I bought my 99 AC 500 from my local Honda/AC dealer and asked them countless questions comparing the two (AC500 vs Honda 450) as far as reliability, etc. They said that they first year of AC454's did have a problem with fouling plugs, but that was fixed by the next model year (1997-98) They even described the Arctic Cat as "Honda-like" in terms of reliability. I started looking at features for price and decided that the AC500 was the better deal for me. The semi-independent suspension on the AC really does work well...the Honda is too tight to articulate well. The AC has much more torque than the 450. It was much easier to compare when I could hop on one, then the other and look at the price tags too!
The two major things you need to look at comparing the Honda to the AC is first of all RESALE VALUE! The Honda will hold it's value better, hands down, because it has Honda's reputation. The other is the heel-toe shifter on the AC. I got used to it quickly, and really prefer it now, but you may not. The AC now has the option of an auto tranny, but I might wait until the second year production of something like that, till they get the bugs out!
I made the best choice for me, but good luck to you, you can't go wrong either way!
I was in the same place as you, I couldn't decide. At first I was all Honda, because that is the only type of quad my family had ever owned. After do 3 years of research( thats how long it took me to save up the money) and after looking at the prices I decided on the Arctic Cat 500. I can tell you one thing, it only took me 3 hours to get used to the rocker shifter. (I let a freind ride my 500, he has since then switched to a rocker shifter on his Honda 300) After I bought my 500 I went to my uncles house. He has always love Honda, to hi every thing else is junk. Well after one short ride, he told me that If he could get $3500 for his 93" Honda 350 he would buy one like mine.
He is a comparison for you:
Arctic Cat: Way better suspension, Bigger better tires, liquid cooled, floorboards, way bigger rack capacities (100 f, 200 r), cheaper (for me it was cheaper), More torque than a Grizzly much less a 450, 493cc : 433(?)cc motor, better brakes, better front differential, something that your freinds don't have, and dual range tranny
Honda: better looking (gota love that yellow), unquestionable reliability, way more aftermarket stuff, better lights, better speedometer, and better front boot guards.
Here are some numbers I got from Dynojet.com:
ALL ARE STOCK NUMBERS TAKEN AT THE REAR WHEELS
Honda 450: 11.9hp
Polaris 335: 13.6hp
*Suzuki 500 4x4: 16.8hp
*= Same motor As Arctic Cat 500 except the Arctic Cat 500 has more commpression, which could yeild more hp/torque
Seems to be some descrepancy in numbers here. My local Honda dealer tells me the horsepower rating on the 2000 450 is about 25hp and the torque is also higher than the Griz. Don't forget now Honda has always been known for getting the max from their small cc engines without sacrifising reliability, just look at their cars.
I don't have a dog in this fight, BigRed450, but a distinction exists between engine horsepower and measured rear wheel horsepower.
Conceivably, your 450's engine produces 25 hp, mounted bare on a test stand and connected directly to a dyno.
Install the engine in a quad, connect the transmission, power divider, rear end gears and front differential, and set the rubber-tired wheels on the dyno's steel rollers; then read the meter: expect a lower figure than the engine produced alone.
The main value of dyno testing is COMPARATIVE values; i.e., "before" and "after," or in comparing one ATV to others under the same test conditions, as the relative figures posted on the topic indicate. The ABSOLUTE values appear useful mostly for "discussions," like this one!
Tree Farmer
[This message has been edited by Tree Farmer (edited 10-03-1999).]
I was going thru the same decision's a month ago. I never had an ATV before but I wanted one for this years hunting season. I looked at all the models on the market. I read all the articles and forums in the ATV Connection and got some "REAL GOOD" feedback from the members. I finally decided on the AC500 and don't regret it a bit. If I can't go around it, I go thru it. If I can't go thru it, I go over it. I've only gotten stuck once. I was straddled over a downed tree that was a little bigger than my ground clearance. A quick connection to a nearby tree with my Warn Winch and I was out of there.
[This message has been edited by whitetail (edited 10-05-1999).]
[This message has been edited by whitetail (edited 10-05-1999).]
Tree farmer is right on his horsepower stuff. He seems to have a talent for understanding and explaining technical things of this sort. Rear wheel hp is really all that counts. Thats why racing bikes are chain driven, they get more power to the rear wheels than a shaft. As far as engine horsepower goes, the statement of origin on my 99 AC 500 shows 29.5 horsepower. If you want to get down to it, the AC 500 is definitely a more powerfull engine than the 450 honda. I won't ever make that statement about the Rubicon when it arrives though. That thing will be the new benchmark for which all quads are measured I believe. Anyway, people will promote what they like best and arguements over which is better will always go unresolved, because it is seldom that one person can change another person's mind for them. Thats why folks need to just get what they like best for themselves. Don't listen to other peoples opinions that much, just get info from their experiences. There are plenty of people who have had numerous problems with their bikes, but if asked, they would say that they would get the same thing. I prefer my AC, but I think the Foreman is an unbelievable bike. I will say that I think the AC has Honda like reliability, but calling it better by any means is far too great of a compliment. The AC is built good, but they will have to prove themselves for another 10 years to have a legitimate shot at the reliability title. Honda didn't get that reputation overnight.
Well said Andy, I just wanted to mention that I have a 450ES and I can not think of a time that I needed more power. I have had it buried im mud, which to me is the most strenuous terrain, and it always has plenty of power to spin the tires enough to keep them clean with two people on it. I also like the Artic Cat, but I like the digital display on the Honda and LOVE the electric shift, especially in water and mud.
Thanks Tree Farmer for the info. I didn't realize that the factory HP specs for the ATV's were right off the engines rather then from the engine and drive train. I assumed the published HP's and Torque's were off the wheels. PS any particular reason why there is such a difference in HP ratings on the 450 ,
