While I do agree with Gordons earlier posts on AWD and limited slip differentials,there is one thing I strongly disagree with him on.''OVERALL HANDLING''He mentioned that while Polaris AWD systems are engaged and locked,they are quite hard to steer,making it very tiring on hands,arms and wrists.Actually the Polaris AWD system is very easy to steer,even with the AWD system activated and locked.It is the Suzuki KQs 4x4 locking differential that is a bear to steer while engaged.You will hardly notice any differance in the steering effort on the Polaris AWD system whether in AWD[activated] mode or not.In fact,it was the easy steering on the Polaris AWD system that really impressed me when AWD does activate.Sorry Gordon,but you did'nt really give the true facts on the steering effort on the Polaris AWD system.They are indeed one of the easiest to steer,especially for a quad that spins ALL 4 wheels with torque.=====BILL

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I agree, Bill, that 4x4's with a locekd front axle are the hardest of all to steer, but my experiences with Polaris AWD quads when the front wheels are locked and churning, has always been that they're harder to steer than any 4x4 I've owned. And the worst is when one front hub is locked, and the other isn't.

Gotta love 'em in the mud, though!

Gordon Banks
Huntsville, AL

 

Whhhhhhoooo!..........Is there going to be a test after this thread.

Detroit locker, Limited slip,Manual hubs, Auto hubs,Racheting locker, AWD( I believe coined by subaru )-(Swiped by Ford)-(Licenced by Honda), Under a different vender.

And the king of them all,Full time/part time push button on demand,"Air locker"- My guess tiring to steer full time.

 

i lvoe the xpediditon but i never rode the rancher. i assume it will be a tipical honda
feara400, u seem to be all for the sport of atving with your anti polaris campain. real smart. yea, leave it to the pros, even though polaris is the second best selling atv, and coming fast on number 1

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Evan Johnson 99 400EX 88 LT250R

I apologize ahead of time for my bad spelling/typing

 

I believe Gordon was talking about the steering effort when the front hubs are engaged. If you have the AWD button engaged, and the machine does not need the front wheels, they won't pull till the back spins more than the front. But if you're in a terrain such as going up a long steep hill with slight turns, or towing something that you need all four wheels pulling, you will notice that it does steer hard. But then when you get to like flat terrain again where it doesn't need the front wheels, it will unlock them on its own. At that time, you will have the AWD switch, but it won't actually be engaged, and the steering will be easier also. On a limited slip machine, you do have 4 wheel drive engaged all the time but it is still easy to steer. One thing that I don't understand is why most Polaris's steer hard in 2wd too. Maybe we're the only ones that noticed it, but they seem to get harder with age. I've never seen one harder to steer than the Magnum 425 2x4.

 

Rooster,I totally understood Gordens post.And I still stick by my thoughts on the steering on Polaris AWD systems.I have not felt the quad steer hard at all when the AWD is actually funtioning and all 4 wheels spinning,in fact,I personally think it is one of the best steering quads around,[except limited slip]especially for a quad that has power to all 4 wheels.I sure do agree with him on the steering effort if you get one hub to stick.It's a bear than.====BILL

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Design Engineer, you must be part of the Polaris R&D. This is evident by your poor spelling and their poor design. Where does a person start when talking about all of the defects of the Polaris ATV line? How about the drivebelt slipping when it gets wet (and almost always does in even a few inches of water)? Or about how the 2wd/4wd button seems to quit working when the machine gets wet (seems like this is when you need 4wd the most). Or what about Polaris having the heaviest ATV's in ALL of their classes. And have you noticed how top heavy they are? Try riding one laterally across a hill side (better buy more life insurance before attempting this with a 600+ lb. machine). Have you ridden one enough to start having problems with the shifting linkage when going from high to low? Okay, I've just touched the apex of the problems. Can you give me any positive info about a Polaris that a Jap co. hasn't done better? I doubt it! And who is Polaris second to anyway, Lawnboy ATV Inc.?

 

Ok Bill, but I know our Sportsman doesn't turn easier than our Foreman 450, and my Uncle's Xplorer 500 turns noticeably harder than our Sportsman. It seems like each Polaris is different, having their own personalities.

[This message has been edited by rooster (edited 01-04-2000).]

 

Text deleted for inappropriate language. Please follow Forum guidelines.

atvbbs

[This message has been edited by atvbbs (edited 01-04-2000).]

 

I dont know if this is completely understood by everyone, but the reason the Polaris is harder to steer is simply the macpherson strut system.

On a polaris, when the rider starts a turn the steering rods are connected to the struts(which are held on to the bike by the single bottom control a-arm), the struts, under pressure from load or terrain, or even ground speed have to turn themselves--literally the strut has to turn within its self, hence the reason a polaris gets easier to steer once it is rolling.

On the other hand, a double A-arm steering section has the shock/spring hooked to the A-arms themselves to take the suspension action, all the steering rods are connected to are the spindles only--thats why they turn easier, but wheel rebound can be sent through these set-ups easier than the strut system.

I hope this clears up any mis-conceptions.


Billy Eldred

'99 Magnum 500, Vamped of course
'00 TRX400EX