I am pretty sure I will buy a AC 500 manual this week after many months of deliberating the pros and cons. I sold my honda 300 4x4 last week after owning for 10 years. My only concern is the bad rap the steering effort and turning radius gets. Compared to my 300 how will it be? A short test ride on the dealer's parking lot doesn't give a real good idea. I would like to hear from someone with experience on both if possible.

 

While I can't answer from actual experience I was told by a AC500 owner that the Maunal is a little shorter wheel base and maynot be the same as the auto. The other thing is was the turning radius they spoke of in their example in 2 wheel or 4 wheel drive? My wife's 335 Sportsman has a much smaller turning radius and steers much easier in 2 wheel drive. The Honda Rancher my son has laid claim to can turn tight or wide depending what wheel the torque sensing front differential is putting most of the power too. It is a full time 4 wheeler. I am glad you asked this question. The honda folks would add limited slip additive from a truck dealer to the front differential to make it steer easier. Don't know what the long term implications of that is.

 

I wouldn't think that the difference between the 300 and 500 would be that much. I don't really have a problem with my 500. It steered hard before, but that was with the old 26" titan stockers, and they were a bit wide on front. I have narrower fronts now, and steering doesn't bother me.

The AC's won't steer like a yamaha or a polaris, but will be as good if not better than a 450 or 300 honda 4x4. I wouldn't let steering bother me in my discrimination between a 500 and a 300 AC. Probably not going to be much different. The difference in wheelbase won't be much if any. Both are right around 50".

 

If you are getting the 2001 model 500 Manual, which is selectable 2&4 w/drive then you will probably have a better turning radius than the older models with just full time wheel drive. I don't know of too many atvs that have tight turning radius in four wheel drive.

 

Well a Polaris with the 4wd buton turns sharp, but it's REALY in 2wd cause it will not kickin unless you are spining the rear wheels. I've also heard that the Grizzly turns very sharp.

 

I know that the early cats had a very heavy feel in regards to steering, but the steerirng geometry has been changed for the better since then. With the new 2/4 wheel drive selection, the steering has been greatly improved. Hope this helps in your decision. I know that I will be purchasing a new 2001 AC500 manual this spring.

 

I believe the reason old cat had heavy steering was the 12" tires on the front!!

 

The geometry was changed before the 95's. And the 495's were not 12" wide, they were 10.5" wide.