If I can sell my scrambler, I need some help choosing between:
quadrunner 500- I think I like this one best.
arctic cat 500 4x4-non automatic
450 foreman s 2x4\4x4-when it comes out.
I looked at the 650 prairie and liked it but I'm not paying $7000.00 for an atv.
I ride two or three times a month sometimes more. I'm looking for something that will get me through some minor mud holes, peppy on the hills( my wife is usually with me) and powerful enough to get a little sideways in the dirt when in 2-wheel drive. I don't get in big mud holes but I want something that will make it through if I ever do. Something with a little speed would be nice two.

 

All I can say is wait until the end of the month when the new Cats come out. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised to say the least. I personnally wouldn't consider a Honda just because of the ride quality. The 450 I rode was like straddling a horse with a McClellan saddle. I was hard and just plain uncomfortable. This next sentence will cause trouble, but here goes. They have a remarkable reputation for durability, but now I think I know why. They are so uncomfortable nobody rides them for extended periods of time. I always wondered why honda riders were always stopping so often, now I know. I thought it was to look at the scenery.

 

Well I would have to aggree with Minehunter, the 450 is gonna be mighty rough on you and your wife when riding. It also is far from speedy. You will get from 45-52 mph for the top speed.

I would also not recomend the Quadrunner for you and your wife because it's gonna be pretty hard riding double up on it with it being so short and all. It has basically the same motor as the Arctic Cat except it isn't tuned to get as much power actually. It has less compression and a different carberator that puts out alittle less power than the cats.

There is also a problem with riding double on an Arctic Cat too thought, with the heel toe shifter it's almost impossible to shift with 2 people on the seat, so if you get the cat I recomend the toe shifter for you. The cat is the only one to give you shifter lights and floor borads too. The ride is the best of all in your group, the seat is the softest and longest, and I believe the gas tank is the largest too. The racks are larger with larger capacity ratings and the tires are more aggressive and larger. It also ahs the most ground clearance of them all so that helps you get threw the tough stuff. As for top speed, you can expect around 58 mph. And when it comes to price, I'm willing to bet that the AC 500 manual is gonna be just as cheap as the other 2, if not cheaper. Now a bad part about the Arctic Cat is that the lights TOTALLY suck, so if you are gonna be doing any night riding invest in a High Lifter Arctic Cat light kit so you can have a handle bar mounted light like the Honda, but brighter.