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Posted by: Andy Bassham
Pretty good reply right above me. I can't add much too it. I would say the Grizzly will handle better, but the added weight of the AC will aid in your snowplowing. Both have a ton of power, thats not even a turning point for either machine. Both have locking differentials. I'd say that the physical aspects of each would be what would sway me from one to the other.
Posted by: Andy Bassham
I have to say go with your own preference here, but by no means believe everything you hear on the forum. Like the "AC is better in all respects" thing. Nope, its not. I like AC, have owned it, 2 family members still do. Its a good quad. Have had 3 yamaha's too, and like them. The Yamaha's will steer better than any AC ever made other than maybe the DVX (which really is a suzuki when you come down to it). Regardless of year model, AC's steer poorly, and have more body roll than any other quad on the market. The body roll doesn't bother me, the heavy steering does. One reason why I sold mine. Newer models are better than older ones, but still not up to par with others.
Power is about even if you consider the weight of the AC into the mix. Brakes I assume are good on both. My old AC was good, so I figure they are still good for 05. Tough, well the Grizz has plastic all over it, and the AC's have had a few quality control problems over the year. Old AC's had the paint flake off of the frame parts and rust. Newer ones went though half shafts and CV's worse than 03 Grizzlys did. The ride of both is great, they both will lock up the differential, Cat is wider and would be more stable. Grizz would ride sportier (if thats even something that matters).
A lot of things to consider on both, but you won't go wrong.
Posted by: Arctic388
i just bought a Grizz and i can tell you for what you plan you need the Cat. i like the grizz so far but if i'd waited one week i'd bought the Cat. iwas just fed up witing for the single 650 to come out and didnt want to wait any longer.
Posted by: WhoDatInDaMud
I'd drive over a Yamaha to get to the Arctic Cat. These things are damn tough and repairs are not that difficult. And the Accessories for the Cats are outstanding. The MRP rackage is first class.
Posted by: skii0
go with the Yamaha
Posted by: Polaridoo
I would get the cat. The AC is better in all respects - especially when it comes to toughness / offroad worthiness. The Grizz might be a bit more reliable but I would not bank on that 100% as the older Grizz's have had a few bugs (as all the quads have).
Posted by: 1wook
It mainly comes down to witch one you like better and how much tdealer support you'll get. They both are great machines.
The yamaha engine, and clutch kick a$$. I am not a fan of the kawi trany, the only advantage it has over the ac duramatic or the yamaha is that it's narrow and has slightly lower power losses. The grizz is sportier, mainly due to it's lower weight IMO, especially in the driveline components. The grizz hub and rims are aluminum, ac's are steel, performance wise 1lb less in the driveline is roughly equal to 6lbs vehicle weight reduction. The grizz racks, front guards, and frame is a little to light weight IMO, the ac is beefy, perfect for a work horse. I don't like the fit and finish of the 650, it looks like ac wanted a big bore motor, started developing there own, realised it'd take a few years, contacted kawi about the 650 and threw it into a 500i chassis. I am really looking forward to seeing an h1.
Posted by: turbocoupe
i went through the same thing when i was looking into a 4wd last feb so i went and testdrove polari 700,grizz660,quest650xt,prairie650 and the cat650le and then i thought hmm warrenty 2yr fact for cat 3 yr for a bombardier but its got a solid axle then i looked into options like bumpers,winch,brush guards, locking diff for my type of riding here in mass ground clearence is a must so then i thought about what size tires will fit without a lift i was a little hesitant about the cat due to it was the first year for the 650 so its going to have bugs, then i thought wel thats what the 2 year warrenty is for so i ended up with the cat and no regrets the way i look at it i spent 7500 for my le brand new out the door and it comes with the winch,front and rear bumpers,front brush guard,diff lock,full size hitch,and hand guards. another thing i thought about what other machine has 10 inches of suspention travel at all 4 wheels? none thats my story and im sticking to it good luck whichever machine you pick
Posted by: arcticcop
The cats ground clearance is just amazing when other people high center on ruts or have troubles crossing logs it will just breeze through! The 4wd is bullet proof. My buddy just bought a BF750 and his 4wd Does not engage instantly, the front end has to roll a bit, don't like that! That is tricky on hills or in even in snow I would think! The dealer told him it should engage in like 12 feet or less?? He was torqued off to say the least! I like my 650 awful well! I have no experience whith the Grizz so can't help there. The Ac has plenty of power and speed, I have seen 48 in low range on mine. It is a very versitile machine!
Posted by: BigBeezy
get the grizz, its sporty, handles very well, i plow alot of snow and haul big logs and it does very well,// i never rode a ac650
Posted by: millsd
I had the same dilema and ended up with the AC 650. I think in the end, it depends on what you plan to do. For myself, I was looking for something to plow the driveway and ride around/work on or land in VT. The AC seems a good choice for that as it has tons of power and can crawl over anything. HOWEVER, if you're looking for a sporty trail riding machine, I'd probably go with the Grizz. It should have plenty of power, lower center of gravity, and likely, and most important, easier steering.
As for the 750 Kawi, I'd say too much power on too small (um...too light, not too short) of a bike. The AC650 absolutely screams with over 100cc less and 100lbs more weight. So, to me it all comes down to heavy with lots of torque (cat) and rack attachments vs lighter and easier to steer (Grizz) with less attachments.
Just my opinion after over a month of searching...
Posted by: millsd
What kind of price did you get on the machine? I ended up getting the 650v2 (not le) for $7045 including the winch. Seemed a good price, but some people seem to pay list (or more) while others get a great deal. No idea what the invoice was on the standard model, but nearly $500 off was pretty much the best I could get around here...
Hopefully after seeing people get some good deals, others won't be suckered into the "well, let's see, list price is 7499, add shipping of 300, blah blah blah, comes to around 8k" That's where most of the dealers around here started until I found one that gave a decent price. Once I had that, I went back to the others saying I'd pay about 200 less than I was already told.
Posted by: millsd
Wow! Was that for a 2005? If so, that's a killer deal! I probably tried a half dozen dealerships here (including one owned by a friend's family) and with the exception of the dealer I ended up with, no one would come down from $7200. Granted, that was 3-4 weeks ago when they were just coming in, but the story was pretty much the same everywhere..."we have to order at the beginning of the year and I'm only getting 3 in blah blah blah." Perhaps if I had waited until the dealers got a few more in I would have saved a few hundred more Oh well, I'm happy nonetheless...but the extra $400 would have bought some nice rims
Posted by: DOGTRAINER
I am confused, I can get a good deal on both. Like features on the AC like gas cap on fender and storage on top of tank etc. Yamaha has good reputation. AC has 2 year warranty. I am no mechanic so all I can do is add gas and change oil. Have heard good and bad about the AC. I will use it to push snow on my driveway and to trail ride. Have had kawasakis before and I know that the AC has kawasaki engine. I would go for th ebig 750 kaw but have had my share of trouble from the carbs on the kawasakis in the cold weather start okay but have to get hot like 20 minutes before u can let of gas without them dieing. I need advice. Thanks for all inputs
Posted by: DOGTRAINER
After riding all of them and discussing it with everyone i could , and reading what you guys had to say I purchasesd the AC 650 LE. with a snow blade. Dealer treated me great on it got is for $50 over his invoice. I narrowed it down to the Honda or AC. I am sure the Honda's engine and transmission are the best made , but the AC rode better and I liked it much better on ruff terraine. Also I am 6'6' and it was taller and seemed to fit me better. Thanks everyone for all your help
Posted by: DOGTRAINER
He offer the 650 with the winch for $6569.00 the le was $600 more plus $289 for snow plow. I wanted the Lime green but all he could get at this time was the red
Posted by: GrizzlyFD
Quote arcticcop:
Quote
The cats ground clearance is just amazing when other people high center on ruts or have troubles crossing logs it will just breeze through! The 4wd is bullet proof. My buddy just bought a BF750 and his 4wd Does not engage instantly, the front end has to roll a bit, don't like that! That is tricky on hills or in even in snow I would think! The dealer told him it should engage in like 12 feet or less?? He was torqued off to say the least!
I recently picked up a Grizz and have been using the 4WD and locked 4WD without a problem. The engagement is almost instantaneous even when moving. Seems like if you have to wait up to 12 feet till 4WD engages your already SOL. Kawi's gotta step up
Just my two cents...
