I would love to get some input specifically on the A.C.4wd 250.From what I've been reading on this site you guys are pretty much all happy with your machines.I currently have a y2k blaster that I was going to give to my son and buy myself a reliable inexpensive utility 4wd quad.I'm not real impressed with the Suzukis suspension travel but was impressed by the torque and performance of the motor.I looked at the Polaris explorer 250 but I don't want another 2 stroke.Hondas for what I want are priced out.Yamahas only inexpensive 4wd was the T-wolf and I have never read anything positive about them and Yamaha quit making them anyway.Everyone I know that has had a Kawi has had them shake themselves apart.Which leads me to you crazy Cats.How are the 250 4wd machines how does the suspension work for casual to agressive trail riding.Does this machine have the same type of 4wd as the suzuki high/low and super low does it also have differential lock.Are they reliable?what about the weight of the machine the only thing I've seen that I'm not crazy about is the weight is that weght carried low.and is the motor able to propel all that weight.I'm not looking for it to perform like my Blaster because if thats what I wanted I'd keep riding the Blaster.But is this machine able to accelerate to a decent top speed in a respectacle mannner.The closest A.C. dealer is over an hours ride for me and before I go this weekend I'd love to hear what you guys have to say.

 

I think the 250 4wd would be perfect for you. You seem to understand that this is not a sport machine and don't expect it to be either.

The 250 cat has the same drivetrain as the Suzuki but it lacks the LEVERS to access 2wd and the locker. You can EASILY buy a kit to make it into a 2 opption(2wd/4wd or 4wd/locker), but you will have to modify this lever kit(make it about 1.5" longer) to get all 3 options of the front diff.

IF you read alittle farther down you will see that they top out at about 40 mph. They also have AWSOME suspensions. The PULLING power for a 250 is gonna be unreal cause of the superlow gearing and true 4wd. The weight is a very bad thing that this bike has, but thats because it is built so tough. I don't think you will find a single person that will tell you Arctic Cat frames are weak. They are VERY tough.

Well good luck, oh yea. ALmost forgot. An Arctic Cat 300 4wd is the same price as a 250 suzuki 4wd, so you are getting a better bike for less money by going with the cat.

 

You should really look at the 300 Cat the larger tires will be a real asset. Don't worry about weight Cat's carry it well & I'm sure the 300 Cat is almost 50lbs lighter than the 300 Suz.

 

Spooge,
I have been looking into a nice 4wd quad. I have finally settled on the AC 300. It has all the options for a nice low price. I was worried about the low power and the high weight of the 250. The added 50cc makes a big difference. I think for the money the AC 300 is a better deal than the 250. Even though they are the same machine except for the engine size. my personal opinion is that the 250 motor is too small of an engine for a 4X4.

 

The power of the 250 4x4 will depend largely on the weight of the rider. I weigh about 165 and absolutely love the machine. I put the 2wd/4wd kit on it and that was a great improvement. I pulled right at 1000lbs with it the other day in 2nd gear low range 4wd. It is only rated for 850, but i was on the farm going slow so it really didn't matter. If you put it in super low range, I don't know what you could pull, but i think you are limited based on traction and adequate bike weight and brakes in order to get all that extra towed weight stopped.

As for cost, the 300 4x4 will cost $500 more based on msrp, but you must realize it is only 280cc v/s 249cc for the 250. The 300 is a play on words!!!

My suggestion ride both and see what you think. If you weigh 200 or more, I would probably step up to the 300.

Let us know what you decide.

Jason

 

cat2504X4
You say that you have the 250. Do you ever find yourself powering out? What is the top speed of the 250? You said that you made it so you can have the adjustable 4WD how do you do this?

 

ON the 250 4wd all you have to do is steal the 2wd lever from the 300 and mount it on your 250 or you could just make your own and make it to where it's long enough for all 3 ranges.

 

Well, as far as powering out, I use my ac for utility and farm use primarily. For pulling power I have no complaints. I pulled a little over a thousand pounds in a trailer behind it the other weekend and could do this in low range 2nd and 3rd gears. No real need for the superlow range with that weight.

As far as top speed, I would be guessing 40, but that is a pure guess. Not really into the high speed thing anymore.

The 4wd shifter kit is available as an option for the 250 4x4's and I personally negotiated this in on the purchase of the atv. All I had to do is play with the location of the lever on the differential to get 2wd, 4wd, 4wd locked. I don't know how close their production tolerances are, so you may have to bend or lengthen the shifter rod to accomplish this. (These are production parts for the 300 4x4) $59.95 is the going rate I am seeing for this kit.