Hi, I'm new here and looking for some info. I was going to get a big bear but then looked at artic cats and their 400 was $200 cheaper and I liked the suspension better too. The cat was $5075 vs.$5350. The cat also had liquid cooling although the motor was 25cc smaller. So I was wondering how these atv's compare. If I go with the big bear for $300 dollars more I could get a cat 500 which almost brings me into kodiak's price range. There are no honda or polaris dealers within 50 min. drive of here so that kinda rules them out. So I was wondering about the pro's and cons of these models. Thanks for any info. and happy holidays

 

here's some spec on them from 4 WHEEL ATV ACTION MAG:

KODIAK:"LIGHT WEIGHT, AGILE, WELL SUSPEND AND THAT'S THE KODIAK"
SPECS: 401cc, liquid cooled, 2 valve, 4 stroke, 2wd/4wd, dry weight 543lbs, "ULTRAMATIC"

BIG BEAR:" IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A 400cc at a 300-350cc price..big bears your choice..torquey engine is great for utility use. handling is very good."
SPECS: 386cc air cooled 2 valve 4 stroke, full time 4wd..weight:557lbs, 5spd manual

AC 400: 500 chasis..large racks and no heel toe shifting...(all arctic cats are suzuki built singles)
SPEC:371cc 4 valve 4 stroke. manual shift 5spd.. 2wd/4wd, weight:625lbs

AC 500:"sadly underpowered, and a bit awkward on the trail but at least it doesn't have heel toe shifting"
SPECS: 493 cc, 4 valve, 4 stroke automatic...dry weight:648lbs...

all weight are dry weight......to tell you the truth i think arctic cats are over weight...if you choose, choose a yamaha kodiak...i own one and i should know...this bear is light weight..and great handling..for all class...i gave it to my son and bought a grizzly...it has never failed me when i need it...and light weight...my choice the kodiak...

00 YAMAHA GRIZZLY 4X4
OO YAMAHA KODIAK 4X4

 

I beg to differ. The AC 500 auto is definatly not under powered. It delivers more torque the the Grizzly. It may not be as fast, but i'll go anywhere a griz will and then some. For one thing I have over 1700 miles on my 2k cat and it has never failed me or even given me lower than expected service. I can say from all honesty that I have seen numerous Yamahas' form big bears to kodiaks to the vaunted griz roll over from the slightest side hill riding to just turning over when they hit a rut in the trail. I also believe that the semi-independant rear suspension is far superior to the mono shock system that Yamaha uses. I have ridden other ATV's, in fact owned other brands at times and I'm not afraid to even put the cat down if it deserves it but the Yamaha is not quite up to the cat for rideablity. It also has the highest load ratings for the racks of all ATV's and the second highest towing rating behind the Sportsman.

 

What in the hell is he talking about with "No heel toe shifting" and "at least it doesn't have heel toe shifting"? All the arctic cats have heel toe shifting. You have to buy a regular shifter separate if for some reason you wanted it. That made no sense at all.

As far as being underpowered, thats a load of crap too. These magazines are mostly concerned with speed rather than actual power. They seem to measure an atv's power as to how fast it is and how quickly it accelerates. Drop different gearing in an AC 500 and see what happens to it. Tune the engine a bit differently from the factory and look at what happens. They are tuned for lower RPM torque. The Arctic Cat ATV's are basically designed for utility purpose. If they were made to be lollygaggers, then they would have a setup more like a Kodiak, which is really setup more for regular trail riding. Take a hard look at the covered and protected rear axle of the AC's. Reminds you of the older hondas, and even some of the new larger hondas. Then go look at yamahas and polaris. Nothing at all protecting it. You can wind a mess of barbed wire or honeysuckle up in there and spend a half hour cutting it out. Look at the square tube a-arms on an AC. Massive. Built for utility. Heavy and strong. The engine? Its a puller, not a racer.

If you want to take a look at a good all around engine, look at the polaris 500. It takes the cake in power and speed both. I can't comment on how well it is built, but it is a solid performer.


On topic, if it were me, I would choose the Big bear and the kodiak over the 400 AC. Thats just me though. I would take the AC500 over all of them though. The Kodiak has a lot going for it in the steering category, but has nothing on the power category. I would figure the big bear would have the same power as the AC 400, but the AC would have the better ride and stability where the Big Bear would steer much tighter and easier.

 

Thanks for the input so far guys and keep it coming. I have never owned a atv before but have rode a 2001 big bear and kodiak. The big bear is nice, a little bit of a rough rider. The kodiak is nice also and rides a little softer but is priced at 6100 bucks here. I was settled on the big bear till I looked at the 400 cat. Appeared to me to be better protected, better suspension, liquid cooled, and heavier built but having never ridden one wondering if it would be a dog compared to the big bear. Unfortunatly money is a concern and the kodiak is priced up there,in fact I could get either cat 5oo for less than the kodiak. How do the 500's compare to the 2 yamaha's for speed and comfort? Again thanks for any info.

 

Slayer,

My suggestion would be to buy more ATV than you think you'll need instead of just enough. Last spring I was looking at the 300 - 400 cc range for my first ATV. Then I happened across an AC 500. I couldn't quit thinking about how tough it was built & how if fit me so well. The price was a little more than I wanted to spend but the value for the $ was so much better with the Cat than all the others. I suggest you get the best ATV for you the first time, that way you don't have to trade up real soon to get the one that will do everything you want it to.

Anyways, to sum it up, I am so happy I went with the AC 500. It has exceeded my expectations in everyway & I have yet to find anything that would stop it. After pushing snow piles the size of small cars last week, I can't believe anyone would claim they are Underpowered???

Lance

 

True, I definitely don't think the AC 500 is underpowered. I couldn't believe that they said that in 4 Wheel ATV Action. Just goes to show you that you can't believe everything you read! Just ask Cowboy, and others on this forum that work the $$$$ out of their Cat 500. I would take power over speed on the trails anyday.

 

Power is a relative thing. The AC500 has awesome torque, but lacks horsepower. For all intents and purposes torque is more important. However, if high speed trail riding or sand is your thing, then HP means alittle more. Personally I'd rather have a torquey engine then a high winding engine that makes alot of HP!

Rick

 

The AC will run with anything other than the Rubicon, Grizz, or Polaris 500's. (need not count the explorer 400 because I don't consider it much of a utility with its 2 stroke and chain drive).

Whats left? The suzuki 500, prairies (not the 650), Bombardier, 450 hondas, and all the sub-500 quads. The AC will run as fast and faster than most of those. Grizzly's and Polaris's are the kings of speed. If you want power and speed, they are the way to go. The AC is as good as any other if speed isn't a primary concern.

For me, speed is a concern and I have come close to getting rid of my AC 500 and getting an HO sportsman a time or two. I never have done it though, basically because I couldn't justify the money I'd lose and also possibly getting a quad that wasn't built as good as the one I have. I think right now, I'll just live with being a few mph. slower than the rest. I still have all the stability, power, and reliability I could ask for.

 

Actually Andy, I think you made the right choice by staying with your AC. I haven't been on this forum for all that long, since July. In that time I have read countless posts about the lack of reliabilility with respect to the Polaris quads. At the same time I've read hardly any posts about any lack of quality with respect to the AC. Neither you or I have the "true" 4WD drive, but so what! What we do have is a well built, long lasting, low maintenence quad. Bells and whistles have some merit, but as far as I'm concerned rugged reliability means alot more!

Rick