Sledder I would say you are right on this one the Artic Cat has one of the best automatic trannys if not the best in the industry...the secret of a long life on the belt to the sportsman is and I am going by my friends and others on this one but to date mine has 300 miles on it and it hasn't even have a sign of wear...WHEN IN DOUBT PUT IT IN LOW...when trail riding I would say I spend about 60 to 70 per cent of the time in low gear a lot because of the terrain and a lot because keeping the Sportsman in low at speeds from 25 mph and under I really do will increase the belt life. Also there is another company don't remember the name right now but are suppose to make a belt that is super long lasting, you know fellows some of the things on the sportsman are just like those dang 2 ply tires...things that you will replace with better when they wear out...but yes the AC has got one heck of a tranny I ride in high at speeds from 5 mph on up and it still is looking good.

 

The reason that belt life on quads with auto trannies is so long,is due to the fact that quads really dont have that much horsepower. I doubt there is even a 500 or 600cc. quad built with an auto that puts out 50 H.P. On the other hand, a 500 or 600cc snowmachine is cranking out anywhere from 90 to 110 H.P or more. Combine this Horsepower with belt drive and its not hard to burn up belts.As Bigger more powerful quads are built, I believe you will see more belt problems. One of the biggest hassles with this,is going to be the job of replacing a belt,it won't be as simple as a snowmachine.

 

I am ready to buy--but can't decide. I like them both, but only got the dealer parking lot test drives. I am now riding a Magnum 325 which is very comfy but underpowered. We ride the Mountains and washes of New Mexico, as fast as we can. It's Ruts, Rocks, Sand, mining trails, I want a rear suspension that will give when one wheel drops into a rut- and not jerk the whole rig. The Polaris sounds like a maintenence problem, and I keep hearing about the front hubs failing. The AutoCat 500 is narrower than the Wide Track Polarises we are used to, and like. The brochure says 45" but is that the fenders? the rear? or the front? If the Front is 45" wide
then it would be ok. Anybody got a tape measure handy? Any input would be appreciated. Thanks
Fourlix

 

OKAY, so the AUTOCAT lost the ATV ACTION SHOOTOUT.
But by how much? What didn't they like? I can't find the magazine anywhere, it is already off the newsstands. COULD SOMEONE PLEASE E-Mail or FAX or post this ARTICLE??? I am about to buy and would really really really like to know what they said. Fax 505-535-2825 or e-mail alex@gilanet.com

 

Fourlix:
I can't remember exactly, but it seems that when I was measuring the 'Cat for trailering, if I remember right, from inside front tire to inside front tire was roughly 24 inches. The tires are 10" wide, so that would put you at 44" width from outside tire to outside tire, depending on air pressure, so I would have to say that yes, the 45" is outside fender to outside fender. Now, the rear axle seems to be narrower, as the inside rear tire to inside rear tire was 22", as opposed to 24" on the front.

As for my 'Cat, both my Dad and I drive a 2000 Auto Cat 500, and absolutely love them. They have gone everywhere we have wanted to go, and have only found one place that we couldn't drive up, but had to use the winch instead. We were doing some trail riding yesterday up near my elk camp area. So, they weren't actual jeep or atv trails, but rather, elk trails that we were following. Lots of really slow, tricky maneuvering areas. Anyway, there was one very steep hill, that was nothing but mud, and slime that was ranging in depth from 6-12". The 'Cats made it a little over half way up, till we hit this tree root that was about 3" thick, and running across the trail, about 8" off the ground. Because of the slick mud, the tires could not grab the root to crawl over, so we had to winch up the rest of the way. Anyhow, just thought I'd let you know. I think both are great machines, and you couldn't go wrong with either.

You mention that you like to go fast. I don't know about the top speed on the Polaris, but from what I have heard, the AC top end is between 55-60 I guess. Don't know myself, as most of my driving is pretty slow (less than 5mph most of the time, unless on actual roads). One thing you might look at is the suspension, as faster speeds tend to cause more body roll, which could make the machine more "tippy" at high speeds while cornering.

The only other thing I can think of is the maintenance required for both machines. The AC's are supposedly completely sealed, while the Polaris has a bunch of grease zerks. Now, it is nice to have the grease zerks, but you have to make sure they are always greased properly. I tend to get "lazy" at times, and sometimes forget about things like that, so I didn't want to have to constantly grease a machine, that could possibly break down if I didn't. Again, should something like that have happened, it would have been MY fault, not the machines. That's what I like about the AC, completely sealed, nothing to worry about except changing the oil, filling the gas.

Anyhow, sorry about the length, but hope this helps, and maybe gives you more input for your decision either way. Be sure to let us know what you get though!

Good luck to you, hope you enjoy your new machine.

Mike

 

I BOUGHT THE AUTOCAT!! It is fast, handles well and has a lower center of gravity than the SP.
The "body roll" is different than a swing arm
ATV and I think maybe an anti-sway bar like the SP
would be a good idea on the AutoCat. Anybody know where I can get one? The front steering is interesting. The handlebars have a mechanical advantage over the wheels, Kinda like simple power
steering ie the handlebars turn 50% more than the front wheels do. It is a little odd at first, being used to the wheels turning the same amount
as the front wheels but it seems to work. Can't wait till this week-end!! Silly Later Fourlix

 

This belts where made for 100+ horse power snow machine the run a 700 lb sled at 100mph at a zillion rpm through snow.Thay last a long time on a 35hp low rpm quad that rolls along the ground.I will one dy look at my belt(orginal)and at 3years old and $35 I don't care what condition I find it in.

 

Fourlix:
CONGRATULATIONS ON THE NEW CAT!!! I'm sure you'll love it. I too can't wait for the weekend, as friday is the last day of finals, so school will be done for good, and it will be time for four wheeling! Can't hardly wait, just need to make sure I pass everything. Keep us informed as to any new accessories, or mods that you make to the 'Cat, I'd like to hear what you get. Oh, did you get the winch on it? Anyway, hope you enjoy it!

Mike

 

The expense of the belt isn't the wake up factor. Its the "when will it break" thought. If it breaks right down the road from home, well so what. If it breaks 8 miles down in the middle of BFE, then you are screwed. There are people who have gone through as many as 3 belts in less than 500 miles, and those who have the same belt on a quad with over 4,000 miles. Roll the dice, that's my interpretation. I am not into belt drives, but If I was picking, I would get the sportsman. While I own the manual arctic cat, I think they wasted their time by not finishing out the automatic the way they should have. They changed a lot for the better, such as angling the rear differential for more ground clearance and positioning the drain bolt where it cant get smacked, and changing to a spline and lugnut design rather than bolt on wheels. They also screwed up with a cheap piece of plastic for a drive selector, a weak *** 4wd engagement lever, and the led lights instead of the bulb type for the gear indicators.

 

Congrats on you purchase you studied it and bought what was best for you. You also received some very good advice unabiaised info. Hope you really enjoy your AC.