I'm new to this forum but have read through a lot of responses and conversations and it seems there is a lot of knowledge within this group. With that said, does anyone know if AC plans on offering a Manual Transmission on ATV's larger than 500cc?? I own a '03 400cc manual and test drove a '05 500cc LE Friday. I loved everything about the '05 but I didn't have the same pep as my 400. I was convinced I wanted the 500cc manual so the dealer is converting over a manual with the LE package for me ready this coming Tuesday. I was convinced until yesterday I wanted the 500cc manual...yesterday I drove the H1 through our trails here in Kansas. It was an auto so I was never that interested in it but the motor is awesome and it's making me double think the 500cc. The sound alone is worth an extra $1K!! Now I'm thinking I want that motor but I'm 'old school' and still prefer the manual.

Does anyone know if AC plans on further developing the manual transmission for the higher torque motors?? AC is working on 3 new motors at the moment. Yesterday confirmed one size as 970cc twin and my dealer wasn't saying much about the other two sizes. If anyone has heard of anything I'd appreciate feedback.

Thanks

 

I heard a rumor that they might fit a manual to the 650 H1 some time next year, but that is only a rumor, no facts to back it up.

Wish they would - I pull loaded trailers with my 500 Manual, and I'm glad that someone puts out even a 500 with a manual trans. Word I've heard is that you can pull a load every once in a while with a belt drive, but if you do it often like I do, the belt won't hold up.

 

Considering here in MN, an ATV is classified as a vehicle that weighs under 900lbs and has an engine displacement of less than 800cc, I think tha 970 idea is a load of hooey.

 

Chumley, I too was a surprised to hear about the 970cc but that isn't something I made up, it was information that came from a decent sized AC dealer. So, as a lot of topics in this forum, this is nothing but rumor at this point in time and we'll just see what happens.

One thing that isn't rumor was the information I had regarding the H1. It's a very impressive machine that I drove again last night through our trails. The torque and locking front differential gives that machine an unfair advantage over the AC's we just bought two years ago. Now it has a lot of guys in our group scrambling around trying to upgrade machines. I still have on order a 500cc manual LE (a converted auto) but after riding and hearing the AC 650cc I'm having 2nd thoughts. I haven't talked to anyone yet that can confirm the manual transmission being offered with the 650cc engine so I'm still looking at the 500cc. One question I have is if anyone knows why the dyno numbers for a 500cc Manual are so different from the 500cc Auto at Highlifter (www.highlifter.com).

I'm going to be at the AC dealer again today and I'll see if he can give me anything else about the 970cc engine. When I talked to him Saturday he said AC was developing 3 new engines but I didn't get much information.