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Posted by: cdbean
I have a 04 400 4x4 fis and I think it is a good bike even if it is the only one I have ever owned. I have over 500 miles on it now and haven't had any problems as of yet. I put on 60 miles today and I don't feel beat up or anything like that and some of it was very rough going. It has plenty of spead and power for me but then I am not a real fast ride. Hits 40 easy but it takes a little to get to 50 but it will do it at least acording to the speedo it does anyway. Like how it rides and how it handles but like I said only one I have rode. By the way I get about 18 miles to the gallon which I thought was good.
Posted by: 1wook
It's top speed low 50's, it'll get to 35 fairly quick and take a while to get the rest. AC's aren't speedy. In the mud it'll do great, really geat if you get some good tires for it.
Posted by: Catterman
I love mine. I have had it through some good mud and water and it does great, only thing I would do different is get the 2005 model now, that front end locker is a must. The 400 is mostly a utility ATV though, you are not going to win many races, but you won't have any problem keeping up with the other on the trails, then when you hit the mud you will leave the others behind. 12" of ground clearance is nice...
If your friend is looking for something sporty, the AC is not the way to go. Maybe check out an Outlander for that. But for general ATV riding and lots of work, you can't beat the AC.
Posted by: Catterman
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Originally posted by: bk8800
hi again, one other question my friend asked was how is the IRS compared to the competition. Is it very stable at high speeds? and on slow techincal trails how does it do. Also mantenance wise how is it. Is it worht the money and wat is the msrp( the site doesn't have it listed). thanx for the replies.
Cat's IRS is the best in the business, in my oponion. They don't use a sway bar, so you get great movement. 10" of suspension travel is the best there is. I used mine moose hunting the other weekend and had to go over "hog wallows" that were up to 2 feet tall. Although my bottom did rub some, the Cat handeled it perfect. There is no way I could have made it out on any straight axel quad. Sure was glad I didn't have a sway bar too.
As far as stable at high speeds, I guess I really haven't gone faster then 35, and it did pretty good at that speed.
It is great as far as maintenance, no greese zerks to worry about. If you take care of it, it will last you a long time.
I am not sure on the MSRP, I paid $4700 for mine used with 50 miles on it almost a year ago. Dealer had the price marked wrong but gave it to me at that anyway, as I had bought many snowmobiles from him.
Posted by: Catterman
WOW, glad to hear you are alright MrTommy. You can always buy a new machine, but not a new head.
Posted by: MrTommy
As an aside here, I just rolled mine yesterday in a freak accident on a HUGELY rutted road. I fell into the ditch, it tried to roll over on me but got caught in the ditch crosswise. I was going maybe 10 mph. Without going into lengthy details (which are sketchy at best), the only damage I have found is a bent right rear rack (which is then bending the fender down), a munched 'end plug' in the right side of the front bumper, and the left headlight is pushed back somewhat. My GPS, which is mounted to the handle bars was unscathed, though the bars themselves were pushed downward. I simply pulled them back up. We turned it back upright, started it right up, and drove away. I was basically unhurt, but my helmet took a hit just above my forehead. So to all those who think you don't need helmets unless you're going fast, I say BS. I'm 58 and I don't really go fast, 'cept maybe on a straight, well paved dirt road. "Fast" is about 30-35 - ha.
So, maybe all that talk about Cats being built like tanks might be right...
Posted by: MrTommy
Thanks. Yeah, I almost wish I could get a new one, cuz now they have the locking front diff and the digital instrument pod. Darn them! But I suppose if I did get a new one, the following year they'd have even more stuff. It's like buying a computer. A month after you get the screaming top-of-the-line unit, it's out of date.
Posted by: MrTommy
Roger, there must have been something in the air these past few days (ha). This roll-over stuff happens quickly, even though at slow speeds. As I rolled over, I remember looking up and seeing this 'hulk' headed for me and thinking "600 pounds!" But it got wedged sideways in the deep, rutted road and saved my bacon. I'm still sore in the neck and one leg, but it's all slowly going away. Being 58, lots of things go away slowly . . .
I'm going to have to order a new rack for the back (I've been told it's about $80-90) next week when we get back from our next adventure.
See ya on the trail.
Posted by: RogerL
Speaking (typing) of strange accidents...I flipped my 400 last monday (6th sept). I was driving in a damp sandy wash doing about 10mph and had to really slow to make a 90deg turn to climb out of the wash and onto a small hill. The rest of my group were waiting for me and my younger brother to catch up after backtracking to find a missing gas can (no luck finding it either). Well, I hit the brakes then I felt like I was flying over the handlebars. the next instant, I remember looking up over my shoulder and watch the black box straped to the back end of the atv coming down towards me. I then looked left over the shoulder and saw my bro stopping and hopping off the quadking, running towards me. I next thing I remember, I jumped up and help my bro flip the bike back on its tires. The cat was on its side I started the bike (started right up)and saw everyone looking down towards me, so I give the thumbs up sigh and rode up to them. . My father who saw that was really worried since the black box hit the center of my back when I was laying on the sand. the box hit my back and cause the bike to bouce up and land sideways. The was no damage to the bike and there was a knot and some soreness just above my right elbow. The whole thing last about 3-5 seconds. The next day, I was more sore from the ride then from the wreck. I still don't remember much nor do I know how it happen.
Roger
Posted by: bk8800
my friend is looking to get a 400 and wants to know a little more about it. Any way his main question was wat's its top speed and also how does it accelerate do in mud etc.
thanx
Posted by: bk8800
wow, thanks alot guys for the really great info
Posted by: bk8800
hi again, one other question my friend asked was how is the IRS compared to the competition. Is it very stable at high speeds? and on slow techincal trails how does it do. Also mantenance wise how is it. Is it worht the money and wat is the msrp( the site doesn't have it listed). thanx for the replies.
