What is anyone's opinion whether to go with the auto 500 or the shifter?? I've never owned an auto tranny before, and the only person that I knew had a Polaris that was being fixed more often than ridden. Any thoughts?

 

I was about to ask which you prefer, though as you've never owned one, I doubt you could answer that. So, next question: What do you plan to do with the machine, what type of riding conditions and how much work?

My Dad and I both purchased a pair of '00 AC 500 Auto 'Cats last April or so. He's around 50 or so now, and though he has ridden several motorcycles around the farm before back in his day, he much rather prefers the auto now. Since riding and driving the 'Cat, he claims he won't buy anything other than an auto ever again. I'm 24, nearly 25 and must say that I love the ease and simplicity of the auto as well. There's nothing to it, just get on and hit the gas, you're off.

I think it depends on who will be riding most of the time, and what type of terrain you'll encounter the majority of the time as well. Being an auto, I like climbing steep hills, or going through deep mud holes without having to worry about which gear to be in, or if I might loose momentum, have to down shift, and be slightly slowed, or become temporarily stuck in the process. In those conditions for a beginning rider say, the auto might have a slight edge, as you just hit the gas and don't have to worry about anything else. An experienced rider, well accustomed to shifting might not have a problem with that type of synario, but you never know.

I think I've completely blown that theory that belt driven auto's cannot do hard work so far out the window, it will never return. I've worked my auto 'Cat far more than I ever imagined, more than most people would ever assume an atv could even think about, let alone complete. So, again, I think it comes down to which ever you prefer. If you plan on doing a ton of plowing (chisel plow for food plots), snow plowing, mowing, other ground tilling or moving type work, you may want the strength of the gears backing you up. Myself, I haven't run into anything my 'Cat couldn't really move in either low range, or with the winch, so until I actually break my 'Cat, I think I'll stick with the auto. Then again, if need be for something that extreme, maybe a tractor should really be purchased instead.

I'm sorry I can't really help you out. If you're looking for a "which is best" answer, well, truth is -They Both Are. I think basically it's going to come down to whether or not you want to shift. The Auto and Manual are nearly identical now in '01, so you get the larger gas tank, 2/4wd switchability, steel break reservoir, new gas petcock and black rims with either machine. Then again, you also get the g.c., wheel travel, and the awesome swing axle design in the rear with either as well.

I think maybe the best thing you could do is head down to the dealer to spend a little time on each one. -Don't let that heal/toe shifter get to you though, from what I hear, it takes a bit to get used to, but soon becomes second nature. If you still don't like it, they do make an optional shift lever for around $20 -standard factory addition.

Anyhow, best of luck in the decision, you really can't go wrong with either.

Mike

 

Mike seems to sum it up all the time, he really needs to be a Arctic Cat salesman,(seriously). I have a manual shifter which I like, but if I was to get another one I really would have a hard time trying to choose between both. From what I have seen so far both machines are tough. I don't think you can make a wrong decision, just one that would best suite your wants and likes. Best of luck with a very exciteing hard decision.

 

Mike,
Thanks for the info! The topic of auto or shift came up when my dad and I started to make plans to buy one this spring/summer. I've had a few atv's, but those have been 2 Warriors and a 250R years ago. (Trading in the sport bikes for a utility, must be getting old!) I've never heard a lot of good things about autos until very recently, but your input helps. Personally, I think the 400 4x4 would be plenty, only recreational riding and a few simple chores around his property. Light snow plowing and whatever, but he likes to go all out, gotta love that! Unfortunatly, there aren't many AC dealers around here to look at them often. One other question is, have you had any problems with what I understand to be "slippage" with the belt? You also say you like to climb hills, any problems there? Again, I've never heard good things from a few pals with Polaris's.
Thanks again. And yes, you should be selling these things.

Greg

 

tribefan,

after riding an automatic, i just don't think i could go back to five speed. i have an autocat 500 4x4 and when i go through deep water and mud i put my feet up on the fenders to keep them dry. imagine, on a shifter model, doing same thing but having to up or downshift--water in your boot feels real nasty and adds to the odor of your foot.
comparing arctic cat and polaris is like apples and oranges. ac has a better belt tranny than polaris. take a look into the polaris discussion and scroll through the posts, i'm sure you will find someone with a belt problem.

just a redneck thought,
texascat
ac 500 auto: always cocked, locked, and ready to rock.

 

I personally rather the Manual cause it has slighly more power(like 3 mph on top end I hear and more grunt right off idle), the get better gas milieage(cause you can drop her in 5th gear at 20 mph and just lug around, but the auto always keeps you in the peak rpm range which makes great power but horrible gas mileage). I also think the manual is more comfy, no air ducks sticking out and hitting your leg. I also find changing the oil and changing the water pump seal easier on the manual(these were moved to acomidate the CVT clutches on the auto). I also think that the auto will turn wider cause of the VERY slightly longer wheel base, BUT on the other had the wheelbase helps ride quality.

Well, it's up to you, but I would personally go Manual all the time. Nothing against the AUTO, just rather my Manual.

 

Ah gee, thanks guys, I'm flatterred! Seriously though, thanks for the kind words, glad to be of some help. To answer your question TRIBEFAN, no, I haven't had any belt slippage on my 'Cat. I thought I did once, when brand new, which turned out to be the "bark" you'll occassionally hear when riding hard, stopping quickly, then taking off again in a hurry. That's due to the clutch design though, and the belt not being able to slow down as fast as the rest of the machine, then having to play "catch up" to get back in sink. This is nothing serious, just the way it works, and only happens in those circumstances I just mentioned, just the way it works I guess.

There have been many discussions on here about snorkeling all the vents and such on the auto to prevent belt slippage. I think SCOTTO said it best, when he said that "the best way to prevent belt slippage is to put it in low range, and hammer it." (Hey, what ever happened to him anyway???) He was right about that. I've always used that technique when riding in deep water/mud, and not once have I ever had water in the housing, or had belt slippage. Deep snow can do the same thing as well, though over Christmas break, I was riding in over 2' of snow, again in 4 low, and had no slippage at all.

I think basically unless you do stuff like Boner, all the time (look at his pics, I'd swear AC made submarines!), I think you'll be just fine with the auto. For as deep as he goes, yeah, I think you'd have to snorkel everything, not just the tranny-man that stuff is deep!

As for the hills, drop it in 4-low, and you can damn near climb strait up a tree if you want to. Actually, I had a picture doing just that on my elk camp roll, but the idiots at the film developing place lost the roll, never got them back. The key is your tires, as long as they've got traction, you can climb it. I go up this one hill that is so steep, you have to lean as far over the handlebars as you can possibly reach, just to keep the front end on the ground. There's a tree root about 15' shy of the top that sticks up a ways, and throws your front end up, so you basically make it up the last 15' or so on your rear wheels only. This is the same place my dad rolled his 'Cat-basically due to an inexperienced rider not knowing how to handle that type of situation.

And, as far as the Polaris/Cat belt design, life: I've heard Polaris now has a lifetime guarantee on the belts, is that right? I think the AC tranny is better on belts only because Polaris uses the traditional snow mobile type design, which catches and releases. AC is under constant tension, so there is no slapping there, no lag time then hooking up again, it's always under tension, which could possibly make it last longer. Don't know though, never heard of anybody replacing their belt yet on a 'Cat. I've heard a few Polaris guys though with over 3,500 miles-that's pretty damn good if you ask me.

As for the 400/500 decision, I'd have to recommend the 500 myself. I just love that 2/4wd switch option. I can't tell you how nice it is to switch into 2wd when running a nice easy trail, or heading back to camp on the logging roads.

Anyhow, sorry to be so lengthy yet again, but hope that helps a bit. Best of luck,

Mike