My point is that if the hill is so steep that the wheels start locking up due to the EBS, then you are better off putting the machine in neutral and using brakes only. This gives the rider total control of his machine and he doesn't have to rely on what the EBS may be doing or not doing.

I have found when going down some hills, I actually will apply the throttle a slight bit just to release the braking system and control my descent with the brakes. Sounds strange, but it works really well.

It is true the downside to a Polaris is using your brakes a lot more.

 

I don't think that the EBS works any different than the 700 I am afraid that the EBS is something that you will have to get used to. Every brand of bikes has their own downfalls. If you ever find the perfect bike post it I am sure everybody would like to know. Your proublem is not unheard of in fact a friend of mine was commenting that the EBS can get kind of squirrely on his 03 SP500 the other day at the BAR( not the lawyers bar either)

 

When you spend almost 8.000 on a atv thats suposed to be top of the line its depressing to think mid grade atvs have better features, but I do think that the 700 rides like a dream I haven't driven smother yet.My old foremane used to make my back hurt. Anyone find out if the 500 sp has 4 wheel engine braking.

 

No Polaris has 4 wheel engine braking. As pointed out earlier, the only time all 4 wheels are engaged to the engine is when the back tires rotate faster than the front with the AWD switch on. Going down hill the rear tires are going slower than the front, so they will never get engine braking (even with the AWD switch on). Start using high range to come down hills instead of low. Low offers WAY too much engine braking for slippery surfaces... NEVER use low on steep slippery down hills and you will love the engine braking just fine. By the way, there is a very rare situation that can occur (abnormally) and all 4 wheels will be locked into AWD when going down a hilll - now that is TRULY scary. I think if you don't like low range in 2wd on your Polaris, you will really hate low range in 4wd. Just think how scary things get when all 4 wheels are slipping.

 

I'm not saying polaris is bad and your right high range works better I'm used to Hondas-Arctic cats ebs
systems ,when you go down a steep hill your under control. The way you say It a 2 wheel dr will go up a steep hill better than a 4 wheel dr because you said 2 wheels get better traction than4 going down hills.
What atv do you have.

 

I have an '02 SP 700, an '04 SP 700, and a '96 Magnum 425 4x4 (which I plan to sell).

You will get better traction going up a hill in 4wd than 2wd. You also get more traction in 4wd going down a hill. Now what happens when you go down a hill with NO traction. Instead of 2 rear tires slipping, you have ALL 4 tires slipping (with engine braking). Why do you want to lose control of all 4? That is why there is ABS brakes on cars/trucks. You DON'T want your tires to lock up while slowing you down. Now, I know that some quads have a better selection of gears (anything with a manual trans) and you can probably decide which gear makes more sense to use coming down a hill (in 4wd, with engine braking) and be just fine. But since we are talking about Polaris, you have to pick between low or high, and high works better most of the time. If you choose to use low range, then be ready to feather some throttle in to keep the rear tires moving as fast as they begin to slip.

 

Have been down some of the highest and steepest mountain trails in the states and have NEVER had an EBS or braking problem.

 

Magnum 500 RMK is the only model that will engine brake with the front wheels. It has a Visco Lok front drive system that permits 4 wheel engine braking

 

I understand how the polaris works It seems to me that all the other 4wdr atvs like honda,yamaha,suzuki,kaw all have all wheel drive ebs and there's a reason ,It works . Maybe Polaris should have a option or make there revese over ride button make all 4 wheels part of the engine braking for old people like me who are used to the other machines systems then dare devils like you could still have fun going down hills fast. The next time you go riding with 1 of your freinds that have a honda find a seep hill and see who can go down the hill with out using the brakes and see who goes down the hill the slowest and most under control.Let me know the results,thanks.

 

As soon as I get the opportunity to ride with a Honda, I will take them up on that. I am always willing and open to the experience. In all honesty, I am not a daredevil as you say. The fact is, I know how to ride the Polaris in a way that I am comfortable with and I can go down hills very slowly and in control. If I have to use the brake for 2 seconds longer than the guy on a Honda, oh well. I would like to see the Honda go over the same size obstacles and paddle through the same mudhole. You should be mad at the lack of safety in a Honda for not being able to go through as deep mud as the Polaris. You should also be mad at the Honda for using softer tires that are more prone to punctures and leaving a person stranded. Obviously you are used to riding other quads and the Polaris does not act the same way. So you can either learn to ride with it's limitations (if you call it that), or you can sell it and get the quad you apparently really want.