I was riding this weekend with a friend who has a 2000 Magnum 500. A very nice machine by the way.
Anyways we were riding around on his 40 some acres when we decided to try to cut through the swampy area.
I went first (I ride a 2000 wolverine) and made it to the middle where it's semi-dry. I looked back for my buddy, and he had made it about 15 feet and was stuck. I walked back and gave him a hand pushing it out.
We concluded that it was probably tougher for him, since I had created some big ruts when I went through.
After freeing him, I continued on across a small stream over a couple of fallen trees and into a very nasty mudhole where I got stuck. We pushed my quad out, and I suggested that he try a different line. He said he had to try, well he made it about as far as I had before he too was stuck again.
Once we pushed him out we made it to dry land with no further problems.
Here are my conclusions after this experience.
1) It is more fun to ride than push.
2) The ease of pushing is inversely proportional to how much the machine weighs.
3) On the type of terrain that I ride, "real" 4wd is just as useless as 3wd when the machine is sitting on it's frame.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not bashing Polaris's 4wd system (I think they make fine machines) I just think that too many people put too much emphasis on whether or not a machine has true 4wd, when in a lot of cases I don't think it matters.

 

beleive it or not driver ability has alot to do with it.i ride with another person who has a mag 500 and i have a mag 325.. both 4x4,i make it places he cant and it all has to do with experience so,go figure

 

As a matter of fact, Sqooze, a Woverine (with stock front end) won the 1999 Rocky Mountain ATV Jamboree mud bog (against all comers).

I think no system in itself is invincible; all quads are capable of getting stuck.

Yet I'm amazed; some consider, for example, a Ford Explorer/Bronco, etc.; Chevy Suburban/Blazer/Tahoe, etc., with TWO differentials, a 4WD vehicle, while a quad with only one differential is not (specifically, because it has a differential).

Tree Farmer

 

One ? for you did the mag have stock tire if it did they are in my Humble opinion JUNK Good for cutting grass and riding on golf courses as a grounds keeper. I have owned one and that is my opinion. Also If the mag had real tires and a more experienced rider you would think different. I will say i really like them wolverines.

 

This has to be one of the most intelligent and realistic, so far at least, topics of 4wd yet. You are absolutely right, dont matter how many wheels spin if they aint touching the ground and frame is, that thang aint going nowhere without some help. And experience, the best experience Ive gotten is watching the guy in front of me get stuck!

 

I ride in areas where there is very little deep mud just 1" or so on the trails. That is the main reason i did not buy a polaris 2wd is not enough but polaris's true 4wd is a pain to turn when it is enguages just like a locker is. I also feel that it provides strange handeling when it enguages. You cant seem to predict when it will or wont enguage. I prefer the 3wd limited slip for its consistent feel and ease of turning. Also when the mud is deep a light aplication of front brake will keep both tires turning. I am not doging on polaris just stating what i dont like about their system.

 

I was out riding Sunday with a Honda Recon, Honda Rancher 4x4, and a Yamaha Kodiak. As men always will, we had to see who could get out of the worst mud hole. The Recon (2wd)went first and made it out pretty easy (But left hugh ruts). The Kodiak and Rancher both went next and could not get out due to the ruts and the 3 wheel drive. The 3 wheel drive was apparent when the front left tire was in the air and was the only of the two spinning. I went last with my Magnum and could not make it either. I could spin all four wheels, but that doesn't help a darn bit when you are sitting in a rut. The point of the whole thing was:
1. Be the first out of the mud hole. Let them deal with your ruts.
2. 3 wheel drive or 4 wheel drive does not matter when you are stuck on the skid plates.

The main point is we all had fun and found out that a Recon is not a submarine. Just my thoughts.

 

Yama,

Interesting observations on the Polaris 4wd sytem but I think you should spend some more time with it to find out how it works and the effects when it engages.

With your extensive on-seat experience with the Polaris 4wd system you would have found that the automatic engagement of the front hubs is all not noticeable to the driver. The hubs engage when the back wheels slip and disengage automatically. I can't say as I ever notice the engagement and disengagement. It in no way hampers handling and control of the machine. The 4wd will not engage when the machine is going fast so there are no control issues here. The only thing the driver notices is that all 4 wheels are pulling you out when required.

Cruising mud holes and swamps on a regular basis I can say that steering effort has never been a problem when the 4wd is engaged and getting me out of a hole. It cannot be likened to a locker that is pulling you straight on all terrain. It is only engaged at low speed when required.

We ride with the 4wd switched on most of the time. Handling is identical to when it is in 2wd mode. The only difference is the front wheels pull when required.

I have to agree with the rest of the posts here. Any machine can get stuck. We each have features that may help in one situation but hinder in another.

DJ

 

DJ;Not much left to say after that (yeah right I always have diarrhea of the mouth)just wanted to add that in my experiences at least 95% of the time a two wheeler with experienced rider will go any where I can with 4x4,it's only that 5% that we really shine in.I have found the only time that I have felt anything at all in 4wheel engaging was in the sand I'd feel it sraighten out,not the actual feel of 4x4 but just better steering.I to say put a blind fold on and you can't tell if it's in 4 wheel or not,no difference in steering,It will kick in at high speed if the rear tires spin the 1/5 of a turn,found that out in sand.CM

 

Got to agree they all will get stuck, as for who's 4x4 is better it is all really tires and driver experience and luck. Though I think Polaris has the best 4x4 system going.