Stopped in to the local dealer today to go ahead and make that puchase of a new 500i manual. While talking to the salesman he informed me that AC is on a mission to build the biggest baddest atv on the market and they are expecting to see the first of the new 2003 650i's in at the first of June.
From what he told me they are independent with locking front diffs. Is this guy full of it or has anyone else heard this?

 

The only thing I've heard has been on the Highlifter Cat forum.

http://moon.shreve.net/~hilift1/cgi-...0&t=000169

 

AC had ought to be thinking about motors if they want to get anywhere with "big" and "bad" because it's gonna take more than 14 hp (okay a lot more, even if it is a utility)to make anyone do more than yawn. Even in the context of true utility use HP means quite a bit.

 

you know, on one of the info sheets I got with my 500i it said it had 29 HP.. what is up with that?

 

I also read an hunting artical review on the 500i, and it also said it had close to 30hp.

 

Although I would like to say the 500i has more than 14h.p., The 29.5 h.p. as stated on the certificate of origin is measured at the engine. The 14 h.p. the mag. had measured is at the rear wheels.Remember though torque has alot to do with power also!

 

If they are to have them on the floor by June, you would think that they have already finished proto type at least. Does any one know how to contact Arctic Cat? I was on the web site but I couldn't find any contact info.

 

Elranceo; HP means nothing except in the world of racing! Torque is the pull that moves a vehicle. To that end, you would know that the 500 Cat has a couple less hp that a 500 Pol, however it has a couple MORE foot pound of torque than said Pol. If you had been read the replys on this Cat forum you would have NEVER heard anybody complain about the POWER of the Cat! Besides how can we expect someone who doesn't know where they live to contribute to this forum. Go back to your Honda & have a GOOD RIDE HAW haw

 

I agree with sxr6 and crazycat. Its all about torque and gearing. My little KQ with 28 vamps and lift kit may not be able to out run the big bore bikes on top end but have on numerous occasions embarrassed the hell out of them in the mud and pulling big loads.

Deer lease buddy has a 400 prairie and had it hooked to a 16' tandem axle trailer with a deer stand on it. We crossed a small washout and the prarie would just bog with stock tires. I told him to put it in low range and he said "it is in low range". I hooked up the KQ, put it in super low lock and it dug 4 holes in the ground then pulled it out. No more little KQ jokes from him.

Some people want to go 60 mph, I want torque. I ride with 450 foremans, 400 prairies, 500 quadmasters, 600 grizs, and a rubi all with 27s and 28s and they want me to go last through all of the mudholes because they know if i spin a tire they will not make it through it. 280cc KQ with super low and diff. lock will NOT back down.

Horsepower means nothing if you don't have the gearing and torque. Low gearing = torque[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

KingLouisipper,
You're right that is some situations gearing and torque will make all the difference, but in others you're KQ wouldn't have a chance.
Around here we have HILLS, big sandy ones, and horse power is where it's at. Don't tell me how Super low would do you any good, because the only thing it would be good for is digging holes. What you need is horsepower, wheel spin and lots of forward momentum.
King Quads are nothing but a bad joke for our conditions.