I am considering purchasing 2005 arctic cat. 400 or 500 auto. Just want to get some of your thoughts. Heard some have cold weather starting issues. Is this common or isolated incidents. Live in Northern ontario and will be used in winter so need to know. Also any problems with belt drives

 

I have a new 650 and it seems to have starting issues as well in cold weather. Not sure if that's limited to AC though. For the 400/500 models, you can just get the engine warmer for about 30 bucks and be done with it...

Can't speak first hand of the 400/500 models, but the only drawback I've heard seems to be sluggishness and steering. Other than that, the ACs are built like tanks...hmmm...maybe that's why they're not the lightest in steering. Aftermarket tires should help with the steering, so mostly comes down to power. Don't think you'll be winning any races with either of those two choices.

 

ive got a 2002 500i manual and i have never had problems with it starting, just make sure the choke is in the correct spot for starting. i also had a 99 300 and no problems with it eaither. to answer your belt question;all the AC bikes ive seen with automatic trannys never had a problem,unless water gets in the housing and the belt slips,and millsd is right, its deffinatly not a racer. i get about 50 mph.

 

My 2005 AC 400I manual has a primer on the carb if the auto enrichening system isn't enough. So far, a week, the engine starts and idles every time with no throttle applied. Don't know about freezing weather yet as last night was just at freezing and we didn't set out to ride until noon today. The manual says to pump the primer 3 times if it does start after 2 tries and 3 more pumps on the primer if it doesn't start then.

 

Well, I have a 2005 500i auto and love it. No, you will not win races and the big difference between the 500 and 400 is when your in the mud (to spin your way out) or going up hills (my buddy's 400 is pinned, while i can accelerate up the hill). Otherwise, both bikes will keep pretty close to each other on the trails

As for cold weather starting, I live in the north as well (North Bay) and i tried starting my bike yesterday after a few small snowfalls and -15 degrees (Celsius) at night.. the throttle cable got stuck open (perhaps condensation, it sat for a week without being used)... had to take the throttle body cover off and move it back and forth a few times to get it loosened up, after that got fixed, it started up on the second push!

I brought my bike to the mech. yesterday, and they will lubricate my throttle cable to make sure it doesn't occure again... also, the mech said that the bike isn't happy about idling in the cold until it warms up (which i've already noticed). I'll be using the thing for winter plowing, so i'm getting the 5W30 oil to make cold weather starting easier. They are also giving me a bottle of antifreeze for the gas (isopropolene something or other) which i should add about a capfull every 3 tanks to keep the condensation from messing my motor up over the cold months (it breaks the water down in the tank)

So far, so good... loving the bike, clearance is Huge (especially after i get my lift kit) and will be getting a tire upgrade sometime next year. I've taken it through some real tight rough spots and it's handled the badlands with grace.

 

Well alleycat, I was told from my dealer that until you get a few hundred miles on them that cold weather starting is in its nature. I know my '05 400 auto just hated it but after about 10 minutes of warmup she off and running. Mine stays in the garage so I just follow the manual and still let it warm up for 10 minutes. I have a '03 that is worse, but when they are warmed up look out.

 

I don't have any problems with mine, even when I take it home to norther MN. The 04's and 05's have an auto choke that's makes starting and warm up really easy.