Andy, I did some looking on the net and found that the new suzuki 500, and found that they made some changes in the motor...
The reason that I'm telling you this is because the Arctic Cat shares
the same motor....
On the 2001 Suzuki 500
The carburetor is a 34mm BTS
The compression Ratio is 8:5:1
On the 2002 Suzuki 500
The carburetor is a 36mm CV
The compression Ratio is 10:1
So my point being if they changed this on the Suzuki motors they probably did the same for the Arctic Cats motor.....
Higher compression and a bigger Carburetor probably means that it should run alittle faster than the 2001 models...
Andy,please respond....Thanks.....
P.S.The 2001 Arctic Cats carburetor is a 34mm and the C.Ratio is
8:5:1......Later....

 

I thought the old 500 AC compression was like 9.1 instead of 8.5 or something. Bigger carb and more compression should make it a bit quicker. Like I said, this will let it compete better among 500 class atv's. Should shake things up for honda seeing that AC has built a decent rep. for reliability. My eyes are set on a Grizz though. I've had 2 yamahas, 1 honda, and 1 AC, and I haven't been dissapointed in any, other than the fact that the 85 yammer 200 was a first year quad, and didnt have any suspension at all. Ran good though.

I like the diff lock, and thats going to set me apart on it. Probably will just break the bank and go for the camo version. I like the silver the best, but don't want to wait til Sept. before I get it. Then again, who knows. I will have to sell my 500 first, and that never worked to easy in the past. I figure we will be able to get Cats for low $6K, seeing as they are normally found cheap in some places. The grizz will be a harder bargain. Those jerks at most dealerships don't come down a hair, and I refuse to pay full MSRP for anything, plus, I wouldn't give Moses a dime even towards a freight and prep charge. So I guess its going to be a wait and see thing for me. I'm not interested in any thing Polaris puts out, no matter how many shootouts it wins or how fast it goes. The yamaha already covered all the bases, and I trust their reliability better. Sure they have problems on some models, but Polaris has too many on too many models. The polaris forum is always full of posts about parts and breakdowns, and that just basically speaks for itself. AC did good though. Can't wait to see a ride review.

 

The compression ratio is 9.1 on all Cats. IN 2000(auto) and 2001 (all other models) AC got different carbs from the Suzuki counter parts and that helped the power even rather. They still had the same 34 mm size, but the carbs on the newer ones have Kehin's with accelerator pumps on them.

 

Andy,I've only owned Yamaha's.From dirt bikes,street bikes,and ATVs.
I have never had any real problems with any of them.
And yes I would love to have a new 660 grizz, but I really don't like
the fact that it's an automatic .I would love or should I say I hope they come out with a manual shift model....
I have rode on other brands of ATVs but I still like the Yamaha's..
The problem is that there are'nt that many manual shift models out there in the big bore size. That's why I was looking at the Arctic
Cats.I guess if I can get passed the automatic thing I would be O.K.
I guess I'll have to ride the new 660 grizz before I make my final
decision on what to get...And for the record I like all BRANDS OF
ATVs..It's just the joy of rideing for so many years..I respect all
of the different makes and models, because there are ATVs for
EVERYONE and that's the best part of this sport!!!!!!!
I will have either Arctic Cat 500i or a 660 Grizz by the end of summer. Well sorry for going on so long..
P.S. ANY ATV IS A GOOD ATV AS LONG AS IT IS THE ONE YOU WANT...

LATER...

 

BONER, I know you know way more about the Arctic Cats than I do but
every place that I've seen the C.RATIO for the 2001 CATS was 8:5:1
I'm not saying that I'm right or anything , but that's the C.RATIO
that I had found..So you probably are right...
THANKS FOR THE REPLY...
LATER.....

 

Sorry for so many posts, but I have to say that I think AC has done an outstanding job on there quads for the short time that they have been out. That's just my thought on it, because the way I see it is
if AC had been out 12 years ago I think they would be in the running for top dog...
I think they have came a long way in a very short period of time...
I hope they keep up the good job they are going for the sport....


Later....

 

If they hadn't made all these new quads with locking differentials and massive engines, I would have been right in line for a manual IRS AC. That sound real good. I don't like automatics either, but it looks like the only way to get all the stuff I want. I went 26 miles today of creekbed and trails, and it was all I could do to keep up with the big bear 400 and the two 2wd machines I was with. If we would have been mudding, it would have been a different story, but that AC is a bitch to try to do quick woods riding on. I doubt that they changed a thing on the steering either. Even so, I always like the way Yamaha's steer, and I doubt the Grizz is any exception. The old griz steered good. That big bear 400 is a nimble SOB, but I would prefer my ac over it.

 

Andy,

I believe Minehunter got some inside info about the front diff on the 500 being just like the AC 300, as in it now haveing a differential lock position.

 

I hope they do change it to where it can lock. That will make it a lot better.