The recent tornado recently totaled my atv. I'm looking to by a new one, but don't know which route to go, shift or auto. My old one was a 5 speed and worked fine but an auto would be nice. My uses are mild trail riding and hunting, but the majority use would be working ( hauling firewood, dragging small trees, etc.) Can anyone offer me the benefit of first hand experience?

 

if working is your main use by a auto. i'd buy a bruin or grizzley. i have a grizzley 600 and its strong but i'd get the 700

 

They barely have any shift Utilities still in existence ,take it from there.

 

The manual will be great for towing. Get the AC 500 manual. It has a really low gear. But an auto will tow a heavy load too! The problem is the atv itself. All quads are about 600-700 pounds. When towing heavy loads the quad will spin tires, and it is very dangerous to tow 2000 pounds downhill with an atv. The best atv for towing is therefore the heviest! The diesel AC700 is heavy and have great mileage, but not fun to play with and "only" 8-10 gc. The (gas) AC500 should be perfect. Either auto or manual, both has 12" gc!!!!. The thundercat would be overkill, it will spin tires when towing.

Arctic cat build very strong and reliable atvs. High ground clearens too. Great in forest. The 500 manual will give you some better milage if you shift good, and it will let you stay in a really low gear for heavy loads. But an auto will be more convenient, you will not need to shift.

 

I used to be a die-hard shift only ATV rider. Been driving an automatic since February - don't miss the 5-speed at all. The auto will definately be better for working around the yard.

Jaybee

 

shift maintenance free and when you have a heavy load you dont have to worry about belts slipping and stuff

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: buck1992

shift maintenance free and when you have a heavy load you dont have to worry about belts slipping and stuff</end quote></div>


There are so many belt drive ATV that can out pull , carry and turn monstrous ATV mud tires thought deep mud than a 5 speed ATV can, that its hard to keep count of them now.

 

Welcome to the forums Mopar6974. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

Sorry to hear about your loss, and hope you didn't lose else.

From your description, I'd say go fully auto.

 

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

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: buck1992



shift maintenance free and when you have a heavy load you dont have to worry about belts slipping and stuff</end quote></div>





There are so many belt drive ATV that can out pull , carry and turn monstrous ATV mud tires thought deep mud than a 5 speed ATV can, that its hard to keep count of them now.</end quote></div>

I would go w/ a manual! I would put mine agaisnt an auto any day for towing reliabilty!

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>I would go w/ a manual! I would put mine agaisnt an auto any day for towing reliabilty! </end quote></div>

I,m sure the are many fellow AC 650,700 and 1000 owner who would take you up on that challenge.

Go to a heavy tow or Mud run ATV Competition and you would be hard pressed to even see a 5 speed entered.