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Posted by: ethernut
Spikeland they turn just fine and aren't tipping in off-camber situations. As far as the tranny goes. AC fixed the limp mode issue in the '05 from the factory.
Posted by: SPD522
I did a bunch of messing with shock settings and tire pressures with the stock Goodyears. I plan on switching to Mudlites but had to choose between tires for my truck or ATV. Truck was a safety issue so it won.
I found the shocks set in the mid setting and 9 lbs in the tires ( I know they say 6.5 max) worked really well. The awful rolling under was gone, hard trail stability improved, and it didn't hurt the ride. About the only place I noticed a loss was riding in sand but I seldom encountered that.
Mudlites are still in my future but I have learned to live with the factory tires with a little tweaking.
Posted by: Slaghammer
As was stated earlier, the stock tires are the 650s weak point. I changed to Mudlites and the difference is like night and day. I think any tire other than the Goodyears will make a big difference.
Posted by: heyyou
The turning radius wouldn't be so bad if the rear-end didn't want to push it straight,thats what I find anyway.If you can get your weight on the front-end it isn't too bad,really.The only time I find it tippy is when your WFO and in a turn,they dive then.
Posted by: Nyeman48
AC has issued a recall notice for this problem. A limited # of parts are being issued basicly they are installing a filter on the CDI box because they belive there is static cominf from it which causes the limp mode to be tripped. I don't know if they have a new fix for the prob on the new 05 but those new Cat Eye headlights look nice.
Posted by: Nyeman48
Bout the only way it might be tippy is because of the weak tire that comes on it. Pair of ITP's fix's that and there's no question about tracktion then.
Posted by: westpamudder
Yes, it is true, the AC sucks per turning radius. But as for it being tippy off-camber, I have no problems. It almost feels sometimes like the darn thing is bolted to the ground! Been on many a hills with it, never had a problem. Sometimes if there is an obstacle or something on the hill like a log or winrow of dirt, you have to let off the gas for half-a-second to get the front end back down. But that is almost every quad. There is a place by my house we call the Rock Pit with some big rocks and craters, and I will say, the Big Cat rockcrawls great! I can make it farther than everyone without having to winch first. Sometimes in the pit, you feel a little tippy, but that's only because there are rocks under three tires and a void under the fourth. Well, hoped my input has helped you in some way!
Posted by: westpamudder
heyyou is exactly right. The back end wants to push rather than follow. I have also found that sometimes, depending on the terrain, 4wd will help you turn a little tighter. If you have the suspension set at the softest setting you will find that it makes powersliding rather difficult. But set pretty stiff, it will powerslide rather easy, at least that's how I see it. I may be wrong, but that's how it feels to me
Posted by: westpamudder
The AC 650 will definately ride better than your old foreman, rubicon and praire. Due to the IRS alone. I am not sure what kind of rear suspension the grizzly had in 99, but the outlander has IRS doesn't it? Anyway, I compare it to my Rincon and set to the softest setting, I believe it is just about as smooth. Almost to smooth for climbing and such. I don't think it is actually to bad at the stiffest setting, in my opinion. As nyeman48 stated, with the stock tires, it will feel like there is more body roll than there really is. That is due to the cheap tires. I believe they are only 4-ply. This is really not a very thick sidewall which will make the tire want to form to the ground more rather than hold it's shape. With an aftermarket set of tires, the AC will feel less likely to tip in turns. That enviromentally tire safey crap is exaclty like I stated it to be, crap! But be sure not to run to much air pressure in your tires, I run mine between 4-6psi(stock tires). That is where they seem to get the best grip. Though I do adjust mine depending on the terrain. Don't ever be afraid to ask questions or don't feel sorry to ask alot of them. That is what we are all on here for!
Posted by: Stumppuller1
Just wondering, does anyone know if the problems have been fixed that they had with the belts burning and machine going into Limp Mode.
AC should of put there own clutch on the V2 and it would of been alot better for durability, but I'm wondering if they did anything to improve this machine, everything else seems to be good with it but that dam Kawi clutch setup.
Posted by: spikeland
i am ready to buy an 05 650 ac but im still unsure about the belt issue and the poor handling traits everyone talks about .how bad is the steering i heard they dont turn well what exactly does that mean and are they tippyin off camber situations?
Posted by: spikeland
thanks for the input i really want the 05 650 ac it looks really cool .so the turning issue is just a radius thing it s not a tippy thing right/? if thats the case i think i could live with that .i dont need to go fast or anything i like just crawling through the woods, over logs ,rocks and mud (wherever i can find some )but mostly hardpack riding
Posted by: spikeland
thanks guys i think ill be fine with this choice. thanks for the details .so if i cruise non agressively i should be fine . if the shocks are set to stiff is the ride uncomfortable? is there a big difference in plush soft feel from the softest to stiffest setting. dont mean to ask alot of questions but i want to be sure before i spend my hard earned dollarcould you also please tell me how plush it is compared to another atv you had or rode .I owned the honda foreman ,the rubicon,the 650 prairie, 1999 grizzly and outlander 400
Posted by: spikeland
thanks again guys im gonna go for the artic cat 650. i cant wait and your right the outlander has irs and the comfort is so much better than my previous bikes.its like going from sitting on a table to sitting on a couch
