Well i'm caught between the AC 500i manual and the Traxter XT, why these 2, because they are the 2 best
working,
durable,
basic,
best on fuel,
reliable,
take a beating,

quads you can get, the only thing they are slower, okay they do 10mph less then the fastest big bore, big deal. They can go all day on one tank of gas. Ask a 700 SP owner how long he can go on one tank or any other big bore, Not far.
I do far trips and even with my old reliable 600 grizzly, it still sucks fuel and I have to bring a 5 gallon of gass all the time and in the back of my head I worry about my belt. I got 4800 km's on it and i've pulled worked that machine really hard and i've never had a problem. I started thinking last year though when my buddy's 2001 500 HO blew his belt up 60 miles from know where, the geared AC had to towe him home and it made me start thinking, this could be me. I don't want to worry about gas and having to carry another belt.

What really helped me was, my friend with the 2000 AC 500 manual,is the one that is looked to pull anytime someone breaks down now or needs to be pulled, we all look to him to do the job as he is the only one with manual and no one wants to pull with automatic machines as it is strenuous on the clutches and belt. Even though dealers say there better then geared machines I am starting to really see they are Not, I would of baught a 500 Grizzly manual if they had one, but they don't and even then the AC and Traxter are really over built for strength and that is what I want, no computer and electric 4*4 crap to go wrong with, right or wrong.
Basic designs are the way to go when you want a machine to last 10-15 years without problems. Look at the old Honda's Big reds are still kicking around and there old basic 300 4*4 too. Then new hondas, well that can be debated.

 

Yam:

I have just purchased a 2002 XT and just love it. It is well put together and very stable ride. Have had it on some rough trails my the ride is very nice to me. This machine is a tank. I wanted something that could go anywhere and do anything and I believe this is the machine to do it. Everyone has their preferences, however, I don't think you could go wrong with any quad as long as it has what you are looking for. I got a great deal and a 3 year warranty. That only decided where to buy it from. I would have purchased an XT either way. Looked at a 2003 XT and it has both manual and auto shifting. However, I don't like the looks of the 03 models so I opted for the 02.

The Step thru is great for my kids as I take them for rides around the yard and the easily accessable storage is great too. I haven't heard tomany negative things about the traxters and I'm sure they are out there. I look for 2 years befored deciding. Anyway just my 2 cents. Another website that is banned from mentioning in here may help you. It is atv (followed by what a watch gives you). Good luck and my vote is with the XT.

tick[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

Just to confuse your decision making process....Suzuki is bringing out a manual transmission/auto clutch version of the Vinson for '03. It also has a two speed Hi/lo gear box and lots of other goodies....

 

Thanks for the great advise,
I didn't know about the 03, having an automatic option, are you sure of this, for the XT for sure.
I am leaning more and more to the XT. I wonder how it will do in deep water crossings. I mean up to the front rack deep no more.
Anyone know?
Anyone have any good pics of there traxters in rough situations, I know the Quest can't go where a traxter goes as the air intake for the belt is near the bottom of the seat as far as I was told, right!
Thanks again.

 

Yam:

Yes the 03 has both the semi auto (manual thumb shift) and an automatic override with too. I didn't realize this until I looked at an 03 XT. I then looked in the 03 brochure and it is stated in there too. The thumb shift is great and easy to operate. I went with the 02 because i liked the looks better and also the 02 had the blackwater tires and the 03 doesn't not. The 03's tire sizes are the same as all the other traxter and quest. You still get the chrome rims.

I have hard there arent many places the XT cant go however I haven't had my long enough to experience this myself but I don't see it as being a problem. As far as the Quest I have spoken with owners who were riding with other belt driven quads and they Quest was able to pass thru deeper water than the other quads. Once the Quest had pulled them out, the Quest owner did drain a little water from the belt housing, the other quads had to go get more tools to drain their housings.

I was leaning towards a Quest XT at first, but didnt want to take a chance on the belt breaking, so I choose the Traxter XT and I love it. Another site that has more Traxter and Quest owner is as follow but I'm writing it backward cuz its not allowed in here i guess. moc.emitvta.www

You can email me at widowmakerforestry@yahoo.com if you like if you have more questions.

woodtick

 

I have an Arctic Cat 400, manual shift. I love it. Its the second Cat I've owned, never a problem with either. I like the manual myslef, vs. auto, for the reliability and simplicity.
Mine is the semi-independant suspension - straight axle in rear with dual shocks and pivoting swingarm. It is the best of both worlds between fully independant and rigid. Rigid gives a sportier feel sliding through corners, and independant will give the best, most comfortable, and least gear rattling (stuff strapped to racks) ride over rocky/rough terrain. If you're buying for function/work/camping/hunting, you'll like the independant, but if its for fast sport riding/trails, you'll enjoy the rigid axle/swingarm better.

 

Just for all of you who helped me decide. I went with a 2002 Traxter XT as it still had the blackwater kit and the 03 didn't. So far I love it, great on gas, got 123 miles on 1 tank, my grizz got only 70 miles. It is great in the mud, can get it stuck though. Water crossing are fun.

The 3 year wararnty is what really helped me, if a company is willing to give that kind of thing on a ATV, they must be tough.
First service as I hit 500 miles in no time.
Oil and filter change.
1 head light.
Changed 1 rear blackwater, they found it faulty..
Changed spark plugs and left me the used ones for backup.
Total bill was a big 0 dollars.
How's that for a warranty.
Good luck, and you can't go wrong with a traxter.
2002 Traxter XT.

 

Bomb makes a great quad, how does the weight affect the quad? Thats the only reason why I don't want to buy a Bomb, I'm really tired of heavy heavy quads. My 500i is a tank on wheels. I think you made the good choice. Did I hear right, the Traxter has an auto and manual on the same quad? Something like the Rubicon and Rincon, not the same way but the same idea? Oh and how much did you pay? Is it the 500 or 650? Thanks.

 

The Traxter XT is the 500cc only, so far. You can get a Quest in a 500 or 650cc model. I really like my Quest XT. I wouldn't mind owning a Traxter XT though! A super workhorse! Maybe someday!?[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

I know the weight of my Quest will benefit me well this winter when I plow snow with my 60" Moose County plow. With a dry weight of 760 lbs., when I get the snow moving it will help with all the weight I have pushing the snow!