Hi, first time post from 4 month lurker. Never have ridden bikes or ATVs, so have had lots to learn. I am 6'6" #290 and need a big quad for trail riding Tellico and hunting. I am considering Sp500, Grizz, and AC.
I looked at several AC 500s this weekend, drove auto, 99 500, and 2000 500. I love the fat tires on the 99! The manual feels like it has the most snap/power and I like the rocker shift. I just wish they had 2/4wd option.
My specific question is if there is a difference in the front end gears between the model years. Do the year 2000 models put more even traction to the ground? Will the trick with tapping the breaks to lock the diff. work with the 99?
Thanks for any info,
See you all on the trails soon.
Duff

 

The tapping of the brakes works on my 99 model Arctic Cat 500.

I plan in the FAR future to try to adapt the front differenitial from the Cat-o-matic onto my 99 model. This site did a test on the Cat-o-matic and said that the front axle "3wd" less than the older Arctic Cats, less than all other wuads with differentials too.