2wd vs 4wd

BB_TX · Jan 3, 2005

I am considering buying an ATV. I think I only want a 2wd model. Snow is not a consideration here. We have a small 125cc Suzuki 2wd at our deer camp that we have never stuck. We have run it with 2 men and a couple hundred pounds of corn on it thru mud and water. Even pulled a small trailer out of sloppy mud after one of our guys 4wd Surburban got stuck and we had to disconnect the trailer to get him out. And it climbs the steepest hills on our place with no problem. I see no reason to spend the extra money for 4wd. My limited experience has been that turning when in 4wd is much more difficult than 2wd. Opinions?
I am primarily considering a Honda Rancher.

KubotaSteve · Jan 3, 2005

As far as having fun I like the 2wd versions better as they are lighter and easier to handle.
As far as working, nothing can beat a good 4wd. My uncle has an old Yamaha Big Bear 350 4X4 and that thing will do some pulling and climbing that a 2wd couldn't touch.
With that being said, I have my tractor to do the work and a 2wd ATV for fun. Nothing like sliding it around down through the trails.

bczoom · Jan 3, 2005

By your past experience, it sounds like 2wd will meet your needs.
The only reason I could think you may need 4wd is that since a Rancher (or similiar sized machine) will weigh a few hundred more than the 125 Suzuki. Using your past experience, would a few hundred extra pounds make a difference?
A Rancher would be a good selection. An Arctic Cat is a lot of bang-for-the-buck as well.

Panache · Jan 3, 2005

I think Kawasaki used to have a 2wd that had an open rear diferential that could be locked. It turned real tight and was easier on trails too.

Bowhunter · Jan 3, 2005

I would buy a 4wd that allows you to shift it into 2wd. If you go with the 400 Rancher AT it comes with this stock. If you go with the 350 Rancher you can add a Warn 424.

My first atv was a Honda 300 2wd. It took about 10 minutes to realize I made a mistake and should have gotten the 4wd instead. You may not have to contend with snow, but how about mud, soft hills, crossing logs, etc. Another issue I came across was you take the light front end of a 2wd and add a deer to the rear rack to make it even lighter, it gets very difficult to steer up a hill when you're traversing the side.

Get the 4wd that switches to 2wd and you kill 2 birds with one stone (no offense intended Bird!). /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Will_C · Jan 3, 2005

I had a little Kawasaki for 7 years, and did not mind it was 2wd. It was small enough for me to physically tug out the few times it did get stuck. My new machine is a Honda Foreman 4wd, and I am glad it is, because I don't think I could wrestle it out if it got stuck. Also, in places where I needed to use speed, thought, and momentum to go with the 2wd machine, I can just sit back and idle through with the 4wd.
I would advise you to go with a small machine, like the Honda Recon or similarly sized quads if you are sold on 2wd. Once you start getting to machines the size of the Rancher, 4wd is just several hundred dollars away. If you ever think of selling the quad, clean used 4wd models seem to be hard to find and bring top dollar, at least in my neck of the woods.
Will

_RaT_ · Jan 3, 2005

While in the process of checking out ATV's, I wanted an ATV that had the ability to go in and out of 4WD. A little Suzuki I use has that ability and is much easier handling in 2WD. It can easily be switched to 4WD but quite frankly, where we use it, it very rarely gets used. Nonetheless, I would hate to be in a situation where I could utilize it and not have it. I have narrowed my search down to a few ATV's. The Honda Rancher AT is one of them.

BB_TX · Jan 4, 2005

Thanks everyone for the feedback. The only 4wd I have driven was a 3-4 yr old Rancher with full time 4wd. I did not like the stiff steering at all. So I think I would only consider 2wd or selectable 4wd. However, the basic 2wd Rancher lists at $4000. The Rancher AT lists at $6000. Just not sure that extra $2000 is worth it for what I want.
More thinking to do. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Bowhunter · Jan 4, 2005

If you decided on a 350 Rancher, 4wd will probably add $600 to $800 to the price, and a Warn 424 can be added for $300 to $400 if you have the dealer install it.

In that size range, also check out the Kawasaki Prairie 360. It comes from the factory with selectable 2wd/4wd, diff-lock, and disk brakes.

JeffRey30747 · Jan 4, 2005

I have a '97 Suzuki LT-250 4wd that is selectable 2 or 4WD. Admittedly, I rarely ever use the 4wd but it is nice to have when it is needed. Usually it is for crossing logs, climbing steep slick clay banks, hanging on the side of a muddy hole or pulling heavy loads. The design of my Suzuki dates to the late eighties, but for my uses it is great. Unless you need it for these types of tasks, 4WD may be an added cost without much benefit to you.

Jeff