I'm In the market for a new atv....i've owned several manual shifts (auto clutch) and had no problems at all....but it seems that most bigger bore quads these days are all autos. I ride a lot...i mean a LOT, mostly mountain trails and mud bogs. I've heard of horror stories about guys breaking belts 5 miles back in the wilderness ( not to mention getting stuck)....are these stories true? are the auto tranny quads worth it? or am I gonna be buying replacement belts all the time while my buddies ride on? Just want to know everybodies thoughts on this

thanks

 

get an auto if you do alot of up hill riding

 

i dont see anything wrong with gettting the auto, from what i have read the AC auto is on of the better ones out there aside from the 650 which is actually a kawi auto, not that there is anything wrong with the kawi system, i have just heard that they are not as good as the AC duramatic. sure you are gona be replacing belts every now and thats just the way a belt system is. Personally it isnt a decision of which is better because i believe the auto and the manual are just as good, i think its a matter of preference, do you like to shift or not. I really like to shift and probably will never by and auto, but that is just my personal preference. hope that helps

 

im with pettyz24.
mines a manual also and i find that when you need tork i put it in low first or second and it will crawl over or through anything.
ive road my freinds autos [600 griz. rubacon. kodiak.]
there alot of fun especially going up hills were you dont have to think about what gear your in and thing like that.
but i still like the manual better and i dont have to worry about blet ajustment or it getting wet and making noise or even having to change it.
all i change is the oil and filter and thats it.

 

i had a '02 500 manual. wrecked that and bought an'03 500i auto. both machines are great. i decided on the auto cause i do more trail riding than anything else. i like not having to shift it. it's all PREFERENCE though. i believe the manual would be better for real, real heavy work because of the lower gear. i plow snow and have hauled logs with the auto and haven't had any problems. they're just like anything else, if you maintain it, it will last. most people that talk trash about autos have never owned one or even ridden one. this is my first auto machine and i was impressed. can't go wrong either way you choose. just remember, it's all PREFERENCE. good luck and have fun riding.

 

I like the RPM control I have with my manual and dislike the wind-up effect of the autos that I have ridden. For me it is an obvious choice but it depends on rider ability, experience, and preference.

 

Unless you snorkel it, get a manual. Dont waist waist it on an auto.. NOT FLAMMING THE AUTO,but the manual have more low end grunt IMHO "in my hunble opinion"