I was looking at the ad in ATV mag on the back cover for the new 2002 artic cats with the independant suspension, and I was suprised at how wide the stance looked. Either the atv is very wide, or the fenders don't stick out far enough because it looks like the tires stick out about 3-4" on each side. Take a look at the picture in the top right corner of the ad and you'll see what I mean. If I was in the market for a new 4x4, this would concern me because it looks like the fender coverage is bad and the rider will get extremely muddy.

 

I've sat on the 2002 cats, plan to pick one up any day now (400 4x4), and I am pretty sure it will be a fairly mudfree ride. You definately can't see the tires from on top and I didn't notice what you were speaking of so perhaps it's the angle.

Nevertheless, I should have one of my own in within a few days, and it looks like rain here in MN, so I will have to go check this out myself. Purely in the interest if science, you understand. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

On the ACT suspension models mud protection is good as long as you have stock size tires. I had to use 1.5" spacers on the rear to keep the tires 27x11x12 ITP 589s from rubbing the shocks when the suspension flexes. The rear tires stick out past the fenders about .75". I think you could also get by with a different offset wheels 5-2 stock is 4-3, this would only make it 1" wider on each side. With the same tire it would only stick out .25". Of course it may be different with a different size tire. It isn't bad now it just slings it up on the fender some. A stock quad seems to have real good protection. I do see what you are talking abou on the IRS models though, but I have yet to see one in person though.

 

Fender coverage for the 2002s will depend largely on whether or not you get the 2wd or 4x4 models. The 2wd ACs do not come with the black fender flares and this greatly reduces the mud protection. Also, as you noticed with the i models, as the suspension travel is used, the wheels spread out so that less wheel is under the fender. If you are carrying a load or a passenger, the suspension may squat a fair bit (at least I've seen it squat out on the Polaris Sportsmans) and you may get a little muddy. One thing I should point out though is that Arctic Cats have good mud protection on the inside of the wheel. There are plastic plates that are positioned to make a wheel well like you would see on a car. These plates prevent mud and water from splashing up between the fender and the engine. I'm not sure of any other quad makers that do this. I'm fairly certain that Hondas don't because I drove a Rancher this summer and when going through puddles the insides of my legs would get splashed by water coming up by the engine. Anyway, if you want an AC that has superior mud protection, your best bet is a 4x4 ACT model.

 

I picked up my 400 4x4 ACT today and, while I didn't take it through any mud (I want to break it in first), I really don't see how much can get on me. The coverage is pretty good and it seems unlikely I will catch more than a little overspray.

Not like my kids on their Polaris Sportsman 90 last weekend. Go here to see what they did to it!