Aight guys, I've waited as long as I possibly could to buy a new fourwheeler and I just can't stand it anymore! These new 07's have got me excited, but now I'm interested in the 07' 650 H1 LE after being sold on the 500 manuel. All I will be doing is hunting and work around the house, but I sometimes have the need for adequate power when moving around trailers in the field where my truck won't make it. I like the idea of the 07' 650 H1 AC motor! If I end up with the 500 I will put all the accessories the H1 LE comes factory with so the price will end up about the same anyway. What should I get? I have never owned and AC before nor have I rode one so your advice will greatly be appreciated. Also, I want to put 26" tires on which ever one I get. I like either the Super Swamper Swamplites or the ITP Mudlite XTR's. What advice can ya'll give me on which bike to buy and what set of tires to rig it out with??? Thanks fellers!!!

 

The H1 is a superb machine. Also the tires are swamplites i think is what you want, look at my pics to see them mounted on my Arctic Cat 650V2. The H1 has a lower low range for pulling, and the v2 has more hp and speed. So the h1 would probably fit you good for your trailer pulling. (the v2 pulls trailers fine, because i do it, but i would like to have that low low range) And yes, the Arctic Cats are very reliable, capable machines for what you want.

 

Get the H1! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] If you get the 500, you will be wishing you just got the larger engine, but if you get the 650, you won't think "gosh, I wish I just got the 500". [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

What about the engine braking that comes with the automatic transmission? I hunt in woods that have steep draws and I am wondering if the engine braking is going to drive me crazy. I've never driven an automatic atv before, which is why you guys are such a big help. Getting closer to wheeling and dealing on my new ac. Still undecided though!

 

The engine braking is AMAZING. Put that H1 in low and when going down the steepest hills you won't need to touch the brakes. I am impressed with mine.

 

Thanks Catterman, you have a really nice ride and some impressive kills on your pic page! My deal with the engine braking is that if I'm cruising back from my deerstand and I'm going down a steep incline at night I don't want to feel like I'm about to be thrown over the front handle bars. Is that the case?

 

Thanks!

I don't think you will have a problem, when I was in Alaska I hauled my moose out (on my 2004 400 auto) and had some huge inclines/desends with 300lbs on the rear rack and 150lbs on the front rack and I didn't feel like I was going to head over the handle bars. I only used my H1 for last seasons deer hunt here in Minnesota and I hunt in a hilly area and again, I felt as stable as can be. If you have some off chamber situations I suggest the sway bar. It is about $150 but the guys I talk to love it.

 

I have the ITP Mud Lite XTR's. The have dug in and pulled me through a lot of stuff that has gotten others stuck. The H1 probably helped also

 

Most questions like this get answered with bigger is better,
but since you didn't say anything about going fast, I will be different and say go with the 500.
I have an 05 500 manual with 27" tires and have put about 1000 miles on it in the mtns of Colorado
(12,000 to 14,000 feet)as well as some snow plowing and trailer pulling. I have gone down some really steep downhills in 1st gear and hardly ever use the brakes. Have never needed to use low range either.
I have no experience with the H1, but again you didn't say anything about going fast and
I doubt that the H1 has better engine braking and slow speed pulling power that the 500 manual.
With the loss of power at high altitude I am a little slower going up big hills than the bigger autos, but can go anywhere they do and while using about half as much gas.

 

Autos 90% of the time pull easier than manuals