i hear AC are mudding atv's is that true

 

Look here and you decide

 

Cool pics!

 

They aren't really any better than any other atv at mudding as far as I would say. They have a common limited slip 4wd system, about the same ground clearance as most others, and the engine power is on par depending on the engine size with other manufacturers.

Now the one mudding aspect that I do think they have going for them is that the larger ones like the 500 manual have good splash protection. The tires don't stick out past the fenders and the inside of the front fender wells is blocked off by plastic, thus almost eliminating side splash. It also keeps mud out of the fan very well.

Another good thing they have going for them is that the fender clearance is very high, and you can fit 27" tires under them without needing a lift kit, and still have a couple inches to spare. I think you might be able to fit 28" under there also after seeing some actual tire diameters in a 4wheel atv action writeup.

 

If you ask anyone that has riden with me they will tell you Arctic Cat is one of the best mudding bikes on the market.

I have stock 26" 495s and I keep up with, and some times out do, 450's with 27" Mud Bugs and 26" Vamps.

 

Thats about par for the course. Put the 495's on the Hondas and it will probably be the same thing. Same type of differential, and even less weight. The power is less, but not by too much. Same for Grizzly's, Prairies, and any other limited slip big bore. When you start talking about the best mud quads, the Polaris's with the on demand 4wd take the cake, simply because both fronts will pull which is a key to a great mud quad. On top of that, you can't get a locker for an Arctic Cat yet while it is avaible for most of the other quads. I think the Arctic Cat is a good quad for mudding, but I don't see it as being better than a whole lot of others, and by no means the best.

 

Andy,

I know for a fact, that the front differentials on Arctic Cat are better than hondas and yamahas. I have seen where even with all 4 wheels firmly planted on the ground a 450 and a 99 kodiak 400 spin 3 wheels. I have never experience 3wd with a 4 tires on the ground. And when I tap the brakes the 4th wheels ALMOST ALWAYS kicks in, unlike my Hondas that I have rode with.

I'm not trying to say Arctic Cat is the BEST mudding bike. I'm just saying that it is in the top 3 for sure.

 

You have linked brakes, the honda and yamaha brakes are on the right lever for the front, so just in case, tapping the rears won't help you. I think the brake tapping this is a load of BS. I have done it probably over 30 times in at least 15 different instances and it never helped out at all. Like I have said, I could see the other wheel kick just a hair and then nothing. I have spun out my limited slip on a hill that a lighter honda 300 4x4 went up without spinning. Also have spun out on a muddy hill that I could take my 2wd honda up with no problem. To say the least, I don't think the AC limited slip is anything to brag about at all. Sure its a good 4wd system, but as far as limited slip differentials go, its not by any means the best at putting traction to the ground in uneven situations. If there was a locker available, I would get it right now. I have even seen loose hills that the Claws couldn't do anything on strictly on account of the limited slip front end. Now that is the type of situation that can **** you off quick. I know I was fuming when I backed back down. I love my 500 but the front end is by no means the reason why.

By the way, have you ever put any more thought into your rear winch idea? If I were you, I'd spring for the front winch and then get the crank type boat winch from Cabelas and mount on the rear. I couldn't see myself winching from behind enough to drop cash for a real one, and the crank type is fairly inexpensive. But then again, I don't live in that mudhole they call Louisiana. I live in the Ozarks where most of my winching is done to get me up hills.

 

Andy,

I know which brake is which on Honda's and Yamaha's, cause before I got my cat, my family had never owned anything but Honda. Those ATV's AND ATC's include a Honda 2 or 3 110's, 125, 250 Big Red, 2 185S', 93 Foreman 350(canadian model), 94 trx 300 4x4, 91 300 2x4(it had a strut front suspension) and others that I don't remeber what they were.

The brake trick is not BS at all. It has helped me greatly in many places.
1. In a mud hole that I was only half way in the ruts. My tires were slicked over and I was spining and not moving. Only 3 wheels were pulling and then I taped the brakes and the front wheel that wasn't moving kicked in and I made it threw the hole(go as The_law in the Highlifter chat about that).

2. I was in a pull off with a 450es that had 27x10x12 Vamps all around. In high range he would start to move me and I would hit the brakes. He would stop moving me but my motor was boging. So In low range I started with out the brakes and gain and he would start to move me. When I put the parking brake on I would start to pull forward again and the motor was not boging.

These are just 2 places where the brake taping thingy have helped me. Maybe it's the different terain (mud vs rocks), but i know it has worked fore me enought to defend it. Is it perfect?? HELLLLLLL NO, BUT what is??

I am still considering that rear winch, but first I have to get my front winch. I am ordering a Rule 3300 lbs winch for the front Thursday then I will start saving for something else(mostlikely a set of 27" 589s for the stock wheels). As of now the rear winch is in the VERY far future, but is still something I am serious about.