I am looking to buy a new 4X4 ATV in the next few months. I have this nack of buying what looks like the best thing out there, only to find it's a LEMON!

I would like some help in picking a NEW ATV that will be trouble free with great performance. I want one of the units from Yamaha, Honda or Polaris only. I want a 4 stroke engine of 400 - 600CC. It must be 4X4! Would like the 4X4 - 2X4 option (the ability to change between)! It should have a good amount of aftermarket goodies available. I would like to hear the pro's and con's of the units in this range.

It will be used for work and play! How will it handle water crossings, mud, snow, tight trails, rough terrain, etc.

Please give me good hard facts, not "Mine's better than yours because I have one!".

Thank you to all in advance!

Bill

 

If you want 2wd/4wd you just eliminated Honda
and should consider Arctic Cat.

Now do you want an automatic or a manual?

Sounds like you may be prospect for the new Kawasaki 650 V-Twin.

 

Based on what you've said you are looking for, you should consider a Yamaha Grizzly. Its 600cc with 2/4WD option, and a very reliable belt driven auto tranny. For either work or play its a brute, lots of power. Its still the biggest baddest 4-stroke 4x4 quad there is! I've had mine for about 4 months and put 500 hard miles on it with out a single problem whats so ever, large or small. Its taken me everywhere I've wanted to go. I've crossed rivers where I floated it most of the way, and it has performed perfectly. The Grizzly weighs around 600lbs, and has one of the tightest turn radius's. I ride down some pretty rough trails at very high speeds, and my Grizzly eats it up without any complaints. Hope this helps some. Good luck on whatevere you decide.

Rick

 

It's a toss up on the manual V.S. Auto. I want the best machine for my money. If Honda has a GREAT advantage over the others, I'll over-look the 2X4 - 4X4 option. Artic Cat scares me. It's been in this market for such a short time. Kawasaki and Suzuki are out period.

Thank you for your help. Prior and future!

Bill

 

If you truely want the "best machine for the money" take a closer look at the Arctic Cat. AC has been making one of the best snowmobiles for over 30 years and are known for their technological innovation and quality construction. I doubt it will be long before they are considered one of the best, if not THE BEST, ATV.

As far as price, to overcome their small current market share they are priced very competitively. AC offers the biggest bang for the buck without a doubt.

Eavesdrop on the Arctic Cat Forum to get an insight into quality and capabilities. Set one side-by-side against any of the competition and you can see the heavy duty construction throughout. Then ride one. The torque is awesome and they go just about anywhere.

I seriously researched my ATV purchases for 3 months before deciding on AC. Like you, Arctic Cat wasn't even a consideration when I started. In the end, it was may first choice and the Honda Rubicon placed a fairly distant second. Polaris and Yamaha didn't even make my short list. And, I saved over $1500 on the AC 500 Auto compared to Honda. I could not be happier with my decision in any way.

 

Thanks for the input! Is Artic Cat a True Artic Cat, or is it a Suzuki in Artic Cat clothing? What is the advantage (that you saw) over the Yamaha Kodiak - Grizzly or the Polaris Sportsman 500 H.O.?

Thanks,

Bill

 

The Arctic Cat 500 uses a time tested and proven Suzuki engine but, that's where the similarities end. Ther is NO camparison between these two machines except for the power plant.

Sure, the AC doesn't have the Sportsman's independent rear suspension but for real hard work you probably don't want an IRS. Besides, the Arctic Cat's ATC rear-end is a patented technology. Have a dealer show you the video, you will be impressed. Also, from a maintenance and reliability stand point, I heard nothing good about Polaris and nothing but kudos for the 'Cat.

According to the specifications, the Arctic Cat 500 has more torque than the bigger and heavier Grizzly 600. Ride one and you will become a believer. In fact, according to the specs, AC is best in class compared to all the rest, on almost every measurement. See
http://www.arctic-cat.com/atvs/5004x...comparison.asp

If all things are considered equal (and they are not), then price alone surfaces as a determining factor. None of the others you are considering can beat AC pricing. Buy now though, because as soon as the name recognition comes along, you can expect the price differential to close.

 

What's so special about the cat's rear end? Do they offer a "Hunter" (camo color) package from the factory? Is it a true 4X4 (limited slip front end)?

Thanks,

Bill

 

The ACT-independent rear suspension give you maximum tire contact with 7.2" (best in class) of suspension travel. Looking at it, it doesn't appear to be very special but, riding proves the difference. In the dealer showroom they usually have a 'Cat sitting on three cinder blocks and the forth wheel is still on the floor. Their straight line ACT rear works as well, if not better, than an IRS and, still gives the workhorse pulling advantage that is lost in an IRS. Keeping all four wheels in contact with the ground is probably the most important feature of any ATV suspension and AC's is hard to beat.

No, they don't have a camo paint job but they do have a form fitting camo cover kit with gun scabbard and carry bags. You get the AC 500 Auto with the Kit and a Warn 2K winch in the limited edition for a list price of $6999. Or, they have the Camo Kit on special sale for about $75 when you buy any new machine. The current special gives you the choice of Camo Kit OR 2K winch for $75, OR a two-year extended warranty OR 9% financing. Pick one of the four. The Camo Kit with every thing is about $500 and so is the winch. You can also buy the camo cover and/or accessories separately. I paid $6750 for a 2001 500 Auto with both camo & winch (not the Limited Edition, just pieced together) but, you can do around $500 better depending on the dealer. The dealers in Kansas City just won't budge off the list price for the LE.

There is a great discussion on the front differentials taking place right now in the Arctic Cat Forum. It seems know one knows for sure. It's supposed to be limited slip but apparently, changed it in the last model year. I plan to put mine through the 3X4 test and the block test this weekend to find out for myself.

It may surprise you but I AM NOT AN ARCTIC CAT SALESMAN Just a proud and satisfied owner of the best machines on the market. Good luck with whatever you choose.

Did I mention they’re American Made?

 

You owe it to yourself to look hard at Yamaha's Big Bear 4x4 and Kodiak. Kodiak has 2x4 and 4x4 w/auto. Big Bear is fulltime 4x4 manual shift.
Then again, you have to look at Honda's Rancher, only 350cc though. How much you're looking to spend will probably dictate what you buy.