I saw a local dealer advertising a 400 4X4 for only $4100. I know very little about this particular machine (or AC in general). Can anyone tell me if it is a decent machine or not? How is the ride ? Is it mostly a utility machine or would it still be a fun trail machine? How are they in mud and water? Does the front differential lock or is it more of a 3wd? Thanks for this or any other info![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

BK,

I have a 2001 400 and 500 AC. The 400 is a really nice quad. It won't overpower you but it has a nice two speed trans(hi/lo) to go with 5 gears. This helps in muddy situation or where you really need to control your speed or wheels. The diff is more of a 3wd. It doesn't lock. I don't know about the 2002 models but some people are mentioning that it now has an AC diff and not a suzuki diff. Look into that. You now may be able to lock it. The diff is very smooth. the 8" wide front tires really help keep the steering light for easy trail and forest riding. It steers better than my 500 in 2wd due to the fact the 500 has 10" wide tires. Our 400 and 500 ride great in the water and mud. No belt or bearing problems since they are manual trannys. Just be sure to get in the right gear BEFORE you hit the mud or you will hope you bought a winch and have a friend nearby. The main complaint most AC riders have had concern brakes. The master cyclinder has a tendancy to be defective on some of the bikes. Brake pad wear among serious mud riders is a problem but that is a universal problem for all mud machines regardless of brand. We trail ride our land and my folks took our quads to Sam Houston Forest and rode there and they are great. Don't expect more than 50 mph out of the 400 or 500. If you want blazing fast get something else or if you want to ride Kamakazi with some other guys on bigger machines. Maintence is easy too. Automotive style oil filter and easy to reach drain plug. No greasable fitting to worry about but some people consider this a draw back. I'm still undecided. The 2001's have poor to fair headlights. The 2002's look better and some are saying shine better. I haven't seen any yet to compare. Highlifter sells and addon light kit that looks way cool and adds a steerable headlight to the handlebars. The price sounds great. Just do yourself a favor and check out your dealer before you buy it. many guys have very small problems that end up huge problems because of a poor dealer. Then there are dealers that make everything easy and stock some parts and have a reliable mechanic or 2 IN the shop. It will pay to look into your dealer. Good luck. Check out some of my pictures below to see a 400 cat in action.

Dakota R/T

 

If that is for a 2002 400 4x4 - that is pretty good. Here in PA, our local dealer is pricing that bike at $4700. I also have been told that the headlights are better on the 2002. This is probably the bike I will buy here in the next few months. I have looked around quite a bit, and I just keep coming back to the AC's. The 375 looks like it will be a great machine too, but I have not heard of anybody seeing one yet.

As for fun to ride, a friend of mine just bought a 2001 last spring. He had a Bayuo, and has since sold it. He loves the Cat. He tells me the ride is better (even his wife likes riding this one - and now wants one for herself), and the whole machine just seems more "beefy". All AC's are built on the same size frame, so regardless of which engine size you get, they all feel big.

If you think you might want an AC, and this is for the 2002 model, I would jump on that deal. Of course, check out the shop first for their service. I know our local shop has limited experience with really dificult problems on the AC's just because the AC's haven't been out for long (compared to Honda etc). But they also sell other brands, so generally speaking, they should be able to handle any major problems.

 

In about a week or so I will be picking up my 2002 400 4x4. A few weeks after that my brother will be picking up the 375 4x4. The local dealer has both of them. Other than the sticker on the front and the fact that the 375 is an automatic, you can't tell the difference (outward appearance).

Since the 375 is air and oil cooled, however, and lighter in weight (and actually has a slightly larger moter - 376cc to the 400's 371), I expect slightly better performance from his machine. I'd have bought one too, but I LIKE to shift.

I'll try to remember to give my first impressions of both machines when we have them.

 

I have a 2001 400 4X4 and $4,100 is a good price. I paid $4300 in May for mine. I really like it. It is a utility machine and top speed is not very fast compared to a sport bike, or even the Polaris ATV's. But I didn't buy it to fly down the trails. I bought it to go slow and enjoy the scenery.
Since May I have put on just over 600 miles. I have not had any problems at all. The bike rides like a cadilac, climbs like a mountain goat, and purrs like a kitty. The only thing I would add is the selectable 2wd/4wd but thats no big deal because the steering is so light. It's just sometimes I wpould like to spin the back end a little.
I am going on another ride this weekend. Leaving Saturday morning and riding on the Paiute and Freemont Trails down to a place called Tropic Reservoir. This will add a couple more hundred miles. That's another thing I really like is that the seat is nice and comfortable for all day rides like this.
I haven't been able to check out the mudding capabilities yet but maybe this winter I'll get a chance.
Good luck with your choice. Like Dakotart said just make sure you have a good dealer that is going to stand behind the sale. I drove an extra 20 miles to another dealer just because of the service and the way I was treated.

 

There are a couple of differences you should be aware of between the 2001 400 models that were mentioned and the 2002. The first deals with speed. I'm told that through gearing changes and a better muffler, the 2002 AC models are faster than the 2001s (although I'm not sure on exactly how much of a difference there is between the 2 model years). However, like the other guys mentioned, Arctic Cats are still not speed machines. But if you want a powerful, comfortable and stable ride, you can't go wrong with a Cat.
The second difference is that although ttaylor's 2001 400 does not have a 2wd/4wd selector, the 2002 400s do.
The third difference is in the seat. As ttaylor mentioned, the seat on the Arctic Cats is one of the best you can get. For 2002 they made it even better by widening it in the back for added comfort and also making fit closer to the gas tank (mostly a cosmetic difference).
Also note that you can get the 2002 AC 400 in either ACT (semi-independant) or fully independant rear suspension setups. With the 400i you would be getting an industry-leading machine in suspension travel and ground clearance. Best of luck in your decision.

 

what were the out the door prices on the 400 and 375?

 

I got the same price on both...$5370 out the door WITH the winch (Not installed, though, I will do that myself).

 

i have a 2001 400 4x4 its been a great bike so for 736 miles broke speedo cable and bad circut broad that it dealer fix it my brochure say it has true 4 wheel drive with a torque locking diff it works to dealer says all cats get it this year they use a clucth in the front drive shaft to selet 2 or 4 wheel drive unlike before in side the differential i think its neat my is on the dealers lot for sale i ordered a 2002 400i cant wait 2001 400 4x4 2000 250 2x4 220 bayou 1997

 

dakotart-
Your Web page is Awesome!!
[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/img]