i just got a 2004 ac 250 4x4. i think it's awesome and after reading every page of the arctic cat forums i think i got the best brand and most well built. i have a few questions about it for add ons and such.

tires. i have the stock ones and they have good tread on them. i haven't gotten stuck yet but hear that the aftermarket tires are way better for mudding and handling. i don't live in a snow region. i want tires that won't get stuck and won't pop and resist sticks and things. what are the recommendations.

lift kit.. i would like more clearance cause i plan on getting deeper into the mud soon as i can find it. do they make one?

my 250 looks like the pictures of a 300. the 250 pictures look like a smaller version. is there any chance that the original buyer got a fender upgrade or something?

i had to work on my headlights yesterday. they were pointing way up like someone was hunting racoons in the treetops. i pulled off the black front fenders and found that the backs of the headlights were hitting the green plastic fenders and would not point down at all cause of the backs of the light sockets. i cut out the green parts and aligned them correctly. what's the deal with this? maybe a dealer put those black fenders on even though they didn't fit right? they fit good now and the lights point straight but there is a gap between the lights and the black fenders. doesn't bother me but doesn't look factory either. i'm just curious.

maintenance...what should i do and how often? i have never owned an atv but do all my own works on my cars and trucks. i weld and try to be a jack of all trades so i can do any atv repair i'm sure just need tips on what and how often.

newbie worries...i feel like i'm abusing my atv when i go through sticks, high water, heavy mud, trees, etc. it goes ANYWHERE! i can't believe what this thing can do! but are they meant for all this stuff? if this were a jeep it would have been killed by now. i don't jump it or slam it into things. i take it slow but i worry that i'm overdoing it. how much can these cats take?

shocks...do i need new shocks? the thing rides great. im big at 6'2' and 300 pounds but am wondering if there is something that will perform better.

speedo....the 250 doesn't have a speedo or odo. i would kinda like one. is there something that bolts on in the location where my bright light/neutral/reverse/oil indicator is now?

muffler...does anyone have that super quiet muffler from bass pro and other outlets? i want mine to be as quiet as possible but obviously not lose performance. it's quiet now but the less noise the better and less noticed i get while riding.

ok that's all for now. i'll post pics soon. thanks for your time everyone.

 

fuforums,
I believe that up until this year the 250 and 300 (discontinued) were using the same size frame. The 300 4 x 4 has additional fenders that make it look bigger. The 2006 250 is a totally different animal.

Arctic Cat sells an add-on speedo thats the same as the stock unit on the 300.
Here is a link. Your model is listed.

http://store.arcticcatdiscount.com/aac-16-506.html

I'll let the experts on this forum field your other questions.

Harry in PA

 

Harry is correct. The 250 and 300 use the same frame, crankcase/tranny/differential, but the crank/rod/piston and jug (cylinder) are different.

The colored plastic is the same on them also. The 300 has additional rivited on fender flares. I added the fender flares for a 300 to our 250 and the wife really likes the cleaner ride (a lot less mud splatter), plus the bike looks bigger. Oh yeah, the 300 runs 1" bigger tires because of the bigger motor.

You can add one of the super quiet add-on mufflers if you want. The speedo kit is basicly the 300's speedo.

There will be a gap between the plastic and the headlight, that's was the design back then.

Change oil and filter every 300 miles or 600 if you use synthetic oil (my preference). Nothing to grease as there are no fittings. Check you battery water level once a month.

My Cats, the 250 and the 400 have been thur things that still amaze me. But to answer your question, no you are not abusing you Cat. They are called ATVs for a reason, you know "All Terrain Vehicles" for their ability to go anywhere.

 

I have one just like you are describing. 2004 with fender kit and lights that point in trees. I have added the 1 1/2 inch moose lift and also 25x8x12 front and 26x9x12 rear mudlites, these make all the difference in the world in heavy mud but you lose a little in the high range gearing. Also have a winch,front and rear racks. I like this quad but am considering a 400 or 500.

 

i have an 03 250 4x4 and I like it for what it gets used for. The high, low, super low trans is pretty cool, but that isn't needed too much. Like I've said before I use mine as a pit vehicle (I dump my money into my pwc's!) and it's pulled a bit more than what it's rated for, and it's just a 250! It also plows snow very well.

If you haven't figured out how to adjust the lights yet, loosen the bolts at the head light assy. and u can aim them better.

 

I have a 2002 250 4x4 bought new.,had them install speedo,,,4 two 2 wheel drive kit,Nice i might ad,fender flare kit,and artic atv cover,500 bonus bucks offer.......,all that stuff cost me nothing,Tg[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/img]nice riding machine, hope you have fun[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]1200 miles and purring,lol tc