hi vs lo, 4wd vs 2wd:

[agnewairways]

I was out in the bush in the last couple of days and got into a discussion on when the other riders used hi or lo gear and 4wd or 2wd. Turns out we all had different ideas; like 4wd in the bush, 2wd on the roads etc. or 4wd only after they're stuck? Hi or lo is even crazier, some guys never use Lo, uses too much gas? What gives? How about posting your hi, lo and 4wd, 2wd habits and reasons why?

[FISHERMAN]

This will all depend on what kind of bike you own. I prefer to run my bike in low range on the trails. If I get into any mud I will use 4 low. It is never a race in the mud anyways. I prefer to not slip my belt. In 4 low i can go most places without spinning the wheels to much. Like you said everyone has a different opinion and should operate to what they think is best for their bike.

[jimbits]

I use 2wd entirely untill I get stuck then I switch to 4wd. I find it more challenging that way

Low range for me is any trail. If I'm doing 30mph or less I'm in low to save my belt. Gas is cheaper than belts.
I only use high for roads
Keep in mind this is with my 30's. when I run my 26's I stay out of the mud and use high on the trails unless I'm always under 10mph. I'm clutched for 30's though so running in low with my 26's makes for a clunky and jerkey ride.

[TTS22]

I use 2wd and high on regular trail conditions. When stuck it goes into 4wd and when crawling it goes into low.

[gkram1985]

Hi range 80% of the time because low is just too slow on the cats, if it gets thick and heavy than I go in low and 4x4 when I need it, my belts always tight so that part doesn't matter, and my sld goes nuts before it'll slip the belt

[Just T]

Originally Posted by TTS22

I use 2wd and high on regular trail conditions. When stuck it goes into 4wd and when crawling it goes into low.

This is me as well.

[Dorgie]

i ride 4 lo the majority of the time, roads and gravel pits 2 hi

[myst3ry]

Low 2wd trails , mud
High for gravel roads

4wd when it's skeg upcoming and low
Don't think I've ever had it in 4wd and high gear

I can also do about 40+ mph in low so that helps

[gold miner]

Originally Posted by myst3ry

Low 2wd trails , mud
High for gravel roads

4wd when it's skeg upcoming and low
Don't think I've ever had it in 4wd and high gear

I can also do about 40+ mph in low so that helps

polaris tells u exactly that under 25mph low range keeps your belt from heating up

[JB]

07 660 Grizzly, carbed. Owned from new, rarely use low range in the trails. The clutch system works so well on this quad, it just idles along over the obstacles in the tight trails...seems all the torque is right when you bump the throttle. I've never really had this one in the mud, but i would def use low if i needed to get through a ditch or creek. Check belt every year, and it hasn't even changed in 6 years. Best quad i've owned so far, hands down. Zero breakdowns, have only added gas, and changed oil....6 yrs.

[djerome]

On my polaris's I always use low unless I'm going more than 25 - 30 MPH and the 4wd switch has never been in 2wd since the poo system is automatic.

On my cat I found low too low to trail ride until I put the stage 5 air dam
in, now I use it pretty much the same as my poo's , as for 4wd I usually
run in 2wd unless it's a bit muddy out and I think I've used the diff lock maybe once since I bought it.

[tagalong01]

Higher speed/easy trails, high range. below 35kms low range.

Belts??? just to hold up me drawers .... hydrostatic, Baby

full time 4wd..... I bought a Warn 4-2-4 disconnect when I bought the bike, thinking I would need it, and sold it 3 years later still in the box.....I still get better mileage than anyone I ride with. ( I am an old guy)

G

[kikdurazz]

I own a rincon there is no fricken low gear. Hence adding a gear reduction added.

As for 4x4, I ride 2 wheel drive pretty well all the time until stuck then 4x4. Unless it's a particularly challenging mud trail then 4x4 all the time(or 3x4 for the honda crowd) on a plus not holding the front brake works as a pseudo locker.

[agnewairways]

Originally Posted by tagalong01

Higher speed/easy trails, high range. below 35kms low range.

Belts??? just to hold up me drawers .... hydrostatic, Baby
G

Hydrostatic, no belts, problems? Is this true?

[tagalong01]

Honda Rubicon uses hydrostatic transmission with a hi-lo subtranny. Awesome !!! It is computer controlled. Best on the market.... with a couple **'s

* terribly expensive to replace IF it fails
* oil change uses 5liters top quality oil
* works well with lower power output of Honda's 500 but increasing power or working hard with big tires could cause failure.

Plus side is much better control in technical riding. Even has a manual shift setting

G

[ASS-MAN]

I use 2wd and high on regular trail conditions. When stuck it goes into 4wd and when crawling it goes into low

[Low-1]

Have a Rubicon as well (and just got a Rancher this year). Generally stays in 2wd high if the trail is dry and no significant obstacles. Bike has a locker in it, so it's bear to steer when in 4wd. As soon as I come across swamp or muskeg or anything else that looks like it *might* be a problem, it goes into 4wd high. With our floating bog and permafrost muskeg, the absolute last thing you want is tire spin, so it goes into 4wd BEFORE the possibility of getting stuck. If it's something that looks like it's going to be a real challenge even with 4wd, it gets dropped into low. Saves our trails a bit by avoiding needlessly tearing them up. Quite a few people up here ride like that, I wish EVERYONE did though.

[MILITERE]

2wd hi majority of the time, 4wd when it looks like it could be an issue, 4wd low when i dont feel like messing around and wanna make it 1st shot, but generally crawl/low speed in low.

[Cage]

My 550 Grizzly has a really aggressive clutch spring, runs like a tractor in low. I have to use 2hi most of the time on trails. When I encounter mud or obstacles, I slow down and shift to low....kind of a pain in the a** but I've got zero wear on belt, and wet clutch is still great after 4000kms. As for 4wd....same idea, use it just when I see to potential to get stuck. Much easier to powerslide on trails in 2wd Hi!!!

[Biglieni]

Hi range for road riding low on the trails 4 low always when in the mud have never smoked a belt yet.