I have seen a Arctic Cat 500 TBX for sale here in NC with over 3,000 miles on a working odometer. I think it was a 2002 or 2003 year model, not exactly sure.

Looks great, is clean, nothing broken, everything seems to work, no smoking, no knocking, no unusual noises, has new tires, etc. I cannot see anywhere that repairs have been made, no evidence that the motor has been taken apart, changed, modified, etc.

Appears to have been well taken care of. Was owned by an older gentleman who used it on a farm. No broken plastics, no bent pieces, no welds, etc.

How many miles is "too many" for this type of machine? Should one expect the 500 cc Suzuki motor to be "well worn" and nearing a rebuild, etc.?

Any advice will be appreciated. Thanks,

 

I wouldn't worry at all with 3000 miles.

 

Atvs that are riden every weekend will have that in 1 year! He sure didn't use it much.

 

Thanks guys for your replies. I assumed it was not "too worn out" because it looks excellent and is very clean. I just did not know how much "life" one of those water cooled 500 cc Suzuki engines has in it.

The only personal experience I have with anything similar is that I had an old Yamaha YZ 125 dirt bike as a teen and rode it into the ground. It was very well used and almost worn out when I got it. I rode it hard for a couple of years, and then one day while it was idling, it rattled some, cut off and locked up.

Took it apart and the piston skirt had broken off, but due to the idle speed, no other serious damage. Removed the head and cylinder, turned it upside down to clean out the casing of metal parts (with fuel oil) si I did not have to split the tranny, dad the cylinder bored out to the next size the dealer recommended, installed the appropriate sized piston, and was hell on wheels again until I went to college in the early 1980's.

Significantly different bike after the cylinder boring and new piston, so I rode it for quite a while with it being very worn and lacking good compression. went to college, lost interest in the YZ 125, did not ride it enough to keep it tuned good, so I gave to the kid up the road (I grew up with his brothers) , and he rode it for quite a while until the tranmission went out, and he then parked it for good.

 

If a ATV that cost thousands of dollars can't give a person at least 7000 miles of enjoyment than they should be illegal to sell. The only ATVs that would not trust are the 450 sport Quads because they use high performance motocross engines the are suppose to be rebuilt every so often.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: TLC

If a ATV that cost thousands of dollars can't give a person at least 7000 miles of enjoyment than they should be illegal to sell. The only ATVs that would not trust are the 450 sport Quads because they use high performance motocross engines the are suppose to be rebuilt every so often.</end quote></div>

 

I have an 03 TRV which is basically the same as the TBX. THe TBX has a box the TRV has the second seat. I have about 9500 miles (could be higher as the odometer is broken) it is running strong.

It all depends on how you care for it and the maintenance you do. I go over mine each winter when I get a chance. IT worls as I have nearly 10k miles on each of my machines.

If I lived closer to NC and you were not interested I may look at it myself. What do theyr want for it?

SJ

 

The asking price is $3300 and it is a 2003 model.

 

I'm in a similar boat. I'm looking at a 2005 650 V2 LE with 3500 miles for $4199. So far everything I've heard is this many miles is no problem as long as it has been taken care of.

 

I had higher HP 2 stroke sled that had 10,000 miles with great compression, is not a 4 stroke with lower HP suppose to last much longer than a 2 stroke before a rebiuld?