Out where we ride at (Fun Wheeler Park) there are LOTS of A/C's.... Im Seriously thinking about getting one..
BUT, There arent very many models to choose from... I DON'T Want Liquid Cooling.... I DO want 4x4.... I want gears..(I already have some auto's...hahahaa)
I would like to have switchable 4x4... True 4x4... decent ground clearance.... and Light weight!!! (whgen compared to the comparable sized Polaris..) DEPENDABILITY... either decent muddin' power or aftermarket parts available to GET the power out of it...
Lets see.. what else is on my wish list?... If it means buying a model thats no longer made (a.k.a. Used Bike) thats fine... I just need to know What machine to look for....
I LOVE my Polarises... I am NOT looking to get rid of them, I just want a good Mud-Cat to add to the toy box..
ANY SUGGESTIONS?????

 

As a former sportsman 400 owner who just purchased a 300 4x4. let me give you some info.
I just got back from 'come-a-longing' out the little kitty. I went down a trail i used to travel all the time with the sportsman. buried the kitty. the sportsman had at least 2" more clearance. I see myself getting high centered on alot of spots that i just rolled over on the sportsman.
As far as true 4x4, i just finished modifying the little kitty to have 2wd/4wd/4wd lock with $0 out of pocket. It really works well (when i'm not high centered)
I can see the need for a lift kit and maybe some bigger tires.
I think you'll like an AC overall; although it's alot different than the POL...

JC

 

JohnC:
Just curious how you modified the kitty cat to get it to run all four paws. Is it possible with the 500 auto??? That 4 lock would be nice in certain circumstances.

thanks,

Mike

 

Mike,

I hate to break the news to you but i don't believe you can lock the diff in any AC except the 300. Essentially the 300 4x4 is a suz king quad with different suspension and brakes. The king quad has the ablity to swap in/out of 2wd/4wd/4wd lock. That's why i could mod it so easily. My only suggestion to you for a locked front diff is to look into the aftermarket. I believe your bike is full-time 4wd. It would be VERY difficult to steer on a full-time 4wd bike that has a locked front end (except in the gooey stuff).

JC

 

What is the biggest tire that the 300 will turn WITH a lift... I need it to be able to turn 27" tires... If that means NOT using High Range.. Thats ok... as long as when its burried up to its headlights in thick grey clay mud and I het it, it HAS the power/gearing to turn all four....

POSSIBLE??????

 

John:
Yeah, I think you're right. I think I remember reading something about the 300 being the only one able to switch into the 4 lock. And you are definately right about having a full time four wheel drive machine with a locker being hard to steer. I do have selectable 2 wd/4 wd on my 'Cat, so if I did get a locker, it wouldn't be a problem when in 2 wd. Don't think I'll be messing with that though, as I don't really have a need to justify the cost and headache of actually installing one. I've gone everywhere I want to go, and have done all the work that I have needed to do so far with the bike as it is, so until the day comes that I find something I can't do, or somewhere I can't go with it stock, I'll just wait to add a locker.

Mudmachine:
I think that with the lift, you should be able to fit the 27"'s fine. My only question though is when you are buried rack deep in that thick grey goo, would the 300 be able to turn them? Of course, not sure which tire you want to run, and some weigh more than others so that would be a factor. Also, if you modded it a bit. Well, wait a minute. I guess you already said that you would soup it up a bit, so that should take care of that problem. Sorry about that, just thinking out loud. Good luck with whatever you do, hope it works out like you are hoping for.

Mike

 

OK,
Now... WHAT all High Performance Kits are available and which brands/pieces work the best? Top Speed mean absolutely NOTHING to me... Its all about the low end Muddin' Power here.
I will be running either 27 Vampires or Tri/Bi Combo..

 

If you don't mind riding every wheres in low rangen and mudding in super low I think the AC 300 has the gears to pull 27" tires.

 

Didn't A/C make a 454? Was it air cooled or water cooled?...... weight???

 

The 500 is a bored out and improved 454. other than that they almost twins.