Can you shift from 2wd to 4wd if the machine is moving? Or must you be completely stopped to do this? Got a new 2013 and i don't want to screw up the transfer from 2wd to 4wd

 

This is from my 2012 Outlander Max owner's manual.

2) 2WD/4WDSelector
The 2WD/4WD selector is located on
the RH side of the handlebar.
This selector allows to choose between
2WD and 4WD when the vehicle
is stopped.
vmo2008-019-005_b
TYPICAL
1. Selector
2. 2WD position
3. 4WD position
NOTICE The vehicle must be
stopped to engage or disengage
2WD/4WD selector. Mechanical
damage may occur if selector is engaged
or disengaged while driving.
NOTICE If the rear wheels are
spinning, release the throttle and
wait engine return to the idle before
selecting the 4WD mode.
The 4WD mode is engaged when the
selector is pushed downwards.

That being said, I shift it into 4wd goind slow and disengage it also. I find most the time I am almost to a stop when I engage 4wd and haven't seen or heard anything that seems like damage. I don't think you want to engage it if you have your rears spinning out on a slick surface. That could cause the fronts that are stationary to engage pretty hard.

 

I'll check when I get home, but I'm fairly certain the G2 can-am's are shift on the fly- I remember reading it when I was picking up my new 2013 outty 1k last week...
moose is correct about the G1 not being on-the-fly shifting from 2 wheel to 4 wheel.

 

I'm actually reading conflicting info on the subject- so don't hold me to the above statement yet...

I could've sworn I had a brochure given to me by the dealer that said on-the-fly 4x4 shifting...
but now I'm second guessing myself

 

I thought all ATVs shift from 2wd to 4wd or back while on the fly.
The only thing you have to stop and idle for is changing from High or low range.

 

the polaris was always able to switch to AWD on the fly, and the front diff would automatically switch between 2x4 / 4x4 when it sensed slippage, if you were in 4x4 already.-

the can-am required you to stop (or at least slow down to about 5 mph and not be under load) to go into 4x4 or you could damage the roller cage in the diff. the visco auto locked the front diff when it needs it, and unlocks it when there traction.

the other asian brands (except kawasaki) you could switch into 4x4 on the fly, but had to stop to lock the front diff in- and can't go over I think 25 or 30 mph while in 4x4.

The kawi has that annoying little yellow lever you had to hold in to have the diff locked- and had to go slow.

the new can-am G2 atv's you have no max speed limit while in 4x4- you can go as fast as you want now. I think the new can-am automatically unlocks the visco diff locker over a certain mph-

 

My Yamaha 350 4wd also changes from 2wd to 4wd or back while going down the road at any speed. Same with my friends 500 Honda foreman.

I know you have to always stop to use diff lock.