Any body else feel like the steering on the 500 is very light? This is what I have noticed on our 05 500 auto. Not very responsive and was wondering if anybody has done anything about it or if you just deal with it. Should I stiffen up the rear springs? Will this put more pressure on the front?

 

My 400 has more of an "oversteer" feel to it... I've just gotten used to it, know it's there and it's not been an issue at all. I would think understeer would speak more to toe/suspension and perhaps someone much more wise than I can advise you....Oh Bear! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] I haven't heard anyone complain about 500 understeer, so perhaps a trip to dealer-land, (if you have a good one) is in order?

 

I only have about 10 miles on it right now. I will put a couple of hundred on this weekend I hope. So after this weekend I will take it to the dealer for the 100 mile service( is it worth it to have the dealer do it or should I just do the oil/filter change?) and see what they say.

 

Well, I'm not the worlds biggest fan of my local Arctic Cat dealer's service, but I do think dealer service is important for the first several hundred miles. They'll not only address your concerns, they'll check/change all fluids and adjust your valves...I would absolutely take it in.....

 

I will call and get a detail list of what they are actually going to do.

 

Check your tire pressure. Sounds like overinflated. Should be 5psi.

 

Good point Bear. I will look into it.

 

If you mean understeer is pushing meaning not turning, I switched my tires on my 2005 artic Cat 500i to 25X8.00-12 fronts and 25X10.00-12 rears. Now that it feels like a new quad its like going from a turning a snowbile to cornering like a jet ski which is an awesome combination that I suggest trying. Swamplites on itp steel wheels.

 

I've seen a few things effect steering.

Our TRV connecting arm snapped and it took 3 months of adjustment to get the alignment right. It was either way to hard to turn or it wanted to turn and you had to prevent it.

The TRV suspension wasn't right for the weight we were carrying and it would roll to the outside of a turn. Heavy duty springs fixed that and it now corners nice and flat but has the shock movement to handle th bumps.

I changed tires and WOW what a huge difference that made. I took the 26 inch tires off of a 650 and put them on the TRV and it was like riding a totally different machine. And - the new tires don't throw the mud and snow up like a manure spreader making the need for oversized fender flares no longer required.

FWIW.

 

i thought the same thing on my new 400 the front end seemed kinda light the bike would push wide through a corner when it was cover in snow dry my bike would lock right up and turn perfect as to your 100 mi service i recomend your dealer i just dropped mine off today they check everything even valve clearence its a safe bet especially were your bike is so new just incase there is any major problems plus cat woll not cover your bike unless you keep all your maintenance receipts so im told i bought the dealers service contract i figure for the first year its most important but i got a 4 year and glad i did when i dropped it off today i had my belt light flashing not sure why because i didnt push it hard but not my problem good luck with your bike