I'm looking at buying a 06 A Cat 400 from an auction( if the price is right ). I don't know much about A Cat's (Always been a Honda person ) any way, what is the 5 speed manual all about? Is it like the Honda-matics ? Anything I should know about this machine ? Good / Bad ?

 

The 5 speed manual tranny is not an electric shift like the honda is if that is what you mean by the hondamatics? For AC it means you have a heel toe shifter and I think the 06 has an electronic 4x4/2x4 select button, might have the front diff lock lever.

I think it is a solid machine if it is not abused and taken care of. I have nearly 20,000 miles on my AC 400 and it is an 03. It works hard and I do more maintenacne than I probably should. Lots of people do not like the heel toe shifter on the manual tranny. also don't expect the 400 to race around with a nice sporty feel. It is a utility machine first and sport second. Lots of low end grunt power and some feel the high end lacks a bit. Mine will get my 300# body moving at a top speed of about 50-55mph if I want to. But do it too much and it burns a lot of fuel. Mine likes the 15-35mph range and I get about 100-120miles per tank of fuel.

Due to the weight of the machine I would check the shock bushings to see if they are worn. Also, they do not make a ton of after market parts for the 400 utility like they do the honda 400's. Some find that frustrating but you can get some items for a AC500 that fit the 400.

Hope this helps
SJ

 

After owning a Honda everything else is just a atv. Do the smart thing ride red Honda.

 

I would like to stay with Honda but they lack IRS