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Posted by: Andy Bassham
Everything will have some problems, because there are people who tear there stuff up quicker in every forum. Also, there are always quads that are just born losers as well- meaning lemons or moderate lemons. If you want the lowdown, Honda makes the longest lasting and toughest engine period. Not from just reading, but from personal witness of longevity of tons of them since 1984. Nothing is better than a honda engine. Bar none. I haven't had any troubles with my Arctic Cat. Though there are things that I like better about other quads, I have never found enough like or dislike to warrant myself to trade mine for a different machine. For me, the overall picture adds up to the same thing I have. If you don't want the same as the others, (which was me 2 years ago), get an AC, Suzuki, or even a Yamaha. All are good. Obviously I prefer what I have over the others, but thats one person's opinion. Arctic Cats can usually be found for good prices too, basically because they aren't as popular being new to the game. I have owned hondas, and been around them since the 1984 TRX 200 that a friend had for years with no trouble, and I when I was looking for a new one, I really considered the 450. Then I looked real hard at the AC500 and rode it. Suspension was better than the honda, stability was better, power and speed was better, it looked just as tough, looked meaner as far as the racks and bumper went, and after that, I couldnt see the point in paying more for the honda. I would do the same if I had it to do over again, only I prefer the 99 graphics to the 2000 models.
Posted by: Andy Bassham
Any quad with long travel suspension will have some body roll. Basically what happened here was an Atv magazine reviewed the AC and said it had a lot of body roll. Then, everone who never rode one ran that into the ground based on what they read. The same thing happened to the Sportsman when a magazine said the shifter linkage comes out of adjustment all the time. I'm sure it does, but I doubt it happens as often as some people like to think. The latest was how the Rancher with its new differential was real bad about pushing in turns. This again was from a magazine review and people beat it into the ground just looking for a bad point on a new quad.
Posted by: Andy Bassham
That being said, tell me about the tremendous body roll on your Arctic Cat.
Posted by: Andy Bassham
Hey Boner, I finally got to use a GPS today to see what kind of speed readings I would get with the big Claws on. Its hard to tell, because the GPS updates every second or so, but if you are at a steady speed, it will only change the tenths (45.6- 46.2 and stuff like that). Out on flat pavement, I topped out at 52mph. Going on a downgrade (not major steep or anything) on dirt, it got up to 57mph and hit 58 right about time I had to slow down for a curve. I checked it in my truck and found about a half mph difference in the speedometer and GPS. How accurate it is, I don't know, but it was kind of fun to do. I don't see where the tires really cut into the top speed much at all. One thing I did find out was that with the big tires, the speedometer on the AC is just about right on with the GPS. I actually know about how fast I'm going now by the speedometer which actually lies with stock tires.
Posted by: BONER
If you ask me those other companies have just as much trouble(maybe honda has ALITTLE LESS, MAYBE MORE). If you go to the honda or polaris forum and post a question like was posted here i'm willing to bet you will get even more stories like you heard here, but only about that brand.
Posted by: BONER
Andy,
The rancher DOES actually push REALY BAD. I have rode one and found that out on the first turn. It will barely turn in very slopy mud with the throttle on. Let off the throttle and it starts to turn, but otherwise it wants to go struaight.
Posted by: BONER
When riding VERY aggressive (taking turns at 40 mph) I notice the body roll alittle, but tremendous is WAY over doing it. I actually use the body roll of my Cat to do tricks. Go threw a "long 9o degree turn" at 35 mph aand put all your weight on the outside of the turn and you can pick up the front inside wheel when getting back on the throttle.
Now my buddy who owns a 450 rode my cat and after the first hard turn decided he wanted his 450 back. He said he hated the body roll.
So I guess it depends who you ask.
Posted by: xepathfinder
I don't know anyone who has much trouble with AC. all quads break, I was just at the local Arctic Cat , Kawasaki, Honda place and was out back, there were allot of torn apart Hondas the Ranchers, and Foremans mostly, I said to the mechanic I thought Honda's never breakdown, he laughed at me and said yeah right! He told me they are no better than AC or Kawasaki.
Posted by: xepathfinder
I have never heard of any body roll from the AC owners I know.
Posted by: Hermz
all i know is the body roll is pretty nasty, and i have to agree, they are pretty ugly.
Posted by: snowshark
I think the problem with Artic Cat is they don't get enough attention in the magazines. I purchased my quads in March of this year but never really considered Arctic Cat, because I didn't know anything about them. The magazines very rarely do a shoot out involving them.
It has been proven that advertising does help sales.
Just an observation.
Posted by: BEARTACKER_250
every atv has there bad spots, i am sure that ac will last longer than other Manufacturer on the atv that are on the market. but it may depend how you ride see my dad bought him a yamaha big bear 350 that is comeing on two years. there has never been any thing wronge with it. Maybe he does no ride it alot in the summer. when winter comes around he use it for traping. But a half year later i got a 250 Beartracker. i has easy on it when i first but not now its still good
Posted by: sxr6
The factors causing a little body roll are the same one that give supier traction! The ability of the rear axle to flex to conform to terrian causes this, you can't have both.
Posted by: lrichard
I own a 1998 500 Cat and never had a lick of problems with the machine. It has been a great machine all the power I will ever need and very dependable. If you drive different machines you will see that it is a very sturdy machine also. It doesn't have all the fancy electric stuff, but all that is is future problems and expences. Its a very good work machine and it will play too. I am one very satisfied customer. Good luck with your decision.
Posted by: lrichard
I don't know where you get your information, but I've been riding a Cat for 2 years now and I don't have hardly any body role. Do you own one? Have you driven in all types of terrain with one? Be honest now! I have 2 buddies that have one too and they said they never had no problems with body role. Now this is info straight from the horses mouth.
Posted by: lrichard
4MAN2K, could you please tell us what qualifies a utility quad to be ugly or nice looking? Is this your opinion or what. Are they supposed to be sporty looking? Are you qualified to give us that info? Is that the reason you buy a good quad because they are pretty?
Posted by: Danfcarey
NOTE FROM ATVBBS:
No duplicate posts, please.
atvbbs
Posted by: USMale
Hello...I'm looking to buy a new Arctic Cat 500...But now after reading some of the troubles that some of you have had with yours I just don't know....Is the quality just not there yet or what?....Most people I know own a Honda or a Polaris....I want something else....A/C sounds like it could be a great machine.....Thanks.
Posted by: USMale
Thanks guy's for all your help....I'm going for the A/C 500 auto now....Now for the next question...Can you get a locker yet for true 4-wheel drive on the A/C's?.Second....I know this question is old hat for most of you...But what kind of oil do you run in your Cat's?.....A friend of mine runs AMSoil in his machine....He says it's higher than a cat's back to buy but it's works great for him.....Happy 4th guy's....And May God Bless America!!!
Posted by: 4man2k
They are the Ugliest quad i have ever Seen.
Posted by: 4man2k
If you want the ugliest quad on the market get the AC, but i heard that they perform very well. If you want something other than honda or polaris the ac would be a good choice!!
Posted by: 4man2k
What the hell are u talkin about! I think they are ugly, Do you think the are nice looking compared to the other Utility Quads body style. My brother has one and he said it runs great, and i saw it in person and i think they are Fu*kin ugly. What is you onpinon? That was mine.
Posted by: IceMan49
I have a 1998 5 speed and it is a great machine. I would not recommend the Automatic yes because I don't care for the belt drive.I think that the new Honda Rubicon has the best Automatic Tranny but for my money I'll stick with my Arctic cat.
