Howdy ... I own a Honda Recon now, and am considering another quad, a bigger 4x4. A buddy has an AC 300 4x4 and I love it except for one thing, the location of the battery and electrics under the right rear fender. On Honda's all this is much more well protected.

First off, has anyone had any problems related to the location of the battery and electrics on their AC? And second, is there a kit to relocate this stuff to a more protected area?

Thanks ...

 

I agree,it is not very well protected.
My wife has the 300 and so far has had no problems with the battery.However she is not an aggressive type of rider.Since I am the one who must clean both our Cat's after riding I can say the battery will get completely covered with mud.But I have never found any damage from brush or rocks.
As far as relocating the battery I am not sure where it could go. Maybe just an improved battery box would work.
I see you live south of me,what AC dealear are you looking at?

 

Well how about making a heat sheild for the battery and moveing it in front of the motor?? This would add alittle weight to the front end also that it could PROBABLY use since most of the weight is in the rear.

 

My Polaris has the battery and some electrics (such as starter solenoid) under the fender and it has not caused me any electrical trouble in the 8 years I've had it. My main electrical panel is under the front plastic though, and I would be concerned if yours is under the fender.
I do notice that in REALLY cold weather (we're talking -20 to -40 celcius here) the cold battery has a harder time charging and will run down if I run my lights. This probably isn't a problem for you, but a shield may still be a good idea.

 

Howdy Winston ... My buddy bought his Cat from Dan's Cycle in Hesston. That's the only AC dealer I know of in this area. I know Dan's son from riding dirtbikes, and I'd deal with Dan's no matter who else was in the area. In fact that's one big reason I'm considering an AC.

 

Warhawk, I agree Dan is a pretty good guy to deal with. I went with Dan his son and some others last summer to Colorado. I guess they go every year in Aug. I think all together we had 7 Arctic Cats ,two Honda's and maybe 6 dirt bikes go on the trip. It was a great trip.

 

Winston ... What do you ride if your wife has an AC300? Do the bigger cats have the battery in a different location?

That Colorado trip sounds like fun, I've been up there many times on street bikes and twice on dirt bikes. Colorado in the summer has to be close to motorcycle heaven! one big reason I want to get another quad is so my girlfriend can ride with me in Colorado. She's too small to handle a dirt bike, she can't even touch on my son's KX100. I suspect with her on my Recon and me on an AC300 4x4 we would have a lot of fun. The biggest quad any of my friends have is a Honda Rancher 350, so I don't think I want to go to a big bore yet.

 

Warhawk.
Yes my wife has the 300 2x4 and I have the 500 auto. The battery is located under the seat on the 500.
As far as size of machine it is up to you and what you are going to use it for. I decided on the 500 for myself because of chores and utility type of work I do around the farm.
Personally,I prefer the 300 for all day trail riding.The 300 has much better gas mileage,excellent ride,and turns/handels better.
Our only regret on the 300 2x4 was not to get the 4x4.The 300 2x4 will go just about anywhere,however on steep or rocky climbs a 4x4 would be much better.It is much better to crawl up and over slowly than to force it up and over.
Good luck on your decision.