Rubicon, making the competion sweat!

How sweet it is!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I own a Suzuki Quadmaster and my parents own a 2000 SP500 which I ride almost every weekend. I feel I am in a good position to comment on the 3WD - 4WD issue. While in extreme conditions the Polaris will go more places, there are drawbacks to the Polaris system. The most annoying trait is the inability of the front wheels to use any of the engine breaking. I don't see how this is not talked about more often, unless all the people that talk about going up gnarly stuff never ride down it. I know my quadmaster will walk down some insane stuff without even touching the breaks. When on the SP500 I am constantly on the breaks because the back tires are just skidding down the trail because the engine breaking is only affecting the rear wheels. Anybody who has ridden a Polaris knows what I am talking about. The other concern I have with the Polaris drive system is the somewhat problematic unlocking of the front hubs. Sometimes after shutting off the AWD switch one of the front hubs will not let go and you have a 700lb quad that only wants to go in circles (Polaris quads are not the easiest steering to begin with). This is not an everyday thing but my family and I have had it happen a dozen times or so in the past six months. I know this is not an isolated machine because I personally know other Polaris owners who have experienced this same thing.
After stating this I would like to say that I love all quads and would never bash a brand or a model. There are certain things I like better about the Polaris over my Suzuki, but for my needs I chose the Suzuki (a large factor was the easy steering for my wife). I would be perfectly happy if I owned a Polaris or any other quad for that matter, they all have a strengths and weaknesses.
I would like to hear other comments on the Polaris 4WD versus 3WD, am I the only one that feels this way?
How many of you guys live in Washington state?

Later,

Rob