Bilzer, my 2002 acts like that, when it's in the low range. Either your's is stuck in the low range or there is something seriously wrong with your transmission. Mine hit 53mph (on the odometer) in 5th on the high range.

Check by your left foot where the High/Low lever is and make sure somethings not stuck. On the 2002's the lever is forward for the high range, back for low.

 

Hey dudes I got 01 400-4x4 .I ride with a 01 -500-ho and a 400-sp neither one ever run off and hid from me , what wrong with changing gears , you people never road a dirt bike have you , i rode a 500a had a lot power ,but it didnt leave me behind either , nobody ever says anything about power loss through a belt drive either , and dont tell me they dont , because they are A mini bike torque converter. its not the most efficient power tranmitter in the world ,it dont beat gear drive, by along shot, If you want a500cc get a manual shift . if you dont want to shift get a auto , but here in VA theres a 1000 bucks diff in a 400, 500, 500 bucks in a manual v auto 500s your chose you got pay for it. BUT enjoy either one you get, HAPPY TRAILS

 

I was definetely in high range...low range is REALLY low..creeping along...
I had hit a fairly flat logging road and wanted to cruise along..but the engine was just crying for another gear when I hit around 20 mph...I thought it would be good for at least 35 or so before it started to wine for it's momma??

 

HEY dude I think you need to see your dealer ,something wrong , check your range shifter , if it right , take that cat back get it fixed it got rev limiter , but nothing stand that for long take it back

 

Chunkyboy's right, Bilzer. Get that thing to the dealer. I would avoid even driving it.

It almost sounds like your stuck in a lower gear. Like it FEELS like it shifts higher, but never gets above first. No matter how you look at it, something's seriously wrong with it.

 

if you are only getting 25 mph w.f.o.in high range 5th gear,I would suspect that the clutches are slipping or maybe the speedo cable is slipping.does the gear indicator show 5. what kind of engine oil are you using.is the engine low on oil.:just tring to help[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

It is a brand new ac 400 2001...it has 50 miles on it..I put all 50 on it..I go through the gears in high range all the way up to 5th gear..at 20 mph it whines..and the motor is looking for another gear..of course already being in 5th there are more more gears to upshift into..and this is all at 20 mph...

 

Bilzer, I have a 500M and at 20mph in 5th gear you should be cruising real nicely, with the rpm's running pretty low. I do think when it was new that the sound of the motor/muffler seems as though it was over revy (spelling). Since I have become familiar with the sound it doesn't bother me and have taken it to 45-50MPH.Ethernut, As far as keeping up with the other riders I wouldn't worry about that much. I have no personal experience with the honda 450, but several people on here that have had both says that the AC and 450 are about the same. Now the HO is a different story, I can keep up with my nephew easy. But if he was a better rider and tried he could probably pull away do to the acceleration of the HO. I think(know) you lose some momentum when your shifting a manual. Sounds like Dakotart covered it real good for ya.

 

Try airing up your tires alittle. Maybe your tires are so low it is making the gearing lower and making the motor rev higher at lower speeds.

Other than that, I bet you are just not used to the bike yet. The 400 is a high reving bike and maybe you just need to get used to it. Try testing the top speed. It may scream, but it will do fine as long as you don't ride at WOT for longer than about a minute or two(still breaking that motor in).

 

I am taking it out again this weekend up in Maine..I will check the air pressure. I am still taking it easy on the break in period.
Does anyone know what size socket one needs to change the oil with on a AC 2001 400?