guys im looking to get a new atv and need some help choosing one. Im looking at a polaris cause i had one befor and it did me good but i need yall to convince me to get the thunder cat or convince me to get the polaris. Its an 850 xp. i know the artic cat has a bigger motor but i want it for hunting and maybe getting a bush hog for it and some plows to plant food plots. thanks for the help guys.

 

to be honest, you can do all that with a 500 or 600 just as easy and cheaper. But if your choice is narrowed down to these two atvs then all i can recommend is trying both out. They both have features that the other doesnt and them features may matter to you or not. For instance,i havent rode a thundercat but i do have a 700 ac and i wish the suspension was like the polaris. its not bad but i like the polaris a little better. On the other hand i like the 4wd system cat has,polaris works well too,i just like i can lock it in 2wd,3wd(transfers power back and forth to the front wheels) so it gives better traction in slick situations,then a true 4wd locker for maximum traction(with the diff lock,it is harder to steer but if it means not getting stuck then its worth it.) The rest is up to you for comfort. I have had 3 cats and all 3 have been perfect. i also have a can am 500 and im not impressed with the suspesion at all. power is great though.

 

It will come down to which is most appealing to you. I own a 2009 Thundercat and love it, it is very fast,has tonnes of power and handles perfect for me. The T-CAT is considerably faster than the POLARIS but both will accomadate your purpose. I believe there is a bit of a price difference with the POLARIS being cheaper. If you plan on doing alot of work with your atv I would lean more towards the CAT.

 

Go with the T-Cat
I cant see you being disappointed
I know from what I have heard that the only down points of the T-Cat are the single lever braking system and the diff lock switch is annoying (but it works well)
I also like the 4wd system better on the T-Cat

Polaris still uses a system which is hard on belts
Suspension is good though
The T-Cat has something like 180lb/ft of torque (quite a bit more than the Polaris

The T-Cat has a great engine

 

Take a look at the towing capacity of both machines, the Cat's is 1050 lbs. and the XP 850's is 1500 lbs.! That's a 450 lb. difference! The Polaris frame is stronger than the AC's also.
I don't have anything against the AC's, they seem to make a good product but you did say in your post you wanted to use your new machine to pull and plow with.
The AC is faster off of the line but that's about it.
Overall IMO the Polaris XP 850 is a better machine!
And yes I probably AM biased because I have one and have had no trouble with it for almost a year now!
Take care and good luck!

 

Actually the XP850 has more HP then the Cat.

Don't go by cc motor size look at the Can AM 500 it has more hp then the 680 Rincon.


Polaris 850______69.06 hp
Can Am 800 R____67.05 hp (updated 2/13 to 70.5 hp)
AC 1000_________65.84 hp
Can Am 800______61.7 hp
Can Am 650______55.4 hp
Brute 750 Carb____50.1 hp
Brute 750 EFI_____49.8 hp
King Quad 750____49.6 hp
AC Mud Pro_______49.06 hp
King 700_________48.5 hp
Polaris 800_______48.3 hp
Brute 650 I________46.3 hp
Grizzly 700________45.6 hp
Polaris 700_______44.3 hp
AC 700 H1_______41.4 hp
AC 700__________41.4 hp
Brute 650 ________41.4 hp (solid axle)
Grizzly 660_______40.9 hp
Can Am 500______40.4 hp
AC 650 H1_______39.3 hp
Rincon 680_______38.5 hp
Grizzly 550________36.9 hp

 

As far as your data on horsepower it may be a little higher in hrspwr but i can guarantee you that it does not even come close to torque,the t-cat has 188ft lbs. The 850 is not even close and its torque that counts.

 

And as far as handling goes, the AC isn't even close in comfort and refinement. I've driven several cats, and while the handling has improved quite a bit, they are still way behind Polaris and Can Am. The older AC's were awful, the new ones are OK.

I wouldn't try a drag race with a T-cat, but I'd take my chances with no worries against one in tight woods. When I had my 500HO, a buddy on a Prairie 360 4WD used to smoke everyone on it thru the woods. Power isn't the whole picture, just a piece of the equation.

Test ride both if you can, then decide. Both are good, AMERICAN made machines.

 

I do somewhat agree with you as far as tight riding goes. One thimg i find with my T-cat is that it is a little jumpy if you want when tight trails are around, i have found that letting a little air out of the tires will compensate for some of it but the can-am and polaris are a little more siuted for that kind of trail riding.

 

because tcats are made to drive thru them there trees dont u get it! lol