Xplorer, that's the exact day (March 19th, 2000) I busted my arm up.I have been off work ever since, but am returning to work Monday .(Four months and one week later.)
I was riding The Kiamichi Mountains, in South-Eastern OKLA.

 

The ebs on my machine works very well. When I was going down the hill it would lock both front wheels causing me to loose most controll of turning. I could not release it like you would your brake lever. In my owners manual on the Honda it warned about applying front or rear brakes because the action is applied to all the wheels on a full time 4x4. The same principal applies when you are "locked" on the sp. gardner10

 

I Knew it! I knew it! that EBS stuff is going to kill someone someday.

 

Damned if you and damned if you don't,when it's all said and done I'll still give my vote to EBS.The locking of 4 wheel I have experienced but only one wheel and pulls one way or the other like you say putting in reverse unlocks it.CM

 

EBS gets my "YES" vote too, (I have a '98 SP Without EBS in my garage too). EBS is great. I was just courious about those who don't have a choice ( 2-wheel or 4wheel drive) with EBS. I have experienced several different scenarios, in difficult riding positions and thought I would share an incident, and didn't mean to deter anyone from getting an ATV with EBS. But to any of those "EXTREME" riders out there : See for yourself and Ride'em hard Polcat

 

My buddy's 98 Sportsman has EBS are you sure you do not have a 97 just cheak if you rear foot brake is a mechanicial or hydulic operated if its the first its a 97.

 

Yes, I am sure my SP is a '98 without EBS. Some of the later made '98s had EBS. This one was bought early and EBS was an option, not standard equiptment. My brother-in-law has 3 '98s without EBS also. Ride'em Hard Polcat

 

See what happens when you buy Polaris ATV's, you get hurt...LOL

 

Back to the question,I am one of those that doesn't have a choice in 4x4 or 2x4. From my exsperence if you go down a steep hill in 2 wheel drive with EBS the back tires will slide. Now it seems you have 2 choices, put on the brakes, which would be the same type of braking that I have (all 4 wheels trying to slow ya down), or let it slide and hope for the best. I believe that the tree root combined with good traction on the front probably caused to much front end braking which in turn caused the roll over. In which case could of happened to anyone. My wolverine has never given me a problem going down hills.