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Posted by: essen
I like it when I have my AC 300 4x4 and my Honda 300 4x4 side by side on my trailer. Everywhere I stop people come up to me and ask which one I like better. I tell them to look at both, look at the suspension, and look at all the options. Then I tell them I can ride 5 to 10mph faster on the AC and I am not tired at the end of the day. After they check out both quads they are real impressed with the AC.
Posted by: Andy Bassham
Excellent post DT. Those who own both can make accurate comments on the fine and bad points of each. I got my cat over the Polaris because I figured it would hold up a bit better and be a bit more stable in the steep goings. I will always straight out admit that the Sportsman is the best performing big 4x4 available though. Great power and speed, best ride, great turning, smooth steering, and ungodly in the mud. I wish I had both, but the 2000 Z71 ext. cab takes up all the room for any extra payments. Good post.
Posted by: TxDoc2
I don't think aftermarket companies "hate" AC's. I think they simply have to look at the bottom line. If you make a product and have a potential market that allows you to sell to 500,000 people or 20,000, then you would obviously want to do the former. As more and more AC's are sold and the demand grows, you will see more aftermarket items. When the demand is adequate for a company to feel the risks outweigh the benefits, then items will be made. And, as one company jumps in, others will see a market they think they can compete in, also. So, I think you will see more products. It will just take some more time.
Posted by: BONER
AAAAAMEN!!!!
We have 3 of the largest Honda dealers in america in Louisiana. So, you can guess what I have to put up with. Every time I start to tell someone what I have they don't even let me get pasted "Arc". Then they start to say,"You should have bought a Honda." After they ride with me it is a TOTALLY different story. My cat is basically stock and I give all those Honda owners with lifts and Vamps hell.
Posted by: atving
Well as a owner of both sportsman and AC 500 I must say the AC is a h#ll of a bike. I to prefer it over the Honda with its semi independant suspension, disc brakes all around, 2 to 4 wheel shift lever,the power and water cooling I really think there is no comparison to it on a Honda. The sportsman does pull better than the AC but the sportsman is a little more unstable than AC going up steep stuff do to the height but sure is great in mud and water with the height. In my opinion the AC is the second best bike on the market if they made a locker for it, it would really be close between it and the sportsman in my opinion...half of the people on here that put the AC down have never even rode with one let alone rode one...and where do they get boxy shape, I can tell you one thing the front has the best design for a winch on the market...oh well I guess beauty is in the eyes of the beholder...
Posted by: atving
Yes Andy the Cat is a h#ll of a bike I really don't know where the guys with the hondas have the edge and they get mad when you ask them if the honda is so good why didn't they put a 2 to 4 wheel drive lever, disc brakes, water cooling and a different suspension more like the AC or sportsman, I really would have maybe bought the rubicon if it would have had these features but because it don't and the $7200 price tag I just couldn't see it.
Yes you are right about the stability on steep stuff between the AC and the Polaris I have just learn to use the height to my advantage I have found a lot of places that most people go around I just go over and its not as much a problem as I thought but the Cat does handle them better. I make it back when I go through the mud and crossing water hehehe
Posted by: dustytippins
is it me or does every one except ac owners hate arctic cat most honda owners hate them
aftermarket conpanys hate them for example the honda rancher has only ben out almost 4 months
and they already have a couple companys making pipes for them and arctic cat has ben out since 96 or 97 and we are just now geting aftermarket
products we have one pipe and that is it
I dont know what it is they dont like about them has any of you noticed this or is it just me
Posted by: Tcat
I wouldn't say people around here are prejudice against Arctic Cat, they just have never heard of them making ATV's. People ask me what I ride and they say "a what, the one's that make snowmobiles?" I also get the "You should have bought a Honda!" line. My response is that the comparable Honda cost more and didn't have the features I wanted, then their statement is, "Well, you get what you pay for!" whatever
Quadman400, I guess since you've only been on the forum less than a week, I'll take it easy on you. I guess I'll have to take my 500 back to the dealer and tell them "Well, shucks all this thing can do is pull! and yea it looks like a box, I want a refund!" "And another thing, it's slower than most utilities out there, it'll only do 60!" No, actually I enjoyed reading your post, very entertaining!
Actual AC owners know what our machines will do, and that's what counts.
Posted by: quadfan
Hey quadman have you ever noticed who makes the engines for polaris? have you ever heard of Fuji?
So i guess you ride a Fuji 400?
Posted by: Tim1
I been watching some snow cross races on tv and it seem the only front sleds are always Ski-Doo and Artic Cat .I have read the Zl 500 is the top 500 class machine of the year.I think AC snow machine reputation would only help there ATV sales.
Posted by: 96Cobra
Looks like you AC guys are getting some crap like we Polaris owners have been putting up with for years. Don't take it personally, and besides, I like being the underdog. 'Cause it makes the others look really bad when they say your machine is crap, and you turn around and show them up. Have fun and be safe,
Posted by: bas44
I'm the only one I know who has an AC 4x4, but I know some Yamaha and Polaris guys who looked a bit jealous when the saw my machine up close. I bought a 2000 AC500 4x4 and I love it. Awsome power, great looks, built solid. I think it's all a matter of preference, each machine has it's strengths and weaknesses, no one "has it all". I say have fun on whatever you ride!
Posted by: BigCatDriver
Dusty,
I too have noticed, but feel knowing that ArcticCat is still considred a new Kid on the Block I see there point in not putting the money into the design of the aftermarket equip. Also ArcticCats are also built for one thing....AWSOMENESS...I looked at every quad in the 2000 line up from each company in the 400-600 class, test drove them, even took a few home on the weekends to ride but after drivin the 500 'Cat I felt that their design and power were the best on the planet.
I use my 500 'Cat each day for work and feel that their is no better workhorse on the planet.
For Rec use it has put a 500 polaris magnum and eaten alive a 2000 600 grizz in the woods. I feel that the ArcticCats are the best and im happy to show it off too.
chuck
2000 500 ArcticCat, Warn A2500 and soon to have 27" 'Vamps
Posted by: sledder
Alot of people don't like Ac quads because of Arctic Cats reputation with snowmachines. They have had alot of problems with their MTN sleds. I think if I was in the market for another quad I would have to consider AC.
Posted by: Quadman4oo
Tell you what I don't like arctic cat atvs that much either. All they can do is pull. They are slower than most utilities, look like a box, and have just never appealed for me. If you need something that will pull you out you need a Polaris!! They make the best utilities and have been around much longer. Why are they even called arctic cats?? For those of you who don't know the powerplant on everything arctic cat makes is a Suzuki!!
Posted by: Quadman4oo
"Its not what you ride but that you ride"
Posted by: TheRetreaver
Seems to me that anyone that rides an Arctic Cat shouldn't worry what anyone else thinks, because we know which Atv is the best and they will relize that when they ride with you. I've made some AC beleavers recently and they were Polarise And Honda riders.
