Was all set, had my mind made up and was going with the 2004 500...the only real reason not looking at the 400 was the digital guage setup. Then they go and come out with the 2005's, and the 400 has the instrumentation and diff lock to boot! I'm sold on the "old" styling, and while I'm not wild about the new look 500, I don't hate it-

My question is this- where can I find some useable specs to compare the 400 and the 500? I'd love to compare weight to horsepower, but the ac info I get is only displacement...not HP or torque (wheel or otherwise). I'm thinking the 400 with diff lock would be all the bike I'd care to need....

 

The old body style 400 and 500's weigh about the same, they are identical except for the engine. I would imagine that the new style is about the same weight. The 400 makes it's power at a higher rpm, it's noiser than the 500. I'd go for the 500, but I'm not sure of the $$ differance. They are also going to have an 05 base model 400act for cheap, but I'm not sure if it gets the diff lock.

 

The 400 with ACT does NOT get the diff lock.

The only time I've felt my 375 (same engine) needed more power was when riding sand dunes. However, in low range, it does just fine. Everywhere else, it has plenty. Mine is an ACT, so I'm not sure if it has a weight advantage over the independent rear suspension chassis or not, but it certainly is a reliable machine that requires very little maintenance or worry. If my life depended on getting somewhere on an ATV, my 375 would be the machine of choice just because of the confidence I have in its reliability. It has proven itself over nearly 1000 miles of hard use in all kinds of terrain.

 

The Arctic Cat 375 (371ci) and the 400's (376ci) do not use the same engines. The 375's were liquid cooled, newer 400's are air and oil cooled. As far as power goes, my 400 is just as powerful as my dad's 2000 500 auto, however his will do a lot better in low RPM. The 400's are not as smooth as the new 500's.

So, I would say go with the 400 if you want to save a few bones, you will still have all the power you need, just might have to use low gear more. I think the 500 is the best machine Arctic Cat makes. If I didn't get such a great deal on my 400 I would have got the 500. Once they get EFI on that one I am going to pick it up. I would say for sure get the diff-locker. I wish I had it. Otherwise, no complains.

 

Thanks for the input..I know the '04 500 gives up about fifty pounds compared to the 400, just not sure if it made up for it in tangible HP is all... comparing things based on displacement gets foggy. I had occasion to ride my brother in laws AC400, 2002 I think- might be an '03, and was quite impressed. Have to admit I didn't consider the powerband and the noise...food for thought.

MB

 

I have an 03 400 i man and a friend has an 04 500 auto (he used to own an 03 400i auto). He says that his 500 auto is a lot more powerful in the low and mid range and also faster than his old 400 auto... My bike was running better than his 400 but I can't touch his new 500 anywhere. My top speed is not that far of his 500 but it takes longer to get there and I have to shift down faster on any uphills.
Hope this helps[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

In fact, the 375 and 2003 and up 400 do use the same air/oil cooled 376cc engine, as does the Suzuki Eiger. The 2002 and prior 400 model used a Suzuki liquid cooled engine.

 

I also have a comment, although its hardly fair to judge a manual tranny against an auto...
We just traded in my 03 400i auto on an 03 500i manual and an 04 400 ACT auto.
Against either of our 400's my 500 has LOTS more bottom end and torque through the midrange.I'm almost positive it will be faster too,but havent opened the new ones up yet as we are still breaking them in.Personally I would go 500,although the 400 will get you anywhere the 500 will go.I found myself using low range while trail riding on the older 400.That being said, it worked great plowing snow last winter as well.I took out an 02 500 auto last fall,and I cant say as it felt a lot better than my 03 400 though.

 

Arctic Cat 375 used a 376 cc engine. The original AC 400 used a 371cc. The year after the 375 came out, the ditched the 375 and just put that engine in the 400 and did away with the 371cc. It was pretty stupid at first, because they had both a 400 and a 375 at the same time, and the 375 had the bigger engine.

 

500 is going to have a lot more low end. That motor is just a mule. Thats about the only way we could tell the difference in my old 500 and my cousin's 454. Start them both out in 4rth gear from a standstill and you could tell a slight difference. And the 454 wasn't down on power either. In speed and acceleration, they were almost identical. You had to ride both a lot to tell the difference in the power.