Hi, guys. I bought a 1999 500 Arctic Cat last April and in the last 7 months have logged over 1900 miles and should top the 2000 mark this weekend. I live in northern Minnesota and do most of my riding in the "Big Woods" by my self and have no worries about the big cat getting me home. My cuz cant say that. He bought a 500 polairs Magnum and before he even got 100 miles he had nummers brake downs to meny to list here. But the real kicker was when he was ribbing me about not having a winch. Now I do need and want a winch but I'm not to cashie. Maybe after a little OT @ work i'll get one. Anyway I was asking him what happens if he blows a belt? do you carry a spair? Naa you never blow a belt,, Ha. that nite we were way back in the sticks when I started seeing little black chunks of rubber coming out of his housing. Yep the cat ended up towing his Polairs 18 miles back home thru mud, over rocks, up hills you name it. When we got back I told him that thay dont make a winch that will tow you 18 miles ;->

Anyway my experience with the big cat

* at 1200 miles my rear mechanical brake came lose when I was in some real deep goo and came spinning around and took out the hydralic brake caliper and bent the disk.
(so much for the redundant system)
* at 1542 miles a spring in the carburetor that holds the needle valve broke. Sill got me home though.

and thats it other then a burnt out 5th gear indecater light. Oh,, that reminds me, be advised even though you got a oil-pressure display on your dash THERE IS NO OIL INDECATOR LIGHT!!! its just not there so dont rely on it. I guess thats why thay call them "dummy lights" The squeek in the handle bars is taken care of with a little shot of WD40, Had to do it only twice, I dont know dry or somthing.. Shure am glad I got a Arctic Cat....

 

Thanks for the tip, I thought I would have to take the steering colum apart and regrease it.

That is the first I hear of a lemon Magnum 500. Every other Magnum 500 own SAYS that they have had no trouble.

Arctic Cat, Don't pet this kitty