Ive got a Outlander 400 max 2 up with vis-loc. I dont really know how it works but it will dang near climb a tree[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]
Actually, ViscoLok is one of the few things that Bombardier has actually done right. Aside from using rotax engines.
Yamaha, Honda, Polaris; they use what is called 3 and a half wheel drive. This is because as you know at the rear axle, there really is no differential. Its a solid axle. There is also no differential in the transfer case. At the front axle of these manufacturers they actually keep one of the wheels geared right to rear axle, and the other wheel is provided a limited slip engagement. Frankly, thats junk.
Bombardier on the other hand, actually has a differential in the front and in it is a wet disc brake. It really works slick, I have one on my Bombardier Quest 650. It works just like a regular differential till the wheels start spinning to fast and then wammo, it locks up! Done by hand you don't notice the typical wet disc operation. It locks up tight and smooth. But on the trail, scampering up steep river banks it will sometimes make the dreaded noise that all wet disc brakes make. It's not damaging in any way, but leaves you worried. Just something you don't normally hear while on an ATV.
It works just as they claim. this actually makes the thing steer easier, too. The only thing that would make it absolutely perfect would be if they had equipped the rear with the same thing. That would have been truly awesome. I was totally impressed by it even though I don't like 'Can-am'
yea well everyone has their own opinions to what they think but my opinion is that bomb/can am makes some of the best machines out there don't get me wrong all the companies are good and have their problems but when I buy a bomb/can am machine I know its something that I can trust. The visco lok in short terms transfers power to the wheel that has more traction allowing you to get over obstacles.
from what i've read there is about a 4-5 sec delay before the spinning wheel locks. some might not like that in hairy situations.
I can't speak for the Outtie because I don't own one. I can speak for the Traxter, and it is instantly applied. I mean seamless, and no delay what so ever. A super nice system.
The only way they could make it better is if Bomb gave you different orifices to bleed off the pump pressure to set up different engaugement rates for the Outtie. For me the Traxter is perfect!!!
Originally posted by: downndirty
from what i've read there is about a 4-5 sec delay before the spinning wheel locks. some might not like that in hairy situations.
The 800 Outlander that I recently rode locked instantaneously. I had heard that they needed to rotate the wheel to pump up pressure and such but I didn't find this to be the case at all. I was ready to hate the visco lock thing but was frankly shocked at how well it worked. It was seamless. I drove around in the creek and pond in the mud and watched the front end very carefully and I just didn't detect any slip. I yanked one tire up in the air and it locked up immediately. It turned maybe an inch or two if that. Like I said I was shocked how well it worked especially in the mud and on the trails where I had to climb out uphill that were slick and sloppy. In that particular situation it really behaved better than the KQ that I had at the farm that I had borrowed for the weekend and it obviously beat the snot out of my little Honda. Something about the variability I guess.
Now all that being said Can-Am should have provided a manual override button or switch so that you could manually lock the front in for those 2% or 3% of situations where it would be helpful to have it not unlock on you. That was serious error on their part and one I wish either Can-Am or the aftermarket would correct as soon as possible. With a small pump or valve there should be a way to lock the fluid to keep the front end locked without too much trouble. A couple minor tweaks like that would sure fix some maddening annoyances on that machine. The stupid single brake lever being another.
Hopefully one of the resident tech gurus on the board will chime in here and fully explain the visco-lock. Suffice it to say it isn't like the Polaris system. It isn't an actual conventional locker like Yamaha Kawasaki or Suzuki use but it isn't a limited slip like Honda or others use either (ie essentially useless)
Umm, actually Polaris locks instantaneously too. It is not a limited slip system. DUH! They came out with this system, and Bombs is similar to it.
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I have a 800 and the front end works great. I also have a new 800 sportsman and it also works great. But they are not even close to the same idea. The polaris is a one way clutch type (like a one way starter clutch) with a electric overide for reverse, the bomb is a gear and pump style that locks the front end with oil preasure, they both have some slip to them but they work great. I ride very tuff trails and I have had a Grizzly,King quad, brute force, Outty, and Sportsman. I like the outty and the sportsman the best so far. I just wish the sportsman had a on off for the overide instead of just a push button. I do have to say the brute setup is the worst for me because you have to hold it all the time you want it, I ride stuff were you might have to hang off one side so you cant hold the lever plus mine would never lock all the way, it would help but not fully locked.
Can Am Visco Lok
