IRS or Straight Axle?

[digginfool]

I know this is a topic that keeps coming up, but I've decided I need another 4x4.  I've always thought I would want another Prairie (a 650 or 700) but it seems all the manufacturers are going to IRS.  I know the drawbacks of fast cornering with IRS but I've yet to see any convincing information when it comes to mud.  Anybody out there want to comment?  Has anyone owned both a Prairie and a Brute Force?

[MadMudder]

Well, IRS is allot better in the mud vs. SRA because it gives you allot more ground clerance. With SRA, your limited to just your axle height alone. Lets say you get a brute force 650i and a regular brute 650 w/o the irs. The I is going to go allot further because the skid plate sits almost doubble the height of the axle of the regular 650. But like you said, the SRA will corner allot better due to the limited body roll compared to the IRS quad. One more factor to consider is weight. Usually the IRS quad will weigh allot more because there is allot more parts with the IRS. And when you have more parts you have more parts to break and wear out. You have parts like CV joints that need greasing and wear out eventually. So it really comes down to how you ride.

[AmericanRobster]

I really like the IRS on my atv alot! 

[flgator529]

I think it comes down to how long you are keeping your ATV more then anyting. If you trade every year or so Get the IRS. Everyone I know with IRS that has been used in the mud hard for a couple of years or longer has constent problems. anyone can fix a straight axle that has some ware on it