Well, I went to pick up my Cat's parts at the AC dealer and ended up bringing the wrong credit card, so no parts on my cat. But I was able to pick up a 2002 brochure.

I was looking at the 375 and noticed that for an air/oil cooled ATV, it's the first one I've seen that has a Radiator. The brochure has a picture of the air cooled motor, but you can clearly see a radiator JUST like the liquid cooled models. Now the literature says "Air- and oil-cooled engine features large oil cooler that works like a radiator....." Now I find it hard to believe that ANY manufacture would make an oil cooler that is just as big as the radiator on it's 500 models, but there is only one other way to explain these super larger radiators. The Pictures are of the 500 automatic. How can I tell?? For all that have a 2002 brochure, look at the top picture on page 20. COmpare the CVT cover of this ATV to the picture on page 21 of the 376cc motor and trans. Not the same right??? Compare it to the Auto's cut away view now, look how simular they are. If thats not enough notice how the picture of that bike also has a cam chain tenstioner just like the 500 models.

Thats what my theroy is anyway. They probaly didn't have the 375 ATV ready for the pictures so they put stickers on the 500 auto.

Now as far the rest of the catalog, you can see the new rocker winch switch near the warn 2500 on page 30. It looks like it was speacially designed to work with Arctic Cat's controls. Looks very easy to operate with your left fender. There are also basket racks now sold from Arctic Cat, as well as chrome stock wheels which look TOTALLY AWESOME on that 500 manual shifter with 589 tires and a winch kit. That picture alone make me want to consider the 2002s. I thought the looks were kinda iffy for my because of the way the fender flares are and the rounded off seat, but this picture makes the AC look FLAT OUT AWESOME.

About the video's, well it's true. There is a video of an AC 500 riding over a 12" cement block WITH A RIDER ON IT while the Sportsman 500 hits the block. The video also shows how the AC500 will keep all 4 wheels on the ground going threw (I forgot the name of the test) some kinda alternated log road that makes the suspension flex. Not even the Sportsman 500 was able to keep it's tires on the ground like ANY and EVERY one of the Arctic Cats. The funniest part is where they go threw the test with a Recon. I guarrantee that guy gets about 18" of air with that Recon bouncing like you would not believe.

Overall I am MUCH MUCH more impress with the 2002s than what I was at first. Lets just hope that the 500 does infact has a differentail like the old AC 300's and it is lockable.

 

Wow, what an indepth review. So, does the AC IRS not have an anti-sway bar? for it to flex like that It would hint to no anti-sway bar. With no anti-sway bar how will it handle off camber situations? The downhill side is going to want to roll under. Does the video show anything about riding off camber?

 

Boner, I think that test that they were riding the 4 wheelers over was called Belgian something. I saw that video too, on last wednesday at the AC dealer. Was cool when that 500 went right over that cement block. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/img] Trying to save money up for a 2002 AC. My first Quad hopefully![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

Non of the Arctic Cat ATV's have anti-sway bars. The offcamber bit is nothign to be worried about, but it does have the classic Arctic Cat body roll at high speeds.

Sbout the test, you are right. IT's something like that. "Belgian log road??

 

Is the video available for viewing online,even in clip form? What kinda money are they asking for the 2002's anyway?

 

These are all M.S.R.P. prices: 500i Auto $6799, 500i Manual $6599, 500 Auto $6599, 500 Manual $6399, 500 Auto TBX $6999, 400i $5699, 400 $5499, 375 Auto $5399, 300 $4999, 300 2+4 $4299, 250 4+4 $4399, 250 2+4 $3599, and the 90- $1999. Lots of choices![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] Especially among the 500's. Full IRS, or Full/ACT Independent.

 

At that price, the 400i is going to give the other 400 class atv's some hell I think. Where else can you get 12" of clearance and 10" of travel for $5699? Its really going to take away from just about everything but the sportsman 400, and that one is a lot more $$$. On a lighter note, why does honda still make the Foreman 400? Its becoming a dinosaur big time.

 

Other things the Sportsman 500 doesn't have is a manual transmission, steel racks, steel floor borads, 12" rear wheels, and a double a-arm front suspension.

About the Foreman 400. It's VERY popular still. I seen quite a few at Marengo. Why is it popular?? Because it's so reliable. Why is it so reliable?? Because it's so conservitive. Honda kept the motor WELL within a range that it is pretty hard to over heat it, and it doesn't realy have the power to break stuff, but enough to get the job done. The suspension doesn't realy have enough travel to put the CV's or U-joints in a bind. And it's just a very tough bike.

Look at Scott Smith's Outlaw 550, it's a 1996 Foreman 400 originally. He has 48 FT LBS OF TORQUE, runs 28x12.5 Outlaws front and rear, has a locker, has a lift kit and progressive shocks up front. YET, HE HAS the original CV joints and rear U-joint. Thats gotta say something about this bike.

 

It is definitely a reliable machine if there ever was one. The thing I don't understand is that the 450 is basically a better version of the same thing, and the price difference isn't much for the average consumer. A Rancher offers more I think at a lesser price and a 450 offers more for just a bit more.

As far as 400's go, (excluding 02 models), Yamaha did the best by redesigning their Kodiak to have different features that at the time set it apart from the quads that surround it in price. The Griz was larger, but didn't have the park feature or disc brakes all around. The Big Bear was smaller and cheaper, but didn't have the brakes, transmission, 2wd option, or suspension. That basically set it apart to where it was unique, rather than just a mid engine quad slotted in between the high and low price ranges.

I think the AC 400i is going that way as well, and the 500i is more appealing because it offers both transmissions.

As for the 400 Foreman, its appeal is really bottom of the barrel now with the new AC's and Suzuki's along with the Kodiak, Sp400, and the Expedition. I'm not saying the same for the 450, because I consider that as direct competion to the 400 Foreman as well.

 

Has any one seen the swing axle rear suspension on the 500 TBX?