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Posted by: Andy Bassham
you can out accelerate a grizzly?
My cousin's 454 manual can out accelerate my Grizzly due to being able to select his gears. But only for like the first 10-15 feet. I probably beat him by 30-40 yards in 100 yard drag.
But I'm with you on the auto's robbing the power. I guarantee my 660 would be a lot more versatile with a manual transmission. Seems like its affected by larger tires more than my manual shift 500 AC was.
Posted by: zippy
get a slip on pipe, K&N or twin air filter and a good jet kit, best kit I have seen for the money is from "jetsrus" com
Posted by: WhoDatInDaMud
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Originally posted by: zippy
get a slip on pipe, K&N or twin air filter and a good jet kit, best kit I have seen for the money is from "jetsrus" com
The problem with cheap slip on exhaust modificationw is that they just create more noise that is often missinterpreted as having more power.
Around here the complaints of ATV noise is playing a significant role in the systematic closure of riding areas. County by county the anti-atv groups are making it illegal to ride in the road ditches, many forests – and in some areas – even on private property. Claiming unnecessary nuisance noise we are loosing the battles one after another after another in state forests and anywhere near residential areas.
Modifying exhaust systems by riders outside of a competition is contributing to the loss of riding opportunities that thousands of us are fighting with money and time off from work to protect. The camcorder recordings of ATVs and their noise is difficult evidence to argue against.
The question to ask yourself is simple. With mod&39;ing your exhaust for some minimal performance increase - Are you being part of the problem or are you being part of the solution?
If we are going to protect our riding oppertunities we have to be better than back woods rebels without of clue and start policeing our own to protect our priviledge to ride on public property.
Posted by: doober
CCWW we ride with an outlander 400 also, you will never keep up with one, I have about 14-1500 miles on my Cat 400 auto, clutch kit and jet kit, I cant beat one in a race (I didnt buy it to race though, can get 50-55 mph) As for keeping with a 650 I doubt it, we also ride with 2 grizzlies (which should be comparable) and the outlander cant touch them. Get that outlander in some deep mud or over some logs and such and you will be pulling him in no time, and he better hope he doesnt hit anything, they tend to crumple pretty easy.
Posted by: doober
Listen to einstein here (yamahalltheway) just so you know I have pulled out a few grizzlies since I have had my bike, and yes they have pulled me out also. Oh yea nice spelling also.
Posted by: jwoodsman
ccww You say you only have 200 miles on it .I thought my 400 was pretty slow and lacked in power ,I now have 320 miles on it and have noticed a significant power increase ,they say it wont be fully broken in till I hit 500 miles.
Posted by: jwoodsman
With the manual your not going to notice that power increase as much as the autos ,you definitely have the advantage with the man ,you can stretch out your gears and yet every little bit out even at the higher speeds ,
I went with the auto because I didn't want to try to remember what gear I was in when in the deep mud ,at the verge of getting stuck ,plus when I take my kids out riding I need one hand free to hold on to the little one .
Posted by: Bear4570
Is it an auto or a manual?
Posted by: Bear4570
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Originally posted by: M55
Its an Automatic
After riding both auto and manual bikes. I determined that the autos were robbing the bike of several HP. Two of the guys I ride with regularly have 400 autos and neither one will even come close to my manual in acceleration or top speed. I can even out accelerate the 2 Grizzlies I ride with because of being able to choose the gear I want to be in for acceleration and not have to live with the compromise setup the auto has. The only 400 auto I came up against that comes even close had played with changing his springs. It made a major difference but his fuel economy was down from what the other autos were getting. I don't know what springs he used and I don't see him often, but I'm sure one manufactures of the spring kits wouuld steer you right. BTW neither of the stock 400's gets as good a fuel economy as I do and from what the spring kit guy said his is even worse. Then again you pays if you wnt to play. The spring kits are pretty cheap too.
Posted by: Bear4570
Yes, there are a pair of them I run with very regularly and their biggest gripe is that off the line and off the corners I run away from them. Of course I've been racing for a long time and have by this time learned which gear to be in, to get the most out of the 400's engine by now. I do know that off the corners, I'm always lifting the inside front tire off the ground while accelerating. Mine might be better than average because I broke it in like I ride it. Then again mine will pull the front tires off the ground off the line and again on hitting second gear in high range.
Posted by: Bear4570
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Originally posted by: CCWW
I have the same problem with horsepower on my 400 4x4 auto. I ride with two others - one has a Arctic Cat 650 4x4 auto and the other has a Bombardier 400 4x4 auto. They can stick together but I am left in the dust. I have only 200 miles on mine so I hope this "breaking" in will help but I can't see it making the kind of difference that I need.
For example, that Bombardier 400 4x4 auto is equal to the Arctic Cat 650 4x4 auto - no kidding - how is that possible??? They easily pull away from me - the difference is frustrating.
I very much doubt that a 400 of any brand will stay up with a properly running 650 of any brand, unless the 650 rider is incompentent or the machine is sick and the 400 guy has sh!t together along with his machine.
Posted by: Bear4570
I didn't think it was that much of an increase, but then again mine is a manual and the AC 400 autos won't even come close in preformance or gas mileage. I ride with a pair of of AC 400 autos and they lack several mph on the big end and take twice as long to get there too.
Posted by: Bear4570
Quote
Originally posted by: jwoodsman
With the manual your not going to notice that power increase as much as the autos ,you definitely have the advantage with the man ,you can stretch out your gears and yet every little bit out even at the higher speeds ,
I went with the auto because I didn't want to try to remember what gear I was in when in the deep mud ,at the verge of getting stuck ,plus when I take my kids out riding I need one hand free to hold on to the little one .
I agree. I was gonna buy an auto, but by getting one of the last two of his pre-season order of machines and the new order of machines in the parking lot I saved almost a $1000 (a better than great deal). So the manual became mine and the AC 250 became the wife's. I get to choose the gear I'm in and since I was used to doing that anyway with the 2001 AC 250 it's no big deal for me. The only thing I don't like is there are no gear indicator lights on the 400 like the 250 (retro-fitted by me, AC said you couldn't do it) has, so when I dumb out and forget which gear I'm in, I have to guess.
Posted by: Bear4570
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Originally posted by: FASTFATBOY
Out accelerate a grizzly what a load of bullsh*t. You may move from a stop to 5 yards faster than him, if your lucky, but a model t is NOT going to out run a mustang no matter how long you've been racing. First the other guy said his 400 "woke up" after a few hundred miles. I had one and so does a friend, if you want more power you'll have to look at something other than the ac400. Don't waste your money on mods. Trade it in and get something that acts like it has an engine in it. This is just my opinion and the voice of experience.
Spoken like a true CC snob. Mr. Tim "the toolman" Taylor and "More Power" are not the cure for poor driver skills. Getting
the most from your equipment and using everything it has is what counts. And old say that real race know, "A great driver with average equipment will win, while an average driver with the great equipment won't".
Posted by: Bear4570
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Originally posted by: CCWW
Folks - now I know whay my ArcticCat 400 auto 4x4 is not as superior to the Bobardier 400 auto 4x4! Mine is a 400 is actually a 380cc and the other is actually a 480cc. ArcticCat likes to round numbers up and the other likes to round down. The cc's are approximation but you get the point.
Gee, according to the spec sheet I see for an Outlander Max 400 HO they have 400cc's in a 645lbs machine, I don't know where you numbers come from unless your buddy is calling his Traxter a 400 which it isn't. It's a 500.
Posted by: Bear4570
One of the guys that works with the wife just bought an '06 500 auto. It is more sluggish off the line than my manual 400 and I can stay ahead of him until I get to 3rd gear, then the cc's take over and I can't hold him off any longer. One of my regular riding buddy's has a Grizzly and I can do pretty much the same thing to him. But top speed wise against either one of them is no contest. The 400 autos haven't a chance, but then again they go everywhere I go and the don't have to worry about choosing the right gear and it is AC's best selling model. I would think you would be happy with it as long as drag racing isn't your thing.
Posted by: Bear4570
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Originally posted by: doggoneit
Yeah, racing isn't my thing. But when it's loaded down and I'm trying to come up out of a creek bottom, I need some torque to get me out. And how are the belts? I've heard different stories. One said that I should leave it in low when I'm just crawling through the brush with the dogs on the back (loaded down in otherwords) and it would be easier on the tranny/belt? But when I had it in low the other day, no load, it seemed looowwwwwwwwww, way too low for driving around for very long on hard pack stuff? I'll try to figure out how to post on here this evening, wvery board is different and I haven't looked to see how this board does it. I've got some good pics you'd enjoy.
The only story about the 400 and 500 belts I've heard is that they are bullet proof and good for up to 10,000 miles.
Posted by: MBullism
Hey, M55...
I see it's an '04. How many miles on this gutless wonder? The general concensus is that they usually "wake up" a bit after a couple hundred miles or so (2-300), and my brother in law realized this in his '03... after things wore in and loosened up he says it's a new bike. I'm afraid I can't be much help in the mod department, but if you've got low miles yet, the cheapest mod might be mileage
Posted by: Catterman
Just get more miles on that thing. I though mine was gutless too, now after 500+ miles it is perfect. Good luck.
Posted by: Catterman
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Originally posted by: doggoneit
Thanks for positive input Cattywompus, I want a work horse. I need the torque on the low end more than I need the speed on the top end. Check out my pictures, I don't think my dogs would care to hit 60 mph while riding shotgun. hehehe
Nice picts doggoneit! The 400 will be perfect, just be sure to put 300 miles on it the first weekend you get it, this will break it in nice and good.
Posted by: Nats
2005 400 4x4 man. I had the same issue before milage break in. You will be fine !
Posted by: FASTFATBOY
Out accelerate a grizzly what a load of bullsh*t. You may move from a stop to 5 yards faster than him, if your lucky, but a model t is NOT going to out run a mustang no matter how long you've been racing. First the other guy said his 400 "woke up" after a few hundred miles. I had one and so does a friend, if you want more power you'll have to look at something other than the ac400. Don't waste your money on mods. Trade it in and get something that acts like it has an engine in it. This is just my opinion and the voice of experience.
Posted by: Cattywompus
doggoneit: I have a 05 AC400 auto I can get to 50MPH but why it's a power machine (after 250 miles she really woke up), the girlfriend bought a Kodiak400 over the 400 outlander, sure her's is faster but I feel mine is a true work utility, hers is a trail riding machine. So she goes around the hill I go over it. Every one knows AC is a grunty machine not a speed deamon thats the DVX, but I paid 750 less got more stuff winch, oil change kit, helmet, and I feel I have a better built machine, I like her Yamaha it's fun but her plastic is already ripped from a small mistake on her part but the cat shruged it off and with only a few scratchs, I'll take that any day. Plus my dealer treats me like a friend and takes care of me and my machine, hers is like a car sales man. I tried to get her to buy a cat but she just didn't like it, the 300 was perfect size but she wanted a auto, from what I've seen minus the machines I'll buy a cat hands down just on service.
Both are good machines, it depends on what you want to do, work/trail(CAT) or trail(yama)
Posted by: M55
I have a 04 Artic Cat 400 4x4 and it seems to be a little gutless. The shop I bought it from says that is just the way they are, so they are not much help there. I was wondering what modifications I should do do start with, it is completly stock. The only problem is my Dad doesnt want me spending much money on mods. What kind of air box mods, and exhaust mods can I do to help. I would appreciate the help.
Thanks
Posted by: M55
thanks for the help. i've heard that AC's are late bloomers but she's got over 1600 miles on it. SOooo, if you know of any other mods lets hear them! thanks
Posted by: M55
Its an Automatic
Posted by: ACRider
My 400I doesn't have the speed that my 500 has. We don't care though because we're not out for speed. If we were we'd have gotten different bikes. I do know that when speeds are slow and there is ground to crawl over, the 400 preforms just as well as the 500. I noticed a small increase in HP during break in but not huge. The 400 has about 500 miles on it and the 500 has about 700.
When I was looking to buy I test rode a 500I auto. It was the one sitting on the showroom floor. That thing was so doggy that I almost didn't look at AC again. The sales guy told me "it'll get better when it breaks in." I knew it was just too bad so I insisted on trying another one. He reluctantly agreed and pulled another one from the back. I tried it and found it too be night and day different than the showroom one. I bought it and told the sales guy that he'd better get that one looked at because he WILL lose sales when prospective buyers ride that sluggish one. I think he blew me off about it though.
Posted by: ACRider
Doggoneit
As long as you use low range while crawling through tough terrein, mud, or carrying a load (I wouldn't think hauling a few dogs on your rack would be considered much of a load) you'll be OK. I bear bait every year and often haul one to two hundred pounds of bait on tight and hilly trails. When I hit those trails I automatically put it in low. I should add that when I'm on those types of trails I always use low gear whether I have a load or not. Low gear seems too low but it's accually not that bad. I go plenty fast in low.
I have around 500 miles on my 400I and over 1000 on the 500I.
Good luck.
Posted by: ACRider
Doggoneit
Use low when hauling any load or on tight, hilly trails, mud, or the like. If your on level ground I wouldn't think a few dogs on your rack would necessarly constitute using low gear.
Good luck
Posted by: CCWW
I have the same problem with horsepower on my 400 4x4 auto. I ride with two others - one has a Arctic Cat 650 4x4 auto and the other has a Bombardier 400 4x4 auto. They can stick together but I am left in the dust. I have only 200 miles on mine so I hope this "breaking" in will help but I can't see it making the kind of difference that I need.
For example, that Bombardier 400 4x4 auto is equal to the Arctic Cat 650 4x4 auto - no kidding - how is that possible??? They easily pull away from me - the difference is frustrating.
Posted by: CCWW
I can tell you this - I am best friends with the two guys - they have never been able to and will never be able to ride as sick as I can. This isn't bragging - they would agree. I can say in all confidence - that Bombardier 400 is incredible technology. He can "easily" pull away from me and stay there - my 400 simply can not compete. I am not arguing a point - I am at a major disadvantage and very frustrated with my machine - it is very frustrating seeing them both blow ahead of me on the railroad tracks, the fields and on the roads. I can only catch them when we hit the wooded trails - I have more skill. I am full throttle on the straights the entire time and I can not catch them.
What can breking in a machine do - specifically - how much more power? Is it very noticible?
Posted by: CCWW
Significant difference - sounds great. That helps. Also, I am at 200 miles right now and I haven't been so easy on the machine. When I go out I am full throttle - am I pushing the new machine too hard? I just changed the oil this weekend.
Posted by: CCWW
Folks - now I know whay my ArcticCat 400 auto 4x4 is not as superior to the Bobardier 400 auto 4x4! Mine is a 400 is actually a 380cc and the other is actually a 480cc. ArcticCat likes to round numbers up and the other likes to round down. The cc's are approximation but you get the point.
Posted by: yamahalltheway
Dont even f with is artic cats are horrible nd it will always be gutless!!!!! YAMAHA ALL THE WAY
Posted by: doggoneit
Hey Bear, after talking last night, you have a good idea of what I want in a bike. All this talk about no power and gutless makes me want to ask. Should I go with the auto or the manual? You know my current ride is a manual and I'm tired of shifting up and down constantly due to the type of driving that I do, but I need that low end torque. Top speeds of 50 mph do not interest me, don't care if I ever win a race against a Grizzly. I need a workhorse, so what do you think? You say a manual, I'll go test drive one before I buy.
Posted by: doggoneit
Yeah, racing isn't my thing. But when it's loaded down and I'm trying to come up out of a creek bottom, I need some torque to get me out. And how are the belts? I've heard different stories. One said that I should leave it in low when I'm just crawling through the brush with the dogs on the back (loaded down in otherwords) and it would be easier on the tranny/belt? But when I had it in low the other day, no load, it seemed looowwwwwwwwww, way too low for driving around for very long on hard pack stuff? I'll try to figure out how to post on here this evening, wvery board is different and I haven't looked to see how this board does it. I've got some good pics you'd enjoy.
Posted by: doggoneit
Your word is good enough for me, thanks.
Posted by: doggoneit
Thanks for positive input Cattywompus, I want a work horse. I need the torque on the low end more than I need the speed on the top end. Check out my pictures, I don't think my dogs would care to hit 60 mph while riding shotgun. hehehe
Posted by: doggoneit
Thanks Cat, I liked your photo album as well. Little jealous though, I couldn't get my wife to move to Alaska back in '90. A helo mech can always get work up there. And I see that you load your AC down with gear as we do. Aren't ATV's awesome machines?
