I bought a new 500 4x4 Ute automatic today. I am so glad to be rid of my polaris machines. Maybe I was just unlucky and I don't mean to bash Polaris owners but the 07 Hawkeye developed several problems (clutch, belt) in less than 9 hrs of riding (nothing extreme). The 06 Predator was nothing but problems (leaks,etc). Anyway. I am glad to be part of the Artic Cat family and I'm looking forward to less headaches. What a noticable difference in power with this machine. Any helpful thoughts or feedback on what to expect from the AC500 would be appreciated.

 

Good choice! You can expect reliability, durability, and fun! Just take care of it[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img] Im a little overboard, like swithching all the fluids to Amsoil Synthetic oils, and changing them to soon, but i also have experienced a 14yr old atv that still runs great! I expect the same from my Arctic Cat. Congrats and welcome to AC

 

2 words ---- GREAT CHOICE[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

I have a 2004 500 and it's been good to me --- great ride, great handling, overall a great bike [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/img]

 

Welcome to the AC forums , i bought an AC 400 fis auto feb. 7th 2006 and all i have to say is i love it more with each ride ! Some say it's a little underpowered being as it's the same chassis as the 500,650H1 ,650V2 and the new 700 EFI , but it's taken me everywhere i've gone on any of my previous quads ; and i took them to H'll and back with no problems at all ! My previous quads where an 86' Honda TRX 350 Foreman 4x4 and a 93' Suzuki LTFW Quadrunner 4wd , both these quads were manual shift with the auto clutch and were both very good quads. I never thought i would ever own a quad with the belt drive , because i had only riden a friend's and family member's polaris machines ; i just couldn't handle the non engine braking riding in the mountains ! And since i was the only one in the group with machanical skills it was up to me to service and keep all the atv's going , 3 set's of brakes to one on the quads with engine braking ; and belt adjustments on the polaris to me wasn't worth the smoother ride of the polaris ! I sold my foreman nov. 2005 ( still going strong ) to my brother , and after a very good freind loaned me the 2006 AC 400 Auto for a week to test ride ; and her personal promise that none of the Suzuki powered duramatic's had been brought back for clutch/belt problems since the 2001 models came out i bought it and sold the 93' KQ 300 ( again still going strong ) a week later to brother's wife where she would have one to ride with us ! I still at times miss changing gears on short rides , i don't miss the pains after very long mountain rides ; oh and another thing my 400 has had all the power i needed when i first got it ! But the more miles i put on it , it just seem's to get stronger and stronger with each ride ! I'll be 54 in april 2007 , but i'm no slow poke eigher ; i'm just alot smarter than i was in my teens,twentys,thirtys and even my forty's ! So have fun with the 500 and be smart and ride safe , there are alot of younger rider's out there who haven't lived as long as i have ! ..................williebee

 

Well as in new is it an 06 or 07? i have an 06 500 auto and LOVE it, 98% of the time. the ride is great, it starts every time i ask it too. even when it was 14 below here in northern AZ yes -14...... anyhow. i have noticed that the IRS can be rather spooky on some trails. i have ridden a trail here around my house for the past 15 years all with solid rear axle atvs. but after trying it on my AC i'll never try it again. it floped on it's side and let me tell you it was only 2 day old and me weighing in at only 160 lb trying to keep a 600+ lb atv from roling is not easy.
but other than that. i love it. we'll see how long she lastes. just use good oil.
i use mobile one. ful syn. and yes it has moly in it but these don't have wet clutches so you'll be fine.
good luck be safe and have fun.

HR.

 

good choice! ive got a 2002 ,3000 miles and never had any trouble, other than my own faults. im fixin to buy me a 700 efi within the next few months simply for hunting and for my father to use(he's gettin old). you shouldnt be disapointed. congrats on the new member of the family!

 

Just got home from two days of camping and riding at The Cove in Gore, Virginia. The otherriders were a 700 Raptor, a 660 Raptor and a 300 Kawasaki. The trails were very rocky and snow covered with some hills that were 1700 foot climbs. While the three sport quads struggled getting over and around some of the rock and bottoming out, the Cat took it like it was nothing. Very, very impressive with the 12 inch ground clearance. We never got over 40 mph and most times it was 10 to 15, but the Cat took every trail and hill without even half throttle. I was in 4 wheel high most times and then decided to stay in 2WD and it still took every thing that was encountered. I babied it of course since its still being broke in, but it was still a blast. I would highly recommend the 500 to anyone who is considering a purchase. Two of the riders are now trading their Yamahas for a Cat. It was 17 degrees in the morning and it started right up on the first push on the starter. The 6 1/2 gal tank is a big plus.

06 Artic Cat 500
07 Polaris Hawkeye 4x4 limited edition
06 Polaris Predator
06 Kawasaki Bayou

 

Sounds like a blast! You will have to post pics of your ride

 

Great report, we like pictures [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

Congrats. Good choice. Welcome to the pride.