Planning to buy a utility atv this weekend. Done quite a bit of searching and still conflicted. I like the mrp, look, and feel (minus the footbrake) of the 05 AC650. The grizz was pretty nice as well, but doesn't seem as strong. BF felt a bit tippy and probably unecessary power.

That said, I'm looking for a machine that will push some serious snow with some mountain climbing in the summer. I live in MA with a 300 yard driveway and own 90 acres in VT. Seems that the 700lbs and v2 of the ac would do good...but maybe the grizz?...hmmm...then there's that bf750. Just hoping to make a good decision. Definitely like the Yamaha dealer best.

Any thoughts? Also, seems that the moose 60" tapered plow is the best, but would like more feedback on that as well.

thanks.

 

I would look at all the problems the BF owners are having on the other forums. My buddy has one in the shop and it's only 3 or 4 weeks old,He's not very happy.

 

all three are good. I would look specifically at what the problems with the BF are and how many posts are from people who have one and have problems with it or if its just a lot of people bringing up news of others having a problem. Lots of people will just post away on stuff like that and make it look like every quad made was a freakin lemon.

I don't know if thats how it was with the limp mode on the AC or not, but I've seen it happen with a lot of quads in the past.

You will do good by any one of them.

 

Whatever......all new quads that come out have a few quirks. But I haven't read very many about the BF as much as artic cats. My friend has an AC500 and it is always in the shop.

 

If you get any real snow, forget the blade. You can only push it around. It WILL catch up to you. I use a Kimpex Snowblower with a 13hp Honda motor on it. 48" 2 stage blower does my 4400 s.f. driveway in 20 minutes. L shaped, going as wide as 38' in the center of the L. Takes me an hour to do it with the Compact tractor with 60" blower. Takes longer to get dressed! I did the blade thing. Its cheaper, but in the long run, you'll be happier with the blower.

 

Seems I've heard both sides on pushing the snow. I've got a 300 yard long driveway and planning to get a 60" tapered plow to hopefully get a bit of speed and throw the snow a little. Plenty of room to the sides for snow. I live in MA, so definitely get our share of snow. Hopefully the ATV will work ok and won't take hours, but I guess we'll see. The blower sounds great, but at 3-4k, I could pay someone to plow my driveway for years.

Any more opinions on pusing snow (either side) would be appreciated...

 

4 wheel off road recently did a comparo on all the top quads such as the ac650, kawa 700 prairie, polaris 700, honda rincon, yamaha grizz, and so on. And the AC came in third place they said that it was the top machine for the hardcore stuff, the honda came in second cause it was a lighter trail machine and the kawa won out due to the stronger motor, and good trail manners. The grizz they said was extremely difficult to manage due to a narrow top-heavy chassis. I own a ac650 and have thrown all terrain u can think of at it and it hasnt flinched. I dont plow with it but i have been plowing professionally for quite a few years and thats one long driveway, the ac's weight should put it in an advantage in the plowing department and u will definitely get the speed if u get a tapered blade. All in all i say the ac should be the top choice, and i have done my research for over a year before i bought the quad, same when i bought my 400. Love the cats.

 

I wouldn't get anything other then a 60" plow, I have the regular Arctic Cat 60" plow and it is awesome, even my 400 has no problems with it, I do plowing on the side for some extra cash and managed 15" of wet snow with it. Took a little longer to do, but never got stuck.

Don't listen to people like "700vtwinman" who come on this site and say things like "My friend has an AC500 and it is always in the shop". When it comes to ATV's the people who actually own them are the ones to listen too, not the people who talk about "their friend that has one". No offence 700vtwinman, I usually love your posts but have seen you yourself talk about how dumb comments like that are.

I can't speak for the BF or the Grizz, but my family has never had a problem with the Cats, other then something that was caused by stupidity! I love the looks of the 2005's, the ground clearance, 2 yr waranty, suspension travel, receiver hitch, and the new MRP racks, those could be very usefull

GOOD LUCK!!!

 

Any of them will do the job, spend time with each one and see which one you bond with!

 

Thanks for the feedback. I'm planning to go buy the 650 tomorrow, hopefully getting a set of gators and a 60" tapered moose plow...