Hi there.. Very, very new to ATVs but I am thinking very seriously of taking the plunge. Our primary use will be in the utility mode around our 20 acres but I figured a bit of fun would be OK also. We live along a 1/2 mile sandy road that would also afford some cruising around. I went to our local dealer ( Yamaha and Arctic Cat ) and picked up the printed material and when the wife and I got to the page with the TRV she said that looks like what she would like. Something we could ride together.

I am not really conceerned with the safety aspect unless it is dangerous on a flat piece of ground. We don't have rocks to climb or streams to navigate. Just 20 acres of mostly cleared land (when I am done clearing) and the road. What I am concerned about is overall opinion of Artic Cat's dependability, good points, bad points, and thoughts on 2 rider ATVs in general. I understand I will have to threaten the kids with more harm than a wreak if I see them abusing it with 2 riders. BTW, kids are grown (in age) and gone so it's just visits for them.

Finally, I went to another dealer today while in Tampa on business and he had one on the floor. I asked him what his best OTD price was and he very quickly came up with:

$6581
461 Tax
250 freight/Prep
65 Title
138 winch

$7495 Total OTD.

Any thoughts on this price? I hate that there are no prices on AC's website.

GS

 

GS

Dealer invoice is $6326. Got it from a web service. I am also interested in the TRV. Thinking of going with the Lime Green since my wife thinks it looks different.

DS
Colorado

 

GS

I,m new to this forum as well, but I have been reading the posts for some time. I just never bothered to figure out how to use this blasted computer to respond to postings. I purchased a TRV (500i) in May for my wife [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] and she was nice enough to allow me to get a 400 manual. Both are excellent machines she likes her TRV and I like my 400. When she and I ride around on the hills on the TRV with out the kids, I barely realize she is back there! The FIS suspension is excellent.

As far as dependability goes. I live on an island with 750miles of ocean between me and the nearest AC dealer. I have almost 900miles on each machine and all I needed to do was change the oil (go with synthetic after the breakin perod). My machines are all stock and I haven't changed the tires out, or done any other modifications and I haven't had any problems. I am not into going and playing hard and if you don't break something you ain't trying hard enough. But, we do go and do some serious playing. Like the 300mile 5 day hunting/camping trip. Lots of fun and nothing broke. I purchased mine for $5800 OTD including the 2500# winch installed. I have a written agreement with that dealer to ship oil change kits, parts (if needed) and accessories to my door free of charge! So make sure you have a great dealer not just a good one. They even call me! about once a month to see if everything is working and to see if I need anything!

The only thing I wish it had was a light on the handle bars to make night driving easier. Aluminum skid plates and CV-boot protectors would also be nice. The plastic they surrently used is lighter but I'm not sure about stronger. Also could use some improvments protecting the oil-cooler and radiator from sticks.


I didn't like the fact that AC didn't have the prices posted either but I looked around and found a good deal. While the other ATV's prices all stayed the same and were posted on their websites. So maybe they do it to give the dealers more freedom in pricing. You might also want to look into buying more than one machine. I got a rather large discount on each of my machines by buying two. But I was only able to do it becasue the boss lady approved!

Either way, good luck in your searches and future purchases. Hope this helps.

 

[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]Hey SJ, Welcome to the forum,& hope you post often & tell us of your adventures in God's
country. Glad to hear your views on the Artic Cats, especially the TRV. I'm going to give the new AC 650's a good looking at for my next ATV. Got to get my Alaska map out & find Sand Point, it sounds interesting. Hope to hear from you again, if you have trouble or need help on this forum ,just ask,& i bet you get it. Regards & Happy Trails, Jerico1

 

We've had our TRV since April 03 and the wife and I both love it. Its geared for the additional weight of two riders which is a big difference from out Polaris 500 sportsman that we previously rode 2up. Since the TRV the wife has quit riding her own ATV and we have ridden X-treme mountain and other rough terrrain in addition to casual trail and road rides. The TRV turns easier and the suspension is correct for two riders. I made my own MRP rack (see my page) to plug in accessories. We've now traded off the wifes ATV and the 500 Polaris is just collecting dust. After 400 miles this summer and many of those in very difficult terrain - we have no regrets with it.

We paid $6150 with installed Warn3000 + tax to get OTD.

 

Mine was $6,499 plus tax. Winch was $69 and machine came with free 2 year warranty. We have really enjoyed it and have 108 miles on it so far with no problems. As our engine broke in the RPM at idle rose enough that we had to back it down so it shifted properly has been our only adjustment to it. I am interested to hear about you folks who ride in altitude if you rejet or do anything with your clutch. We plan on riding in Colorado on vacations. We are going Monday to the Badlands in Attica Indiana to play!

 

We have a couple of hundred mi on our trv. A lot of heat comes up from the motor and the foot brake is
worthless. The hand brake is topnotch. The suspension is fantastic - we call it the plushmobile.
We ride in TN. and Fl. Where are you in Fl.? Im just north of Tampa. Anybody know of upgrades
available for foot brake and motor-muffler vibration?

 

Check out www.atvprice.com & for $10 you can get the dealer invoice on just about any ATV including the Arctic Cats. I went to this page & got the dealer cost vs MSRP for the '04 Cat 650.