I have a good friend who is in the market for a 4wd atv. He has never owned or drove an atv before but will be very capable of doing so. He is missing his right arm. I told him I would help him find the right atv for him.

Our requirements:
1. Automatic Transmission (engine braking would be nice)
2. 4wd
3. Independent rear suspension would be a plus
4. full floorboards
5. A single brake lever that controls both front and rear
brakes. (MUST)
6. The throttle lever MUST be able to be relocated over to the
left side. If this cannot be done on an Arctic Cat model
then we will have to look at other brands.


From what little looking I have done at the Arctic Cat models...I would say the closest atv for our needs would be the Arctic Cat 375 4X4. If $$ wasnt an option I would of course choose the 500 model. The 375 has automatic tranny, indep rear suspension, etc..
How do the brakes work on this model? i.e. are both front and rear brakes controlled by one lever on the left? And, would it be possible to move the throttle lever to the left side? All help is much appreciated!

 

The 375 sounds like a great machine, the breaks will operate with one lever as all AC ATV's do. The suspension is the patented ACT semi-independent on the rear not a full independent. I'm not sure that that matters a whole lot, I know that is one of the best solid axle rear suspensions on the market today. I have a 2000 500 auto and think it is great. I'm not sure about the throttle being moved though. Good luck in your search.

Dan

 

You may have to have a special throttle setup done because I don't know anyone that makes a left handed throttle. Another machine you may want to consider is the Polaris Magnum 325 4X4. The reason for this would be the ease of shifting into 4 wheel drive. You just flip the switch!!! This would be easier than any other brand out there. I love my Cat but it may not be what the guy needs.
You also may want to stay with the smaller machines unless the guy is really strong. Steering a 4X4 is harder on the bigger machines. It will just tire him out faster.
good luck!!

 

Not that a cat isnt agood machine, but i would have your friend look at the yamaha kodiak. Just fot the simple fact that its steering is so light. I believe the only feature it doesnt have is the independent rear. But it has nice ones like pushbutton four wheel drive, which would be real nice if you only had one arm. well best of luck to your friend.
matty

99AC500

 

I agree with ttaylor and girthyguy, steering weight is going to be a very important consideration. If your friend wants a 4x4, I do suggest getting one that will shift to 2wd as well (Kodiak, Arctic Cats, Polaris, Suzuki's Vinson and Eiger all do this I believe). Also to my knowledge, only the AC and possibly the Polaris have single lever disk brakes and independent (or semi) suspension. However it is only Polaris' bigger machines that have indepenent rear suspension... I don't think the Magnum has independent. Hope this helps and good luck to you and your friend.

 

You might have your friend look at the new AC 375 auto it's really light to steer, the shifter and the 4wd lever are both on the left and I believe you could adapt a twist throttle on the left side for your friend. It might be worth looking into.

 

I think Arctic Cat is your only choice because of a few things.

With the Cat you would only have to fix up the Throttle. I know it can has has been done, just don't know how. There was an artical in one of my "Cat's Pride" magazines about how this cowboy moved his throttle to the left side so he could rope cattle with his right hand.

Another plus for the Cat is there new rocker winch switch that is mounted on the left handle bars. That would make it easier for him to operate the winch.

The shifter on Arctic Cats is also on the Left side. Polaris, the only other ATV brand with Single lever braking on all of there fullsize ATV line, has there shifter on the Right side. And there shifter is much harder to use.