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Posted by: Andy Bassham
The speed difference in most utility quads looks a lot more on paper than it actually is. A bigger one will be quicker and faster, but not to the point that you will just run off and leave a smaller one. My AC500 will slowly gain on and pull away from my Honda 300 if you ride a few miles wide open on paved surface, but it not like you are going to get out of site on it. with a GPS, the AC tops out at about 52. The old 300 honda will eventually get to 50-51, but takes a little longer to get there. For the most part, utility quads are not far apart from each other, even the 300's. The only utility quads you can really run off and leave people with are the Sp500, Magnum, Grizzly, and Explorer 400. I guess the Rubicon may fall in here as well, but its kind of an inbetweener with the above 4 with the exception of the Mag. An HO mag would solve that though.
Posted by: BONER
Try the 500 manual, you will REALY see how much better the 500 is better than the 300.
Posted by: BONER
Limited Edition???
Posted by: BONER
But I thought this was Automatic models only? The only LE models I have seen are Auto's.
Posted by: BONER
NO, thats not a 500 4x4 Hunter LE. Thats the 400 decked out with all the hunter's camo stuff that they have in the 2001 Catalog.
If you turn to page 18 and read the first sentence in the 3rd paragraph you will see they say:
[b] "New this season are the limited edition Arctic Cat 500 4x4 Automatic Hunter LE and 500 4x4 Hunter LE."[/b]
Posted by: jett
Today I took out a 500 auto demostrator. I'm thinking of trading up. I was not overly impressed . I had to stop a few times to make sure it was in high range not low. It didn't have the speed I thought it should and it roared some awful. I might just keep my little cat or change to another brand entirely. The local Polaris dealer is offering a good buck on my trade in. If going from a 300 to 500cc makes little to no difference in a cat, I'll change my brand loyality.
Posted by: jett
As with you I thought the auto was the only one with the LE package, until I saw a 500 manual with the LE pacakge at my local dealer.I asked him how much the 500 auto, with the complete package was and he replied that one is a manual. He informed me that they make both the auto and the manual in the LE package.
Posted by: jett
For a picture of the 500 manual 4x4 Hunter LE, check out October's issue of Arctic Cat's pride. There is a picture of one all decked out on page 17, in the bottom corner. Look carefully and you'll notice the Hi-lo sub tranny selector.Revision Sorry that is a picture of a 500 Manual with a Camo value package. OOps.
Posted by: JKB
I have a friend with a Yamaha 225 2x4 and he can stay with me most of the time. I tend to lose him on the hills and I can get a good lead on him when starting from a dead stop. I am running a 400 Cat 4x4. I know his bike is really light and I am sure that this comes into play.
Cheers Jim
Posted by: cowboy
Boner:
The '01 AC 500 LE (limited edition) is the same '01 500 with the full camo package-fender covers, tank and rack bags, etc. It also comes with the Kolpin Gun scabbord and Warn winch with roller fairlead. I believe it is the A2000, but I could be wrong on that. The ones I have seen are dressed out in the new Hardwoods camo, and look pretty sweet!
From what my dealer was telling me, AC put out so many of these LE's, from the factory, for a slightly lower price than if you bought the machine, then installed all the gear it comes with. Though, I don't know why they would call it an LE, without offering the package all the time. You'd think that if somebody is going to spend that much on a new machine, and also buying the camo kit and winch at the same time, they'd get a little price break anyway???
Mike
Posted by: cowboy
Yeah, you're right, I've only seen the LE in the Auto myself. I wonder if they just put those on the showroom floor, as the auto is kind of like the Silverado package in the Chevy pickups. Since it's only been out for it's second year now, it's still pretty new, and they may still be showcasing it. Though, with all the new changes to the manual, I would think they'd emphesize it a little more? Dont' know if any of that makes sense or not, but hey, who knows?. Maybe the package is really available on both machines, if you ask for it?
Mike
Posted by: cowboy
Jett:
Well, thanks for clearing that up. I'm glad to see they offer it in both packages-good marketing. Wouldn't make sense to offer one, without the other.
Buzzsaw:
Why didn't you want the LE? If you hunt at all, the gun scabbord will come in handy, and the rack bags are nice for extra storage, carrying gear and such. The winch, in my opinion, is invaluable. Are you interested in selling the camo kit (just the fender cover thing, not the bags), and the gun mount/scabbard? I could use a gun scabbard, and have also thought about getting a camo kit myself.
Other than that, you got a great machine, hope it works well for you.
Mike
Posted by: KSmicrorancher
I bought used 96 Timberwolf 4x4 and rode it almost every day for two years till trading it for a 400 4x4 AC 4 months ago. I'm not sure how much power is absorbed by the 500's auto transmission, but it must be alot because there is no way my old timberwolf could keep up with my new AC 400.
Actually when I put my AC 400's dual range transmission into the low range it reminds me very very much of the how the timberwolf performed.
The timberwolf got better gas mileage and is a good starter ATV, but I love my new AC.
Posted by: Farmr123
A lot of the older bikes run strong for one or more of 3 reasons.
1. Less power robbing emission controls. Yes, they are on the newer bikes.
2. They are all 'loosened up' this can make quite a difference.
3. If it has ever been overhauled, 90% of the people will want it juiced up at least a little.
That and the fact it is likely much lighter. Try racing uphill or pulling a load, though, and you will be reminded of the old saying, nothing beats displacement.
Farmr
Posted by: shmoky
I was out with my friend with his '92(?) 250 timberwolf 2x4 the other day and I was extremely surprised to find that he could keep up to me (right beside me) on the trail and roads as far as acceleration and speed are concerned!!! :( I might have had one or two mph on the top end but that is all. I made sure I was in 2x4 also and still not much difference. Can any of you enlighten me on this? Thanks for you input in advance.
shmoky
Posted by: BUZZSAW
i had a ac500 auto for 6 months,put 1,300 miles on it, got out run by my cousin on a ac400, two days later i had a new ac500 manual tranny limited edition.
Posted by: BUZZSAW
the ac2001 comes with a one piece camo cover,rack bag,factory winch w/roller fairing,koplin gun case w/powder coated detachable mount.also the 2001 has a part-time frontend. thats all you get,i am supose to get a 2 year warranty but i haven't seen any paper work yet.
Posted by: BUZZSAW
I haven't seen any LE's in the auto's yet.i have noticed the dealers in my area are pushing the auto's pretty hard.my dealer only had the one machine in a manual,i realy didn't want a le, but it was all he had.
Posted by: BUZZSAW
cowboy i hunt alot,use the scaboard a lot but i had one for the auto ,kept it when i traded,now i have two the winch,i have been in some nasty places and not needed it not to say i won't.the bag i use to carry my lunch and things i need if i am out in foul weather.the rest went over head in the garge.i ride a lot,just got back from a 25 mile ride,had to check my deer stand.
