Looking for new atv, my foreman 400 crapped out. Decided to get a Cat, and looking for information comparing the 650 and 500 duramatic transmission, and keep in mind i know very little about autos. I do zero trail riding and will never get it in water. The machine will be used for farm work, primarily scouting fields, pulling a 50 gal sprayer, and the occational trailer weighing around 800 lbs. loaded. Mostly concerned with all the starting and stopping associated with farm use, and was told the duramatic would be better because the belt is always engaged, where with the 650 it isn't (no idea if that is true or not). I road an older manual the dealer had it was nice but i would rather not have to shift, and he swore the auto would hold up for what i was doing ( he may have just said this because he hasn't ordered a manual for two years). I would like to get the 650 but if the 500 tranny would hold up better i will get that. Any info or opinions would be greatly appreciated.

 

both belt drives are good, but the drive on the 500 is better than the 650. The 400 and 500 belt drive is pretty much the same system that yamaha uses. The 650, being a kawasaki built engine, is the kawasaki belt system

 

Whats up. My 500 tranny has been great no belt problems what so ever and i have put it through its pace even hauling loads of gravel and dirt in a 4'-5' box trailer. the 650 tranny is ok but I am not to sure about the belt it takes the same belt as the kawi 700. but I thing you have to ajust it every once in awhile the 500 is always engaged. Besides the towing is the same for the 500 and 650. no matter what you go with the Cat be one hard reliable worker.

 

The 500 trans is better for working, but I dought you'd have a to many problems with the 650. If you do you just rplace and adjust the belt. The 650 does have a front diff lock, which would be very nice but other than that and more power to spin the tires I don't think it has any advantage over the 500. For farm work I'd get the cheaper 500, and buy a set of aftermarket 6 ply tires immediately.

What dealership are you looking at? INMO the older 500s with the act suspension and manual trans are the best for farm work, but the new 500s do make significantly more power.

 

Artic cat makes a nice machine..But why don't you buy a POLARIS..Considering the person who owns artic cat worked for polaris..And has stolen alot of the ideas from polaris..And I always think go to the source who started the whole automatic trend..I have had a few artic cats..and they are great..But the Polaris is better...Either way you are riding and thats what its all about..Ride on..

 

Polaris was complete junk until a few years ago. I know first hand. Thier 4wd is still a joke. The machines are great for towing, but thats because they weigh 100 pounds more than comprable models. The auto trans in the polaris robs more power from the engine than any other belt drive I've ever ridden. I could always beat my sp500 with an es honda rancher 4x4 (329cc). They are a good cruising machine, and a good work machine. I may even go so far as to say they are a decent trail bike. But I do not feel that they are necessarily better than the ac's. I had an ac 454 that ran like a champ. A friend of mine still uses it for hunting. His son got a polaris sp500ho and loved it to death. Like you said though, as long as you are riding its a good thing. JMO, feel free to ignore me[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

Hey Mxracer222, how can the person who "owns" Arctic Cat used to work for Polaris? That is funny. Back in the 50's or 60's some guy left Polaris to start Arctic Cat, but a lot has changed since then... Arctic Cat is a coorporation owned by stock holders, not one person. Suzuki is the largest shareholder (I believe) at a 25% ownership.

 

well if you would really like to get fancy..Then welll ahhhh..You are right..But the simple purity is this..The original owner came from polaris..Color it any way you like..But..It is what it is..

Ride on!!!!!!!!

 

what makes a true four wheel drive a joke...? what all four wheels turn? Hmmm isnt that what I want?

LOL ride on!!!!!

 

go down a hill. you will notice your front wheels will freewheel and the engine braking will only effect the rears. Thats not true 4wd. No diff lock either.