i was all excited when i saw the new cats, as you can see in my other post,
i wanted the 400i 4x4, but then i saw the 400i 4x4 was only in an automatic.....

i dont like automatics.....
but, i want that added clearance and suspension travel, and irs,
does anyone know the travel/clearance on the 400 manual?
and be honest, has anyone ridden both the 400 or 500 2001 or earlier ac auto matics and manuals?
is there a noticable power/acceleration difference?
how reliable is the auto tranny?
because i like the specs on the 400i..................
but i like manual,
and how is the arctic cat, ACT - independant suspension on the 400 / 500 models?

 

Yeah the ground clearance of the 400 shift is 10.2 same as last year. If you really want IRS get the 500i shift and spend more money. The 500 and 400 have all the same specs and the only difference is the price. The auto is very reliable but if you sink it in 4feet of water the tranny is going to slip like the polaris dose.

 

ok, i thought last years clearance was 9.7,
i was fine with last years 400, this years is only better,
so i shouldnt complain,
i think im gonna get the 400 shift,
act independant supposed to be good anyway, ill try to get a test drive, but i doubt they'll let me, since im 16, not 18

 

sorry the ground clearance is 9.2 not 10.2. The New 500 non IRS has 10.2 of ground clearance

 

there is no 2002 400 auto, they're all manuals
there are new 375s that only come in auto though

 

there is no 2002 400 auto, they're all manuals
there are new 375s that only come in auto though

 

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We own a 2001 400 and 500 manual cat. Both are great quads. I won't lie to you so here it goes. The 500 is stronger than the 400. It pulls harder and will out accelerate it by a bit. It is mostly just more torque and easier to get going when it is bogged down. Top speeds are the same. They will ride side by side at top speed of around 52-55 on the speedo's which should be somewhere around 50 mph actual. The 500 will get you in and out of places without much effort. The 400 will too but I find myself using low range a bit more. Our point of origin papers list the 400 at 22 HP and the 500 at 29 HP and 31 ft/lbs of torque. Both quads are great for all of our uses. They work and play well. Very smooth with the semi independent rear suspension. Wish they had adjustments like the new 2002's do.

Dakota R/T

 

thanks,
i think im going to go with the 400i,
id get the 500 irs if i could swing the money, i just might be abel to, you never know,
from wha ive seen of this years 400, the 400i could only be better right/?

 

They all sound pretty good. I was going to get a 400 like my folks but was wooed by the bigger motor. Sounds like when I bought my truck, 318 in a dakota good...360 in a dakota even better! I have not been disappointed with either and I think you will like the 400 or the 500. The new suspension sounds like a great improvement over an already very good system. If you like the sportier ride then get the i with the adjustable preload. That is one area the cats needed some work, very soft ride on the old models. great for slow stuff but I'll post a picture on my home page this weekend of me taking a corner on my 500 and getting on two wheels with tons of body lean! If the new motor tweaks are true for the 500 then it should pick up quit a bit of power and speed if geared correctly and with the new auto being tuned a bit different. Sounds like a good package. My personal opinion...save for the 500. It is worth the extra bucks. You will still love the 400. Good luck!!!