Hey all I am looking at purchasing a new ATV and am currently looking at a 2-up quad.

The two that I am looking at are
2004 Outlander MAX 400 HO XT (yellow)
2004 Artic Cat 500 TRV (red)

Questions

How are the outlanders in Mud and water??
How are the outlanders in power comparisons to 500 quads.

I hear the ride is better than the rest but i dont hear too much about their mud capabilities or there power capabilities.

Your thoughts are appreciated.

 

I am very impressed with my 400HO. I have had excellent response in mud or hills and good speed on the flats. I ride in the desert alot and it climbs awesome. No lack of power at all. The viscolock works great when you get into the soft stuff. Don't know much about the Artic Cat. I looked at buying one and rode one a few times before I bought the Outlander but the suspension was a little too soft for me. I like to be a little agressive on turns and I felt like it might go over on flat ground. Good luck on your descision

 

You might want to read this article. The March issue of ATV-Action has the "Ultimate $6000 4X4 shootout". By the way, the Outlander won. I'm not always sure that there is no bias in this stories. You need to go look closely at both. Check the fit and finnish on each. The 400 HO has enough power to keep up with anything else in its class. This includes 500's. Ride them at the dealer. Then pick the one that makes you happy. Remember that the dealer that you feel will be there when you need something fixed, is probably more inportant than the brand of a new ATV.

 

The 400 Outlander is a great machine, but the Cat does have the 500. I have riden both engines and the 400HO still isn't the same as a 500. The suspension on the Cat (not sure about Outlander) can be adjusted into 5 different settings. If it seems too soft, just adjust it stiffer. He is right, ride BOTH of them at the dealers and pick the best DEALER and the best deal. L8R