P500 Do I really need a Torque Locker?

[Treesniper]

I mostly ride in the woods through steep terrain, and so far I have not needed a front locker.
When and where do you find yourself using the locker and does it effect the turning radius in 2wd?
Is there noise associated with the locker?

 

[Mudder]

I ride rocky hills and mud with a locker, no loss of traction on climbing, and pulls great in muddy ruts. Worth it for me. Turning radius is addressed starting at about 10 minutes in.

 

[NTCPrezJB]

I haven't put one in. There is value in it though. One of these days I will likely succumb to the urge.

 

[CamoP500]

I was sure I would be putting one in when I first bought my 500. But with the 26 Kenda Bearclaws on it I just haven't found the need for any more traction for my riding. And I'm in the woods and swamps a lot. I don't go looking for trouble with mine either but I certainly go through some tougher conditions to get to my hunting spots. It does extremely well as a 3 wheel drive. Guess it depends on where and how you use you machine.

 

[pappyo]

A sinario to compare the difference.
Stock 24in. Tires REPLACED with 26in. or 27in. Aggressive tread ( good improvement right? ).
Without Tork- Locker to WITH tork-Locker (Simular amount of Improvement as gained with Bigger AgressiveTires ) Now with BOTH a GREAT Improvement .
If you do not get stuck do to high center its hard to stop a Pioneer 5OO with Agressive Tires & Locker.

Noise Sometimes when turning at slow speed it's normal to hear a click.

Turning radius 2wd. or 4wd. nothing that will change your driving habits.

 

[Russ989]

I mostly ride in the woods through steep terrain, and so far I have not needed a front locker.
When and where do you find yourself using the locker and does it effect the turning radius in 2wd?
Is there noise associated with the locker?

There will come a time you’ll wish you had it if you ride enough.

 

[Backwoods]

There will come a time you’ll wish you had it if you ride enough.

^^^^^^Truth^^^^^^
You won't use it much but the few times you do its a game changer.

 

[CID]

Watching that video and seeing the airborne tire spinning uselessly while the other tire did nothing shows the importance of the locker. As he mentioned with limited articulation, it's common for one tire to lift putting you in a 2WD situation.

 

[SpaceTroll]

It's kinda like a gun. Id rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it

 

[trigger]

Had an old guy tell me when I was a teenager about the extra 2 or 3 grand he paid for 4wd on his truck...if it gets me unstuck once it was worth it.

 

[25yrds]

My 2bits. I have an '08 660 Grizzly (sorry everyone, I grew up riding Yamaha and, honestly, I still lean towards them). It has a select button that locks the front. And I've actually only locked it in a handful of times. Biggest problem is, on a quad, it makes it a handful to steer (660's don't have power steering). But, saying that, really want to get a locker for my p500. And power steering would make this little Honda go pretty much anywhere my Grizzly goes.

 

[MarlinWalker]

Everyone else before me pretty much covered it. My experience that pushed me over the line to install one was a really steep 4 wheeler trail, first gear pinned out only, and the trail wrapped around a tree and had me pop over a big root. No matter how many tries or trying to hit it with more speed could get me over it. Tire would pop in the air, instant 2wd, game over. Installed the locker this last spring and tried it again last summer. Cleared on the first try.

Yes it does affect steering stiffness a bit, I don't have power steering, but its not bad and very manageable for me. Turning radius is slightly affected in 4wd, not much. And not at all in 2wd. For me it was well worth it.

 

[futzin]

There always seems to be a large root 3/4 way up a hill!

 

[DaddyDubbs]

Not trying to appear rude or be a jerk, but to answer the title question "Do I really need a torque locker?" The simple straight forward answer is No, but then again you really don't need a Honda Pioneer or any other SxS either because you can always walk.
Personally, I'm glad I got the locker, like you, I don't go looking for trouble, but sometimes you find it anyway. Having a locker might be the difference between getting through a bad situation with ease verses being stuck with no help.
Welcome from Alabama, and good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[J80]

It’s definitely worth having. I installed mine in a 2020 model. If you get stuck with a locker I’m guessing you would be pretty stuck and need a wench to pull you out

 

[NitroxDiver]

For me the biggest advantage of the locker is being able to slowly navigate obstacles that I would have needed to use brute force and speed to get through before. I don’t go any place with the locker that I didn’t go with out it but I go there with much less effort now. It does make some clicking sounds in 2wd. Steering Is much harder in 4wd and I quickly added power steering after I installed the locker. Turning radius is about the same in 2wd and still a better radius in 4wd than any of the bigger sxs I ride with. Taller tires, wheel spacers, locker and power steering take the p5 to another level in comfort and capabilities.

 

[Smitty335]

I haven't put one in. There is value in it though. One of these days I will likely succumb to the urge.

And there he goes again using big words! HA!

 

[AKA-Logan]

It’s definitely worth having. I installed mine in a 2020 model. If you get stuck with a locker I’m guessing you would be pretty stuck and need a wench to pull you out

For the record I agree with you on this, but a small point it is winch not wench. Sorry just one of those little things that my brain locks on...

 

[Smitty335]

For the record I agree with you on this, but a small point it is winch not wench. Sorry just one of those little things that my brain locks on...

A lot less winch if at all with the Locker, you unlocked?

 

[AKA-Logan]

I currently don't have a machine... But I have had a lot of experience with lockers in various vehicles over the years. And I fully believe in them.