I have been riding mostly on trails, snow, and in the mud. I also plow snow during the winter. I have yet to encounter the need for the engine braking. I would think for extreme hills or heavy trailer towing you might want it, but when your done and want to play, I think it would be in the way. I did like the way the Rubi responded when you pushed the go button, it just did not go like mine. The modes on it were too much I thought, if they would have given it the power it needed you would not need a torque and speed mode (D1,D2).
Ingoldx1
95' Sportsman for me.
99' Trail Boss for the wife (?).

 

Almost forgot, the older Sportsman does look and have most of the same parts as the Explorer. It is all chain drive, 400 2 stroke and has green plastic like the current Sportsman. I would prefer shaft drive, but I got a hell of a good deal on this one, $2300 for it two years ago. If you add it all up I have a little less than $5500 in all of the stuff, 8x10 trailer, 2 quads ( the Tral Boss had less than three tanks of fuel thru it when I bought it), New GBC tires for the Sportsman, plow, winch, full rebuild on the motor, helments, plus all of the other little things I could not live with out.
Ingoldx1
95' Sportsman for me.
99' Trail Boss for her (?).

 

I own a Rubicon and dont even mess with the modes. I can not tell any difference in the modes. I dont even touch that know anymore.

 

My friend say's he can tell the difference in the tight trails were you are on switch backs and go over all kinds of obstacles. I did not take the time to play witht the modes very much when I rode it. I just thought I would have prefered more power, it would make up the difference for me.
Ingoldx1
95' Sportsman for me
99' Trail Boss for her (?)