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Posted by: Andy Bassham
what is the difference in the price? If you can get the H1 for a lot less than the V2, then it would be a good move. If they are the same price, I would get the V2 all day long. If it were only like $300, I would still get the V2.
The H1 won't be underpowered. There is no way in hell you can get something with a 650cc engine and it be underpowered. Just because it won't outrun the V-twin in a drag race DOES NOT mean its underpowered. There were just a lot of guys out here for some reason expecting the H1 to be some super quad for some reason, and probably were dissapointed when it wasn't as fast. My thoughts are that the Grizzly, Rincon, and Quest all have 650 size single cylinder engines and they can't outrun a 650 V-twin, so nobody should expect an H1 to do it either. But it will still be a powerhouse regardless.
As far as the transmission, if its the same as the AC belt auto's on all of their other bikes, they have always had good service records as well as good engine braking. The Kawasaki design has had a couple of problems here and there, but is still probably pretty good anyway. I'd say Yamaha and Arctic Cat have the best belt designs, and this is only coming from the number of compliments and the lower number of problems that I have read about in the last 5 years concerning them both.
Posted by: Andy Bassham
One thing here. How does anyone know all of this info on the H1? Does anyone actually own one? Another thing that got me was the part about after Break-in. How does anyone know what its like after its broken in? Does anyone actually own one, and had it long enough to know this? This seems like a ton of speculation. But like I said before, its going to be a good bike. Just not as fast as a V2, and supposedly less expensive.
Posted by: ethernut
I would reccommend the H1 hands down. The H1 isn't quite as powerful as the Vtwin but much more so than the 500, plus you get the bulletproof tranny to boot.
Posted by: rooch
I have decided to retire the old girl from any hard labour, that means the wife is going to ride it now, and I am torn between the v2 and the H1. What should deter me from buying the H1 beside the fact that it is new and maybe the bugs are not worked out yet? I will be using it for hunting in the bush plus all kinds of farm and cattle work, with of course the odd romp on weekends for the hell of it. The father-in-law says I should buy Honda, but who listens to their f-i-l anyways. I am hoping for a lot of input from people who own or have ridden these machines.
Posted by: rooch
what makes the tranny so buletproof as compared to the others?
Posted by: rooch
now what is the vibration from, is the motor out of balance or something? The dealer here wouldn't let me ride one until I'm seriuos about buying and they only have a paved parking lot that a guy could do circles in. I don't really need a bunch of top end, but for the times you need it it would be nice to have, I mainly need the low to midrange stuff, that is where I do most of my driving anyways. I would have to agree with Andy and say that it can't really be underpowered, but it should have lots of low end torque you would think?
Posted by: rooch
Where did you hear that this is the last year for the v2? I thought it was a popular machine and they would want to keep it around for a while?
Posted by: cattman
I have one, had a V2 before it and i would not go back. Only have 60 miles so its not broken in yet. There is about six of us on ArcticChat that have them, some have 200-300 miles. There is another thread here from about a week ago where I posted a few comments after my first couple rides.
Posted by: Bear4570
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Originally posted by: rooch
now what is the vibration from, is the motor out of balance or something? The dealer here wouldn't let me ride one until I'm seriuos about buying and they only have a paved parking lot that a guy could do circles in. I don't really need a bunch of top end, but for the times you need it it would be nice to have, I mainly need the low to midrange stuff, that is where I do most of my driving anyways. I would have to agree with Andy and say that it can't really be underpowered, but it should have lots of low end torque you would think?
A single cylinder engine will always vibrate more than a twin. It's about physics. But you have been riding a single for years and won't notice any difference. My dealer took the first H-1 that he got (the first one in Washington state) and has over 500 miles on it. If that's not broke in it never will be, He like's it better than his V-2, but then again he's a trail rider and not a speed freak.
Posted by: Catterman
Word is that this is the last year of the AC 650 V2. Therefore I would get the H1. It will be out for a while, has a better tranny, and still a great warrantee. May not be as fast but if you want speed you would look for a sport quad. Good luck rooch.
Posted by: Catterman
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Originally posted by: rooch
Where did you hear that this is the last year for the v2? I thought it was a popular machine and they would want to keep it around for a while?
Well, I made it up. However, it doesn't make sence to have TWO 650's in the line up, espicially when one is from another company.
If you want more info on the H1, head over to Arctic Chat there are a good 5 people or so with the H1 that can handle all your questions.
Posted by: catrep
Difference bewteen V2 and H1 clutch is that the H1 is just like the 400 and 500 in design. The simple why to explain it is that the 400, 500, and H1 have 2 clutches. There is an enternal wet clutch (same clutch as on the man.) to engage engine to trans, and the variable speed clucth. When H1 is idling clutch is NOT turning. At 1300 RPM the wet clutch engage and unit starts to move. The belt clutch never disengages, which means it never slips. The Kawy trany (as well as Polaris) design means when the engine is running the clutch is turning. When you increase RPM the clutch comes together to "grab" the belt to start movement. Imagine if you are stuck in the mud or pulling a heavy load, you are slipping belt everytime you engage clutch. The other diff is that the Duramatic clutch is sealed w/ a snorkel system, and also has a bearing in case cover so clutch is supported on both sides, rather then just being bolted to end of crank shaft. I recently saw an 03 375 (same design) with 14,000 miles on it with orginal belt. Typical should be 8-10,000 miles. (Typical Polaris/ Kaw is about 3-4000 miles.)
H1 also has automatic choke, which is nice if you live in cold climate.
Posted by: Slimegreencat
The H1 is a better machine for work than the V2 and yes the H1 has Arctic cats Duramatic tranny wich is the best auto on the market . From what i have heard the H1 has a much lower low range wich would be nice for pulling and other work . Some people are saying the the H1 really wakes up after it is broken in and will almost keep up to the V2 . Check out http://www.arcticchat.com/ There is alot of guys over there that have the H1's and V2's and even 1 or 2 that have one of each , they should be able to answer all your questions
Posted by: Slimegreencat
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Originally posted by: Andy Bassham
One thing here. How does anyone know all of this info on the H1? Does anyone actually own one? Another thing that got me was the part about after Break-in. How does anyone know what its like after its broken in? Does anyone actually own one, and had it long enough to know this? This seems like a ton of speculation. But like I said before, its going to be a good bike. Just not as fast as a V2, and supposedly less expensive.
Take a look over at Arctic chat , there is alot of guy's that have had H1's for close to a month now and some have logged quite a few miles already
Posted by: CatMan47
You said that you want to use it for farm work. I have an 04 640. Low range is much higher geared than a Grizzly or Polaris. If the H1 transmission is geared low, you may prefer it over the V2 better for lauling heavy loads or pulling trailers.
Posted by: CrashinIt
I HEAR THE h1 IS WAY UNDER POWERED
Posted by: cataway
hay rooch,last saturday i looked at booth side by side road both ,i did not like the vibbration of the h1 the power did not compare it's not the same machine with a differnt engine ,the tires are smaller ,as far as the tranney being bulletprof we havent taken a lot of shotes at it yet,but it is geard way to low to use m
Posted by: IcaughtCatchmeifucan
the H1 is a better machine
Posted by: hammer71
I have an 05 V-2 and love it can't help you with the H-1 have not rode one yet.
Posted by: Chumley
A friend of mine rode the H1 and he said he liked it except for the vibration. I rode a 600 Grizzly and my V2 right after each other and I noticed a ton of difference (vibration wise). Personally I would take any v-twin over a single.
Posted by: thcatboy
i traded my v2 in for a h1 love still love what i did. but it h1 has way more torqure slwoer then my v2 though
