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Jul 22, 2005 | 02:04 PM
#11
Got Milk!
Blaming Guns For Crime Is Like Blaming a Spoon for Rosie O'Donnell being Fat!
Blaming Guns For Crime Is Like Blaming a Spoon for Rosie O'Donnell being Fat!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,656
Likes: 0
From: East Grand Forks, MN
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polarpigmn
Sorry to hear about your dealer shutting down, the best thing to do is call Arctic Cat customer service 1-218-681-4999. From my experience with people I know who have called, they always had good luck. Otherwise, head to the Gander Mountain in Forest Lake, they will take care of you. Lots of other good dealers in the Twin Cities.
Also, you can order the service manual on CD from ebay for around $5. It has awesome pictures and explains everything in perfect detail. Well worth it.
Be sure to put some miles on your ATV's before giving up on them. The 400's need 300 miles to get broken in. Once that happens they are like a whole new machine. Good luck to you, and if you have any specific questions just ask. Don't worry about Bear, that is just his personality. He is a nice and helpful guy to have on this site. However, sometimes he can be a "Bear" [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]
Sorry to hear about your dealer shutting down, the best thing to do is call Arctic Cat customer service 1-218-681-4999. From my experience with people I know who have called, they always had good luck. Otherwise, head to the Gander Mountain in Forest Lake, they will take care of you. Lots of other good dealers in the Twin Cities.
Also, you can order the service manual on CD from ebay for around $5. It has awesome pictures and explains everything in perfect detail. Well worth it.
Be sure to put some miles on your ATV's before giving up on them. The 400's need 300 miles to get broken in. Once that happens they are like a whole new machine. Good luck to you, and if you have any specific questions just ask. Don't worry about Bear, that is just his personality. He is a nice and helpful guy to have on this site. However, sometimes he can be a "Bear" [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]
Jul 22, 2005 | 02:36 PM
#12
Extreme Pro Rider
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 4,054
Likes: 0
which 1
Originally posted by: polarpigmn
Hmmm, a nit picker and a sensitive one at that. Sorry, was in a hurry and didn't spell check.
You are right - we didn't do enough research. The looks and features of the machine appealed to us. We never considered the Manufacturer or manual issue.
The dealer was not an issue, he was very cooperative and filed all paperwork accordingly. "If you had choosen (I believe it should be chosen) a good dealer----". Note: I will not get into a spelling or grammatical discussion with you, but just couldn't resist.
Quality control? How about a wheel obviously factory marked as defective still being put on a machine and shipped to the dealer. The dealer replaced it with no problem. There were a few minor, but obvious problems that should not have gotten past quality, but we took care of those ourselves.
Manual? By the way, I'm speaking of the owner's manual, not the service manual, which we haven't even gotten into yet.
Of course a mechanic of 25+ years should have no problems. How about the person who has little or no mechanical ability? Should they hire someone, or perhaps just not purchase a machine that will at sometime require regular service and upkeep because they don't understand the written instructions or the pictures aren't clear or large enough to provide a visual explanation. (I'm sure this is typical of many manuals, not only of AC).
Pictures are too small and of too poor a quality to determine what they are trying to show regarding the written description.
With the graphic software available today, there is no reason quality grapics couldn't be used. A Polaroid picture just doesn't cut it. Written descriptions are sometimes vague. Of course, the bottom line is probably cost, not the consumer. My feelings regarding all product manuals is that a novice(s) should review them with the product.
My husband was a machine designer, involved with both manuals and quality issues for his designs, so we are not inept or stupid.
The issue of buying AC again rests not only on the machine performance, but that of the company.
I did state that we had not been able to put many hours on them, but have had no problems as yet.
The basis of my comments is to advise people to look beyond the dealer and the machine.
Hmmm, a nit picker and a sensitive one at that. Sorry, was in a hurry and didn't spell check.
You are right - we didn't do enough research. The looks and features of the machine appealed to us. We never considered the Manufacturer or manual issue.
The dealer was not an issue, he was very cooperative and filed all paperwork accordingly. "If you had choosen (I believe it should be chosen) a good dealer----". Note: I will not get into a spelling or grammatical discussion with you, but just couldn't resist.
Quality control? How about a wheel obviously factory marked as defective still being put on a machine and shipped to the dealer. The dealer replaced it with no problem. There were a few minor, but obvious problems that should not have gotten past quality, but we took care of those ourselves.
Manual? By the way, I'm speaking of the owner's manual, not the service manual, which we haven't even gotten into yet.
Of course a mechanic of 25+ years should have no problems. How about the person who has little or no mechanical ability? Should they hire someone, or perhaps just not purchase a machine that will at sometime require regular service and upkeep because they don't understand the written instructions or the pictures aren't clear or large enough to provide a visual explanation. (I'm sure this is typical of many manuals, not only of AC).
Pictures are too small and of too poor a quality to determine what they are trying to show regarding the written description.
With the graphic software available today, there is no reason quality grapics couldn't be used. A Polaroid picture just doesn't cut it. Written descriptions are sometimes vague. Of course, the bottom line is probably cost, not the consumer. My feelings regarding all product manuals is that a novice(s) should review them with the product.
My husband was a machine designer, involved with both manuals and quality issues for his designs, so we are not inept or stupid.
The issue of buying AC again rests not only on the machine performance, but that of the company.
I did state that we had not been able to put many hours on them, but have had no problems as yet.
The basis of my comments is to advise people to look beyond the dealer and the machine.
Jul 22, 2005 | 06:11 PM
#13
Weekend Warrior
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
which 1
Thank you for your kind words & advice. Arctic Cat still hasn't returned my call from yesterday. She had marked it urgent since I'm going out of town. Thankfully, so far, issues have been taken care of regarding the machines. We are not yet faulting them.
Gander Mountain didn't have a part we were looking for, but we found it at Anoka Ramsey in Forest Lake. I think it was a mounting plate for the winch.
We do have the service manual in book form. This reminded me. Check where the accessory plug is supposed to be according to the book, then try and find it on the machine. I believe the book said it was up front somewhere. In frustration we called the mechanic where we bought the machines. Lo and Behold, the accessory plug was actually in the rear of the machine and darned near impossible to access without removing a panel. Not particularly user friendly. Now, was the book wrong, or was machine assembly wrong? Should the service manual have had an addendum?
Am more than willing to give the machines a chance. Still think they may be durable, but again, only time will tell.
As for Bear, his reply which follows gives the impression he's an okay guy. I sometimes can be a B (not a bear) depending on how much grief I've gotten that day. (AC really raised my blood pressure when I spoke with them.)
Thanks again.
Gander Mountain didn't have a part we were looking for, but we found it at Anoka Ramsey in Forest Lake. I think it was a mounting plate for the winch.
We do have the service manual in book form. This reminded me. Check where the accessory plug is supposed to be according to the book, then try and find it on the machine. I believe the book said it was up front somewhere. In frustration we called the mechanic where we bought the machines. Lo and Behold, the accessory plug was actually in the rear of the machine and darned near impossible to access without removing a panel. Not particularly user friendly. Now, was the book wrong, or was machine assembly wrong? Should the service manual have had an addendum?
Am more than willing to give the machines a chance. Still think they may be durable, but again, only time will tell.
As for Bear, his reply which follows gives the impression he's an okay guy. I sometimes can be a B (not a bear) depending on how much grief I've gotten that day. (AC really raised my blood pressure when I spoke with them.)
Thanks again.
Jul 22, 2005 | 06:18 PM
#14
Weekend Warrior
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
which 1
Hey Bear,
Hopefully you will forgive me as well. Now that I know you are a "smart ***", I can handle it & give it back. Not so great with my "English" either.
Guess the older I get, the less tolerant I am of the business world. I did customer service in one form or another my entire career and have seen it go down hill for years. Most companies just don't seem to care, the bottom line is profit, which is probably due the the stockholders.
Sorry for being so B--y, but had just had a row with AC over the phone. The issue is resolved with my previous dealer, but not AC. We'll see what happens.
Have a great weekend.
Hopefully you will forgive me as well. Now that I know you are a "smart ***", I can handle it & give it back. Not so great with my "English" either.
Guess the older I get, the less tolerant I am of the business world. I did customer service in one form or another my entire career and have seen it go down hill for years. Most companies just don't seem to care, the bottom line is profit, which is probably due the the stockholders.
Sorry for being so B--y, but had just had a row with AC over the phone. The issue is resolved with my previous dealer, but not AC. We'll see what happens.
Have a great weekend.
Jul 22, 2005 | 06:27 PM
#15
Got Milk!
Blaming Guns For Crime Is Like Blaming a Spoon for Rosie O'Donnell being Fat!
Blaming Guns For Crime Is Like Blaming a Spoon for Rosie O'Donnell being Fat!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 5,656
Likes: 0
From: East Grand Forks, MN
which 1
Originally posted by: polarpigmn
Guess the older I get, the less tolerant I am of the business world. I did customer service in one form or another my entire career and have seen it go down hill for years. Most companies just don't seem to care, the bottom line is profit, which is probably due the the stockholders.
.
Guess the older I get, the less tolerant I am of the business world. I did customer service in one form or another my entire career and have seen it go down hill for years. Most companies just don't seem to care, the bottom line is profit, which is probably due the the stockholders.
.
Jul 22, 2005 | 07:58 PM
#16
Trailblazer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
which 1
Hey Bear, I gotcha on another one from your reply. I think the circle at the South Pole has always been known as Antarctic not Arctic. I don't think even spell checker would catch that one. But you are still right that it does have two C's. Have a great weekend.
Jul 22, 2005 | 08:15 PM
#17
Extreme Pro Rider
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 4,054
Likes: 0
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Originally posted by: m74me
Hey Bear, I gotcha on another one from your reply. I think the circle at the South Pole has always been known as Antarctic not Arctic. I don't think even spell checker would catch that one. But you are still right that it does have two C's. Have a great weekend.
Hey Bear, I gotcha on another one from your reply. I think the circle at the South Pole has always been known as Antarctic not Arctic. I don't think even spell checker would catch that one. But you are still right that it does have two C's. Have a great weekend.
Well it has arctic and circle in it. How close do I have to be?
[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-blush.gif[/img][img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]
Jul 23, 2005 | 08:22 PM
#18
Trailblazer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
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polarpigmn:
......as for the 2..400 's...u made a fair choice.....my wife rides a 400 and she has had very little trouble,she has had it too the shop a think 2 times since she got it in march 2004....once it was the oil temp sensor which was taken cre of on waranty......no ???'s asked....and once we had got some dirty gas and had some. trupble with float sticking and wouldn't run properly...........but that wasnt the bikes fault.....as for arctic cat service i have nothing but praise for there service....i live in northern Sask atxhewan,Canada and it takes less than 48 hours to get parts......example...i blew 2 front cv joints this spring.....and it was ona sat.well i had to wait till monday to get the bike into the shop....it took 24 hours and i had 2 new joints and was up and running tuesday buy 6 pm....so i am thinking dealer and arctic cat were doing there thing ..and there was no ????'s about waranty it was done .....so i got to say .i am quite happy with ther service.....my bike isan o4 650 .....just my 2 cents worth................good luck with the 400's.........havea good ride and be safe.........thanks.......
......as for the 2..400 's...u made a fair choice.....my wife rides a 400 and she has had very little trouble,she has had it too the shop a think 2 times since she got it in march 2004....once it was the oil temp sensor which was taken cre of on waranty......no ???'s asked....and once we had got some dirty gas and had some. trupble with float sticking and wouldn't run properly...........but that wasnt the bikes fault.....as for arctic cat service i have nothing but praise for there service....i live in northern Sask atxhewan,Canada and it takes less than 48 hours to get parts......example...i blew 2 front cv joints this spring.....and it was ona sat.well i had to wait till monday to get the bike into the shop....it took 24 hours and i had 2 new joints and was up and running tuesday buy 6 pm....so i am thinking dealer and arctic cat were doing there thing ..and there was no ????'s about waranty it was done .....so i got to say .i am quite happy with ther service.....my bike isan o4 650 .....just my 2 cents worth................good luck with the 400's.........havea good ride and be safe.........thanks.......
Jul 24, 2005 | 12:20 AM
#19
Extreme Pro Rider
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 4,054
Likes: 0
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Originally posted by: polarpigmn
We do have the service manual in book form. This reminded me. Check where the accessory plug is supposed to be according to the book, then try and find it on the machine. I believe the book said it was up front somewhere. In frustration we called the mechanic where we bought the machines. Lo and Behold, the accessory plug was actually in the rear of the machine and darned near impossible to access without removing a panel. Not particularly user friendly. Now, was the book wrong, or was machine assembly wrong? Should the service manual have had an addendum?
We do have the service manual in book form. This reminded me. Check where the accessory plug is supposed to be according to the book, then try and find it on the machine. I believe the book said it was up front somewhere. In frustration we called the mechanic where we bought the machines. Lo and Behold, the accessory plug was actually in the rear of the machine and darned near impossible to access without removing a panel. Not particularly user friendly. Now, was the book wrong, or was machine assembly wrong? Should the service manual have had an addendum?