concerned. I'm still real concerned though about the winter lake riding, but maybe I shouldn't worry about it. If the snow gets too deep, break out the 'Doo!!

OK, so 2WD it is for now, any opinions on Warrior vs. 400EX vs. ? (something similar I'm overlooking)??

 

im not familiar with your area but in 10 inches of snow a 2wd isnt going anywhere, unless its fluff

 

I guess I still struggle with the power issue a bit of the Wolverine vs. what the Warrior might offer due to its clutching. That's probably a separate topic, understanding that there a lot of hop-ups available.

What are the chances that either the Wolvy or the Warrior will get an upgrade next year (400 or 450, 4x4 to 4x2 switching on the Wolvy)? Has anybody heard anything? They are both in need of some work to keep up with the competition, although some of the competition (400EX) need some updating as well.

 

i belive there was a recent post about a new wolvy/warrior comming out but there usually is.

 

I run a wolverine 450 4x4 up in Wisconsin, and it's pretty hard to get stuck. You can stay as muddy or clean as you want in Wisconsin. It all depends where you go, if you stick to the main trails, 2x4 is fine. However you hit some deep mud in some areas, and 4 wheel drive is definatley worth it there. May I also recoment a whinch.

Where in Wisconsin do you run?

Also, don't Ride in the winter, you don't want to be going 50 mile per hour with snowmobiles zipping around at 100+, it's just plain dangerous.

 

In upstate Michigan I ride a 300ex and occasionally take it on the frozen lake, but I get stuck pretty easily. I have to stay on the trails made by snowmobiles or if the snow is packed hard enough or the snow has been blown off the ice.