Hey guys,
I am probably sure that you have talked about this, but I want to find out as much as possible. I bought a P700 back in october 2003. I love the machine. I put 26" 589ITP's on it, with a 2" lift and a warn 2500lb winch. I test rode all the big bores, except the AC650 (not avaible at the time im my area) and I just loved the power of the P700 (unreal toqure and power). I love everything about it except ground clearance. I saw the new AC650 at the dealer the other day and WOW! IRS with all that wheel travel and super ground clearance.....and best of all it has the P650 v-twin. HOW DO YOU GUYS LIKE YOUR? Please only AC650 guys reply. I am trying to decide to sell mine and get the AC650. HELP!

1. What about body roll?
2. What about top speed?
3. At what speed does it feel "squirlly"?
4. When you tow, does the rear end squat?
5. Dependability?

Thanks,

 

I just bought my AC 650 MRP in december, and I like it. I was a Polaris man through and through, (01 sportsman 500 H.O.) That was a great machine, until my neighbor bought a Kawi 650, and started leaving me in the dust. Now I have my 650 cat and he traded his in on a 700 prairie

However, don't buy the cat unless you plan on spending some money on it immediately. The polaris turned shorter, and easier. I suspect that the turning, handling problem is because of the stock tires rolling under, and I am currently trying to figure out what set will suit me best. And I also have to give AC a pat on the back anyway, I mean what other manufacturer (besides polaris) puts on 26 inch Radial tires right out of the box? (I think they are even six ply) Great effort, bad results. With the stock tires and suspension set on 3 all the way around, my machine would rather roll onto it's side rather than spin a cookie!(Also probably tires fault)

The shocks on the cat have alot more travel, and don't bottom out nearly as easily as the polaris. However it rides a little rougher too.

I had my polaris for 3 years and 8500 miles, and never had to do anything to the clutch! I bought the cat and the first thing I had to do was re-spring it and take one shim out. Don't get me wrong, the Cat's clutch really takes off now, and it wasn't that hard to do, but I should never have had to re-shim it out of the box! I mean come on! AC has been making automatic snow mobiles for years, they know what clutches, belts work the best! Why would they use that high maintenance (compare it to all other belt style automatics) kawi design?

If you have some time, and plan on spending a little more than MSRP (tires,jets,clutch springs, open up air box), I think It is a super platform!

Righ now it is the best of both worlds IRS and V-twin power! It just needs a little refinement from the aftermarket world!

700vtwinman's questions:

1. Bad
2. 62
3. Mine doesn't
4. Don't know
5. Hasn't broke down yet in 80 miles
Just my opinion!

 

Dear Bigredbeast,

I was in the same position as you are currently in now. I previously had a Yamaha 660 and then I went to my local Artic Cat dealer to see the new Artic Cat 650. There were so many things that I saw on the 650 that my 660 did not have. First, the Artic Cat as a full ten inches of travel front and back. Second, it has a 6.5 gallon tank on it. Third, it does have the Kawasaki 650 engine and transmission, and Lastly, it does have the IRS with 13 inches of ground clearance. My Yamaha was a little bit tipsy while riding on off-camber trails. When I put wider tires on it that helped but did not eliminate the problem completely. Prior to purchasing my Artic Cat, I measured the distance between the front tires and then measured the distance between the rear tires. I was shock to see how much wider the Artic Cat was over the Yamaha. This eliminated any off-camber tipsyness. Then when I saw the MRP rack system, that sold me. I am completely satisfied with the new Artic Cat. We went elk hunting a few weeks ago, and after seeing how well my ATV performed and handled, my friend who has a prairie 650, put his up for sell and is now buying the Artic Cat 650. Hope this helps you with you decision. Cat650

 

1) It's got a little body roll, but nothing too extreme (with new tires, with the stocks at 5 PSI, look out!)
2) They claim around 60 MPH. It pulls hard to about 40 MPH and then slowly tapers off from there.
3) With the stock tires, with stock air pressure, about 30 MPH. With aftermarket tires (I've got Dirt Devils on mine) It was around 45-50MPH.
4) You can dial up the suspension. I find that towing (or a second passenger), I need to dial them to firm, or it squats a bit.
5) I've had mine in for a sticking thermostat, but that's it.

Pluses... Thing has amazing power!!!! It has a really nice ride, and easy to use 4wd. I found that you could attack and depart from some nasty ravines without bottoming out the suspension (and entering at a speed that wasn't slow), or even hitting it "hard". The dynamics of the suspension are really good.

 

Hey 700vtwinman, One of the reasons you probably LOVE your Prairie is because of its agility & sportiness. I've rode em & know that to be so. You're gonna lose some of that with the 650 Cat.
The Cats are heavier & would be slower on most trails i've been on. You probably wouldn't be satisfied with the stock MTR's. Then there's the limp mode situation to deal with, also the black spring/shim issue. Then you have to think of all the money involved , at least i would. It seems to me you have a really good ATV, set up the way you like, & you LOVE it. Don't read me wrong on my opinion of my Cat. I think its the finest ATV out there, for me, even though mine is now in the
"Limp Mode" as we speak. Also i'm looking to replace the tires & maybe wheels too. I'll have to do the 'Black Spring/ Shim thing before i go out again. I knew there would be belt issues from the Kawasaki threads i've read in years past , but the AC 650 had about everything i wanted in an ATV, & i was prepared to do whatever was necessary. Yes, the 650 Cats are great, but then so are the Prairie's. dfarmer gave you the straight dope in his reply also. All this info is given without knowing you or your style & is IMHO only. Now for your views. Regards, Jerico1

 

Thanks Jerico-1,

Let me know how the difference is when you do your mods to your 650AC.

 

i have the polaris sp 400 4x4 2002





1. What about body roll?little top heavy need to be carefull
2. What about top speed?had mine up to 60 mph
3. At what speed does it feel "squirlly"?it handles well and never felt squirly(proper inflation)
4. When you tow, does the rear end squat?yes. i loose ground clearance too
5. Dependability?very much so ....awsome strater in the cold

 

Hey Jerico-1...............what do you mean by "LIMP MODE" on the AC650?????? I never heard of that, although I am fairly new to the atv world? thanks[/b]

 

700vtwinman, Limp Mode is about what the name implies. You limp home at about 10mph,LOL.
It is caused by sometimes a loose belt will trip a switch in the converter cover that limits your RPM'S ,but will still run. I guess its designed to keep you from trashing the belt or possibly do other damage. You have to remove cover & reset the switch, then with a reset harness AC has out now you take it out of limp mode, after checking belt deflection for looseness of course. Sometimes Limp Mode is set off electrically, by a spike or something, & has nothing to do with a belt issue. Probably the reason AC came up with the reset harness. I have one ordered as do other Cat owners. Go to the Artic Cat forum, you'll learn all about "Limp Mode". My question to you is how do you like the ITP 589's, in all respects. Are they hard rough riding on hardpack, how are they on dirt trails, they gotta be good in mud. How about the steep rocky ledges, thats what gets my heart beating fast.LOL. How do they compare to the Titan 589 MT's. If you had it to do all over again would you still go with the ITP 589'S. Regards, Jerico1

 

Thanks for the info. I would definitly buy the ITP 589's again. They are great in mud and do not pack up at all. They are pretty good (better than I expected) on hard pack and dirt roads. It seems like in sand they act wierd, or maybe I am not used to the power of the p700. I had a set of dirt devils on my honda recon 250 4x2 and they did great in sand, but I think it really has to do with the extra power issue of the priarie 700. These are the only two tires I have ever had other than stock. My cousins on our lease run vampires (huge tread) on their honda forman 450's and they are great in mud, but seem like they could be a little rough on hard pack, although I have never rode with them. Hope that helps. Thanks again for the info. This forum stuff is great for educating people who don't know a whole lot.