We are in the market to buy our first quad... I think it has come down to either an Eiger or an Arctic Cat 650. We will be using it for both recreational and farm work. I personally want the Eiger because it is smaller and would seem easier to handle than the Arctic Cat. My husband wants the AC because of the power and suspension. Could someone please advise on the quality of the AC, ie. the suspension, comfort, handling etc. (I want an opinion other than the dealer's) I also like the warranty on the AC...

 

The Arctic Cat 400 has the same engine as the Suzuki, but has the same chasis and suspension of the 650 plus awsome new styling for 06 which is smaller than the 650 fenders, plus two years warranty. Should be some a dealers this week.

 

if you go with the 650 arctic cat go with the new H1 it is pure arctic cat and i have personally had awesome luck arctic cat. well as far as the eiger goes you can't go wrong with anything that has a suzuki motor in it they are bomb proof. never driven the eiger so can't comment on it but i know the arctic cat suspension is a really good suspension. but as for handling i heard alot of people complain about arctic cat's steering maybe they fixed it for 05 and 06 i dunno but i haven't noticed any problem with it. well i live on a farm and we used to have other brands but got rid of them and i got my 650 and my dad has his 450 honda and we wouldn't have it any other way everything is great on the lee ranch.

 

They all seem pretty big at first. We couldnt wait for the bigger TRV machines as we like to ride two up. At first it seemed REALLY big - but after a short time its just another quad. They all deserve respect in operating. Unless your heavy on the throttle there is not that much difference IMO. Thinking ahead and avoiding difficulty is the first challenge. I always go for the biggest machine as it erks me to no end having to sell at a loss and go get the one I should have bought in the first place.

 

I've ridden nearly everything, (4x4) and just bought my first Arctic Cat. This thing is a tank when you want it to be and a nice comfy ride when you want it to be. It's an 03 and I notice it has a bit of over-steer, but I truly love this machine. Suspension is everything - especially where I ride. Obstacles that would make me whince riding any other quad, don't even reach the skidplate. I had it out for about 7-hours today, in some fairly horrendous terrain, (rocks, steeps, mud, water). This thing never let me down. Go Arctic Cat - you won't regret it...

P.S. You'll be fine with the steering/handling

 

Weez is spot on about the AC oversteer, I believe it to be in the past. Massmark noticed it in his '03, I've noticed it in my brother in laws '03, but imho it's non existent in my '05. I've ridden an eiger (and ridden with an eiger) and to me there is no comparison to my AC500. I consider myself smart in that I did not ride an AC650 before buying, so I don't know what I'm missing, lol. I do have enough hours on the 500 to say that it's awesome!, I really appreciate why they call it a torque monster... I can only imagine the same chassis with a 650 (V or H) in it. As for it being too big...at first, a little, as I came off a much smaller bike, but as I've gotten used to it and don't even notice it now. Between the eiger and any AC, 400 and up, I'd go AC all day (remember I'm biased, lol). But I've had no problems with mine, it has exceeded my expectations, and anything mechanical will wear and/or break given the right abuse or neglect. So far my AC has scoffed at anything that I've had the adrenaline to put it through...

Hope this helps!

MB

 

I didn't even notice it at first, (chalked it up to terrain). On the dirt roads and in the flats, it seems to be fine. Where I do pick up on it, is in the rough and rocky. It seems to happen almost always to the left and I've only noticed it in 4x4. It's not enough for me to be concerned about - just aware of.

As for size, the 4x4 is perfect for me and where I ride. Some of the trails are tight and I believe the 400 is the perfect balance for me. I'm a big guy, (6'4" 260), but am comfortable all day on the AC4. My buddy has an AC5 and it does fine for the most part - like MB said, you get used to it. On the other side of the coin, his brother has an AC-500 2-up and it's not the same story - takes finesse on the tight trails.

Does anyone know if AC made a 500 that had a wider rear whelbase, or is that an aftermarket deal? We spotted a guy a few weeks ago hung up in a tight spot with his 500. The AC's rear seemed a lot wider than normal. It looked like a normal 500 and had a plow frame, but the extended rear did him no favors. Is/was that a factory option?

 

hey MM did he have aftermarket tires on it cause or rims cause he could have gotten more offset rims and i believe they do make wheel spreaders for them i know they do for polaris's cause they put bigger tires on they have to spread them in order to clear the shock towers. i couldn't see no advantage to it other then that though be tougher on the axles and everything.

 

Weez - Yeah he did and that must be it. I don't know what he thought he was going to get out of it - these things go practically anywhere. I try not to judge, but it looked kind of dumb ands the tree stump he was hung up was lovin it... [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]