Cowboy- You need to read the shootout article again. The Traxter was NOT beaten by the AC500 as you state. Maybe you have selective memory and only recall the phrases that appeal to you. By the way I do not own a Traxter, so don't tell me I am being biased, just reporting the facts.

 

Shumdit:
Please accept my most sincere apology, I'm very sorry to have offended you in such an extreme manner. You are right, I stand corrected in my original statement: "Though, dig back in the atvconnection reviews a while back, there is a review of the AC 500 beating the Traxter XT I BELIEVE in a shootout.

You are exactly right-there was a shootout between the AC 500 (stock) and the Bombardier Traxter XT (complete with fancy graphics, winch, front and rear bumpers and blackwater bigwheel kit) though the AC 500 CLEARLY DID NOT BEAT the Traxter XT. I have taken the liberty of posting what is apparhently my "selective memory and only recall the phrases that appeal to me", in hopes that maybe you can see where I could have drempt up such a misrepresentation of facts, and thus post such terribly wrong information in a poor excuse for my failing memory. Please note these comments are taken directly from the "Traxter XT, Arctic Cat 4x4 (Unveilling a pair of 500cc utility's), dated October 19, 2000.

"While the shock travel numbers are very close, in all reality, the Arctic Cat shocks were more compliant in both compression and rebound. The fact that the shocks use up more of their travel during normal trail riding gives the Arctic Cat a decidedly smoother ride. Also, when hitting an unexpected object like a hidden stump in tall grass, the semi-independent rear axle movement provided less of a jolt to your body."

"Although both quads did well on all the power tests, the AC500 inspired more confidence and climbed with more authority. The compliant suspension and higher torque was the deciding factor in the results." "Engine vibration was non-existent on the AC with just a slight dose of it on the XT" "Hill shooting was the XT's weakest element. Whereas the AC could shoot our steepest hills in second gear without downshifting, the XT needed a downshift into first gear to clear the top. The extra 60+ pounds of the XT may be a factor."

"Which is the better mudder?

To be honest, we didn't think the Arctic Cat had a chance of staying with the XT in the mud test. With true four-wheel-drive and 26" Blackwater tires, we considered it silly that the AC would stay even close. Oops, wrong again. The AC and XT were dead even in our mud test."

"Which machine is better?

Good question. It's not a copout to say the answer lies with you. With the variety of riding styles, local terrain and personal feature preferences, our ranking priorities may not be the same as yours. So it's difficult to make one particular quad a winner for almost everyone."

Arctic Cat $6349 ($8349 Canadian)
Traxter XT $7799 ($9999 Canadian)

Again, I trully apologize for the terrible misrepresentation of facts in my original statement that the AC 500 beat the Traxter XT in a shootout. Clearly, it did no such thing. Though, I hope you will be able to see where my "selective memory" and keeping the "phrases that only appeal to me" quite possibly could have lead me to believe otherwise.

Mike

 

I think that for pure WORK the 2 best suited machines are the Traxter and Cat. I know little about the Traxter other than everything about it is heavy-duty (including the ride, and price). I have been on and around Cats quite a bit more and heartily recommend them for heavy work. Excluding the Traxter (simply because I know very little about them) my next choice for work would be the Polaris Magnum. It is better than the Sportsman for WORK, and is still a good spirited trail ride. I think the Grizz is an awesome machine, but after overheating Honda engines, I don't feel comfortable recommending anything without liquid cooling.
The Rubicon may be a choice but are so new I never even rode one yet.

In summary my top choices are
Cat for WORK more than trails
Magnum for slightly lighter work, but much better for trails
Sportsman will do a lot of work, but the IRS gets tippy hauling big loads. It is fine for towing, though.

Have you considered one of the Polaris 6 wheelers? They are built for REAL work.

 

COWBOY-Glad you could own up to your mistake!!! LOL

 

There was a shootout between tha AC500 auto,Magnum500 and some other bike I forget what it was, awhile back.They did this contest of timing the acceleration of the guads while dragging some heavy dead weight.The Magnum won this test over the AC and had the same or larger tow and carrying rating than the AC.The third bike was either a Grizzly or Suzuki 500 automatic.

 

Shumdit:
Hey, I think these forums are a great place to gain tons of usefull information. A bunch of the guys on here helped me decide which would be best for my needs, based on personnal experience-for that, I'm very grateful. While there was a ton, and still is a little of that "mine is better" B.S., most of the time there is still great information on here. I would trully hate to be the one intentionally posting false information.

Again, thanks for pointing that out. And yes, I try to make a point of correcting my mistakes as soon as I find out about them. I guess if you think about it, what kind of a man wouldn't own up to his own wrong doing? Probably not one I'd like to associate with anyway.

Best of luck, happy trails!

Mike

 

Cowboy,
I agree and I also do not appreciate it when people get hung up on a machine just because it is what they ride. I have used info from this forum to purchase my own new quad and I have to say that this is a great site, or rather the input from fellow ATVers like yourself is what makes this a great site. Sorry if I was busting your chops, it's a bad habit.

Shumdit