How do u guys like them? I sort of forgot about artic cat in my quest for an atv. they really appeal to me. The 550 would be what i'm interested in most probably.

thanks

 

I've owned all the major brands except Suzuki. The Arctic Cat I owned was a Thundercat 1000, and it was the only ATV I've owned that broke on the very first ride, and made me walk back to the truck from an ATV with only 14 miles on the odometer. The CVT belt broke while just cruising down the highway. The ATV had good power, good 4-wheel drive capability, fair suspension, and the worst handling of any ATV I've owned in the recent past. I owned it for less than six months before selling it.

 

a friend of mine has a arctic cat 400 utility im not sure the model but it had less than 50 hours an 500 miles in the 6 years hes owned it and it just stoped working one day after being in the shop for 3 weeks they charged him $3000 for parts an labor they told him the strator was bad that they are known to wear out after a couple of years even with very low hours so me personaly would stay away from arctic cat products hope this helps

 

As I rule, I stay away from AC too, I only hear bad things about them. I took a ride on a brand new one and it lacked in power too; there's just too many better quads you can get for the same money.

 

I've never had one but heard that they're more for utility and not very good for trail riding.

 

only time I rode an AC was when we rented a 400 for my friend for a white mtn weekend trip- thing had no *****- big POS. top speed was about 30-35 with the throttle stuffed- hard ride and handled like crap on the trails.

 

oh okay, thanks guys. i was just curious cause i watched a atv dvd, " mud and mountains" or something like that and they romped on their atvs pretty good and most of them seem to be polaris and AC.
i'll stick with either a yamaha or polaris.

 

you might consider the hondas also they are very reliable machines

 

oh for sure they are, my motorcycle is pushing 30k on it. i just don't like some of the features on their atvs

 

What are you going to use the atv for? this is the 1st question for honest replies. Ive had 3 arctic cats since 1999. a 300,500,and now a 700. the 300 had about 1500 miles but sold it to get the 500. The 500 had 5,500 trouble free(that wasnt my fault) miles. Id say some things were my fault because i used it for mud riding so i went through wheel bearings more often than normal use would. I hydro locked(swamped) it 3 times. after changing oil and plugs after all 3 times,it had always started back up. never smoked. Sold the 500 to get a EFI model,the 700. Now with 1500 miles,no major problems. It had a wiring issue, the wire pulled out of a connector plug which made the pod flash"EFI" no big deal. Ive been running 28" swamplites since day one. Since i bought my 500 in 2002,out of my friends and dads friends(deer hunting buddies) and seeing the abuse i gave the 500 my dealer sold 13 arctic cats to these guys over the years. There was some problems with some,but nothing that left them stranded. mostly small issues and under warranty. No matter the brand there are always some with some sort of issue once in a while.
Ill agree with the 1st post on here, the 1000 are junk from day one. all the 400s 500s,550s,650s and 700s that ive seen have been nearly flawless. I guess im the only one keeping arctic cat in business! lol To help with better handling most guys put a 6ply tire on them. it really helps. they come with 2 ply which is what i use to plow snow.

If you would like more honest feedback,try ArcticChat.com - Arctic Cat Forum. Very nice,honest opinions and advice on there. good luck

I also just bought a Polaris rzr and absolutely love it. 1st Polaris ever owned.