I agree, I don't look at my speedo that much. I use the odometer for service intervals. But when I go riding I usually have my GPS and it keeps track of my trip mileage, average speed, trip time and everything else I could think of. As far as the clock on some of them I wear a watch, and my etrex has one too. I would rather put their engineering skills to use by coming up with a useful storage compartment. I'm not much for all that electronic stuff. It is nice when it works but a pain when it doesn't. I do think that AC will go to this in the future though. Even if most of the true AC fans don't want it.

 

all good points but the least they could do is package it better it looks like it was just thrown on aftermarket I like analog gauges but if your gonna have an analog gauges add a fuel gauge and package it with some class its the first and only thing i see that makes me shake my head and wish they would copy from polaris

 

Ya, I do agree it looks a little cheap. One other thing to consider though is that I'm sure AC probably set the ATV operation up as a seperate division, or atleast a seperate cost center, with some tough payback goals on the investment which makes it tough on R&D investments until they really get on their feet. And if they were trading off a new electronic package against the new i model design, I certainly think they put their money in the right place especially considering their target customer base.

Bob

 

While I will agree that the Speedo on the Artic Cat looks a little archaic compaired to some of the others, I also think it works well enough.

I've seen two polaris machines roll at the local riding place in the last month. On BOTH of them the speedo deal on the handlebars was completely decimated. My brother's 375 has rolled twice and, voila, the chinsey speedo still works. Go figure.

 

Have any of you ever replaced a speedometer of any kind? I haven't. I don't think thats something that is much of a problem except for guys that flip over their machines all the time, and in that case, you are going to have to replace plastic and racks too at times.

Building a cheap speedometer so the parts cost isn't high isn't exactly something that the manufacturers are keeping in mind. Its not relative in the vast majority of atv sales.

As for digital speedometers, I guess the Honda's and stuff that are up and exposed could bust easier, but still, you have to flip it over to break it anyway.

 

My 300 goes places most of the other 4wheelers won't, I don't care what the speedo looks like, it works, I didn't buy my 4wheeler to admire the looks. If Cat has to spend the $$$ to put fancy electric stuff on their bikes to compete with other brands, there's less chance you'll see a new locking front diff on them. I'll take the diff locks THANKS

 

ANDY good point inot one of my riding buddies has damaged his gauge pack ive rolled my sportsman its fine my buddie rolled his rubicon twice its fine your right replacement cost isnt much of an issue for manufacturers and hey if ya have insurance like mine he most yould pay for damage to your wheeler is 100$ anyways so it doesnt worry me to have to replace one