I'm considering an AC 500 with manual trans. I rode it a bit today but didn't want to really slam the shifts in the dealer's paved parking lot. Normally, do you shift under throttle or back off on the throttle. Not interested in full throttle slams just normal trail riding shifts.

Thanks for any information,

Roger

 

Let off when shifting, stuff last longer.

 

You need to back off on the throttle to shift. Although you can shift under a small amount of throttle when on trails. But too much and it slams really hard.

If it is a new machine it also takes awhile for it to break in the gears. Until then it will be a little clunky. Also the rocker shifter takes some getting used to but once you get used to it you will never want to go back to the normal toe shifter.

 

Every AC I have ever ridden had a clunky transmission. But never faulty. Sure you notice it and all, but it never posed any problem to me. I'm not using one to win races on, so its never been a big deal. But yeah, thats common for a manual shift AC to be that way. I'd still prefer one over an automatic.

 

It's true that the manual does get a little getting use to. But when shifting back of the throttle but put a little throttle on it because that slam that you fell when taking your thumb off the throttle is your engine braking. But i would rather ride a manual than an auto any day.

 

I installed a toe only shifter on mine and the shifting improved 1000%....no wonder the Vinson was praised for its shifting by the mags and the Cat was slammed.

 

i liked it better that way also.
i just cut the heal part of the shifter off and turned the toe part up two notches on the splines and it worked great.
and as for backing off on the throttle you dont have to let off very much just enuff to shift and then get back on it again.

 

I never had any problems with the heel toe shifter. And I drove regular shifter quads for 13 years before I ever had the heel/toe thing. But I can see how a lot of guys would get aggrivated with it. It really is different. For me, it wasn't any big thing. I like how you said about the magazines ragging AC for that. They really get nitpicky in some of their shootouts. Make it out to be some big deal or something like its a major design flaw. For $20, you can change it out of course to your liking. They make the shifter out like its a big hit to AC, and then they say next to nothing about how AC has the best floorboards of any quad ever built.

 

I bought a new toe shifter from AC and the shaft is a different size. Thrill of Speed, did the one you got fit okay? I know I can just cut the back part off but I would rather keep it for winter riding.

 

Artic Cat swore that was the one for my quad, but the shaft and splines were different. So, I cut that horrid heal/toe shifter off of the splined nut and had it welded to the toe shifter.....wonderful upgrade!