I've been shopping for a new machine and I'm really impressed with the AC's. I was hoping to get a 500 manual, LE package but I don't know if it's going to fit into my budget. Right now my second choice is the 300 4x4.

I currently own a 96 Foreman 400, it's been a good machine but it rides like a tank. I don't mud ride alot so I don't need a ton of power to turn oversize tires that go along with mudding. What I do need is a good ride on trails and through rocks and ruts. I will probably use it to plow snow but the main use will be for hunting in the mountains and deserts. The fully independant front/rear suspension on the AC 300 looks interesting as does the option to shift in and out of 4wd. One thing that concerns me about the 300 is the way the motor is mounted in the rear. Has this been a problem for anyone while climbing hills? In general, how is the ride and the power of the AC 300 4x4? With hi/low/superlow has there ever been a situation which you wished for more power? What is the top end speed of the 300 4x4 ? Thanks for any info.

 

I've a '00 300 4x4, here are my observations:
Likes:
very light steering
very good stock tires
easily modifiable (sp?) to 2/3/4 wd
very quiet
nice ride in bumpy/rough areas
good buy
very good brakes
3 range tranny
Dislikes:
Leans bad in turns
power is ok (what do you expect from 280cc?)
plastic bodywork cheesy (rattles alot)
tough to check oil
boot guards on '00 model suck

Overall;
nice bike. I would buy another although you should check out the 250 4x4..modify it to have 2/3/4 wd (a cable and the part that connects to the front diff) and you have a sweet 4x4 for around 4K!

 

Hey Foreman4X4,

In my opinion...go for it. For your primary uses, I believe the 300 4x4 would suit your needs very well. I own a 99 model with approx. 1500 miles and have had ZERO problems. I do mostly river bank and woods riding, with LOTS of water crossings, so I installed a snorkel, winch, and locked the front end. I liked my machine before, now I love it.

As far as hill climbing...Not a problem with the 4x4. Handles the same as every other utility quad. My wifes 2x4, on the other hand, seems a little light up front climbing the steeper hills, however, not dangerously so.

Top speed is around 48-49 and the ride is INCREDIBLY smooth. With low and super-low, the Cat has done everything I have asked it to do.

I agree with almost everything johnc mentioned. I would have to diagree about (1)the oil being tough to check...there is a sight glass on the 99 models, not sure about 01 (2)rattling bodywork...my gas gap rattles alot, but nothing else. The fit and finish, however, on my 99 model leaves something to be desired, but I can live it.
(3)check into the 250...I WOULD NOT reommend it. I think you would be disappointed with the performance, especially if you're a medium-large size rider, and the 300 is only a few hundred dollars more.

Good luck with your decision,

maxandblade@hotmail.com

 

I have a 00' AC300 4x4, I've put about 1100 miles on it. I use it mostly for chores around the farm, with some trail riding. I think that it is a good value for the money. The ride is smooth, and handles rough terrain easily. I climb steep hills and have had no problems with the front end coming up. I ride with two friends that have 99'& 00' SP500's, the only time I wish for more power is when they blow by me on the straights & long hills. I modified the FWD selector so I have 2wd/4wd/4wd lock. I really like 4wd lock it makes a big difference when pulling,or when you need traction in the mud or on a steep hill. The super low range is also very handy, not just for the power advantage but to be able to precisely pick your path in tight spots. I plan on getting a bigger quad someday, but my AC300 continues to impress me with what it can do.

 

I have the 2001 300 4x4 as well as the 500 manual. They both have over 700 miles on them. They have been antelope, elk and deer hunting as well as bear hunting with hounds in crates on the rear rack. I am 6'4" and weigh 230 pounds and have rode it with two 70 pound hounds on the rear rack. The 500 definately has more power, but the 300 has gone everywhere the 500 has. Observations on the 300-I ride most of the time in the mountains in low range and it has plenty of power. The power is very managable, much like an electric motor. When in super low it is like a John Deere tractor, NO lack of torque. The ride is great, Better than the 500 for smoothness. The mileage is much better than the 500. Top speed in high range is just under 50 mph. The gas gauge rattles, but that is all that rattles. I installed the $69.00 winch kit and would recommend it. It installs very nice and toughens up the front end. I wouldn't hesitate for a second recommending the 300 if that is what your budget is telling you to do. One other possibility is check on the 400's. Cutlers was offering the 400's when I bought mine in August for $4750 and it sounds as if you can adapt the linkage from a 500 to make it 2 or 4 wheel drive. As far as your question on the front end being light, it has never felt like it wants to come up over on a steep hill to me. The 300 steers much easier than the 500 and I would say it is a combination of tires and the lighter front end, but it doesn't concern me with being to light even with the dogs on back.

 

Thanks for the info. Keep the posts coming.

I have a couple more questions about the 300 4x4.
I assume it has a backup pull starter?
With a heavy load, maybe 100lbs. on the rear rack, how much is the rear suspension compressed? Do you loose much ground clearance from the rear suspension being compressed? The reason I ask this is because I've seen people riding double or with a heavy load on a Polaris Sportsman 500 and the rear suspension looks like it really sags.

I'm a little concerned about going from a 400cc ( 395cc actually ) to a 300cc ( 280cc actually ) machine but I would think that the better features: switchable 2wd/4wd, independant front/rear suspension, start in gear, floorboards. disk brakes, more ground clearance, hi/low/super-low gears, would be worth the trade off for cc's.

For the type of riding I do, pure speed is really not a requirement, and with the low/super-low gears the Cat should have plenty of low end torque. A reasonable top end speed would be nice because every so-often I ride dirt roads where I can open a machine up alittle bit.

 

I have a 99 300 4X4. I love the fully independent supension. I don't ride any mud, mostly trails in the mountains of western N.C. Most of the guys I ride with have polaris's and my wife has a 250 4X4 polaris. The AC steers a lot heavier than those, and lands heavier when flying over berms. It does fine on any of the hill climbs I have been on, I too thought that it may be light in the front end, but it is actually less light on a hill climb in the front than my wife's 250 polaris. I wish it had a little more power on the hill climbs at times, as I usually keep it in mid range for trail riding, low is just too slow for trailing. I like the low range for pulling, but I don't use it except for downhilling really steep terrain. The ground clearance is also a little less than the Polaris, but it has great undercarriage protection. Yes it has a backup pullstart. As far a riding, dependibility, and overall for the money I don't know of anything I would tade it for. I think you would be well pleased with it.

 

The 400 models have the same differential as the 400-500 2000 and older models. You can just add the linkage of the 01 and get 2wd/4wd, you have to change the hole diff.

The 250 4x4 can be modified to have 2wd/3wd/4wd when you mount the linkage off of a 300 4wd model tho.

 

Best bang for the buck, a great deal. Compare all the other 300's out their and you'll find that dollar for dollar you can't go wrong. Only draw back is it is under powered. I don't know why AC has not bored this unit out to say 325 or 350cc, it would make a lot of sense and capture a big chunk of the honda 350 market share. I just sold my 300 for that very reason, that it's under powered.

 

I own 2 2000 AC 300 4x4 and when i have to ride double with my brother (a total of apr. 300lbs)the cat has no problem even on steep hills in first gear, high range.The steering only lightens up a little bit but even when i have to hop logs with him on it it still respondse the same and is still very controlable.overall for the price it is the best you can get and it is top quality so i know it will last me a long time.