I agree the Honda auto trannys should hold up better than belt drives. I have a friend that owns a Rincon and I did ride it. The 650cc engine was quick when rolling 20 MPH then hitting the throttle and I couldn't tell that the trans was down shifting. I didn't realize the Rubicon, has a different transmission as compared to the Rincon. Last, I like the manual shifter that I have on the AC 500i also. I feel I made the right decision for me. A locker would be nice but a relieable speedo would make me happy... AC, are you listening? Don't make it electronic! Just make it better... Thanks for the reply Andy.
Chuck

 

Im right on track with you guys with everything said here. My P650's power is hurt by the belt drive also. I proved it to myself the time I sprayed a light coat of belt dressing on the P650 belt. First time I took off on it, it raised the 27" 589s with c-series into a full wheelie just like they were stock tires. After the first sprint it kept getting weaker and weaker till it was back to normal. This proves to me beyond a doubt that the belt is always slipping some and in return decreasing the power supplied by the engine. Try that sometime Andy B and see how it works for your Grizzly. Remember, only spray a light coat on the belt.

Im not in a hurry to buy one now but have been looking and monitoring the AC500 closely now. I was at the dealer 2 days ago looking at them. I dont think Suzuki will lag behind in their engines and when they do raise the bar to 650+ AC will get the engine also. Even if that dont happen I think AC will start putting their own 650-700 class engine in. Both Suzuki and AC are forced to follow suit like the other manufactures did. So, its just a matter of time when they do it. I also hope and pray that a locker goes in the AC.

fangoElgato, my dealer told me that the 03 were much quicker and faster than the 02. He said they steered better also. As far as changes, he said the 03 had a new carb, and the CDI had been reworked to open up the engine more. Also, it had a new master cylinder and all the brake lines were braided and coated. I read in a test report in one of the magazines that it got the whole 500 Vinson engine includeing a new cam and the same carb. But, I know for a fact that the magazines dont always get their facts straight.

IM going to bide my time and wait for the ultimate mudder to come out.

 

Interesting to note that Suzuki is offering a manual trans on the Vinson this year. One of the reasons I was drawn to the Cat was the available manual transmission. When I was buying last spring, I think they had the only big bore quad with a manual.