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Posted by: Smokinthebear
The 500 is quite adequate but the H1 is all over top of it in sheer power, but the 500 has enough to do anything you want it to do. I would stay away from the v-twin as the kawi belt is just not in the same league as the duramatic is.
Posted by: WhoDatInDaMud
My 500 weighs in at way over 900 pounds with all the gear and add-on MRP rackage. The wife and I will add another 400 pounds to that. It has enough power to climb a tree. We ride in challenging terrain and on the edge of mountain trails that would make many riders cry. I have seen different tires make a difference in handling but for low speed trail riding the stock tires are impressive enough for traction. In fact I've gone places where quads with 589's have put CHAINS on to go where I went with my stock carlisle tires. There is no perfect tread or tire outside of rigging for a specific use. Its all variables in real life as the seasons change from spring mud to dry summer sand and then wet leaves and then snow. At least thats the cycle here. Sounds like I'd have to have 4 sets of tires to have the "right" ones.
Posted by: xploridaho
I'm 265 and the 500 has plenty of power to haul me and the old lady around. We ride some pretty nasty trails with no power issue. The only thing I changed was to put on BearClaw tires. Much better than the stock badlands.
Posted by: swampyjunior
I think it is the added weight of larger tires that contribute to wear and tear on the machine. I spent some time measuring the actual size of tires prior to purchasing my first set of 26 inch mudlites. I discovered that with about 5 psi the 26 inch mudlites were about 1/4inch larger that the stock tires at the same psi. I found myself always changing the psi depending on terrain and traction anyway. Now I never checked the weight, but I assume the 26inch mudlites weighed more than the 25inch stock tires. These tires were excellent, until they met an early demise when some moron decided to take a knife to the sidewalls of my tires on both machines.
I have since purchased a new set of 26inch mudlites and I am looking for a different tire for the TRV that has stiffer sidewalls because of the amount of towing I do with it. I have a custom tandem axle trailer that is large enough that it has been used to rescue a few ATV's that have died along the trail. Stock tires towed it very well except every now and then I would just spin all 4 right in trying to move the trailer. When I put the mudlites on the TRV you barely new the trailer was there.
The 500 will carry much more weight than it is rated for. But, make sure if you do, you look at where you plan to go and what you plan to do, so it can still be done safely. I think the weight limits they put on them are way conservative for a safety reason. (and due to the sue happy nature of society today you can't blame them)
SJ
Posted by: Bear4570
I'm old and go 285# plus at least 40# of gear (sometime as much as 200# if overnight and hunting trips) when I ride my 2005 400 manual and it just isn't a problem. I'm a trail rider too, I haven't been on sand in 30 years and don't plan to either. I have a buddy who rides a 400 auto and he makes both of us look small, 6'6" and 365 pounds, he also has no problems. If you are not into go fast, either the 400 or 500 will be fine. I know my 2005 400 tops out at 54mph on the speedo and 52 on the GPS because I wanted to know. But I hit 50+ mph about once ever couple a months on some logging roads into where we ride once in awhile. Otherwise third gear is as high as I get in High range (30mph) and 5th in Low range (22mph) an usually only on roads, trails much slower. A big engine is not the way to fun, just higher fuel costs. Never had a bigger engine machine go somewhere I couldn't on trails. Yes, the 400 and 500 have Suzuki's tried and tested engines and they have a lot less problem than the stump pullers. Oh yeah, the bigger engines don't up the towing capacity any either, 1050 lbs for the 400 on up.
Posted by: Bear4570
Oversized tires (larger than stock diameters) equal less reliablity and preformance. Every time and forever with the limited horsepower available with a quad engine. These do not have the excess power like cars and trucks do (just how often have you ever driven your car at WOT to it's max available speed? I have, but then I've had a lot of hours in the 120 to 160mph zone) and bigger tires change your final drive ratio for the worse and stress the drive train. Go wider and more aggressive tread pattern if you will, but don't go bigger than stock diameter.
Posted by: Maule180C
I have a 2005 500 4x4 Auto and use it for the woods, mud, and now snow, with a little towing, winching, and plowing. I'm about 200 pounds, but with the 60" Moose plow raised (made of 11 gauge steel), the total is about 320 pounds. The Suzuki 500 has no problem with the weight. The 650's don't seem to have a terribly good reputation (frames, belts,...), so you might as well save the money.
But... if you're going to have 300+ pounds and be playing in the mud, you really need to replace the stock tires with something like ITP 589's, Mudlite's, or equivalent, and probably consider 27" size. You won't come close to realizing the potential of the machine without better tires. The stock steel rims are fine (it's actually amazing how light they really are), but if you want to keep throwing money at it, get fancier rims.
On the 500 Auto, there is a modification to clutch weights and a spring that can give you more low end oomph. I haven't done it, but the instructions are buried in here somewhere.
Posted by: Hoopie
the 500 has more than enough power to haul you on it. I have the 500 manual ands it has more pulling power than i will ever need and the 500's are more reliable than either of the 650's. Thats important to me. They use the 500 engine for the TRV (two up model) and it hauls two people just fine. I rode with a guy with the trv and he had his wife on the back, both were bigger people. problably 500lbs total and the 500 trv had no problems going anywhere.
Posted by: Hoopie
No matter what replace the stock tires. I put on mudlight xtr's with itp type 7 rims at 26in. I dont see any good reason to go bigger than a 26 inch tire. replacing the tires seriously made the vehicle twice as good as what it is stock with the itp radials mudlights xtr's
Posted by: Hoopie
whodatindamud,
i wish i was near you so i could let you try the xtr radials. the tire works great in all conditions. its the only tire you will need. Im sure anyone else who has tried them will tell you the same thing especially in stock size tire. you go bigger and they get wider and to heavy for all uses.
Posted by: CJB430
I have the 500 TRV in a 05. I am 6'4 and 300. this machine can pull me and my wife at 55 mph. A 500 will give you no trouble with power.
Posted by: oper2nyst
im 205 and i haul my miller gen/welder [about 325 w/gas,20# more in rod and misc on my 400 tbx, not even close to making it sweat..... so a 500 will be swell
Posted by: sc0ttL
I have done a lot of research and have narrowed my next atv purchase down to the 500 4x4 auto. I am a little concerned about my size and how well this particular model will perform with me on it. I am 6'6" and I weigh 315 lbs. I am not looking to race the 500. I will use mainly for riding in the woods, trails, and mud. I will also use it for towing. From what I have read, this model has the Suzuki engine. Is this correct?
Thanks in advance for your replies.
Posted by: wayout
Quote
Originally posted by: Smokinthebear
The 500 is quite adequate but the H1 is all over top of it in sheer power, but the 500 has enough to do anything you want it to do. I would stay away from the v-twin as the kawi belt is just not in the same league as the duramatic is.
amen,you got that right.............the belt??
Posted by: wayout
Quote
Originally posted by: Bear4570
Oversized tires (larger than stock diameters) equal less reliablity and preformance. Every time and forever with the limited horsepower available with a quad engine. These do not have the excess power like cars and trucks do (just how often have you ever driven your car at WOT to it's max available speed? I have, but then I've had a lot of hours in the 120 to 160mph zone) and bigger tires change your final drive ratio for the worse and stress the drive train. Go wider and more aggressive tread pattern if you will, but don't go bigger than stock diameter.
guys listen to him,because he knows exactly whats he's talking about,bigger tires do nothing but cause you headaches on down the road...............................
Posted by: v2rider
Personally I think the 500 is sufficient but I test drove the 500 and then the 650V2 and there is a remarkable difference in power. I think you would be happier with the V2.
2006 AC 650V2 stock
Posted by: v2rider
I will say one thing about the Cat. I was out with 5 polaris, and 1 grizzly, we were on plowed fields with about 6 in of snow and Everyone of the atvs got stuck at least once. Everyone except the AC. I changed the mind of one grizzly rider to consider a 650V2 like mine!
2006 AC 650V2
Posted by: Muddedprairie
Guys,
I have a 500.. That is far from stk..Bigger tires.. Lift kit.. Motor work.. Piped/camed/clutched/locked frt end (650diff) and let me tell you with the add ons i have on it... I can wheelie it..(i'm not a wheelie person) But with all the weight i have on it... It's pretty impressive.... I also have a duel wheel kit for it... I put my bike to the limits... (ask Hoopie) will tell you.... And it still goes for me... My 03-only has 606 miles on it.. But i take real good care of it.... It has been a great bike for me.....
http://photos.yahoo.com/slazman23
Mark
