Flex pics of the 500i
Dec 15, 2001 | 07:45 PM
#11
Trailblazer
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
Rides4fun, I have already made up my mind to get the 500i. But I think the 589'standards are probably better on the back than the MT's that you presently have on the back. Let us know how it works out. Great pics and very nice quad. AC built this one right! Just need a little more tech help... Who needs a snowmobile?
Chuck
Chuck
Dec 15, 2001 | 11:16 PM
#12
Pro Rider
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 581
Likes: 0
Rides4Fun~
Thanks for the templates! I'm going to start putting together the web site this weekend, seems like starband gives us a personal web space for sites.
The 660 Grizz is really nice, and I've been very happy with it. My dealer, on the other hand, ... wish it was my old 'Cat dealer. The local Cat dealer was owned by a car dealership, and they decided to get out of ATV's. They were great to deal with. I am chomping at the bit to ride a 500I, though. After seeing your flex pics, I ran up to walmart and picked up some car ramps [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img], that's a great idea, and I'll post some pics of the "Grizz Flex Test" for shucks & grins.
If my memory isn't too faulty, it seems that the Grizz and 500I had about the same ground clearance and rear travel, but the 500I smokes every quad on the market on the front end travel, I think it has 3 more inches. The amount of flex doesn't completely surprise me though. Any manufacture that could get as much flex out of a solid axle, as Cat did with the ACT, would inevitably do a supreme job on a fully independent suspensioned machine, like the 500I.
Again, awesome quad, keep the pics up, and what are all the mods you've put on it? Looks like a custom rear bumper, tires, & winch...anything you've snuck on that beast?
Happy Holidays,
SilverBear
Thanks for the templates! I'm going to start putting together the web site this weekend, seems like starband gives us a personal web space for sites.
The 660 Grizz is really nice, and I've been very happy with it. My dealer, on the other hand, ... wish it was my old 'Cat dealer. The local Cat dealer was owned by a car dealership, and they decided to get out of ATV's. They were great to deal with. I am chomping at the bit to ride a 500I, though. After seeing your flex pics, I ran up to walmart and picked up some car ramps [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img], that's a great idea, and I'll post some pics of the "Grizz Flex Test" for shucks & grins.
If my memory isn't too faulty, it seems that the Grizz and 500I had about the same ground clearance and rear travel, but the 500I smokes every quad on the market on the front end travel, I think it has 3 more inches. The amount of flex doesn't completely surprise me though. Any manufacture that could get as much flex out of a solid axle, as Cat did with the ACT, would inevitably do a supreme job on a fully independent suspensioned machine, like the 500I.
Again, awesome quad, keep the pics up, and what are all the mods you've put on it? Looks like a custom rear bumper, tires, & winch...anything you've snuck on that beast?
Happy Holidays,
SilverBear
Dec 18, 2001 | 12:51 AM
#14
Pro Rider
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 581
Likes: 0
Tnitro~
Wife's Black Kodiak came in today, so I spent the day putting the thing together, it is a beauty. I played around with the Grizz tonight on the ramps, but didn't get any pictures. I'll get some pics in the next day or day after.
SilverBear
Wife's Black Kodiak came in today, so I spent the day putting the thing together, it is a beauty. I played around with the Grizz tonight on the ramps, but didn't get any pictures. I'll get some pics in the next day or day after.
SilverBear
Dec 18, 2001 | 10:45 AM
#15
Thread Starter
|
Range Rover
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
Hey Silver.
List of accessories:
Rear Bumper (I think it looks awesome and is practical for trail riding)
26x9x12 Titan MS on front
26x12x12 Titan MT on rear
Warn 2500 lb winch with winch accessory kit
Rear cargo bag
Front cargo bag (for hot/cold meals and drinks :-)
Arctic Cat stickers, key chain fobs, license plates, etc
2 Arctic Cat helmets, shirt, goggles, etc
Maintenance kit (air & oil filter, pre-air filter, cleaners, oil, etc)
I think I spent about $1300 on accessories, but nothing that changed the ATV other than the tires (sold factory Dunlops for $200)
To me for what I use it for, it is the best ATV out there. Of course any ATV that I own would be the best, because that's just because I try to be happy with what I am fortunate to have :-)
List of accessories:
Rear Bumper (I think it looks awesome and is practical for trail riding)
26x9x12 Titan MS on front
26x12x12 Titan MT on rear
Warn 2500 lb winch with winch accessory kit
Rear cargo bag
Front cargo bag (for hot/cold meals and drinks :-)
Arctic Cat stickers, key chain fobs, license plates, etc
2 Arctic Cat helmets, shirt, goggles, etc
Maintenance kit (air & oil filter, pre-air filter, cleaners, oil, etc)
I think I spent about $1300 on accessories, but nothing that changed the ATV other than the tires (sold factory Dunlops for $200)
To me for what I use it for, it is the best ATV out there. Of course any ATV that I own would be the best, because that's just because I try to be happy with what I am fortunate to have :-)
Dec 18, 2001 | 12:08 PM
#16
Weekend Warrior
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Hey ridesforfun,
I seen the 500i yesterday and was amazed at the gc and the look of the cat.I think I may buy one instead of the grizz, how good is the ride in the rough? I know it would be great But would like to hear from you, could you also please tell me what camera you used to take those pictures because they turned out so clear , i was amazed. thanks!!!!!
I seen the 500i yesterday and was amazed at the gc and the look of the cat.I think I may buy one instead of the grizz, how good is the ride in the rough? I know it would be great But would like to hear from you, could you also please tell me what camera you used to take those pictures because they turned out so clear , i was amazed. thanks!!!!!
Dec 20, 2001 | 07:50 PM
#17
Thread Starter
|
Range Rover
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
Hey ketchup,
The pictures you see on my site, I had to shrink down to 800x600 (versus the originals that were 2048x1536 and 1.5 megs each in jpg form). The camera is a 3.3 Meg Sony Mavica with the CD-RW Burner on it (model is MVC-CD300), Link to the Camera. You should see the originals, before shrinking, they print awesome.
As for the ride on the 500i. To be COMPLETELY honest, I have never been on an ATV that soaks up the trail like the new 500i (I've been on all the new big bores). I search for technical trails now, purposely heading for the ruts, that all the other tracks go around. The funny thing is it seems to do a little better, if you go through a technical area at a little faster pace than normal. It maintains such an excellent balance that the trail doesn't seem as technical anymore. Also, it has many practical features that I like (that will help with work around my future ranch), start in gear, heavy duty, no fancy lcd's, electronic push buttons, etc. Any way there are some negatives too, but they are few and not as important (to me) as the positives. Check out my review for positives and negatives in the AC forum.
I can only say, that this thing has got to win some awards for its ride and suspension, WOW. There's areas for improvement (front diff locker, for/rev location). But overall it's a fun ATV to ride and should make for a solid work horse.
The pictures you see on my site, I had to shrink down to 800x600 (versus the originals that were 2048x1536 and 1.5 megs each in jpg form). The camera is a 3.3 Meg Sony Mavica with the CD-RW Burner on it (model is MVC-CD300), Link to the Camera. You should see the originals, before shrinking, they print awesome.
As for the ride on the 500i. To be COMPLETELY honest, I have never been on an ATV that soaks up the trail like the new 500i (I've been on all the new big bores). I search for technical trails now, purposely heading for the ruts, that all the other tracks go around. The funny thing is it seems to do a little better, if you go through a technical area at a little faster pace than normal. It maintains such an excellent balance that the trail doesn't seem as technical anymore. Also, it has many practical features that I like (that will help with work around my future ranch), start in gear, heavy duty, no fancy lcd's, electronic push buttons, etc. Any way there are some negatives too, but they are few and not as important (to me) as the positives. Check out my review for positives and negatives in the AC forum.
I can only say, that this thing has got to win some awards for its ride and suspension, WOW. There's areas for improvement (front diff locker, for/rev location). But overall it's a fun ATV to ride and should make for a solid work horse.
Dec 20, 2001 | 09:32 PM
#18
Weekend Warrior
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Hey rides4fun, keep taking those great pics, your quad is one of the coolest I seen all year, that rear bumper adds to the overall mean look, thanks for all your previous reports and regardless if you don`t have the TRUE 4 wheel drive, you know what I mean , thats why winches are handy, if you get stuck with that beast with that gc and that awesome articulation chances are you will need a tow , lets see some mud pics, have fun , look forward to some new pics on your site [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]
Dec 20, 2001 | 10:19 PM
#19
Thread Starter
|
Range Rover
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 147
Likes: 0
I'll see what I can do this weekend.....
The only problem is, I don't feel comfortable taking my $1,000 Digital Camera out in the field (Worried about the CD-RW getting out of wack from vibration, etc), my wife would never let me forget it, if I damaged it. I did bring my old 35 mm last weekend, and took some action shots, but of course the old fashioned stuff, you have to get film developed, then scan in the pictures, etc. I'm actually looking at buying a cheaper $100 digital camera, JUST for field action shots. The ones I'm looking at are 1.3 meg, compact flash memory, 1.8" display and are solid state (no moving parts). When I get that, I'll have action shots for every trip I take......
As for the locker thing, I tried in vain all last weekend to make it 3 wheel and couldn't. The only way I ended up getting it to 3 wheel was at home up on ramps as a test. I believe that 2x4 will get you most places anyway, so a 3x4 can get you out of most of the leftover places, and then the locker gets you out of the remainding few places. I also, did rock crawls, and was unable to 3 wheel it? I'll keep trying though, will keep you posted. As info, I predict that a locker will be available before summer if not sooner, but I'm still not sure I need it (I'm going to try to get into a situation where I need it) I might just get it, to shut people up about the locker issue. It's like, just because it doesn't have a locker, they can null all the other qualities about it, I don't get it? But here I am getting into the same war I vowed not to get into, like with engine size...... (I've got to learn how to shorten these, sorry)
The only problem is, I don't feel comfortable taking my $1,000 Digital Camera out in the field (Worried about the CD-RW getting out of wack from vibration, etc), my wife would never let me forget it, if I damaged it. I did bring my old 35 mm last weekend, and took some action shots, but of course the old fashioned stuff, you have to get film developed, then scan in the pictures, etc. I'm actually looking at buying a cheaper $100 digital camera, JUST for field action shots. The ones I'm looking at are 1.3 meg, compact flash memory, 1.8" display and are solid state (no moving parts). When I get that, I'll have action shots for every trip I take......
As for the locker thing, I tried in vain all last weekend to make it 3 wheel and couldn't. The only way I ended up getting it to 3 wheel was at home up on ramps as a test. I believe that 2x4 will get you most places anyway, so a 3x4 can get you out of most of the leftover places, and then the locker gets you out of the remainding few places. I also, did rock crawls, and was unable to 3 wheel it? I'll keep trying though, will keep you posted. As info, I predict that a locker will be available before summer if not sooner, but I'm still not sure I need it (I'm going to try to get into a situation where I need it) I might just get it, to shut people up about the locker issue. It's like, just because it doesn't have a locker, they can null all the other qualities about it, I don't get it? But here I am getting into the same war I vowed not to get into, like with engine size...... (I've got to learn how to shorten these, sorry)
Dec 21, 2001 | 12:56 AM
#20
Pro Rider
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 581
Likes: 0
Rides4Fun~
Don't let anyone take away your personal enjoyment or love for your quad. Regardless of what features it may or may not have, the bottom line is are you happy with it, does it take you where you want to go and in a fashion you're comfortable with.
Heck, my wife had the AC300, and that thing would simply climb a tree and was very sure footed, but seen a black kodiak and "fell in love"...in my opinion there are some things that the cat 300 has over the Kodiak (not the least which is a fully independant suspension) but she's got what she wants with all the pro's and con's, and she's completely happy. That's the important end result.
You have got yourself one hell of a machine!
Happy Holidays,
SilverBear
Don't let anyone take away your personal enjoyment or love for your quad. Regardless of what features it may or may not have, the bottom line is are you happy with it, does it take you where you want to go and in a fashion you're comfortable with.
Heck, my wife had the AC300, and that thing would simply climb a tree and was very sure footed, but seen a black kodiak and "fell in love"...in my opinion there are some things that the cat 300 has over the Kodiak (not the least which is a fully independant suspension) but she's got what she wants with all the pro's and con's, and she's completely happy. That's the important end result.
You have got yourself one hell of a machine!
Happy Holidays,
SilverBear