<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: z-alex

only other diff, I just remembered, was the engine...

repair guy said 650 had a more reliable suzuki engine?

is that true, and worth $2,000 plus more?</end quote></div>

There is no 650 Suzuki motor used. The 04-06 650 twin is kawasaki, and the 650 H1 is AC's own engine. The 06-07 700 EFI is Suzuki though, the King Quad motor.

It's worth the money if you want the power, that's about it. They are all going to handle similar because they are on the same frame. The 400 is plenty capable and reliable, but many people just want more power.

 

Grousehunter...

thanks for suggestion to ride all 3
for me the real test is is the mud- wish the dealer would let me do that LOL!
500 or 650 will have more initial jam
but that's NOT worth $1,100 or $2,400 more dollars to me
test rode AC 2007 - 400 today just to see how comfortable it is to ride and steer and turn and do zig zags - passed all tests with flying colors
steers were way easier than i thought - almost effortless
must say though i missed the zippy acceleration of the 2 stroke '96 Polaris, but i reminded myself why i was looking at this machine - to get through the mud better than any other machine

on the issue of air vs liquid...
i just have not found anyone who has experienced any major limitations with air/oil considering how i use it ie. zip along/go through mud/not really heavy loads
but for a performance hound i could see where air would be the way to go

Booboobear...
i can certainly appreciate where your coming from re: manual
if i was using to mainly haul logs, and other similar work, i would so go manual
but the way we drive, good stretch of road - go fast - then next mudhole, slow down, maybe real slow, then speed up quick
i tried manual and i just got tired of all the switching
now if i was more in tune with my machine, as opposed to focussing on animal sign and navigating, i would join you with the manual. But as it is I love Auto; let's me focus on everything else.

Chumley,
yep, more power...ohohoh (Tim Allen patented Grunt)
"400 is plenty capable and reliable" - yep that's what i'm looking for
with the saving of NOT buying 500 or 650 i can buy a nice flatbed trailer that i can customize. Yeehaw

Thank you again guys for the advice.
Now i gotta pry my mind away from the thought that the $10k total should stay in the stock market making more cash.

LOL!!!

Bottoms Up (drink glasses that is)
MAK

 

I've had a 500i for five years, and have had a chance to ride a 400 more than once.

They were essentially the same machine with a different engine. What I noticed is that the 500 wasn't necessarily all that much faster than the 400, but it definitely had more torque. Hit the gas, and while the 400 had to wind out a bit first, the 500 had a more instant response. It just felt more relaxed, less strained. Either will do you just fine.

Been hauling firewood and creek rock with my 500i for five years, and it has been extremely durable. Come time to look into a new quad (don't need one, just want one), Cat was the only choice for my rough-as-a-cob farm. So it's a 650 or 700 TRV for me.

I've had the stock market debate, too. Sure, we should all save for the future, but what about the present? Invest in yourself.

 

since all the ac's have diff locks now, identical 4x4 systems, u just have to decide how much power you want. my 2003 400 takes everything we through at it and comes out like a champ. its been flipped, rolled and sunk in mud and still runs great. was able to keep up w/ a polaris 600 and 500 on the trails the last time we were out. granted we use our 650 for the major hauling duties, i just wanted to vouch for the air/oil cooled engine on the 400. ive had the 650's rad clogged up a few times and it sucks, whereas u never have to worry about the 400, especially in muddy boggy areas.

 

z-alex, i use a perfect size flatbed trailer to haul my ladder deer stands in the woods, its a 4x6, i extented to a 4x8 trailer and its the same width as the 4-wheeler, you can buy this type of trailer from menards, but i got mine for $95.00, they sell for $500.00, look for one of these used, works nice and the capacity is 1500lbs, perfect for what you want

 

JohnO...

Your description "It just felt more relaxed, less strained. "
I think that's a perfect description!

AC4Life
thanks for vouch on air/oil being pretty much worry free in muddy boggy areas.
That's my favorite way!
There's enough to think about and monitor as it is!

BooBoobear...
i wish i could get a trailer for $95!!
Been watching for months for used...nothing
so looks like new...yuck another $1,350 plus 11% taxes
but then it's a 10 foot - nice and light yet strong and i can piut a 2 foot storage box on the front for gear, so we can put the 2nd atv in the truck box
sounds like a sweet setup that you have.

 

I would opt for the 500, it has more torque to get you through the mud better and is a good all around atv for whatever you plan on doing

 

Z-alex,

I am not commenting to dissuade you from buying the 400. I do a lot of research before making a decision, so here is a little more info.

From the 2007 AC specifications:

400 4x4 Auto 657 lb DRY
400 4x4 Auto LE 702 lb DRY
500 4x4 Auto 684 lb DRY
650 H1 4x4 Auto 703 lb DRY
650 H1 4x4 Auto LE 734 lb DRY

DRY means no fluids (gas, oil, anti-freeze) so add approx. 40 lb WET

With the 400 LE you are looking at approx. 742 lb. WET compared to a 650 H1 LE at 774 lb WET. For a difference of roughly 30 lb in quad weight you are comparing the torque of a liquid-cooled 641cc to an air/cooled 376cc. If you add aftermarket tires, even 26in Mud Lites, you'll add 3-4 lb per corner. That is a lot of weight to push for a 400, let alone a 500 or 650.

The advantage of liquid cooling is that it is more effective at maintaining a lower engine operating temperature. Your engine will lose power if it gets too hot, and you don't get a lot of air-cooling when idling through a swamp or mud hole. If the AC 400 has fan-assist then that is better (I personally don't know - never looked). Fan assist is where the fan comes on to draw more air against the cylinder with an air cooled engine and through the oil cooler.

As I mentioned before, it's your decision and finances, convenience, confidence in the quad not breaking down, etc are all factors. Personally, I think the 400 has the nicest looking front end (headlights) of the AC line.

Good luck and don't look back once you lay your money down. Their all great machines.

 

Z-alex, I am sure you are aware that the 400 is air/oil cooled and has a radiator with a fan. And as you probably already are also aware is that it cools the oil instead of antifreeze. Running slow in the swamp is no problem. If by chance (1 in a million) you lose your radiator then you can still make it home relying on just the air cooling.

With all the stuff I have on my machine it is over 800lbs and with me on it well over a 1/2 ton and the 400 does just fine. Everything is relative, pro's and con's. I have been in situations that if I made a mistake such as climbing a hill and accidently give it too much gas that I would have wheelied and gone over backwards, the slower reaction time of the 400 can give you a split second to recover. So it really is half a dozen of one a six of the other.

My throttle response on my 400 is instant and doesn't take a 1/2 hour to wind up, before it decides to go - it is just a slower progression, but still instant.

It just is not the fastest on top end or the quickest in a drag race... but still a very capable motor. And when geared down in low-range will grunt just like the others. I would say that if my 400 (low-range) can twist an axle and snap it like a pretzel then it has some power. Power or torque to the wheel is not always measured by the speed. A four cylinder tractor certainly can't out run a v-8 corvettte but it sure can pull a lot of weight.

 

grousehunter, yes mine also has the fan for the rad