You'll have to try some of the mud/water holes in So. Maine sometime. Never seen a sport quad get through them yet. It would be cool to see someone conquer them on a two wheel drive. I rode some with a guy that goes by Jgar here on ATVConnection. He did amaze me where he could go on his 400ex. He also usually ended up covered with more mud than the ute riders because of the effort needed to get through the same mud that the 4wd machines got through easily.

I've been up to 68 on my Outlander Max before I ran out of smooth road. And on windy, hilly dirt roads I've averaged 40+ before. A lot of it has to do with whether you have the weight and strength to influence the quad you're riding. I have both so the big quads aren't as much an issue for me. Yes, sport quads are lighter and more nimble. I did like that about throwing around the sport quad I owned. I didn't like getting stuck in mud/water holes that are headlight deep or deeper. They just don't have the clearance and traction of a utility. Plus, with a bad back the solid rear axle wouldn't allow me to stay in the seat for a full day of riding. Nothing like an IRS for ride comfort. To each his own.

I also ride on trails that allow winter ATV riding. Too many long snow covered hills to get up with a two wheel drive. I suppose if I had enough money I'd have the ute for the really nasty trails and a Honda 700xx for the less demanding. I really can't ride a single axle machine anymore...

 

The trails around here do not even allow sport ATVs not just because of mud where 4wd is a must,heck even that's not enough and diff lock is needed or winch.
Also the terrain is so rocky and rough that a rear sprocket with only 3-4" of ground clearance under it would get banged to death.
The Show rooms here do not even stock sport ATVs they have to be special ordered and then they are only used on our motocross track or around someone's property at most.

If a 2wd sport atv came along for a ride with us it would be hilarious at first then turn into a slowed up tow rope drag.

Even a 2wd Utility ATV with decent ground clearance and no weak sitting duck rear chain sprocket would need assistance.