My brother and I have had our Cats now for a year and other than the recalls (which AC and the dealers were both very good about) we've had no problems that aren't directly related to just plain hard use. In fact, we've seen other machines that were used in a similar fashion and didn't survive, but you don't see us going over to their forums claiming the equipment sux.

Over all, I think AC builds good quality machines and they don't over do the simple things (like speedometers) so they don't have to charge you more. Occasionally, it appears someone gets a lemon, but this is true of all brands.

 

There have been quite a few posts here since Skaterkid started this thread.

Some positive and some negative, but I believe honest "opinions and experiences".

I haven't seen a follow up from Skaterkid though.

Skaterkid, what do you think now that you have all this info from riders who own Arctic Cats? [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

"However body roll & the feeling of rolling over has nothing to do with MACHINE stability,its only a feeling, get over it."


sxr6,

Because of that "feeling" of the AC i am now replacing my brake assembly and handlebar !!!!

 

needaQuest,

I hate to say it but it sounds like an error in judgement if you took a roll!!

Unless it is a mechanical problem that caused your machine to tumble.

EVERY rider must know the limitations of his/her machine to safely operate it. If you know that the AC has a certain amount of "body roll" then by all means you need to respect gravity in this case. If you do not and you roll your machine then you can not blame the machine.

AFTER ALL ARE YOU RIDING IT OR IS IT RIDING YOU!!!![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

Fango,


I know what my cat's limitations are, but i got into the predicamant by accident. I was climbing this large mound of dirt and accidently launched myself over the other side. Because of the position of the quad and surrounding trees i coundn't just go forward, i had to back up on top of the hill, then cut the wheels hard to fit through the opening i had come from. The quad became very tippy during this process, so i dismounted and walked beside it untill i thought it was safe. Well, when i thought it was safe and when it was safe were two different things! As soon as i got back on the thing tipped and i dove off and rolled a few times and the cat rolled once and landed on its feet. (just like cats are supposed to!)

 

needaQuest,

My apologies!! It does sound like you got yourself into a precarious situation. I didn't mean to rip on your riding skills. I know that there are some situations that are almost impossible to escape unscathed. And it sounds like you described one.

The point I was really trying to make is as atv riders we get used to the reaction of "A" particular machine. Whatever brand it happens to be. We become comfortable riding that machine and when we get a chance to ride another it is judge by our past experiences. The example here is "body roll". Good for some, bad for others. In any case, a person needs to ride each machine with a bit of caution until there is a "feel" for its reaction. Whether at top speed, on a hill etc...you get the point.

As far as being unstable? I don't know, I guess at a certain point everything becomes unstable!!

One more question for ya, NEEDAQUEST:

If you were on another machine other than the cat, in the same situation, would it have rolled???

ciao

 

It depends on what the other machine is. If it was a Bomb, no i don't think it would've rolled. My Prairie might have tipped a little, but i don't thind it would have rolled. I can't comment on any other machines because those are the only quads i've ridden extensively.

 

Sorry needaQuest, but I am just not buyin' that the quest is that much more stable then the Cat! Never been on one and probably never will.

And as for the prairie, I know for a fact that it's not more stable. Call me skeptical but I am not buyin' it.

ciao

 

All i know is the 2001 AC 500 with ACT suspension isn't even in the same catagory as the Quest in the stability department!!! The difference is very noticable when your riding behind a bomb on your ac and you have to "walk" your quad through sidehills, especially sidehills with a few rocks, small downed trees, etc. To be honest with you, the Quest is really my dad's quad. I had trouble following him whenever we ventured off the beaten trail. So i saved up a few bucks and bought the prairie based on alot of research. I feel it is as close to the Quest as your going to get as far as stability.
Now i'm not going to sit here and argue with every one of your posts, all i can tell you is talk to other Traxter and Quest owners! They will tell you the same thing I am.

 

I just have to say after riding a 99 cat 400 this past Sunday that in the many types of terrain that a gruop of twelve went through that the cat was very stable and I got many "WOWS" I rode with 10 polaris' and a Honda. We were riding all types of terrain (mud, water, up and down steep grades, side hills) and the only department I lacked was some speed, but the cat really is not built for speed. The only time I had to be pulled was on a hill climb and I missed a shift. I have read this whole thread and I believe that you just do not like the cat for what ever reason that you will not say. I have done a lot of research my self and I want a Cat. Little low on power and speed, but that is the only department. If you like your Prarie then like it and stop downing all the others. The P might fit your terrain better, but I cannot see how you can say what you have said.