I'm curious! I haven't heard any reviews from anyone on their new 03's.

Any problems? How is the new motor in the 500? What are your likes and dislikes? Any other tidbits??

I am just wondering if I should wait til 04' to buy!![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-tongue.gif[/img]

 

WHAT GIVES, MAN? Is there nobobdy out there that has a new 2003 Arctic Cat that will spill beans??[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img]

How do the 03's compare to the 02's?? I am thinking of the 500i's, or any AC machine for that matter. I have a '00 500. I am very happy with the machine, but I may need to buy new![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

Anyone help or am I on my own!!!???

 

Can't really tell you much, but my brother in law got a manual 03. Thing is something big! Sits up good, real stable, and rides smooth. I can't compare it to 02, cause I never rode one, but it really steers light. Like 10 times better than the 99 I used to have. If it had a 650 engine and a differential lock, I would trade for it right now. I've probably said this like 5 times now, but it has the same ground clearance with stock tires that my 660 has with 27" tires. You can literally crawl under it.

 

I have had my 03 400i for about 6 months now and I still think it is a great machine. The only problem I have had with it that was not caused by my own stupidity was a oil seal on the rear diff. and that was replaced under warranty. I kind of wish I went for the 500 for the extra power, but I don't think anyone is ever happy with power we always want more. I have been rideing across frozen corn feilds lately and I am always in the lead because everyone else has to slow down to prevent kidney damage while the cats suspension just eats up the bumps. Just my opinion but I think the 2003 Cats are a great machine.

 

I guess I am with you Andy!! AC really needs to get a 650 class quad. The locker would also be nice.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

I'm in the market for a new machine, but I am in no hurry. I really like the Griz, but I still lean toward a Cat.

I figure I have another year before I will buy anyway. Until then I hope to gather as much useful info from other riderz.

 

I tell you this much, if they put the Grizzly engine and locker in the 500i chassis, I'd be set. I really think the automatic takes away from the power of the 660. Its there and you can tell it, but just seems like it would be quicker with a manual transmission. Big tires bog it down some too, and you know its not the engine thats doing that.

 

I've been fairly happy with my auto. I haven't had any problems with it. It's nice for work, but not so much for play. My next machine will have to be a manual.

The griz auto is much like the AC...continually engaged...right?? This type of auto seems a little tougher, as opposed to the clutching system on my Polaris machines...basically a snowmobile clutch.
They eat belts like mad. They slip, and are a big headache.
I think I would leave the autos to the sport only machines.

I hope that AC keeps the auto or manual option if they make a 650 class quad. But it seems that the auto is the trendy thing for the bigger beefier machines.

 

I've had no trouble out of the auto at all. I just think it takes away from the engine. Like putting the 27's on the AC 500 lugged it down some, but it is really noticable on the 660 and thats a lot more powerful engine than the old 500 was. Of course it could be tuning as well, seeing that the AC was tuned more for pulling.

Still, with the 27's, the Grizzly will absolutely leave a Rubicon sitting. I wish yamaha was as smart as AC and would put a manual shift option on their 660. I would trade tomorrow. I like being able to keep it in the powerband and all.

Never been a fan of automatics, just that the 660 was the only option for what I was wanting. IRS and a locker with a fast motor. I miss my AC at times still.

 

Andy, you mentioned the automatic trans seems to cause the engine power to drop off, when you were discussing the Grizz. You also mentioned you would prefer a shifter if Yamaha, made it available. My question is, do you think the tranny that Honda uses in the Rubicon/Rencon (auto) would help? As you know, this trans allows the rider to shift manually, if you want.
Thanks in advance.
Chuck

 

I like the honda transmission, but I think I like the Rubicon tranny better than the Rincon. Rincon should have been give 4 gears rather than 3 I think. Don't know what it does in real world applications, cause I've only ridden one around a parking lot, but seems like it would limit it some. Like the gears would be spaced out kind of wierd. I would rather have the manual myself. The main thing about the honda transmissions are that they are cased in like a manual transmission, rather than just a housing for a belt. Far more reliable and element proof than any belt drive.

And I never have figured out all that crap that people say about the honda transmission being expensive to replace in defense of belt drives. The honda transmission more than likely won't need any replacing any more often than the manual geared quads do. They are far more reliable than a belt, and I would imagine most people will own one for 10 years without ever seeing any problems at all.

Given the option, I'd take a 6 speed manual with low range. That would do anything and everything that I would ever want it to. I think Yamaha could further utilize the 660 engine if they would give it a manual shift version. Thats the good thing about AC. They appeal to the masses.