Heck when I used to only have a TrailBlazer 250 to ride at the farm it worked great, then again always rode with a 4x4 to pull me out if need be. Only had to pull me out a few times :-O

It is nice to have the button for AWD, but is it needed? Only you can answer that.

For me, a 2x4 was never an option with the Atomic mud at Finger Lakes, there are times you have to have it just to move. I still leave it in 2 wheel drive untill I know I am going to get stuck so the rear can swing. Even better is the 4 wheel drift (controlled, that is). I do more riding in the winter and with deep drifted snow, the 4x4 and wench get a work out.

I have also found tires to be a very big factor in the getting stuck and not getting stuck. I have a 2000 SP 500 and a friend has a 2003 SP 50HO with Goodyear Rawhide grips. Those tires are simply amazing I have the stock tires from 2000, which are fine, but they do not work near as well as the Rawhides. So maybe a 2x4 with a set of really good rear tires would be great.

SLG

 

All you 2x4 riders out there -- do you ever have problems backing up? its always made me wonder... seems like every time i have to go in reverse up any incline i need awd or the tires spin... sorry stupid question but its always bugged me.

 

Sounds right especially in sand.

Get a 2x4 if its your 2nd quad next to your 4x4.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]
Depends on how and where you ride and if your with others that drive a 4x4 or have a winch./tow ropes.
You could always go with a Scrammy 500 HO 4x4.

 

all I own are 2x4s and love them a tblazer 400 and a 330 trboss never have any prob with backing up or mud up to my fenders just never needed a 4x4 alto they are nice!!

 

I bought the 2x4 on the premise that I wouldn't really ever need the 4x4. I rode plenty of em, and just didn't like the feel. All of the riding I do has some sort of mud/water and I haven't had a problem, yet. I have run into situations while backing up a very steep incline. My tires just wanted to bury themselves. Prolly mostly my fault though. There are two other 2x4 big bears in my group that also love their quads. 4x4 would be handy if you ride in lots of deep mud or need the extra traction for pulling heavy, heavy loads. Another thing I liked about the 2x4 (besides the cost) was the lighter front end that allows me to pop it up when I want. I like the challenge of riding in hairy spots and not having 4x4. Just my opinion. Good luck on your purchase!

 

.Hello tyler711. I think one reason it isn't quite so crucial on a sports quad is that generally they are considerably lighter and much easier to manuver in hairy situations. In addition, rider weight transfer is much more effective on lighter machines. Just think, the Sportsman is 280lbs heavier than a Trailblazer. It is 400 lbs heavier than the smaller sports quads.
Have a good day [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]
BryceGTX

 

Yeah, i guess that is a good point Bryce.
In terms of 2x4 vs 4x4, up here in maine i couldnt live without AWD. In the summer the powerline roads, and in the winter the snow. There are a lot of spots on the powerline cuts where the detours around the holes are just as bad as the real mud hole. And in the winter, even awd doesnt get you through anything but packed trails. Just my opinion, but i realize that if mud wasn't your obsession, a 2x4 would be just fine

 

Hello tyler711. It sounds like you pretty much require 4wd where you ride. Although I have to admit; for the snow, I love my snowmobile [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]
Have a great day.
BryceGTX

 

Not gonna argue there. Snowmobiling is so much fun, but i think they are too different to compare. Its one thing to try blasting through a snowbank or mud hole on an atv, and quite another to cruise down a lake on a snowmobile. My neighbor races sleds, i think he came second in the 800 improved class at the world finals last year. He came 4th in the 1000+ category. I don't know too much about my snowmobiles excepth that they are fun, and my neighbor is insane.

 

Hey tyler711, it sound like your neighbor is into lake racing big time. I know that a lot of people sink big money ito sleds to go fast. My wife and I spend most of our time trail riding on the sleds just like with our quads. The WU will not go out on the ice.
Have a good day[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]
BryceGTX