We went mudding yesterday with a 2002 Honda 450 lifted with 26" Vamps, stock 2002 Kawi 650, stock 2002 Expidition 425, stock Suzuki 500 and my dad (age 65) and my machines (two stock 2002 Sportsman 500s). The best mudders (by a huge margin) were the two Sportsman 500s folowed by the Expidition 425, Kawi 650, Honda 450 and the Suzuki. My Sportsman had the edge over the old man's because my Sportsman has Goodyear Rawhides. The Expidition and the Honda on 26" vamps got stuck in a set of ruts that I went through easily after pulling them out.

Conclusion:

1. Ground clearance is a HUGE advantage.
2. A locking front end is a HUGE advantage (the Honda and the Suzuki were at a disadvantage because of a limited slip front end)
3. The Sportsman is the king of the mud!

 

next time you go out with those guys, when they get stuck tell them to squeeze the front brakes a little and it will send torque to the side with traction. this works with hondas and those poor grizzleys that supposedly have a locker