I went and looked at the Artic Cat dealer today, I'm sold, they had a Vinson there so I could compare first hand. The cat was way sturdier and after a short test ride it had me. Now I need to know whether to get a manual or auto. My last bike was a sport quad so I'm leaning towards the manual but the dealer said there aren't any problems with water,mud,sand or anything else bothering the tranny in the autos. Is there any difference in acceleration, hill climbing, pulling power etc. between the two(pros & cons). There is only a $200 difference in price so that is not an issue. I want to make sure I'm getting what will make me happy, I think it will be the manual but you guys might bring up something that I haven't thought about.

P.S. I really appreciate the feedback on my other post, it was very timely. I have asked questions on other sites and not got any feedback whatsoever, so far I'm really impressed with the info on this site.Thanks

 

i too found myself in the same situation you were in. I have never owned an automatic before and thought that the arctic cat would be my first. However after using my buddys auto for a weekend I decided on the manual for a couple reasons:

the throttle response is quicker
the bike is a little less noisy, the auto seemed to have a very annoying buzz to it
weighs a little less
cheaper

i love my manual, at first you will probably hate the rocker shifter but after about 20 miles on the bike I think that you will love, if you don't that is easily fixed with a new shifter. Also I like having control over when the bike shifts, i like being able to go into a mudd puddle in a low gear at a high rpm and crawling out. (the low gear feature is awesome). The autos i have ridden have a tendency to really bog down when you hit a big puddle at a fast speed, almost stopping. That was probably the biggest reason i have decided with my manual. Oh yeah, and that fact that you will never have to worry about losing a belt when you are 60 miles form the cabin with low gas and it is getting dark!! some people say that they would never buy a manual and they too have good arguments, some say that autos are better for mudding but i've never had to be pulled out by my friends 500i auto. Maybe my experience is different that the majority but i think that the manuals showcase the power and ability of the cat a lot more. Let us know what you decide!

 

Ya i like manuals as well. dying breed. virtually no chance of anyhting ever getting into the tranny. i love the rocker shifter to be honest. one exception is a passenger. i find it hard to shift with someone on back.

 

i have a 02 375 auto 4x4 this is the first auto i have had i did not know if i would like it but it has kind of grown on me my wife likes it just put in gear and go no guessing. it does good in the mud, but i have to agree the manuel would probly do better. even though i have no complaints on the auto after have one i think i would go with a manuel trans. next and most defintly a cat no dought. thats just my opinon good luck on your choice you wont go wrong ethier wayand this is the best site to come to for any kind of help the people on here are great .

 

good posts. i'll agree with everyone above. the auto is great but i just prefer the manual. i think both are good for mudding but you will always be thinking about getting that belt wet. i think ac has a drain plug on their autos. i have seen one ac auto with the auto tranny snorkeled, and a white bro. pipe and it was an animal, slinging 28/12" outlaws on spacers. i think you would enjoy either but if you know you like a manual, stick with it.

 

in my owners manual it says to ajust the belt every 500 miles. you never have to ajust anything on the manual. and i cut my heel shifter off and now i like it even more. the manual is the way to go.then you have no worrys.

 

No problems with my Auto. I have yet to find any disadvantage vs. a manual except maybe throttle response. I ride with AC manuals all the time, and I go everywhere they go. In fact, on one nasty hill, one of the other guys found himself in the wrong gear. He bogged down to a stop, couldn't downshift fast enough, and wound up falling down the hill with the machine tumbling right behind him. Luckily, he went to the right and the machine went to the left. There was no damage other than a slightly bent handlebar, though. Oh yeah, he also split his helmet on a rock. (I hate to imagine what would have happened to his head on that rock if it weren't for the helmet.) You will never find yourself in the wrong gear with the auto. Just gas it and head up the hill. It keeps the engine right in its sweet spot. As for adjustment? I have 500 miles on mine. My dealer looked at it and did not have to adjust anything. The belt was good as new.

I've been through water up to the gas tank and have never had any injested into the tranny case, either. I've never had a belt slip, and I've pulled a 1,000 lb. trailer around the property many times with no trouble.

The manuals are great and have some advantages, but don't sell the auto short. Its a great design. I'm hoping that AC puts their own auto on the 650. If they do, I'll have one next year. (I'll trade the Polaris. I'm not turning loose of my 375!)

Btw, I've never had problems with the Polaris auto, either, except for a little slipping in deep water. It isn't sealed like the AC. (But it is quieter.)

Hope this was helpful.

 

I'm a snowmobiler first, ATV'er second, so I naturally lean towards the autos. I grew up riding dirt bikes and a Big Red Honda three wheeler so I know all about shifting.

The thing I like best about the autos is that I can stand on the right side to weight it down in the mud and not worry about having to shift gears. We get into some pretty hardcore terrain and the ability to do the above has saved us many times. I've seen PLENTY of guys miss shifts in the mud and it's time for the winch. We've had both Cat and Polaris autos up to the racks in water for minutes at a time and never had any slipping issues.

Everyone has their preferences but I won't be going back to a manual.

 

dirteater, you should now be thoroughly confused. i think auto vs. manual is more heated than honda vs. whatever.

 

put it this way if your gonna buy an auto wait for the 650 auto with the locking front end.now that will be sweet.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]