I am interested in the AC, 4x4 model. I prefer slow, crawling type ability. Pulling power would be a plus. Most of the terrain I am in is sand or mud with some hill climbs. How does a AC perform in this type of terrain? How do they fair on deep watercrossings? Are they durable? Not that much into going fast. What abpout aftermarket upgrades like suspension, taller tires etc?
I am new to the atv world, AC do have a better price on them than other brands in my area.
Thanks for any input and recommendations.

 

Are you kidding us? The AC's appear to be designed for exactly what you describe. If your into deep water I'd go with the manual transmission. I do think you are in the right place. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

I loved my 400i (RIP). It was a great little quad and did everything you said you wanted to do. It shined on the Rubicon Trail, which, btw, is by far the most intense rock-climbing trail you will EVER ride, except maybe for the Fordyce Trail. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

Rob

 

Zookin,
I have an 2000 Arctic Cat 500 manual. Everything that you talk about as far as your needs are what I would consider strengths of my AC. It can really claw up pretty steep slopes. It has gobs of low end power/torque. I don't know about water crossings as I've only had mine about 2 feet deep in water. Mine is durable as can be. I use the snot out of it and it just keeps working. It's not fast and tops out between 40 and 45 mph. I am a bit of an Arctic Cat fan as I grew up on their sleds, but I would strongly recommend an AC ATV to anyone and everyone.

Bill the Dog

 

Zookin, I just bought a new 500i Manual Shift about 2 weeks ago and from what I can tell this bike would be perfect for you. I have owned a 350 polaris 4x4, 2 500 Sportsman 4x4 polaris, a 450 Honda, 400 Honda, 400 Kodiak automatic, and from what I can tell so far is that the 500i has them all beat in the low end torque department. I am not running any big tires on my because of restrictions where we hunt, but I had 27x12x12 Vampires on my 450 with offset rims and 2.5 inch wheels spacers and I could pull these tires, and with out a doubt the 500i has more power than the 450 so I know putting big tires on the cat would not be a problem. I guess time will tell how good the cat is, but so far I am pleased with it. I use mine for duck hunting, we are going through some pretty bad stuff, about 2-3 three foot of mud and water and I am running the stock tires and have not had any problems yet. I have been running in high first, through these terrain, I would imagine for hill climbing would use low range, and that one feature that sold me on the cat is the high and low range.

 

Thanks for all the responses, sounds like a good bike. They look tough, but were priced lower than the other brands...good for me. Gotta get the for sale sign out on the Samurai now.

 

Rob,
is /was/ your AC easy steering ,smaller feeling, lower seating than your G660?? I need a smaller and less powerfull version of Yamaha G 660. True 4x4/no limited slip/. would 2003 AC 400 auto qualified.
Joe