I am close to proving that the tires are the sole reason for the heavy steering on the 99 500. If I'm correct, all steering components from the 98 454 and the 99 500 are the same. My uncle got that 98 454 today, and with the 25x10-12 titan 489s, it steers about as good as any 4x4. I rode with it on my 500 for about 20 minutes (we didn't ride long intervals at all, I'm teaching him to break it in), and after switching bikes twice, it was easy to see that the 454 turned much easier. The final test will be when we switch tires on the bikes and check them again. If they steer completely opposite, then I will consider it fact that the 495s are the culprit. My next tires will probably have 9" fronts.

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Andy Bassham *(1999 Arctic Cat 500 4x4, 1989 Honda 300)*