Generally I wouldn't really say one is better than the other anymore (auto vs manual). Its a personal choice depending on your riding style and the terrain you ride.
I've never owned an AC, but after 11 years on a belt drive Polaris I'm ready to make the switch to a manual. When I first owned the Polaris I was really happy with the auto, but then I was mostly just doing casual trail riding. When I started hunting and camping with the quad, and the loads and terrain started getting more extreme, the auto just wouldn't cut it anymore. When those big mud tires dig in they get so much traction the belt becomes the weakest link, and I've burned up quite a few of them. I'm sure the newer autos are way better than mine. With the improvements they've made over the years,like engine braking, they are probably fine for average trail riding. But for severe utility/hunting work involving heavy loads, towing, and steep hills, I think the engine braking and control of a manual would be better.
I'm hoping AC will offer the new 650 in a 5 speed version; if they do it will probably be my next quad.

 

ahh, memento. thats why i chose the rancher for its ES.

 

I guarantee that the belt drive eats up that power to the ground on my 660. Sucker is just weak with the 27's in rock crawling. Even in low, you have to really give it the gas to get it to turn. Granted, it will definitely turn them over, but just doesn't have that low RPM throttle control. Its like you ease into it and nothing happens, then you rip the throttle and hold on. I would rather be able to drop it into 1st and ease my way along. Pulls the meager stock tires just fine of course. My AC500 lugged down some under the 27's, but not as much I don't think in the low RPM range. And the Grizzly definitely isn't lacking in engine power. I think the belt drive takes away from its potential.

 

I have 2002 500i auto and the only real drawback to the auto that I can see is poor gas mileage. I'm only guessing, but I think it gets about a third less mpg than an equivalent manual under similar conditions. It seems to me (and this is only conjecture) that the auto keeps the engine revving higher than a manual, as there are lots of times when I instinctively want to shift up to a higher gear but the auto keeps the engine revving higher than I think it needs to, burning up extra gas in the process.

Other than the gas mileaqe, which may not be important in your case, the auto is great.

Bob

 

flash2-------Thank's.you just cleared up somthing up for me.i met this guy back in march and every time i talk to him he ask's me what kind of gas milage i get. i tell him at least 20mpg. he say's he get's about 18mpg . now i know why.also Andy is correct about the manual it's grerat for rock climbing and other thing's that that need that low end throttle control.i have nothing against the auto. i would love not to have to shift ,it's just the belt is not for me, i do lot's of mud and mountian trail rideing. plus i use it for yard work too.and with the manual it just seem more suited for the job.now if ac put a tranny like the honda has in it's rubicon.[ES or auto shift] i would buy one in a hartbeat. just think 650 motor and a tranny like the honda rubicon. that would be sweet.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

This past weak I had the pleasure of riding 1 2002 arctic cat 500 and 1 2001 AC 500 (both auto's). Since I never had tried an AC ATV yet, I was very eager to do so. Took them up some nasty trails in colorado. I really liked the machines including the suspension, feel, and stability. The only thing that it really lacked in was the engine. They did excellent in the mud and slow speed hill climbing. When in high, I was lucky to do over 40! Both machines were basically the same, except the newer one was quieter, better suspended, and a little quicker. They topped out in the 50's though. Low range has great torque, but when you jab the throttle you really do not feel like you are on a 500. My rancher felt like it had a lot more power! It is a night and day difference between the power of the prairie. Has anyone else experienced this?

I would pick a manual quad over an auto any day (plus the 5sp 500 feels a lot more powerful than the auto!!!!!).

 

i am confused!! did they have trouble doing over forty, or top out in the 50's????????????????

 

Driving on a dirt road with turns and small hills, they had trouble doing 40, but the one flat road (about 3 miles long) , I managed to get 50, but it took a REALLY long time!

 

my 500i munual will hit 55mph on the speedo with no probs. and if you hold it down longer it will hit 57/58mph but i think thats it. if i wanted to go faster i would of got somthing else.

 

hey big4x4, if your in it for speed and gravel roadin' stick with the p650. i don't know for sure how fast my ac is but it's fast enough for me. but then again, 30mph is fast enough for me. big tires are too expensive to waste on gravel and pavement.