Hi all. I am finally ready to make a purchase, an 07 400 4x4 Auto for $6,200 OTD. I've been reading on here a long time and have found a wealth of information and have decided that for the type of riding I do, not speed, somewhat technical trails, and some long distance day rides, the AC 400 seemed right for me. I've even gone as far as getting my old man to make the same purchase, that was until he talked to a guy that he works with.

Apparently, an 07 Kawasaki BF650 SRA can be had for about the exact same price. Now, I just sold a 94 Polaris 400, my first quad purchase, and had decided some time ago that IRS was definitely a must. I'm kind of questioning that now. What do you recommend that I do? I know that the Cat has 12" of ground clearance and the BF650 only has 7" with the SRA.

I realize that I am in an Arctic Cat forumn, but any honest answers would be greatly appreciated! Thanks for your time everyone!

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: QuadRidinCPA

Hi all. I am finally ready to make a purchase, an 07 400 4x4 Auto for $6,200 OTD. I've been reading on here a long time and have found a wealth of information and have decided that for the type of riding I do, not speed, somewhat technical trails, and some long distance day rides, the AC 400 seemed right for me. I've even gone as far as getting my old man to make the same purchase, that was until he talked to a guy that he works with.



Apparently, an 07 Kawasaki BF650 SRA can be had for about the exact same price. Now, I just sold a 94 Polaris 400, my first quad purchase, and had decided some time ago that IRS was definitely a must. I'm kind of questioning that now. What do you recommend that I do? I know that the Cat has 12" of ground clearance and the BF650 only has 7" with the SRA.



I realize that I am in an Arctic Cat forumn, but any honest answers would be greatly appreciated! Thanks for your time everyone!</end quote></div>

The only benefit of SRA is with hadling and unsprung weight while towing.
With regard to towing it is really not a big deal, unless you have a lot of tonge weight and towing really heavy loads.
With regard to handling - the AC can be made to handle very nicely with some attention to tire pressures and preloads. With the addition of wheel spacers the AC can handle with the best of them, SRA or otherwise, and you don't need a sway bar. That is the truth.
You already realize the benefits of 12" of GC and 10" of wheel travel, so there is no reason to get more detailed in that area.

 

Well, I feel like I made the right decision.... I purchased a left over 2006 400 4x4 Auto! I pick it up tomorrow. I already ordered a 3000# Gorilla Winch ($135 shipped as opposed to $320 2000# Warn Winch from the dealer, uninstalled at that). I am planning on taking your advice and getting the wheel spacers as well, which I think cost ~$180. I really can't wait!

With regards to the tires, are the stock ones as bad as I've heard? I don't want to spend the money on tires right off the bat if at all possible. Any response would be great. Thanks guys!

 

The stock tires are not bad I used mine for 3+ years. Only thing is that the sidewalls on the front roll-under in hard turns.
I ended up with 8lbs of air in the front and 5lbs in the rear. My preloads were at the lowest setting on the front and either the middle or second to lowest on the rear.
Here is where I got my 1" wheel spacers. http://www.psep.biz/store/arct...t_atv_wheel_spacer.htm

 

You may want to try replacing the stock tires first. I have a 2006 500i fis and had handling and stability problems with my stock tires. I put a set of 25" gbc dirt devils II's on it and corrected both problems. I recently put a set of 25" itp terra-cross radials on it and got the same results and a smoother ride. I chose not to use the spacers because I didn't what my AC to be any wider. I do a lot of trail riding where the width would hurt me, I'm sure if you ride wider trails or open country where width wouldn't be a problem the spacers would work well.

Good Luck!

P.S. If you want to widen the stance of your ATV you can purchase ITP delta steel wheels for $200.00. They will make it an inch wider on each corner and look nice at the same time.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: KY06AC500AUTO

You may want to try replacing the stock tires first. I have a 2006 500i fis and had handling and stability problems with my stock tires. I put a set of 25" gbc dirt devils II's on it and corrected both problems. I recently put a set of 25" itp terra-cross radials on it and got the same results and a smoother ride. I chose not to use the spacers because I didn't what my AC to be any wider. I do a lot of trail riding where the width would hurt me, I'm sure if you ride wider trails or open country where width wouldn't be a problem the spacers would work well.



Good Luck!



P.S. If you want to widen the stance of your ATV you can purchase ITP delta steel wheels for $200.00. They will make it an inch wider on each corner and look nice at the same time.</end quote></div>

I have not had any problems with 50" wide stance yet. I ride the woods of Maine and thing are pretty tight around here. Actually where other ATV's have been there may be a problem with hitting rims by squeezing between two rocks.... I just drive up over one rock and it's not issue at all. Sometimes with the width I can have one side stay out of the ruts that other narrower ATV's have made - makes life good.
As I said no problems with the width yet.