Ok to start off I have a bruin and a rubicon my Yamaha dealer just started selling cats so I have been thinking about trading up from the bruin to a cat 500cc just a few questions who makes the engine for the 500 and any problems and how about the belt drive on the cat .

 

Motor by Suzuki, and as for the belt drive, the cat is my first bike, so I really have nothing to compare it to, but from what I have read on this site and a few others, the belt system is one of the best in the bizz. Going from a Bruin (350cc??) to the 500 Cat is a BIG step up, the whole bike is a lot bigger and will tackle a lot rougher terrain than the Bruin. I only have a 400 cat so these are just my opinions, but others will pipe in and give theirs also.

 

I have heard of more than one report of a belt on the 500 suzuki engine lasting 14,000miles,my 400 kodiak ultramatic had about 10,000 on it when I finally had to change it.

 

just bought a 650 cat today I drove the 500 cat first though and thought it was kind of a turd I drove a sportsman 500 h o first and the cat 500 seemed really week in comparison Just go with the 650 you will be very happy they arent that much more

 

since the v2 is a kawasaki belt, make sure you use low gear as much as possible. Rough terrain, mud, hills etc.

 

alwaysride,why would you need to use low gear as much as possible?I own a 04 AC 650V2 and the only time i use low is when i pulling a farm trailer and it has the kawasaki belt.Is there somthing that my dealer didn't tell me?
Thanks

 

Yes there is something your dealer didn't tell you. The V2's are to be run in low range for everything except when at high speeds. Otherwise it puts too much stress on it and she will go into limp mode. Besides, they can still go like 50 in low. Not too bad! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

I didn't know that.Catterman What do you mean when you say (she will go into limp mode)?

 

well it will only go into limp mode if the belt starts coming apart or a thread hits the lil switch it will fry your belt very fast i have burnt 2 of them up and well gotta do more shim work on the clutching. you can run up to 50 mph in low range so whenever you run under 50 mph use low range. save yourself the effort and get the clutch springs and get a dynatek cdi.

 

thanks for the help guys. But anyways, as long as your going to on the gas and going over lets say about 25, youll be fine to run in high. BUt not high stress stuff.