I don't know where that comes from. I sometimes ride with a AC factory rider, he has never mentioned it. I have been flying across a field and came up on a mud hole and shifted into 4 wheel at over 30 mph. I have even forgot it was in 4 wheel, and ran up to nearly 50 mph for a couple miles on gravel roads. I have over 2,300 miles on it now. No problems at all, except for a very minor shifter adjustment.

 

You can shift into 4wd at any speeds. You cant turn on the front locking differential and go over 10mph as stated by arcticat. the 4wd button only puts it in limited slip 4wd.

 

ATV manufactures also say not to go in water deeper then the floorboards. If that is all you do why even bother with four wheel drive? The whole 3wd claim Polaris makes on other machines is just false. Those other ATV's use limited slip front diffs and they actually work great in almost every circumstance. It is not like only 3 wheels are ever turning when you are in 4x4. 99% of the time all 4 wheels are pulling.

As for Arctic Cat, you can shift into 4x4 at any speed as long as the rear wheels are not spinning and it will instantly be in 4x4. You do have to be stopped for the diff locker, however once you pull the lever it is instantly in as well.

I too really do like Polaris ATV's, and would buy one again if AC wasn't out there. So don't take this as a Polaris bash or anything. I would love to find a late 90's scramber in good conditon, those 2-strokes are a lot of fun!

You made a good purchase Hoppie

 

not all true, under stress or even under zero stress only one wheel will get power, on turns only the inside wheel gets over 75% of the power, when in deep mud only one wheel will get power

its not that it is 3 or 3.5 wheel drive, its just not true 4x4 but its still 4 wheel drive

 

I'm not an expert in all this, but I do know I have seen all wheels spinning on mine, as well as other AC's, and in all kinds of conditions; from glare ice to thick mud to gravel roads. It may be possible that one tire was pulling more than the other, but all where pulling.

 

well, i know what i saw, that all i'll say.

 

you are correct, it is a four wheel drive so 4 wheels turn otherwise they wouldnt call it a 4 wheel drive, when under stress the one wheel that will get more power is the wheel with less stress or less traction in otherwords, so when u get stuck because of that stubborn wheel that doesnt want to get u otta the ruts... just use the handy dandy diff locker that AC hooked you up with