I'm gonna be gettin a quad in a few months, and I'm debating on gettin a 4wd. I like the prices on the 2wd's better, and I'm on a very limited budget. I'm gonna be doing hard trail riding, Hunting, hill climbing,and going through lots of mud. If I get a 4WD I think I would want to be able to switch into 2WD. I've heard that 4WD's aren't good for hard trail riding. Is this true.

thanx. Any help would be appreciated.

 

Rudnik, I too had this debate at one time. Ended up buying a Kawi Lakota, this worked fine for about 6 months. But then I started getting sick of being the guy on the tow rope all the time! I think my buddies were sick of it too! They all rode 4wds. So i ended up getting a Sportsman no more getting pulled out all the time! I know own a 00 XPLORER 400, got sick of the sportsmans weight. I guess my point is talk to the people you plan on ridding with find out what they ride and what there next quad is going to be. Take their advice, there is no need for 4wd if your buds ride 2wds. If your friends ride 4wds there are a few choices for limited budgets. Polaris makes the 250 Xplorer about 3995, there is also the Honda 300. I think Yamaha and Suzuki also make entry level 4wds. AS far as hard trailriding goes, for slamming though the rough stuff my Polaris does great! With nine inches of travel in the rear and 6.7 inches in front it gives you a smooth ride. Whoops and big air is the only thing that really taxes them.

 

my friends have 2wd's. I think I might end up getting a Honda Recon, or the 300. I drove my friends Recon, and I liked it, only I don't think it would have enough power for long hill climbs.

 

The Honda 300 is now out of production. The Rancher 350 replaced it.

 

It boils down to how you want to ride. 2wd is more fun and lighter to handle, but you'll sometimes have to be towed out. I started with a warrior, a good fun woods bike. But I like to explore remote areas, not go around and around the same hillclimbs. I rode with 4wd's and got towed a lot. Picked up the nickname 'mud warrior' for my usual look when we would stop for lunch.

Now I have a King Quad. Worlds different than a warrior, not as much raw fun but suits me much better. I think you'll find that the 4wd is needed in the mud and on tough rock climbs, if you have at least 1 4wd in the group and don't mind a pull now and then, then stick with the 2wd. If you want to be the guy that does all the pulling - go for a 4wd. BTW - the Recon looks like a great bike, when budget permits I plan on getting one for my wife.

JB '94 King Quad/ Titan 489's

 

I should have added - I ride my KQ in 2wd most of the time. I've had some rides through mud and rocks and stayed in 2wd all day. Most times I'll use 4wd about 5% of the time. The 4wd gives me the ability to explore the unknown trails with more confidence to get back out.

JB

 

Thanx, for All the help. I think I'm going to get the Honda Rancher 2WD. I just don't know If I want the ESP shifting or the Manual

 

what kind of tarrain are you riding?
for alot og hill climbing, (with out 4 wheel drive of course), you would likely be best with the standard... but if you are using your quad for strictly trail riding I'd go with the auto.

If ya can't drive fast, you shouldn't be driving!