I read the following in another thread and was wondering how hard to steer the new 2001 models are? Not being from Generation X or Y I am wondering, how heavy is the steering on these Cats?

Having driven over 20 hours on a Honda 450S one weekend I can say that I was not impressed with the "workout" on the upper shoulders and back. So the attached thread was a little surprising. Is this true?

"... My neighbor bought the 450s when I bought my AC 500 manual. The nice things about the 450s was it steered alot easier, and shifted better (more smoothly). Your wife's should steer alot better then mine since she has the selectable 2 or 4 wheel drive. These are my observations. Like to see what you think."
matty

 

I was comparing it to my 99 cat that has the stock titan 495 which i believe are 11 inches wide up front. And being full time 4wd it turns a little bit harder then my nieghbors 450s. I rode a new cat it turns allot easier even in 4x4 then mine, I think the main reason is just because of the tires I have. There just so wide up front.
matty

 

Oh, okay. Those were 26x10 weren't they?

 

THEY ARE 26x10.5x12 all around.

 

I can not compare my new ac 500 manual to a 450s but as some know I was concerned how the cat would compare to my Honda 300 4x4 as far as steering effort and turning radius. I can now say that the steering is one of the biggest surprises. It is far easier and sharper than the 300 even in 4x4 mode. The cat is an excellent machine.

 

Thor...I now own a 2001 auto cat 500 . I plan this to be my wifes ride..she wanted an auto.I put a 60" plow on ...I believe it's easier to steer..and being water cooled, more dependable being that it works harder at a slower speed while plowing.
No problems yet ....go to our start up page and click on atv reviews...both shifter and auto cats get a more honest and favorable review..
2001 autocat 500...I do wish it would stop snowing!..but at least its fun plowing now!!!

 

Did you make it to the Iron River Ride on Saturday from Danbury? I did see a yellow 450 ES there but did not know if that was you.

 

Thor..
Didnt make the ride..Ive been working weekends on a friends house.How were the trails..and did you catch any gripes from the snowmobilers?
Also the article you refered to stated the Cats handle bars were much to wide...to compensate for the harder steering effort on the Cat.What a crock...I just measured my Honda..they are the same width...uummm !!! Yet they felt just right on the Honda??
Ride safe..

 

No flack from the snowmobilers was encountered. We did however receive some quizzical looks from the snowmobilers when they would pass us on the trail while we were stopped with 30 machines lined up. I'm sure that the newbies and first timers went home and told their friends that the ATVs were taking over. hehehe

At the Lookout bar/restaurant I talked with some of the snowmobilers and of course they asked if we were "legal" etc. They were amazed that we were out there driving without windshields and drinking sodas at the bar.