It does, I know a guy who has both. If the engine size was the same it might be a different story, but the H1 is like 25% larger in cc's.

 

Got a laugh out of how you edited the engine braking out of the quote.

When it comes to pulling, gear ratios figure in just as much as CCs and the 500 manual is geared like a tank.
If you are pulling a few hundred lbs and want to go 20-30 MPH, then an auto would be the way to go,
but a thousand or two at 5 MPH, it would be hard to beat 1st gear in a manual.
Maybe the H1 is different than the autos I have seen , but you usually can smell the belt getting hot when you work an auto hard.

 

Engine braking is as good as the manual, when in low.

Ride an H1, it will out pull the 500 manual in low speeds any day.

The only people that complain about burning belts are the ones that don't own an auto.

I have nothing against the manual, if that is what you like to drive then get it. It is just a preferance.

 

Hey V2 rider... Do those 26" Swamplites rub your fenders when you hit a bump and another person is riding with you?

 

No. Ive had 200lbs on each rack with bags of concrete for my deck, and didnt have problems. The tires dont come close to ever hitting the fenders

 

Arctic Cat's can run 30" tires and never hit a fender. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

catterman, i've enjoyed reading your posts since i've started posting here.
i second that emotion on the engine braking, it may even be better than manual when put in low. no joke.
however about the burning belts thing, not that one time pulling a trailer is going to do the transmission in, but for towing on frequent occasion or heavy loads, i would be more inclined to trust a manual transmission. you will seriously impact the life of automatic tranny belt if towing is main purpose of the ute. manual transmissions in our four wheelers are bulletproof compared to the automatic. down time from trips to dealers is minimal.
still, if you ask me, i'd take the 650. i have that same engine in my brute and can vouch for it being a
beast [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

How will the 500 manual handle 26" tires??? All I will be doing will be mainly hunting and trailer moving from time to time in the pasture. My 400 Foreman handled these jobs quit well so I believe the 500 will be even stronger. How bout those tires on the 500???

 

I have 27s on my 500 manual and they do just fine.
I like them better than stock cause I think the 500 is geared a little too low
and the bigger tires help.

 

I would definately suggest getting the H1. Great low range power and mid range torque. Dont get me wrong the 500 is a great machine, but if theyre gonna be around the same price go for the H1. also on the tires i would get the Mudlite XTRs. Ive ridden many-a mudding tires and then i bought my XTRs and there is no better ride in a mudding tire due to it being a radial. i also thing because its radial it actually muds BETTER than a bias-ply mudding tire. it gets a nice wide footprint and busts through anything. my family has always been into arctic cat and my wifes has always been polaris. so having the chance to ride both machines, plus grizzlys, rincons, kawis, and others, arctic cat is by far the best ride. noone has more rack capability, ground clearance, or suspension travel. id suggest getting 27" XTRs and then softening the suspension 1-2 clicks, makes a beautiful ride without sacrificing much because the tires make up for it.