Hey all!;I think I'm going to buy a BigBear 4x2 next week.After reading these forums it appears most of you have 4x4's or so it seems.I don't want to make an expensive mistake by not getting a 4x4 but the price on the 4x2 is really good (left over 2000 model for $3500.00)I think it'll do all the stuff i want (work/utility,trail riding).My main questions are: will i still be able to do some reasonable hillclimbing,water,shallow mud crossings,etc or will i really need a 4wd- and what percentage of normal woods riding conditions really require 4 wd.Mucho Thanks. DanB.

 

I have riden with alot of people with diffrent quads and have noticed they can go almost as many places as I can, however, when I creep up a hill or hit the mud slowly checking for deeper holes or ruts the 4X2's must hit the obsticles with some speed so the momentum will carry them through it. I don't think anybody plans on getting stuck, but 4X4's get stuck also, its just worser stuck than a 4X2. If your ever going down an incline and you need to back-up well a 4X2 will have real problem with this. It really depends on how much control you want during that oh-sh_t situation.

Kuntry
2000 SP 500
ETC.........

 

Buy a 4X4 or you will be buying your 2nd quad in a year from now (a 4X4). Resale is also better on a 4X4.

 

Some interesting places where I find myself switching from 2wd to 4wd (besides mudholes, hills, and bad terrain) are backing up a hill. In 2wd, the back tires don't have much traction, and spin a lot. Put it in 4wd in it backs up no prob. Also, Engine breaking down a steep rutted hill. Not that 2wd won't do this, but with 2 more wheels 4wd goes slower, and is more controlled.

Those 2 scenarios surprised me. But for the most part, I'm in 2wd mode. Only a few times do I go into 4 wd mode. And even fewer than that, would I need a locked diff (mine doesn't have one yet). With a 2wd you could make it just about anyplace a 4x4 could, you would have to become very skilled at compensating for the loss of 4x4 though.

4WD is obviously more expensive, heavier, and can add to your steering difficulties. But, is nice to have if you can turn it off and on.

 

Greetings,

I was surprised how little the front wheels kicked in on the 450ES. Granted, I mostly ride in fields, woods and trails but even in the snow they didn't seem to work that much. So for my second quad I got the Recon (2X4) and it goes just about anywhere the 4X4 goes. But again, I don't do much heavy duty riding.

Last month we crossed a creek and explored some semi-remote areas. Must admit that the Recon did some wheel spinning coming out of the creek and one other time climbing a steep little bank covered with leaves and wet dirt. Also, the 4X4 really helps in climbing over logs.

So if you're serious about going truly off-road, the 4X4 is probably worth it -- espectially if your friends have it. But if you're a more casual rider, 2X4 should suffice (afterall, the "A" in ATV is for "All&quot.

 

the only time i have had to use my AWD on my scrambler is backing up hiils with leaves/snow on them, we dont have much mud, but the rearters i had on at the time ate the mud and water crossings for lunch, my dirt devils do the same, unless your doing big mud/hills its not really nescasary, maybe for the big bear since its not to powerfull, youll also definitly want 4wd in snow/ice

 

If your ego allows you to go around deep mud holes rather than through them, chances are you'll be fine with a 2x4. You can always throw a winch on the front if necessary. However, a 4X4 earns it's keep in very uneven and soft terrain where push-pull traction is needed.

 

go around deep mud holes with a 2x4, nobody told that to CrazyRecon. From what I've heard crazy has figured out how to make that 2x4 recon go places, most wouldn't. But I'm sure that takes a lot of skill and (male reproduction parts).

 

Hey all,thanks for the very helpful replys !!.weedy, i hope you're wrong about me wanting a 4x4 that soon but i have a feeling i'll be sayin "he told me so" right after i get in some deep stuff with no one there to help get it out.Unfortunately i am too cheap to spend the clams for the 4WD right now.I think i'll learn a little about handling one of these 2WD quads first then maybe graduate to a 4x4.Thanks again for the help guys!! DanB.

 

2wd ATVs,for the most part,can go just about as far as someone with a 4x4 ATV,HOWEVER,its the one time that you get STUCK on your 2wd that you'll of wished you'd spent the extra $$ and bought the 4x4.

No 2wds for ME!

Bill