The 4wd on the Polaris is engaged I beleive with magnets that engage the front wheels when drive shaft speed reaches a certain differential than the front at this point the electronics energize the magnets causing the front wheels to be locked to the front driveshaft. Someone either flame me or explain it better if this isn't accurate. My point is this both front wheels sling mud at all times when in 4wd assuming the rear wheels are spinning more than the front. The system can **** you off while engaging and disengaging on steep canyons with varied traction. I prefer not to ride the polaris in these situations, and ride the Kodiak with a grin from ear to ear. I can tell you this without hesitation I will kick the $%$^*& out of any polaris on very steep, varied traciton
(some wheel spin and some max traction) technical ridding due to how predictible the 4wd is on the Kodiak the polaris can and will suprise me causing me to not make a hill sometimes where the Kodiak if momentum is needed to get over a ledge then you can just hammer the Kodiak and not get any surprises.
Unless the hill is muddy and I can keep 4wd engaged on the Polaris then it's a coin toss.
I don't dislike the polaris I just use the proper tool (quad) for the proper job and most of my "jobs" are done with the Kodiak!
Plus the kodiak is faster than the Polaris 400 magnum, WINS everytime even changing riders.

Muddy Doug E

 

I have a y2kodiac and am extremely pleased thus far. I had a timberwolf, then a recon so this is quite a step up in power and ability. About the 4-wheel drive limited slip issue, all I know is I have powered through 2 ft. of WV wet snow and made a track for my buddies on 2wd's. It climbs mountains like a beast and when you hit the 4x4 button...it's there. So far so good.

 

I have a y2kodiac and am extremely pleased thus far. I had a timberwolf, then a recon so this is quite a step up in power and ability. About the 4-wheel drive limited slip issue, all I know is I have powered through 2 ft. of WV wet snow and made a track for my buddies on 2wd's. It climbs mountains like a beast and when you hit the 4x4 button...it's there. So far so good.