Hey guys, just wanted to point out that I don't think the AC 500 produces more torque than the 660. It did produce more than the old 600 (as stated in their brochure), but I haven't heard anything stating it out torques the 660. I could be wrong though.

 

I don't think it has as much torque either, but I do feel like the manual AC tranny uses its power better than the 660's automatic. No comment on the auto AC. I have a belt drive, and I dislike it just as I thought I would.

 

Hi,

My 2002 400 act artic cat has a dry weight of 232lbs according to my certificate of origin.. err i meant 632lbs.

 

Speaking of statement of origin. My 99 AC500 said 29.5 hp. The 660 said 41.5 hp.

 

Andy, what torque does the Cat make. A stroker can make more torque than BHP. Some where along the line the Cat was dynoed because I keep reading where the 500 made more torque than the 600 Griz. Keycat 229 lbs maybe 229 Kilos.

Since we agree the Cat has enough power I have to ask you how fast do you think a Quad should go....?

 

OK, the reason for bigger quads is because they have more zip to them. You can run the bigger tires in a higher gear and spin them faster, this is very important for mud riding. It makes the company more cash and keeps them in the market, you can't have a smaller CC quad than everyone else. Even with my new 500i it still bogs down with the big tires and I need to run in 1st gear allot of the time. 2nd gear usually works but it bogs down if the motor isn't revved way up. So I would love a bigger CC motor so that I can run in 2nd gear more often. This is also a draw back on the manual over the automatic but the manaul is way better for me. So there is a market for bigger CC machines for reasons other than bragging rights. Just my 2 cents.

 

bbertram,I agree with you on what you had to say about the higher cc ATV's.wondering if you can tell me why it is important to run in the mud in 2nd gear rather than first (or any other gear for that matter)or even low range third or forth.I also like to shift but I went with the auto, it seemed to have a few more advantages over the manual for my riding habbits.I am not repling to your post to offend you.It's just that when I had my 2000 300 4x4 it never really mattered to me what gear I was in when going through the mud I long as I got through it.

 

Well 2nd gear will give you allot more wheelspin than 1st gear will. When you have more wheelspin then your tires clean allot better and you get through more mud this way. Now an automatic is great for mud, you just gas it and go, no worries about finding the right gear. But with manuals its crucial that you pick the correct gear or you will bog down and get stuck. With stock tires 2nd gear is perfect but with my outlaws(look at my pics) you need to stick with 1st most of the time in deep mud. In 1st gear you still would make it probably but 2nd gear with lots of wheelspin is safer and allot more fun.

Forgot to mention that sometimes I even bog out 1st gear. Once and only once have I bogged out 1st gear in LOW. That was the worst mud ever, it was like glue.

 

NewCatMan- I think the torque on the AC500 was 30.5 or 31.5. Can't remember which. I'm pretty sure it did have more torque than the 600 Grizzly, but there is no way it outproduces the 660. I still think the 660 could get more to the ground with a manual tranny though.

As far as speed, more is always better in my mind. You don't have to use it all the time, its just nice to have it in case you want too. When I'm riding with guys, we are normally just cruising trails and trying to find rough places to get through. Every now and then we will heat em up on a dirt road. Normally just that little fire run on a straight stretch. Its nice to be able to leave folks behind for a second and then slow down and let them catch back up.

I think that they should all be able to do 50. That includes the 300's. They do that for the most part. I think your flagship models should all be capable of 60 to compete with each other. My 660 will go 60 and thats it. Speedometers lie. I'll believe the GPS, and with it, i got 60 on flat pavement with the Grizzly though the speedometer wanted me to believe 65. Sure its faster downhill, but what isn't.

As far as tires, you will get a little more out of a big engine quad with taller tires. My AC would go about 51 with the stockers, and about 53 with the 27" Claws. I haven't checked the 660 with the Claws on a GPS yet, but I figure about the same difference.

 

Andy, thanks for the torque specs on the AC500. I have yet to read any torque specs published. I finished reading the ATV magazine and feel compelled to give my opinion on that post. ATV did a so called "Biggest, Baddest Big-Bore Shootout Ever!" dynoed all these quads and didn't publish the torque figures! on the biggest baddest quads. How did they know they were bad? What amateurs.