Just about everybody tells me to buy a Honda not a AC!
#11
06-07-2001 | 01:40 PM
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Trailblazer
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i am refering to the 2001 AC 300 4x4(utility ATV) vs the 2001 Honda TRX350 4X4 M/ES.I am using this honda because it's the one closest to the above mentioned AC.
I am using the Honda 2001 brochure as a reference.
To be less specific, i was wondering about the overall reliability of the AC 300 4x4 over the last couple of years vs the reliability record of a similar Honda (350 4x4 utility ATV).
I am using the Honda 2001 brochure as a reference.
To be less specific, i was wondering about the overall reliability of the AC 300 4x4 over the last couple of years vs the reliability record of a similar Honda (350 4x4 utility ATV).
#12
06-07-2001 | 04:56 PM
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I would go for the AC, I owned a new Honda once and have several family members and freinds that also in the past owned Honda, they were not junk but we all needed repairs, mine was quite prone to needing shop visits. I hear guys say they drove there Honda's 10 years with no troubles, I find that beyond hard to believe, either we beat are machines to death or they are very lucky but anyway I now drive Polaris and would never own a Honda again, I have talked to several people who have switched to AC from Honda and have never been happier. My Polaris machines have held up better than the Honda's we have owned before. Don't trust the hype, buy what you want take care of it and it will get you there and back. Honestly no atv's are bullet proof. AC builds a tough good machine. I also was told buy Honda, and was never happy with it from day one. The first weekend I had it had to be pulled out by a 250x 3 wheeler! and that is no S**T! It was a 300 4x4. It rode hard, had zero power, the 3x4 system was horrifying at best. My Warrior with Spider Tracks would go places that the Honda would not even begin to make. Yes I made the mistake of gettind rid of a perfectly good Yamaha Warrior for a Honda 300 4x4.
#13
06-08-2001 | 10:50 AM
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<< Buy a Honda!!!! Sure I'd pay more for poor ride, drum brakes, single range trans, NOT. Check Honda forum for reliabilety, they used to be best but look at problems their having. >>
Yup that's about right except your Honda deal also includes paying more for worse tires and no selectable 2x/4x. My lawn tractor has more options (and rides nicer!)
#14
06-09-2001 | 06:27 AM
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OK, now that it's clear what ATVs you are comparing I can tell you what the goods and bads of each one are.
Lets start with the facts. The Rancher has 5.9" of suspension travel at each end with the Arctic Cat haveing 6.5" of travel at each end. But the REAL difference is that he Arctic Cat has a much better riding IRS.If you are not fimilar witht he advantages of IRS then read this quote from Dirt Wheels.
<< This, hands down, gave a better ride fo both over the Polaris's standard solid-axle, swing arm rear end. >>
That came straight from the June 2001 issue. The Rancher has this same swing arm, but clearly alot less suspension travel than the Polaris.
Transmission wise, the Arctic Cat comes with a TRIPLE RANGE subtransmission with 5 speed and reverse. So you have 15 forward gears and 3 reverse gears. ON the Rancher you only have 5 forward gears and 1 reverse. The Arctic Cat also gives you the 2wd option, and if you play with the stock 2wd linkage enough you can get the LOCKED 4wd postion too. This makes a HUGE differnce. It locks all 4 wheels MAKEING all 4 tires pull, while in normal 4wd it will let 1 front tire sit there and do nothing-- just like the Rancher's front end. But the Rancher doesn't give you any options at all, it's limited slip 4wd and nothing else.
The Arctic Cat has a MUCH softer seat for more comfort. The Arctic Cat has full floor borads, but the Foot shifter model Rancher doesn't. The Ac has MUCH higher rack ratings than the Honda and seem to be more user freindly with because of the lack of bars on the Rancher's racks.
If you are looking to swap out your tires for differnt ones the Arctic Cat gives you VERY POPULAR 12" sizes front and rear, while the Rancher sticks you with 11" rears which are not very popular. This 11" rear wheel realy limits your tires choices, and if you want to swap wheels you are looking at a pretty good price tag.
Speaking of prices, since the Arctic Cats are much less popular than the Ranchers they are also cheaper in the real world. Arctic Cat also regularly has little bonuses for buying Arctic Cats and will normally give you a free winch with the purchace of an Arctic Cat most of the time, Honda almost never does this.
Now one advantage that the Rancher CLEARLY has over the Arctic Cat is in the light department. Arctic Cat lights flat out sucks stock, btu the Rancher's lights are very good lights. Luckly, High Lifter sales a "light kit" for the Arctic Cat that gives you an AWESOME steerable light that realy ligths up the night. Another advantage the Rancher has over the AC300 is that is is a fair bit more sporty. It's much ligher and the rougher riding swing arm rear suspension lets it handle a good bit better when getting real agressive.
So if you think that I have left something out and want to know more please let me know. If I don't know the answer I will SURELY find out for you.
Lets start with the facts. The Rancher has 5.9" of suspension travel at each end with the Arctic Cat haveing 6.5" of travel at each end. But the REAL difference is that he Arctic Cat has a much better riding IRS.If you are not fimilar witht he advantages of IRS then read this quote from Dirt Wheels.
<< This, hands down, gave a better ride fo both over the Polaris's standard solid-axle, swing arm rear end. >>
That came straight from the June 2001 issue. The Rancher has this same swing arm, but clearly alot less suspension travel than the Polaris.
Transmission wise, the Arctic Cat comes with a TRIPLE RANGE subtransmission with 5 speed and reverse. So you have 15 forward gears and 3 reverse gears. ON the Rancher you only have 5 forward gears and 1 reverse. The Arctic Cat also gives you the 2wd option, and if you play with the stock 2wd linkage enough you can get the LOCKED 4wd postion too. This makes a HUGE differnce. It locks all 4 wheels MAKEING all 4 tires pull, while in normal 4wd it will let 1 front tire sit there and do nothing-- just like the Rancher's front end. But the Rancher doesn't give you any options at all, it's limited slip 4wd and nothing else.
The Arctic Cat has a MUCH softer seat for more comfort. The Arctic Cat has full floor borads, but the Foot shifter model Rancher doesn't. The Ac has MUCH higher rack ratings than the Honda and seem to be more user freindly with because of the lack of bars on the Rancher's racks.
If you are looking to swap out your tires for differnt ones the Arctic Cat gives you VERY POPULAR 12" sizes front and rear, while the Rancher sticks you with 11" rears which are not very popular. This 11" rear wheel realy limits your tires choices, and if you want to swap wheels you are looking at a pretty good price tag.
Speaking of prices, since the Arctic Cats are much less popular than the Ranchers they are also cheaper in the real world. Arctic Cat also regularly has little bonuses for buying Arctic Cats and will normally give you a free winch with the purchace of an Arctic Cat most of the time, Honda almost never does this.
Now one advantage that the Rancher CLEARLY has over the Arctic Cat is in the light department. Arctic Cat lights flat out sucks stock, btu the Rancher's lights are very good lights. Luckly, High Lifter sales a "light kit" for the Arctic Cat that gives you an AWESOME steerable light that realy ligths up the night. Another advantage the Rancher has over the AC300 is that is is a fair bit more sporty. It's much ligher and the rougher riding swing arm rear suspension lets it handle a good bit better when getting real agressive.
So if you think that I have left something out and want to know more please let me know. If I don't know the answer I will SURELY find out for you.
#15
06-09-2001 | 12:21 PM
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#16
06-09-2001 | 04:48 PM
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KpWhite-
The 300 model 'Cat (and I believe the 250 4x4 as well) share the same front end as the Suzuki counterpart. As a result, while AC only gives you the stock 2wd/4wd option, the true secret lies within the differential itself. If you disconnect the shift linkage, then move the lever on the diff. by hand-or with pliars-you'll find that the differential actually has one more notch forward. So, pulled all the way out (or the lever back towards you all the way) is your standard 2wd. The middle notch (four wheel drive on the machine) is your four wheel drive mode. Now, with the third position available (all the way forward) you have True Four Wheel Drive LOCK. In order to access this "lock" feature, you'll have to lengthen your selector lever. A few guys have actually cut theirs in half, then added a new short piece to the middle, clamped all together. Others have extended a tab off the main lever on the diff to get the same results. Probably the easiest method is now available through Arctic Cat I believe, which costs around $50 I think-might be cheaper. They have the kit which will do this for you.
Anyway, if you go with the 300 'Cat, I'd definately have the dealer just install that for you before you leave. Like Boner said, AC gives away a bunch of stuff with a purchase (like the free winch-though in my area it's the $69 deal). I bought a pair of '00 Auto 'Cats, my dealer through in a two pairs of Cycle Country stick stoppers (cv boot protectors) for free with the machine, along with the winch on my 'Cat and the extended warranty on my Dad's machine.
Oh hey, if I haven't said so already, if it comes down to it and you do actually buy the AC-take the winch deal instead of the warranty! You'll get far more use out of the winch than you will out of the warranty. They come with a standard 6 month from the factory, which is plenty long enough. The extended is an additional 18 month, but if you read the fine print, it gets pretty technical with what is covered, what isn't. Our first ride out, we wished we put a winch on both 'Cats, not just mine, but it was too late to switch, AC headquarters had already filed our forms.
Anyway, best of luck again to you, hope you enjoy your new machine!
Mike
The 300 model 'Cat (and I believe the 250 4x4 as well) share the same front end as the Suzuki counterpart. As a result, while AC only gives you the stock 2wd/4wd option, the true secret lies within the differential itself. If you disconnect the shift linkage, then move the lever on the diff. by hand-or with pliars-you'll find that the differential actually has one more notch forward. So, pulled all the way out (or the lever back towards you all the way) is your standard 2wd. The middle notch (four wheel drive on the machine) is your four wheel drive mode. Now, with the third position available (all the way forward) you have True Four Wheel Drive LOCK. In order to access this "lock" feature, you'll have to lengthen your selector lever. A few guys have actually cut theirs in half, then added a new short piece to the middle, clamped all together. Others have extended a tab off the main lever on the diff to get the same results. Probably the easiest method is now available through Arctic Cat I believe, which costs around $50 I think-might be cheaper. They have the kit which will do this for you.
Anyway, if you go with the 300 'Cat, I'd definately have the dealer just install that for you before you leave. Like Boner said, AC gives away a bunch of stuff with a purchase (like the free winch-though in my area it's the $69 deal). I bought a pair of '00 Auto 'Cats, my dealer through in a two pairs of Cycle Country stick stoppers (cv boot protectors) for free with the machine, along with the winch on my 'Cat and the extended warranty on my Dad's machine.
Oh hey, if I haven't said so already, if it comes down to it and you do actually buy the AC-take the winch deal instead of the warranty! You'll get far more use out of the winch than you will out of the warranty. They come with a standard 6 month from the factory, which is plenty long enough. The extended is an additional 18 month, but if you read the fine print, it gets pretty technical with what is covered, what isn't. Our first ride out, we wished we put a winch on both 'Cats, not just mine, but it was too late to switch, AC headquarters had already filed our forms.
Anyway, best of luck again to you, hope you enjoy your new machine!
Mike
#18
06-09-2001 | 07:05 PM
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Cowboy is kinda wrong about the $50 kit. The kit he mentions is for the 250 4wd. The 250 4wd comes as a fulltime 4wd model because it lacks the linkage that the 300 has. Since the 300 has the linkage already it's a waist to buy another linkage setup. So, just see if you can get the linkage to give you all 3 postions by moveing around the lever that is located all the way at the end of the linkage on the end of a stub that comes out of the front differntial. Move this around and see if you can get all 3 postions like this. IF not then I would go ahead and hack into the linkage it self so you could extend it. This would give you all 3 ranges.
#19
06-09-2001 | 08:55 PM
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#20
06-12-2001 | 02:54 AM
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Good question and ill answer it because i own both brands and have been a honda owner for many years.having been a honda fan since the late 60s i feel they have gotten to be a behemith of a company and lost a bit of their risk taking mentality.I also feel their products are so many in number the quality has suffered do to a stretched R&D dollar.I have purchased a 450es and a honda outboard recently and they both suffer from some serious engineering glitches.Although i still feel the products to be good at this point in time ,i feel the other manufactures have caught up and in many cases surpased them in ingenuity.A small company like arctic cat can move more quickly to the demands of the customer and they seem to care about their customer base.Ialso own own an arctic cat 300 4by4 (1999) and am very happy with it.It has some short commings but arctic cat covered the little trouble i had even after the warranty period.The plusses are a great smooth ride,locking front differential(5 minute adjustment)quiet engine,light steering,excellent traction,full size machine,stable on hills,heavy construction ,triple range transmission.Negatives are reverse is in high range??,plastic rattles abit but is easlily remedied.lots of CV joints to keep an eye on.I am personally staying away from honda these days.I am personally embroiled in a matter with the problems with the 450es model that has the NEW YORK STATE attorney generals office involved.American Honda is giving owners of this machine the run around about the electrical problems.I am not attempting to jade your decision but do your home work and keep an open mind .The current crop of honda products are not what they are cracked up to be,and the customer service dept assumes we are all morons.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif[/img]