I think a lot of people drive different and have different terrains so that is probably the different experiences some have.
Then there are some that buy anything and somehow that’s better then anything for all given circumstances from what they say. You see that all the time where people can talk s*** about something but as soon as they buy it the other is crap.
Me, if I drive something I’m completely honest about any problems or positives either way with a rig. You saw that a lot from me originally on the Pioneer until we did the product research for Honda and they product bulletined about 5 things I b****ed about after having issues. Got crucified by the site a couple times as well as Mother Honda calling me up saying bulls***. Didn’t really care just said how it was, even from a rig I truly loved.
Why I say this is because we tend to run things pretty hard and find weaknesses, usually before others for some reason. I tend to be honest about those.
Whether someone wants to hear it or not based off their own experiences I-4wd does not have the traction and is far more likely to fail or have expensive issues.
A brake line busted takes it out, he’ll we had bobwire wrap up around the axle and brake was severed, in Pioneer we continued to ride whole weekend with diff lock and stopping by the superior engine braking in these things.
It’s an open diff front end with slight ability to electronically control. I know you’re an engineer so you like overly complicated designs that aren’t mechanical but that’s exactly what it is.
Now for the average consumer it’s probably better because it’s more idiot proof and you “can shift on the fly” as per Honda. It does have some positives and personally said that myself. Both systems have positive, but for some reason some of the hardcore I-4wd guys say it’s better at everything, that’s just not the case.
It’s good but it’s also different, it’s not the same. I wish I didn’t have to run it, had I never had diff lock I might feel different but I’d still have enough common sense to know and electronically controlled system will have downfalls just like the diff.
Thankfully Honda gave us all a choice on Pioneer, I think that’s so awesome. Buy whichever is best for you. Just wish there were options with Talon. Some of us old school guys that like 4 wheels spinning would’ve loved the machine that much more😉