Last june, my dad and i purchased are first atv, being 4004X4. We really did are homework and did a lot of research. We eventually came to the conclusion that that the AC was the way to go. It had all the good options for the money (ex. highest towing capacity, rack capacity, and ground clearance). We planned on using the atv for trail riding and hunting, and work around the cabin. However, most of our friends ride honda 450s and the swear upon them. They say that the AC is no good.

After having the atv for almost a year, it has perfromed flowlesly, not complaints what soo ever. The power is very good, and it is easy to steer. The only thing that it lacks is speed, but who cares when ur in the woods... Still all i here about AC is that they are junk and arnt woth the powder to blow them up. I can not see how they come to this opinion.

Anyway, we are looking to bye another atv this summer. I have looked at all the atv specs in the 400 range.( Kawasaki 400, honda 450, polaris 400, and the kodiak 400) after looking at all the specs, i still believ the AC has the best machine for the money. Can anybody try to change my mind on the decision, and why evrybody bashes the AC. Also, any recomendations on other atv's are greatly appreciated. I'm lookin for a 400-500 class with in and out 4WD. Thanx in advance. Ryan

 

I agree with you that AC offers excellent value for the money.
My only complaint has something to do with the point you raised about the lack of speed. AC quads tend to be somewhat narrow focus. They are very good at what they do, but they don't lend themselves to a wide range of uses.
I think when AC ups the power output a bit, and lowers the weight a bit they will attract a lot of new customers.

 

The ASI instructor for my ATV Safety course rode a Polaris 500ho. The minute my brother and me unloaded our Cat's he started needling us (all in good fun, I assure you). Even when two other Cat owners showed up he kept it up on the two of us.

At one point, another rider, who owned a Honda, looked at me and said, "Why do you put up with that?"

I replied "Oh, it's just ATV envy."

The instructor heard me and said "What was that?"

I said "Every Polaris owner wishes he would have bought a Cat!"

He laughed and said "You're probably right!"

Two interesting notes here...1) He spent a lot of time talking about how he frequently needed parts for his ride and 2) after that comment, he quit needling us.

There are only three valid "knocks" against Artic Cats. 1) Speed, they're NOT fast. 2) Weight, their NOT light. 3) No locking front diff on the 4x4's. That said, I like how tough my Cat is built (which increased it's weight and lowered it's speed), and I've never missed the locking front end.

 

I always get a laugh when a Pol owners talks about the weight of the Cat, is that the kettle calling the pot black or what!!!

 

Ha, lol. That's good! It's like this... anywhere you go, the average rider will defend his ride to the death. Honda's are everywhere and along comes this newcomer called Arctic Cat (only started making ATVs in 1996). Honda people swear by their machines and they have a fairly good argument... they are good quads. The reason they attack us AC people is because Arctic Cat is a legitimate threat to Honda's dominance. And like almost anything in nature, when one gets threatened, they often get offensive. Don't look at it as you're AC being inferior (you're a smart guy, you can tell the difference). They can say what they want, but no other ATV manufacturer is experience nearly as much market growth as Arctic Cat... and their growing for a reason.

Oh yeah, speaking of the kettle calling the pot black, how about the 450 riders calling ACs slow!

 

I took a little ribbing about owning a Cat for the Polaris guys on Sunday. That is until the cat had to winch out a 500HO and 700 (both guys buried the machines). Its all in good fun, some days are better than others and Sunday was great!!!![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

just to add to the comment of arctic cat's growth in the atv industry, iread that in 2000 arctic cat was considered primarily an atv manufacturer because there atv sales were higher that there snowmobile sales. oh and by the way i just had a buddy of mine sell his "450 ES HONDA" to buy an arctic cat 400. they are finally starting to come around....[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]......



<< if your not dirty your not trying hard enough >>

 

That is funny you hear all this bad stuff about the AC. I am thinking maybe it is just because it is not a honda that the people say this rather than that they have solid eveidence that they are crap. I mean your quad is living proof. And 99% of the people on here have nothing but good things to say about them. I think it is just that they are &quot;new&quot; and the Honda folks are intimidated by a better quad. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] you know, just like the weak are the ones that bully. heh haha.

Just stop and go look at your AC then come back here and TRY and say that thing isn't tough as nails!

My advice on the new quad is a 500i!!! but i may be a bit biased.. although the decision to get our quad was also based on endless research and talking to owners.


newf

 

Owned both a 400i and a 500i and there is no comparison... I would buy another 500i in a sec. The 400i i would not purchase again... Sorry to those who have them. The 400 just couldnt get the job done like the 500 can...

Of all of the bikes out there, I would not hesitate buying another 500i...