What are some honest opinions on these machines, going to try to talk the wife into one, I currently have an 03 400i and love it but need more power, also I saw somewhere (cant remember where) that there is an aftermarket cdi/module for the 500 does anyone have one and what gains was there. Thanks.

 

I have the 2005 500 LE in lime green that i bought in late Feb. I currently have 215 miles and they have been completely worry-free. I'm not too rough on it but I have gotten into some pretty deep muddy water...and had no problems! It is a great trail machine and you can go forever on that 6.5 gallon gas tank. It rides better than my Arctic Cat snowmobile does...on the snowmobile trails!

 

I like my '05 500 4x4 auto that I bought last fall.
Last weekend I noticed they have lowered the price by $200 - I guess in part because they want to get rid of what they have before the '06s come in.

I am not sure about a cdi mod - frankly if the stock 500 isnt enough for you, get a 650 right off the bat.

good luck getting the green light!

 

I bought my 05 500 manual tran in October. Got 1375 miles on it now. Love the bike. Big enough to do anything I need, plus is very confortable with the independent suspension. It was my first atv, my other bikes were 3-wheelers, which I still have. You will not regret getting one.

 

I'd have to agree with that, throw in the extra grand and get a 650. Personally, I'd look at the H1 for the clutch alone.

 

A guy in my hunting group bought an 05 500 auto last fall. He let me ride it during moose hunting season a little bit. Same size as my 400I and a little more, power plus the diff-locker was sweet! Hauled an entire moose on that thing 8 miles through the woods to the cabin and it never hesitated once.

My only complaint would be that it appeared to me to use a little more fuel than my 400. I am not sure if it was because its a 500 or that it was an Auto. I believe either would cause more fuel consumption. Given the rising cost of fuel I think fuel injection is looking better and better since it can be more fuel efficient.

I am looking into another machine as well. I am leaning toward the 2006 TRV and hoping I can get one with the diff-locker. If not I may go with the 500I as well. Wife and daughters want a AC 250-300 4x4. I think I am loosing!

SJ

 

swampy, I hear ya on the gas, they just raised the price to $3.97 a gallon over here!

 

You didn't say if you wanted biased or honest opinions, lol. I have some limited time on other machines, kind of a test ride marathon as I was narrowing it down to the AC, and I've no real regrets whatsoever... Awesome machine! That said, I have to admit that I knew about the lousy rear footbrake going in and conceded it. I also consider my self smart not to have ridden a 650 V2! I did, however, ride a grizz, a sportsman 500 magnum and H.O., an eiger, an AC 400 auto, and a few others.

I do not regret buying the AC 500 one bit... any difficulties I've had with it are my fault, by and large, and man... will this thing move snow!

.02

 

I love mine so far, but it's my first ATV so I don't have a lot to compare it to. My father in law has a 05 400 - I opted for the 500 to get a little more power, I liked the gas tank in the rear, and a friend told me to get liquid cooled. I have about 440 miles on mine now and we drove 128 in one day alone. I find it to be very comfortable, reliable and can't wait until next winter to plow some snow with it!!!!

I have had one problem so far, the nut on the shift linkage was too loose and fell off - it wasn't a serious issue - but thought I would let you know so you can double check it if you do get one.

Hope this helps. Good luck with your decision.

 

Catterman,

$3.97 a gallon! holy cow! I bought 110 gallons (2- 55 gallon drums) in December whenit was $2.54 a gallon. I use it in the 4-wheelers and my outboards. Its almost gone and I think I might need to talk to the bank for a loan to purchase fuel next time!

I also spoke to my buddy who owns the AC 500 and said he can get about 120 miles in 4x4 on reserve (not sure if he pushed it until it ran out or not). Last time i pushed it I went about 145 miles on a tank in 4x4 on my AC 400 so its actually not too far off. I think its the funky fuel gauge that is the most deceiving.

SJ