I have a 2005 Arctic Cat 400i with 26inch mud lites and the ITP 5 series aluminum wheels. This weekend we went riding with a few of my buddies. One has a Kawaski Brute Force with a lift kit and 29.5 outlaw tires, the other had a Polaris Sportsman 700, and the other a honda rancher 350 4x4. In the mud I would just kill the polaris and the honda but the brute force would go through the holes I was gitting stuck in. But all the bikes would really out run me. Well today I went and ordered a moose lift kit for my bike and was wondering what you guys think about those lift kits. Another thing is what can I do to get some extra power out of my bike to help it out. I was thinking about getting a K&N filter this week but don't want to spend to much money and I really don't know much about these bikes. Also with the mudlite tires I know the 589's are better in the mud but how much more do they weigh over the mudlites? Of course I don't plan on beating these bigger bikes but just help me keep up a little better. If anybody could give me a little advice on whether or what I can do and some advice on the lift kit and how hard it is to put it on it would be helpful.

 

Maybe try the muffler mod too, that might get you some more power. Also, get more miles on your ATV, if is fully broken in around 500 I would say, that is when your power will really be increased. Don't know much about the moose lift kit, should be easy though. Good luck!

 

Wait until you get about 4-500 miles on it, maybe add a jet kit, that seems to be the way to go. It will have more power once it's broken in, and you'll probably gain a little bit on top end. The 589 is a heavy tire, and you would notice a big power loss with anything over a 26". They're good tires, and tough, but with that comes a weight penalty. I can outrun most 450 Hondas with my 400, and I'm running 27" Bearclaws, so you should be able to outrun a 350 Rancher. A clutch kit might be worth looking in to if you're going to be in the mud a lot.

 

I think the problems associated with the lift kit outway the benefit. There are many complaints about excessive wear and breakage of the CV joints using them. All they do is move the shock further down or add a preload to the springs. I have them on my polaris and would consider taking them off. Heavy duty springs are a alternative. They keep you from squating and dont exceed the engineering maximums. Keep in mind that the Mfg has nothing to gain but marketing points to make the quad as tall as they did.

I also think you are throwing away money in trying to make a dent in keeping up with those other quads. Even if you could make a 20% increase in HP (but not obtainable) by doing every possible mod short of boring out the engine - you would likely not see any real difference in keeping up on the trail.

There is always bigger better faster. Appreciate what you have or take a check to the dealership and enroll yourself in the big dog class of machine.

EIther way - have fun and ride as if everyone is watching.

 

Well I don't really plan on beating these bigger bikes just a few things maybe to hang with them. I mean anywhere the Polaris would get stuck I would go right through. The lift kit I don't really care about the worn out cv joints. For the more fun I will have with the extra ground clearence it will help. As for the extra horsepower and stuff we where on sand dunes and it just felt like I didn't have enough power. The rancher just blew me away. Will I actually gain alot more power when I get 500 miles? I only have 183 miles on my bike right now. On hard ground I can hit about 50mph. I wouldn't think I would gain that much power but maybe you can. Also with the tranny do you have to come to a complete stop to go from low range to high range? What do the bikes usually run in Hp also how much do I get from putting a new K&N filter and a exhaust but I am looking for a quiet exhaust. But if you guys think that I will gain more horsepower as it breaks in then I will leave it alone.

 

Since the '05 400 has the same CV joints and axles as the 650 I don't think I would worry about breaking them with a lift kit. The Moose lift kit on my AC250 has caused no problems including handling. As far as power gains, you would think there would be a ton of goodies for the 400, as it is AC's best seller. Well there aren't. Jet kit, K&N and muffler mod are about it. But the 400 isn't a 600 or bigger engine and it will not preform like it, ever. The reason the Brute is kicking your butt is the tires and the power to turn them. You won't ever have the power for turning tires that big, so don't try. The old saying "If you can't run with the big dogs, stay on the porch." Be satisfied that it out does the Polaris in the mud and let it go. Top speed is directly connected to horsepower to weight ratio and you are as heavy as the Polaris and Brute but with less motor. The Honda beats you with lighter weight. Also you auto tranny is part of the problem. A manual would do bunches better.

 

well I can't help but want to beat them but that Brute Force is to much for me. He has 18 inches of ground clearence. But I was thinking that the Arctic Cat come with 12 plus the extra inch in tires with 2inches that would put me at about 15 so I wouldn't be to far off. I know I will beat that polaris in the mud even if he does get new tires but the 750 Brute Force has and extra 4500 dollars in it that includes a big bore kit and a bunch of other stuff so I am not spending the amount of money to beat him. I think the Arctic Cat does very well with it's power to rate ratio but just looking for an edge over the polaris. I don't really care about racing I just like the deep mud holes.

 

Be advised that larger diameter tires will rob you of even more power. They effectively change the final gear ratio and will make you accelerate slower and drop your top speed. Tires with a more agressive tread, but of the same 25" diameter as the stock tires will do more for you than bigger tires, I knowbecause the stock tires have let me down also. The better tires will do more for you than added ground clearance. My 400 picked up 3 mph in top speed between the 300 and 500 mile marks. So there will be some improvement. Just about nothing you do is gonna make your 400 beat a 700 in a straight up go fast race. There is no replacement for cubic inches, or cubic centimeters if you prefer. My manual will out race a 660 Grizzly up to about 45 mph, but mine is a manual and the Grizz is an auto, and it make a big difference, it also gripes the hell out of him.