Last weekend I went riding with the guys at a popular spot here in Minnesota. There were all makes and models, Including my expedition 425. The trails were great, many narrow between trees, up and down hills through the woods etc. The guys with autos were complaining they just couldnt keep the proper range, high or low. Low was too slow and high was lugging too much due to the tight corners and consant up and down the hills. I never really gave it a thought as I rode but when they mentioned it I could see their delimma. One guy left his sp500 in low but the temp light would come on, it was pretty warm out, 85 or so. He was forced to leave it in high range. I guess as we rode on and finished out the day I would as myself the question high or low, that kind of riding that day was always right in the middle of the high or low range question, which made it a little more of a fustrating day for the autos. I know its the 21st century and the auto era but I was curious if this dilemma is faced more often by more riders than we hear about. Dont get me wrong I think autos are great, I just dont mind shifting and like the ebs that goes with the a manual. Happy Trails

I don't really have too much to add but think it is a good question. I am interested in hearing what others have to say. I am interested in going to a sportsman and look forward to the auto, but realize it is important to use low range frequently to minimize unnecessary belt wear.

As far as liking to shift, I can't claim to be one of those. I guess I view that like I view one who says he likes mowing his own yard vs. hiring a yard man. I don't believe he really likes mowing his own yard but that is one way to rationalize not getting the yard man. On my honda, I have electric shift (aftermarket) and absolutely love it. Like you suggested, the shifter allows you to run the atv based on the conditions but I would still rather not shift at all.

Soupcan, I live like 4miles from rice, how often you go riding? We should meet some time and hit some trails?

MuddyX, I live a couple miles east off hwy 10. My friends go up to spider lake area (north of Motley) frequently throughout the summer. It was my first trip up there, it always seemed like I had something going everytime they went up there in the last year or so. My friend and co-worker lives nearby just bought a kaw 650 today in addition to 2 trailbosses' for his boys so I'm sure he will be dying to get up their more often, along with a regular group of neighbors, friend etc.

Unless I,m pulling a trailer or pushing a plow I stay in high gear, I have yet to come to a hill I can not easily climb in high range.

Amen to Tim1..Low is for creepy crawling..under 7mph which is really slow.

On my 99 500cc Sportsman,I used low range whenever I was going under 15mph.On any very long and steep hill,I allways used low range.I never had a hill yet to stop me for a lack of power/speed from using low.

I will admit that climbing the worst hills are much easier with my 00 Xplorer though.Thats because it is a 2 stroke though and its power band is far superiour to that of the Sportsman.Finding the correct range is not a problem with neither ATV.

Bill

About 95% of the time, either High or Low works just fine. However that other 5% can be aggravating if you are following a trail line & have to stop/start several times to switch between them.

thats exactly why i like my scrambler [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

Just foward, and the 2 stroke powerband to pull me up anything,
i do however, like to shift, i started on a manual, and i like the semi-auto matic clutchs,
i like autos to, but when i drive my freinds sportsman, its a royal pain to keep stoping and shifting, that why i like one speed automatic transmissions and shifters