Find another forum, lol. I'm hear to tell the truth and offer my opinion, its true what I say, I don't make this up.

 

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bbertram,
I just picked up a 2003 Cat 500I 5 speed, there is a huge difference between 2002 and 2003. This bike will easily wheelie by hitting the throttle, no need to pull back at all. I saw on another forum where someone had shown results from a dyno run comparing the 2002 500 cat and the 2002 Vinson [Vinson motor is same as 2003 500 cat] 14 HP for the Cat and 21 hp for the Vinson. This is measured at the rear wheels. I am told that the Vinson manual is a little better still at 24 HP. This will be in the Cats for 2004. I can say with 120 miles on my Cat that this is one bad a** quad. I have yet to get to do a high speed run, but the gearing has been changed and I am told but a guy I met at the dealer that the bike will bury the needle beyond 60MPH. The dealer tells me that with the GPS his bike will hit 60 MPH, no matter I did not buy it for its top speed.

Cheers Jim

 

I agree the 2003's are alot more powerful but for what I do IRS is not for me. I love the smooth ride but need more reliability, I can't trust my 500i with big tires anymore. Good luck with your 500i.

 

well i promise it is not nay different than what i do,and mine holds up fine,you better get you a bike with a solid rear before the next few months,because all utilities will be the irs before to long. WHy?

Becasue the cats are so bad ***

 

JBK, you will have to come with us some time... We go on a run thats 110KMs one way to a friends cottage. Nice run, lots of different things to encounter, open rail beds for speed, technical woods riding, rivers, mudholes that swallow cars hehe. Anyhow, you can email me anytime.