Hey Frank, how many miles are on the 454?
Is that a dealer price?
What kind of condition is it in?

I have had ZERO problems with mine.

 

BadCat, obviously you would know more about the bike than I would but, the dealer indicates that the bike has no hour meter or mileage/speedometer. Could this be? Other than that he indicates the bike is in decent shape just minor normal wear and tear scratches etc..

What do you think?

 

Frank,

I may be wrong but I'm pretty sure that the 454's came standard with a speedometer/mileage indicator.

Anybody else know for sure?

$4199 ain't a bad price but I'd try talking him down to an even $4000. especially if it doesn't have a speedometer.

You might also check Kelly Blue Book for prices.
(KBB.COM) They list just about every type of ATV up to 1999.

 

Cowboy,

I hope you don't mind a bit of clarification, and one minor correction, concerning the A/C's rear suspension in your very informative post.

The type of suspension used on the A/C 454/500 is properly known as semi-independent rear suspension, though it is also referred to as "swing-axle" rear suspension.. This type of suspension is unique in that it allows the axle (and hence the wheels) to move up and down together in a vertical arc in line with the longitudinal axis of the machine just as swing-arm rear suspension does (think Honda 450 and Grizzly 600), and it also allows the axle to simultaneously tilt left to right and back with the wheels describing a vertical arc in line with the lateral axis of the machine.

As for this type of suspension being an A/C original, please allow me to point out that Kawasaki has used semi-IRS on their Bayou 300 since 1989, and on their Bayou 400 since 1993. Both machines predate A/C's entry into the ATV market by several years. Whether Kawasaki was the first to employ semi-IRS on a quad, I can't say.

Nonetheless, I have long felt that semi-IRS is THE suspension of choice for technical trail riding. When traversing rough terrain, no other suspension keeps both rear wheels in contact with the ground as well as semi-IRS. If you're interested to read a story about quad riding over some very rough terrain, then check out the Tasker's Gap feature article of 8-15-99 for the story of the 1st Annual Quads-On-The-Rocks ride in the George Washington National Forrest in Virginia right here in the ATV Connection Magazine section.

As a Kawasaki fan, I hoped that the introduction of big-bore quads by the other manufacturers would prompt Kawasaki to introduce a big-bore of their own. In many ways the A/C 500 is the "Bayou 500" I wish Kawasaki would have built. When Kawasaki finally introduced their Prairie 650 about a month ago, I was both very excited, and a little disappointed. The 650 V-twin is going to be a killer motor, but I just can't warm up to the Prairie's swing-arm rear suspension…. Sigh, maybe Kawasaki will see fit to drop the 650 V-twin into a Bayou frame. When they do, I'll be forced to pull out my checkbook.

Army Man

 

Yeah i have an AC 454 and all of them came with a spedo gear indicator standard. I would beware that this dealer isnt in essence trying to screw you over. It may have hella lot of miles or have been wrecked i would definately find out why it doesnt have a spedo.

Dan Cinnamon
AC 454 the first big cat