Why is it when you see the other ATV manufactures doing competition runs against each other, you never see the cats with them

 

Could it be that the 'cats' are too much for them. Maybe not in a drag race, but in so many other areas. I ride with alot of people that have a wide assortment of machines, I generally only get outdone by another AC and sometimes I outdo other AC, but for the most part other machines with bigger tires and bigger engines sometimes end up with their heads down and tail between their legs when they see just what the 400 is capable of doing... Even though it has a small engine by comparison the gearing and the usable power is right on. Very smooth and progressive with no suprises, in some cases I have had to actually let off the gas and let the torque come down a tad for a good hookup and grip... Speed and power is not always the answer or the way to go. Not because I own one, but when the going gets tough and the need for articulation is there and you need to have just enough and not too much I will take a 400 AC everyday.

 

Had the hardest ride of my life the other day. I did a total of 16 miles in 7 hours and ran out of gas from a full tank at mile 15 and had to go over to reserve. The ol' kitty was in low range at 1/2 to full throttle just to muster up 2 to 3 mph... the carb was sucking so hard it had a sould like a 4 barrel when the other two barrels open. I got high centered about 6 times and burnt my winch up after the third time (that sucked)... I won't be doing that ride again for some time - whew, I though I was going to have to spend the night out in the middle of no-where... Into the 5th hour I was wishing for a helicopter to come in and air-lift my machine and my sorry butt out of that mess...., but the Kitty got me home. 5 other machines turned back after only a few miles and the Kitty was the only machine to complete the loop...

 

amen dude, Look what Daryle Rath did with the H1 Last year in the Quad-Cross Championship...... Cat and Rath put their heads together with less than 3 weeks and Took the championship

 

I have seen and done things with my cats no other atv could even think of doing, the towing pulling and accessories make it a ute leader, but speed wise, my 700 is ok, the DVX rox but it is not built yet, so it is slower than many other bikes and it sits a little high for a raceing bike, but I would feel confertable with any AC in a competition except for the new 250s and 90s (I think they are chinese)

But I have seen some AC sponcered competitions and the AC's killed every one, the best was a staggered log drive where you must go and the AC independent suspension was like butter smoothing out the staggered logs. it rockked!

 

The real reason is because Arctic Cat doesn't sell crap for numbers compared to the other manufacturers. I know there are a lot of MN riders on this forum, and there are tons of Cats in MN, both 4 wheelers and snowmobiles, but in the grand scheme of things Cat is the underdog big time. Kawie, Popo, and Yamaha get all the reviews because they sell the most quads by far.

 

If you like them big and heavy they are fine. Also no sway bar and poor engine breaking.

 

I guess it all comes down to image and personal preference. I think for the money AC gives you a no frills, more than adequate, decent package and a good bang for your bucks. You may give up some things such as not being the fastest drag racer but I didn't get mine to race, as most of my riding is under 20mph with 50% of that under 10mph. I have seen so many people spend hundreds of dollars on aftermarket stuff just to try and get the clearance and articulation of suspension travel that AC gives you from stock. I have also learned over the years that too much power is worst than not enough. And I think AC gives a good usable low end grunt that gets the job done.
I turn the key, hit the start and it runs until I shut it off. I head it down a trail and I get to the other end. I ride for hours less fatigued from dodging things and rough ride as with other machines. What more could you ask for. And when I get home I don't have to fix it, and my machine is not being repaired while others are out enjoying a ride. I put gas in it and change the oil, the rest of the time I enjoy a ride, and quite frequently have a smirk on my face and a little chuckle from observing others trying their best to accomplish what seems to be second nature for the AC....
Until something better comes along then my little AC 400 auto suits me just fine. And from a personal stand point, it doesn't matter to me if it is not the biggest and baddest machine on the block, it does what I want it to do and I just happen to like it................

 

Most tests are open to all makers and all are invited that have a model that the tests are for. Its up to the maker to decide if they want to furnish a unit to be included.

 

ozark, I have to disagree with you about the engine braking. My H1 has very good braking, I am finding myself giving it some throttle when I am going down hill because it is holding it back so much.