Greetings,

I was surprised how little the front wheels kicked in on my 450ES. Unless I'm in snow or deep mud, they just go along for the ride. The biggest use of the front wheels is pulling out of a creek -- going up the slippy bank requires all four wheels. But otherwise, if you're not in mud a lot, you probably don't need it. Afterall, even a 2X4 is an all terrain vehicle.

 

The Recons that we had went through a lot of stuff. It is because they are sooo light versus the 4X4's. But if you get in anything deeper than a 1' - 1 1/2' of snow or mud you are stuck. But I was able to pick up the front or back and get out.

 

I ride with a wolverine and a bigbear 350 2x4, you can easily slide the bigbear but the wolverine you cant as easily. the wolverine smokes it, stock for stock, better suspention, but they need a 2x4 wolverine and a 2wd/4wd wolverine.

 

a 2wd wolverine they already have,its called a warrior

 

2WD is the way to go. The only advantage a 4WD has is through the mud. And yes, the 2WD will go through it too you just have to punch it & you can get pretty muddy! I have a 4WD so I can crawl through the mud holes here without getting very muddy.
P.S. Alot of new bikes are offering selectible 2WD/4WD. The steering is still heavy, but you can cut up on them. I love my Prairie 650!

 

We have a 94 Bayou and a Moto 4 200 that have both been worked hard. They don't do as well as my P650 when plowing, but there is nothing wrong with 2 wheel drive in a work machine. 2 wheel drive excels in tight quarters and is less tiring to operate all day. There isn't too much stuff that you would normally encounter that these two won't get through. If you plan to work in tough, muddy conditions, you'll wish you had the 4x4 though.

Regards,
Sgt_Rock

 

Like everyone said, a 2 wheel drive will go through a lot, and if your not "looking" for mud will usually get the job done.
One disadvantage would be if its a chain drive 2X4, the groungd clearance in between the rear wheels is basically zero, and if you get the swingarm high-ended, you'll be stuck.
Sometimes this can happen when you are only in 1 foot of rutted clay like mud. In that situation the guy in front of you with the 4X4 is laughing his a$$ off because you got stuck in such a small amount of mud. Been there on both ends. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

I still sorta have a 2000 Big Bear 2wd. I leave it at my fathers farm for him to putt around on in addition to his Kodiak. I occasionally like to take the bear out because it feels so light compared with my Prairie 650.

In your post you just wanted to know if they were worth while, you did not mention for what? If it is for general farm/utility work, then you can usually pick up a used 2wd for a lot less than a 4wd and they seem to depreciate more rapidly.

Really depends on what you want/expect from a quad.

 

All the time we get to the top of a big mountain with a quite steep and rough trail to the top. When we get there, there is always some 250 ATV's right there. Yesterday there was a Recon with a mother and daughter on it. No 3 foot deep mud holes and no rock walls to climb up, but the trail was steep and climbed from 6500 ft to 10800 ft in 7 miles of trail and two sections of steep switch backs. Great ride![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

I think a 2-wheel drive sport/utility atv are very worth while. I love my 250 honda and i gets me pretty well anywheres. There light, fun and easy to drive and if drove right can go some amasing places and where MOSTLY where 4-byes can go.