Hi Guys,

I owned a 2-stroke 400 4X4 scrambler back in '95 when they came out. I liked it alot, but one of my biggest complaints was the 4-wheel drive system. I will elaborate.

With the 4 wheel drive engaged, button activated, climbing a hill, especially steep sand, was pretty problematic. As traction would start to be lost midway up the incline, the front tires would engage, together, in a violent display of arm jerking. I would have to really HANG on to keep the front end straight, especially on a rutted out hill. It had all the problems of a locked front differential, coupled with a violent engagement on demand.

I've been thinking about buying the new 800EFI this year. It has everything going for it. However, I'd like to know if the AWD Polaris offers is still that same old system? It would be a real drawback to me at this point, especially with the horsepower the new 800 will produce.

Kawasaki has slip front, and optional locking front as does the Grizzly. It makes sense because sometimes you need the locking front differential and other times you need the control of the slip differential. In either case, you don't have to worry about them engaging at odd times.

So what is the AWD like on the new polaris quads? I'd greatly appreciate everyone's feedback. I've got to decide in the next few months which one is right for me. ;-)

Thanks Guys,

 

the new 800 has the same on demand four wheel drive system you mentioned. i know what you mean about the arm jerking that can occur when 4x4 kicks in, but that's only because it's true 4 wheel drive and to me it's a great trade off. if that turns you away from the new 800 i'd say look no further than the Kawi Brute Force, it's v-twin will most likely have more power (the sp800 is 760cc compared to the brutes 749), it also has IRS, and it has both regular 4x4 with an optional diff locker. another advantage IMO is that it weighs alot less than the sportsman. both will be great machines and the top 2 in the utility atv market IMO, just depends what you want.

 

Thanks for the reply.

From what I've read, the Kawasaki handles terrible. Just looking at the numbers, the suspension travel is far superior on the Polaris.

I've heard the Brute has somewhere in the neighborhood of 50 horsepower. You don't think the EFI will match that number? I wouldn't be surprised if it doesn't surpass it.

As far as the weight goes, I think the added pounds of the Polaris are an example of the added girth and toughness of the machine. I don't want my Big 4X4 light, I want it solid.

But the 4 wheel drive is really disappointing on the Polaris though, I just don't know if it is enough to make me buy another machine.

 

The AWD is much better on the new Sportsmans. There are no longer hubs, which fix most of the sticking in AWD. On the HP numbers, the 700EFI has 50HP and I think the BF has 51HP. If I were to guess I would say the new 800EFI has more crank HP than the BF. Polaris engines usally have really high crank HP numbers. It's all about getting that power to the ground with out having to pull a bunch of weight that hurts the Polaris'. However a example of power I like to show is the drag between a SP700EFI and Yamaha Grizz. The Grizz weights 600lbs and has 660cc's (sounds good) the SP 700EFI has a dry weight of 720lbs and 683cc's to pull it with. However in with the Grizzly having more cc's vs. the weight the SP700 still beats it in a drag from bottom to top end. To me that says something....

 

NO longer hubs?

So no more transmission fluid and magnetic hubs?

Are they a standard drive train now?

I really appreciate the conversation. It's making my decision easier.

 

as far as the brute handling goes read the 4 wheel atv action review of it. what other mags complained about was when accellerating through a turn they gunned it and it would pull the front end off the ground in which steering is lost, but IMO they didn't have to gun it, and some have said that tightening up the rear suspension helps alot. i dunno, i'm a big Polaris fan after getting our sportsman but that new brute really impresses me. the kawi v twin motors screem with power, the polaris might have more torque for pulling and stuff, but in a drag race the kawi's seem to prevail.

i didn't know about the new sportsmans not having hubs anymore. when did they change this and what did they change it with? the weight of the sportsmans is ok to me most of the time, but i have noticed problems when trying to crawl slowly up a steep or slick incline, the machine wants to just spin instead of pull itself up. for pulling the sp800 will probably out do all quads including the brute, but my guess is the brute will smoke it in a drag race.

 

i'd rather have the quad that is lighter come back on me than a quad that was like 750lbs?

which would you pick?

 

600lbs vs 750lbs? I wouldn't take either. Keep the wheels on the ground is my motto. I wouldn't buy a quad based on how much it will hurt me if it flips.

 

but say your buying one for your wife g/f etc. and this is her first atv shes not a good rider and if you live in the mountians like i do i'd rather sumthing light come on her than a heavy 750 lb quad

 

first off, if she's a beginner, who the hell in their right mind would buy a big bore atv for them. So that kinda tosses that arguement out. The biggest 4 by 4 I would buy a beginning rider would be a scrambler 500. Which is lighter then any of the big bore utilities.