Pages: 1
Posted by: dbeck
I drove the Prowler yesterday at the Arctic Cat press ride. The Prowler has the H1 engine which is made by Arctic Cat. On the dash you'll find a button to shift in and out of 4-wheel drive along with a lever to lock the front differential. Up front, under the hood, is a massive storage area.
The Prowler has plenty of power and handles very well. I had it whipping through tight twisty trails in a heavily forrested area and unlike some of the other side-by-sides I wasn't worried about clipping low hanging branches. The Prowler is the perfect size for the trails.
The Prowler also has rack and pinion steering which makes turning a breeze. Even with the front differential locked it didn't turn overly hard. I thought the steering wheel was a little on the small size, from a purely ergonomic standpoint, but that is probably because we're so used to an automobile steering wheel which feels larger.
The rear box has a gas shock assist for tilting the box and an electric assist will be available later.
I'll write more of a review when I publish my story on ATV Connection Magazine
Posted by: bfb750BF
I see a shoot-out between the 650 Prowler & the Rhino660 which I hear will be a 700efi Rhino IN '07. Style wise, I prefer the CAT look.
Hopefully the aftermarket companies will jump on the band wagon & produce & offer a bunch of neat add-on goodies, like they do for the Rhino.
Posted by: bfb750BF
The sidexsides are the hot item right now & Cat got into just at the right time.
On our trip to the Colorado Rockies just this Last mid-July, we spotted 4 different Rhinos out on these roads & trails.
Posted by: Bear4570
Well I swung by the local Cat dealer today on a petition pickup and thay had a Prowler. Went out and sat in it. I alway thought my Cat was big. Now I know better. In another life I owned and drove one of the first Honda cars imported to this country. An N600, 600cc Twin, single carb motorcycle engine with 5 speed front wheel drive. The Prowler feels bigger than it did, it's wider and taller for sure, and I'm sure the Prowler would out preform it too.
Posted by: Catterman
They do look nice, I don't know if I am ready for a side by side yet.
Arctic Cat is having good luck on their H1 motors so far too. Another good sign.
Posted by: Catterman
It is funny, the Prowler would be a LOT more useful for me, however I am still not ready to make the move to a side x side... I have NO idea why either!!!!
Posted by: Catterman
Well weez, can't say I have ever driven one. Was at a Yamaha dealership but they did't let me take the Rhino out. Probably knew I wasn't going to buy!
Posted by: Catterman
Thanks dbeck, I look forward to reading your article.
Posted by: Catterman
Glad you like it donal, you are the first person "I know" that has one! Keep us updated with how it works for you!
Posted by: Catterman
Quote
Originally posted by: ThePhantomRider
I'm selling my golf cart and buggy for one for the wife so she can go where she wants and not have to run a big buggy that doesn't get used nearly enough. The Prowler will get us to the hill at Gordons Well, and serve duty out at the river as our transportation.
TPR
TPR, are you going to get some golf care wheels for it so you can still take it on the course??? That would make for one fast round of golf
Posted by: 700vtwinman
WOW.....the new prowler 650 side by side is the best looking one on the market. I can't wait until they hit the show room floors. Might have to get one????? Looks like it has the ability of the rhino and the utility of a mule or ranger.
Posted by: 700vtwinman
Glad to hear the H1 is doing good. Maybe arctic cat will eventually produce all their own motors. That way they are not dependent on anyone else.
Posted by: Rusroc
Donal, If you don't mind me asking. What price did you get on the Prowler?
Posted by: Rusroc
Thanks for the infomation
Posted by: weez440
arctic cat has been extremely good about coming out with aftermarket accessories for their atv's i am sure speedwerks will come out with some performance enhancements as well as dynatek and with arctics other accessories it should all be good.
Posted by: weez440
have you ever driven one catter? i have drive the ranger and the rhino (patiently waiting to drive the prowler) and the rhino was a blast to drive handles very well. the ranger handles like a lumber wagon cause well it is designed more for work and not play.
Posted by: BKrukow
I have wanted a Rihno for a while now but my local Dealer that carries both yamaha and artic cat has never bothered to get a rihno on the flore. Just today I was driving buy there and seen a Prowler sitting in the front lawn. I had to stop and look at it. I have to say judging buy looking at it verses the Rihno it appears to be a better built machine and WAY better looking. I will definatly be looking at these when the time comes to get one. Now I just need to convinse my wife that I need one of those and a new Polaris Outlaw for the trails. Does anyone know what the top speed is on the Prowler?
Posted by: donal
Had to put money down on a a/c green one for my wifes birthday... Could not pass up the price the cat dealer made me!!!
Posted by: donal
$8,800 is what my local dealer is selling them for.... Thats what I paid.... I called 8 other A/C dealers and they would not budge off of the $9,500 retail.
Posted by: donal
Speedwerks has had a Prowler for about two weeks. Pipes, cams , head work , clutching , bigbore kits, air intakes, and other goodies are in the works.
Posted by: donal
Arctic Cat Rep said that 70% of the Prowlers have been sold or pre sold!!!! If this is true....
Posted by: donal
Will have a full ride report friday evening. Going out to put some miles on this thing tomorrow.
Posted by: donal
Wife and I put 34 miles on this afternoon Handles awsome , suspension took every thing that I threw at it. Very comfy even for a 6' 3" tall and 270 pounder. From fast gravel roads to low-range diff-lock rock crawling, this thing does it all.. The only thing that I am going to improve is the tailgate that rattles a bit. Eather ajust the latch or add two small pieces of camper foam tape where the latches meet. Oh , the wife thinks its a awsome toy.
Posted by: donal
50mph in stock form....
Posted by: DeeDawg
QUOTE from 700vtwinman: Maybe arctic cat will eventually produce all their own motors.
AC just opened a new engine plant in Minnesota, so I think eventually they will. Hopefully this will encourage other manufacturers to do the same.
Posted by: TPR
I'm selling my golf cart and buggy for one for the wife so she can go where she wants and not have to run a big buggy that doesn't get used nearly enough. The Prowler will get us to the hill at Gordons Well, and serve duty out at the river as our transportation.
TPR
Posted by: TPR
Never!!!! LOL, my cart already has 23" 489's on it so it will never see course duty....then again, I can go the ghetto route and get a set of Dub spinners on the Prowler....wait, I don't want to give any rap stars any ideas...LOL
TPR
Posted by: janadoln
I have had a Prowler on loan from Arctic Cat for a week now. It was one of the original 30 vehicles they had build for Engineering Confirmation. I was able to submerge it in water, flip it on its side, and do 50 MPH. The thing can handle everthing (except running under water).
Arctic Cat has done an excellent job if the breather is to take on water. There is plenty of back-up systems to ensure water doesn't enter the airbox on the top of the engine (under the center councel). When I took on water, we pulled it out of the pond, dried the batter and electrical connections and it started right back up. As for the roll cage, it is worth it! The plastic is very plyable and didn't crack or break.
This Cat even has a automotive style Steering Shaft Slip Joint (NO WELDS TO BREAK!!!) to allow the shaft to stroke when the front suspension travels. This help elimate feeback to the driver. The Steering Shaft is at a low angle as compared to the Rhino to elimate variable efforts while turning. It keeps it consistant and smooth through its turning operations.
