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Posted by: weedy
Whatever 4X4 you choose look very closely at machines with (IRS) independant rear suspensions. The ride and ground clearance is FAR superior.
Posted by: JohnO
Been riding a Cat 500i manual for over a year. Use it around my rough-as-a-cob farm, have fun on it too. Pros: crawls over anything, rides smooth, great pulling power, handles nice. Cons: None, really. It's not a scary hotrod like the Prairie (Cat makes one that is now), but very steady and plenty of low end grunt. Very stoutly built - 600+ miles, nothing broken.
I looked at the Rubicon last year, but passed on it because it didn't have the Cat's rough ground capability.
Actually, the 500 Cat sits a bit higher than the Polaris, but because the suspension is tighter, it doesn't feel quite so tippy.
Posted by: TheSorb
The Prairie has excellent engine braking, not to mention great brakes front & rear. And the power...well enough said. Good luck with your choice!
Posted by: vhcat400i
I too was a huge Honda fan,in fact that was the only machines my family bought.I then went to buy my own machine and tried out all the makes and models and what it came down to was value and quality.I chose the AC400i.I use my AC 400i for work and play(something you can't do w/a Foreman)and I do both at extreme levels.I have about 2,000 miles on my machine and it hasn't failed me yet.Just something to think about.
Posted by: Lightman
He got scared by the 700 prairie, all hail the mighty p700
Posted by: Lightman
Good point VHCAT, not everyone is looking for a rocketship like a prairie. Maybe a smaller/lighter lower cc quad is the right fit for our friend HVY.
HVY, by the way, 2003 prairie 650's are selling for $5500 to $5900 since the p700 is out. I would snatch one of those if I were you. Why get a 500 when you can get rip roaring prairie for the same price? You don't HAVE to use the power, but will like knowing it's there. That aside, any of your choices will get you out on the trail having a good time. Good luck!
Posted by: polaris5610
i can't say much for the cat but the rubicon is very under powered. and what in the world could be wrong with the pairie or the sportsman, they are great bikes. i have never heard that kind of complaint with these two bikes right off hand, maybe you should spend alittle more time on the two.
Posted by: polaris5610
i see were you are coming from now. in that case i would look into a 450 honda. they are great i have heard!
Posted by: Vinson5
I have a manual vinson. Very happy. quality in the build is high. same engine as the cat. better surroundings. straight rear axle will be more stable on hilly or rocky terrian. too much body roll in the cats for me. just my .02.
Posted by: luvthemud
i love my cat for all the reasons dirteater said. I ride regularly with polaris 700, polaris 500, Honda Rincon, Honda Rubicon, among others, I wouldn't trade my 500i for any of them! I used to be the biggest honda fan in the world until I drove my Arctic Cat. not to mention they give you the most bang for the buck!
Posted by: camarojsc
If i went out and bought another bike today it would be another 450S. I love the bike, it has taken me everywhere i have wanted to go.
Posted by: Dirteater
I assume the terrain you will be riding in most of the time will be pretty rugged with a lot of rocks and obstacles. If this is the case then I would definitely take a long look at Arctic Cat. All of the machines that I have owned in the past were Hondas from dirt bikes to 4-wheelers. The most recent being a '00 300ex and a '01 Foreman 400 4x4(manual). Both of these were great machines, I have no complaints in any area. When it came to purchasing my new bike I wanted something a little different. I wanted to try IRS, be able to shift from 2x to 4x, and have a hi and lo range, also wanted to try something with more ground clearance. The first time out I was riding with a Foreman 400 4x4 and a Prarie 360 4x4. I know that I have a lot more motor but the ground clearance, IRS, and suspension travel make a big difference when the going gets rough. When those guys had only three wheels on the ground and were struggling to make it through some tough spots I could cruise right through with no problems at all. They would bottom out or get high centered and have to try a different angle and I could go straight thru. I could go places they couldn't simply because of the ground clearance, IRS and so on. The AC has 12 in. of ground clearance-Honda Rubicon 7.8, AC susp. travel 10in. all around-Honda 6.7, fuel tank on AC 1 more gallon, hi/lo range tranny, able to shift between 2x & 4x. I can tell you that the AC ride in my opinion is very good in rough terrain as well. I have not personally been around a Rubicon very much so can't tell you much on those in real world situations. I am not bashing Honda in any way, if they made something with comparable numbers to the AC I would probably be riding one right now-if the price was comparable as well. I don't know if speed is an issue but neither one of these are fast machines. I haven't got on mine through all five gears but low end power and acceleration is very good(I read in a mag. review somewhere that it has more torque than a 660 grizzly by a couple ft./lbs.)-I have been told not good top speed and I am pretty sure the Honda is probably about the same. I am goin to end this book now and I hope this helps in some way. Let us know what you get!
Posted by: hvyw8t
hey guys great forum, i need some help. i have it narrowed down to the rubicon and the artic cat 500 manuel shift. i will be using it for just hunting and exploring. what are some pros and cons to each? the cat seems like a alot for the money. but the rubicon is good to. i test drove a 700 kawi and sportsman and was unimpressed. the kawi had alot of power but seemed to sporty for what i have planned. the polaris seemed way to far off the ground and vibrated badly. it seemed like it lacked quality big time. any way, great forum here and any help you can offer would be great. oh by the way the rubicon is 6084.00 $ and the cat is 5574.00 before tax. thanks
Posted by: hvyw8t
i guess i am used to more utility type bikes,lower geared and lower to the ground. i am sure the polaris is the king of the mud pits, but seemed to high off the ground for nasty mountain trails. it also seemed to shake quite abit compared to the other i drove. my style in the past on old formans is slow creeping through rocks and side hilling. i had a 99 grizzly that terrified me on the above mentioned. the automatic wouldnt slow me down enough on the long steep mountain sides here in idaho. so i have ruled out the autos. i have also considered the 450 forman. seems very workman like. as does the cat, and the rubicon.
Posted by: puttputt
Between the Honda & the Cat for what you decribe you want, I'd probably go for the Cat. There are a couple of other good ones; the Vinson--- Eiger and the traxter. Each of these machines has it's advantages over the other. The Vinson is a very versatile with the most power. The Eiger Does everything well too but a 400 and alittle less power. The Traxter is by Far the strongest built, and has the advantage of front diff. lock. and ease of geting on and off in particualar when you have the racks loaded with gear. And the Outlander is also good. The Eiger is the cheapest of the bunch. Hope this helps. They are all good reliable machines. Oh the Honda & the Cat as well as the Vinson---Eiger neither one has locking front diff. . And that does make a differance as far as getting stuck or not. The Outlander also has diff. lock.
Posted by: JactUpVinson
Consider the Suzuki Vinson Manual also. THe low range is stump puling and the top speed is 65mph. I raced a 660 grizz and barely got beat but then i ended up pulling him out of a mudhole that i churned through(guess why his tranny belt was slipping) darn autos, who would want one. But i did have better rubbers. The only thing i need on it is a front locker.
Posted by: hondaman250exrider
u dont need a cat get ethier a 450 formen or a 700 polaris
Posted by: RobThomas
Another vote for the Cat here, for the reasons others have said above. One other thing I like about the Cat's, is simplicity, the other machines look like NASA had something to do with building them, not a good thing when it comes time for service/repairs in my book. Also, single lever disk brakes all around. Not the fastest bike on the planet(had a CR250 for that), but plenty fast enough for hunting and exploring (mostly what I do). No complaints about my bike in the least, none, you'll love it!!
Rob
Posted by: EZRidez
Ah it warms my heart to see such good thinks about AC's posted I have a 2004 500 4x4 Auto with IRS I love it. It is truly the ultimate ride. If you compare the specs it beats the Griz in every single category except cc's, and even weighs more. With 12 inches of ground clearance compared to the Honda's low ground clearance the choice was an easy one go with the Artic Cat. My father and I researched ATV's for a year before buying, money was not an important factor for us, we were more concerned with quaility and useablity, the AC's are awesome they have the new adjustable front and rear racks you can change the rack configuation to suit your needs.
