IM ABOUT TO BUY A NEW ATV.. BUT IT'S EITHER GOIN TO BE A POLARIS SPORTSMAN 400 OR A ARCTIC CAT 400.. I KNOW THAT THE ARCTIC CAT HAS A 12 INCH SEPENISION AND THE POLARIS HAS A 11'5.. SO IF ANY ONE HAS ANY INFO.. ON WHAT BETTER.. PLEAZE WRITE BACK OR IM ME AT dr kneel n bob

 

From my neighbors' personal experience with artic cat, I would stay away from them. Of course these were 98 models, maybe alot has changed since then, but I know both of these guys had their's in the shop ALL of the time. I think the best way to decide is to ride both and go with your instincts. Nobody can really tell you what you want except for you. I would NOT buy anything until you ride them both.

 

Tough call. The A/C seems to really have improved their design in the newer models. On the other hand the Sportsman chassis has been around since about 95 or so, and the 425 engine used in the 400 for even longer than that, so it has the advantage of more time to get the bugs out of the design.

I think the Polaris is a little heavier, but it has a bigger engine (425cc instead of a hair under 400) so the performance edge would still go (I think) with the Polaris.

As I said, tough call, take both for a test drive, and see which one has a better 'feel'. Not sure about the Cat, but I DO know that the Polaris starts out with suspension that feels a little stiff, then loosens up after a couple hundred miles, so don't be afraid if it seems a little bit rough riding when new.

I guess since you asked in the Polaris forum, I will have to say go with the Polaris [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

I bought a 03 AC 500 last Sept and didn't like it that well so I traded for a 03 SP 600 and the SP is a much better machine ....I would go for the SP...The AC 's brakes suck and they nose dive on the front when you hit the brakes...the SP just stops better and is more stable....i will say one thing for AC if you are just going to do mudding it will go through a pile..

 

Hey I had 39 mi on my SP400 when I bought it and the suspension didn't feel too stiff to me. I only weigh about 200lbs. I think you will really enjoy the SP. Mine will hit about 55-57mph with me on it on open straight aways. The only thing I can't get mine to do is wheelie but that might be because its not a "sport quad". lol Go with the Polaris you'll love it. Oh by the way I've since set my rear suspension to the stiffest setting for pulling and don't see a huge difference in riding it.

 

LOL! I wonder what the answer will be in the Artic Cat forum..........

 

If you don't have your heart set on one of these, you might check out the new Bombardier Outlander 400. It's getting great reviews from the mags and seems to have a lot going for it. I'm considering one myself even after having decided on an SP600. Haven't made any decisions yet because getting a new quad would mean having to sell my '84 V65 Magna rocketship!

 

The answer at the Artic Cat forum would likely be...

How do you plan to use it?

They're close in a lot of ways but not really exact matches. Both will be comfortable rides and should be fairly reliable. The Cat has an edge on clearance and (arguably) on reliability and downright toughness. The sportsman will be "sportier." Few owners of either brand find things they don't like about them, most are pretty loyal to what they bought.

Personally, I don't think you can go wrong either way. But then I am biased, both companies are based here in Minnesota. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

I was in the same battle myself on the 500's... I chose the cat.

I am not real keen on the limited slip front diff but, I like the fact that the front end is locked in and turning when in 4x4.

The polaris requires rear wheel slip, no biggie but, after talking to the people at polaris I was shocked to hear that the front end only turns at %80 of the speed of the rear... HOLY CRAP!!! is what i said!

This was to keep the steering light in turning because the front is not locked, and when your in the soup who cares how it steers anyway.

The polaris is king of the mudholes and the 4x4 system works great but, I did not care for the the way it works.

Your not going to make a bad choice with either.

p.s. I am the only guy in my group not ridin' a polaris.

 

Polaris uses Polaris engines ...Based in USA (Minnesota)

Arctic Cat uses Suzuki engines ... Based in Japan (JAPAN)

My mind is made up....