I recently purchased a Vinson auto for the wife. Ive been thinking about getting another 500 auto for myself but, cant quite decide between the Cat or getting another Vinson. I have to admit I like the sporty feel of the Vinson. I have an 01 400 manual Cat (great machine). But I am really starting to like the auto cvt much better, and the selectable 2/4 wd ( 01' 400 is 4x4 only). Has anybody put seat time on BOTH the Vinson and the Cat? and what were your likes/dislikes with each?

 

haven't put time on the vinson the only thing i heard about it is that it has mad horsepower for a 500 which is a plus in my books but the 500 cat is a good machine as well i mean they both have the suzuki motor so you can't go wrong there and i have a suzuki fourwheeler the first year they came out with 4x4 and it is tough as nails so personally i don't think you could go wrong with either one which ever fits your needs the best i guess woudl be the deciding factor

 

There are some good online resources that directly compare different machines. Here are two that helped me in my decisionmaking.

ATV Television comparison of the 500 class machines: http://www.atvtv.com/500class.html
ATV Rider Magazine compared bigbore and some 500 machines: http://atvrideronline.com/tested/100_0306_showdown/

You will find the Vinson to come out very well in all reviews. There have been other discussions on this topic, so you may want to do a search.

 

I rode with RidinLCWA this past weekend on my '05 400I manual. The only draw back was top speed. On the long straight stretches the big boys could get away from me some but not far (damn that rev limiter works). I am sure a 500 cat would have stayed up with him. I tend to ignore magazine testers as they worry more about who advertizes more in their rag than giving unbias evals.

 

ground clearance is king! need i say more go with the cat. and i have rode both and the vinson feels like a hot rod but the cat can out wheel it any day and can i say 2 year warranty vs. six months. my 2 cents

 

Cat.

 

How about buying the Cat because it is an American Company[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif[/img] Yeah they use Japanese motors, but you are still keeping some American jobs by buying it. I'd even consider buying a Polaris just for that fact.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-blush.gif[/img]

Now if Harley would only start making Dirt Bikes[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/img]

 

I feel exactly the same way. AMERICA ALL THE WAY!

Besides, put an '05 Cat next to the Vinson. Side by side, which one is bigger an badder? Now, which would you want?

Only thing Vinson has over the Cat IMHO is speed, and speed only because it's much lighter.

Both are good machines tho..

 

hey cfh doesn't KTM have american built motors in them? and besides the KTM has an awesome look with that orange

 

As far as I know they are from austria, but I could be wrong. They are nice bikes!!! Although they are about $1000 more than the rest.