Hi there,
My buddy and I are thinking of buying quads to expand our hobby of 4 wheeling. We're into trail riding steep technical trail and into snow wheeling. So we figured a 4x4 quad was the way to go. Now the questions (we get some conflicting info):

1) How different is the auto from the manual? Will the manual stall if you're in gear and stomp on the brakes? I'm being told it won't. If not how is it different from auto? In the gear selection (manual selection vs. auto)? Also, if it does not stall, how come? Does it have some kind of viscous primary drive/centrifugal clutch or what?

2) 300/400/500/650? I know this is a loaded question, but what would you suggest for general trail riding as described above. We would probably ride slowly in between trees over roots and ruts. We would like to use the biggest tires possible for clearance and so we think more powerfull engine is the ticket but again, I'd prefer a lighter vehicle to a heavier one. Is different gearing available? That way one could run larger tires on the smaller quads. I also like the simplicity of the air/oil cooling and no fan of the little quads.

3) Lift or no lift? Lift helps with the clearance and tires. But what about track width on the independent suspension? It gets narrower as you lift, right? Also would the longer 650 be better as it is longer and so with taller tires it would be more stable? What about axleshaft/driveshaft angles and their strength. Any issues there?

4) What tires? We do like the new MT/Rs as we have experience with them on other vehicle. But we also like the 27" mud tires with the deep lugs (not sure of make). Furthermore, by reading here I see people fit 28" and even 29.5" tires on. How much stability and power do you loose when using the bigger sizes. Also, how much steering do you loose by running wide tires on the front (I'd like to run same tires front and back - wide for floatation - but ama afraid it won't steer as easily then. In general, I don't want to modify much until I figure out what works and what does not and I'd like to run without a lift if possible. But I don't mind trimming the plastic and putting in a jetting kit and a new pipe if they help. I don;t mind lifting either if it works without sacraficing much of stability and strength.

5) Lockers. Are they available? What about limited slip differentials?

6) What is the difference between a regular 650 and the LE?
7) What is the difference between a regular 400/500 and the i models?

I know there is a lot to answer but thank you, thank you, thank you.

 

1) The manual tranny will probably have more power than the auto, because of the auto's belt slipping. The manual will not stall because of the auto-clutch, the clutch engages only at a certain RPM. The gear selection is slightly different between the two. The fender selector on the auto has H-L-N-R, where as the manual has H-L-R and you use the foot shifter to get to N.

2)300 has less ground clearance than 400/500/650. Better go 400 or higher to run bigger tires. 400 is air/oil cooled w/fan, 500/650 water cooled.

3)Try it stock first. If you need more clearance get a lift or tires.

4)Don't know much about the tires. Deep lug mud tires can be hard on wheel bearings when ridden on hard ground and some big tires may void the warranty.

5)650 has a front locker.

6)The bikes are the same, except lime green, bumper, winch, and handguards come on the LE.

7)400 ACT rear end is a semi-independent swing arm with a shock on both sides. The i's are fully independent.
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Thanks a bunch! That was good. I also talked to the dealer a bit this morning and learned a bit more about the tranny and lockers.

Also what about those bigger, wider tires and steering. Is the difference significant?

Thanks again. Great forum.

 

It seems like the wider front tires would make it harder to steer, I don't know how much though. You also need to think about the side to side clearance when you turn with the wider tires. I'm not an expert, but I'd say 26" or 27" probably would not rub when you turn. Your dealer should be able to tell you. I've been doing research on the 400i 4x4 std, I'll probably have one before Xmas. If you do get an Arctic Cat, get an '04.

 

Thanks again,
I think we narrowed it down to the 500. I'd probably go for the manual my buddy for the auto.
We are thinking 04s and up here in Canada the 500 are the i model only. I did not even know they made a 500 ACT?? Only the 400, I thought. Either way we'll probably get those and wheel them stock and then decide. From what I asked and seen at the dealer the 500 can get away with 27s and the 650s with 28s stock. So 27s is what we'll shoot for. This way I'd probably do a jetting kit and a pipe before doing the lift.

Does anybody know what the mileage is like on the 650 vs 500 vs 400? I'd imagine the 400 would go farther on a tank of gas than the other two. Or maybe not, if you have to use more throttle. Anybody have a comparison?