ive heard that the ac 50s are hard to steer (liek turn the handlebars). Because im looking for a 500cc or lower quad that could go through about anything that i put it through. So im thinking the 05 kodiak 450 or 05 AC 500 4x4 auto. I almost had my mind set on the AC 500 but i heard that they are hard to steer and that when you end riding "it was liek a gym workout". SO i was wondering: 1) which one shoudl i get in your opinion. and 2) is it really hard to steer?? Thanxs.

 

Well, I don't have a 500, but I do have a '05 400 and it was heavy as hell in the steering department. At the 100 mile oil change the tires were found to be at 3 psi (I would have thought the pre-delivery check would have found that item). Pumped up to 6 psi and the was problem solved. I would suspect the 500 is the same as the frames and tires are the same and the weight difference is less than 25 lbs.

 

I know even on my 250 if it's in 4wd it's a bit harder to steer than when it's in 2 wheel.

 

The older AC's were a lot harder to steer. Its not that bad anymore, a lot better compared to 90's models. I find the AC's to still steer heavier than most other quads, but its not tiring like it was on say a 99 model. Tough choice on the Kodiak and AC 500. AC is a bigger bike with good torque. I would assume the kodaik to be quicker, and its obviously more nimble. AC is a little heavier built with less plastic in some areas the Kodiak would have it.

I would get the kodaik because it would seem to be more fun to ride, but if I was looking at other features, I might take the AC. both are good.

 

I can't help you with the kodiak, can only comment on the AC... I rode quite a few bikes before buying the AC, but none "all day" or long enough for fatigue to set in. That said, I've been on my AC for a few extended jaunts and do feel it's a little heavy/likes to self center, but I haven't found myself tired from it at all. (Maybe it's all the effort I save not having to pull it back to straight [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] .02

 

its such a hard decision when buying a new quad! lol [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img]. I just made my mind up on the smaller quad (Between 05 z250 and 05 250ex) and figured the 05 250ex. Now its time for the ute. lol. Itd be for riding through tough stuff. So if there are any more opinons or anythign id be much abliged.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

I have the 05' arctic cat auto and I can tell when the tires are low on air when I drive it because it will be hard to steer. Go air up the tires and it is easy to turn.

 

yea thats what i heard from other ppl that have the 400s to do. They say it helps. Thanxs.

 

I don't have the 05 but do run an 03 500 auto 4x4. All I can say is a repeat of the pressure, mine has been on some rather long rides 3-5 hours, mostly in rough stuff and I find it a pleasure to drive. It does not seem to me to be any difference than my sons Polaris 500 Sportsman. You need to try them out before hand, I found that first hand operation will tell you the truth.

 

I have an 01 400 manual full time 4x4, my buddy a 05 auto 400 FIS 2/4 selectable. We both echo the pressure as helping stearing. What it boils down to a lot of times is side wall roll. What a lot of folks do, as we did, was upgrade the stocker tires to some decent 6 plys. At the normal 5-6psi they have a lot less sidewall roll when compared to just about any manufactureres stock tire. Less roll means less tendancy for the quad to plow into a turn which means less translation of all that froward motion / weight being translated back up through the bars.

Brent