Just wondering how all the AC 500i's are holding up, are they as tough as the old AC's. Do the seem like they will last 10 years without any problems. Bottom line are they rock tough, will the rubber bushings last.
What are all you guys getting on 4.75 gallon tank for mileage. Just wondering.
Thanks

 

So far I have 329 miles on my cat, that is all winter driving too. I haven't used the cat yet in summer conditions so I don't know how its going to hold up to rocks and logs and such. Its built tough though.

Gas mileage is fairy good, on my last trip I got 29 or 30 miles on half a tank and I wasn't babying it either, I was spinning in 2wd or 4wd all the time pretty much in the snow.

I think you would do good buying a cat. If you can wait maybe 1 year or till the new models come out to see what kind of updates they do to the machines you would do better. Either way you can't go wrong.

 

My 400i is doing very well. The skid plate is awesome. It protects very well against rocks and logs. A lot of logs that I have seen make other people go around, I just crawl over them and slide over them with the skid plate and keep going. I do not know about the rubber bushings. But CAt has always made good machines. I think these will last!

 

Don't take this wrong I am an AC lover, but the 500i has its flaws. My uncle owns one and its ground clearance is cool for log crossings, but hill climbing is not comfortable in this bike. My AC 300 is more stable (yet lacks power) climbing hills. I gues what I am trying to say is you cannot cheat physics (I was a physics major in college for 3 years), a tall bike is nice for some stuff, but has its draw backs. No bike is perfect the 500i/400i may come as close as any bike I have scene but keep it in mind that what may apear to be benneficial may also have reprocoutions in other riding terain. It basically comes down to preference as to which bike suites your riding style, purposes and terrain. Personally I'd own one!

 

Very True... The AC's i models are soem of the tallest factory ATVs available and we have some very STEEP terrain around here. Going up the hills or down the hills are not to bad when you are along and lean forward or back, but if you ever put tow people on it, it really changes the center of gravity especially it seems on going down hill. With me and my wife going down hill mine seems to want to do a front end stand somtimes, but I still love our CAT!!!

 

I have gone on some side hills with my 500i and I have never felt like it was going to tip over, I went on one side hill that a Honda 350 rolled on and I never. The i models are extra wide to prevent roll overs on side hills.