is there a 500cc atv out there that is built like a tank?
Jan 1, 2009 | 06:37 AM
#22
Moto Psycho
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 8,747
Likes: 3
From: Michigan
is there a 500cc atv out there that is built like a tank?
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: v2rider
Actually, AC had the first fully IRS/IFS quad made. But both are good machines.</end quote></div>
Arctic Cat made their first ATVs in 1995 around the same time Polaris made the 1996 Sportsman 500 with IRS. Were the very first Arctic Cats IRS too? I never saw IRS Cats until years later.
P.S. Even if my next ATV isn't a Polaris it will be an IRS. No SRA can compare to the ride and ground clearance IRS has. My second quad was a SRA that dragged and got stuck where my Sportsman went in 4x2, so I traded it in for another Sportsman.
After having EFI for 2-1/2 years I'll never buy a quad with a carb on it again either.
Actually, AC had the first fully IRS/IFS quad made. But both are good machines.</end quote></div>
Arctic Cat made their first ATVs in 1995 around the same time Polaris made the 1996 Sportsman 500 with IRS. Were the very first Arctic Cats IRS too? I never saw IRS Cats until years later.
P.S. Even if my next ATV isn't a Polaris it will be an IRS. No SRA can compare to the ride and ground clearance IRS has. My second quad was a SRA that dragged and got stuck where my Sportsman went in 4x2, so I traded it in for another Sportsman.
After having EFI for 2-1/2 years I'll never buy a quad with a carb on it again either.
Jan 1, 2009 | 06:57 PM
#23
Pro Rider
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 264
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is there a 500cc atv out there that is built like a tank?
the ride is better and u get alot more ground clearance with irs , but the set up is very weak on the kittys , i dont no bout the other brands , i hope they r better built
Jan 1, 2009 | 10:32 PM
#24
Trailblazer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
is there a 500cc atv out there that is built like a tank?
Belt drive quads really suck plain & simple.
It's either gears or tears on the trail.
The Honda Foreman 500 has heavy duty front & rear racks a low first gear for plowing it has a (GEAR) transmission five forward gears get-it.
The best well built quad ever nade is the Honda 500 Rubicon it has the only totally hydrolic transmission ever put on a quad, "like a bulldozer."
We have several of the Foreman 500's and two Honda Rubicons on our large farm and we have not had any trouble with the ES plain & simple.
Neither have IRS rear suspenshion but a straight axle is best for pulling or pushing heavy snow.
Find your self any Honda Foreman from 2004 on in good condition or better yet find a Honda Rubicon they really are bullet proof.
Garman
It's either gears or tears on the trail.
The Honda Foreman 500 has heavy duty front & rear racks a low first gear for plowing it has a (GEAR) transmission five forward gears get-it.
The best well built quad ever nade is the Honda 500 Rubicon it has the only totally hydrolic transmission ever put on a quad, "like a bulldozer."
We have several of the Foreman 500's and two Honda Rubicons on our large farm and we have not had any trouble with the ES plain & simple.
Neither have IRS rear suspenshion but a straight axle is best for pulling or pushing heavy snow.
Find your self any Honda Foreman from 2004 on in good condition or better yet find a Honda Rubicon they really are bullet proof.
Garman
Jan 1, 2009 | 10:50 PM
#25
Moto Psycho
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 8,747
Likes: 3
From: Michigan
is there a 500cc atv out there that is built like a tank?
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: garman351
Belt drive quads really suck plain & simple.
It's either gears or tears on the trail.
The Honda Foreman 500 has heavy duty front & rear racks a low first gear for plowing it has a (GEAR) transmission five forward gears get-it.
The best well built quad ever nade is the Honda 500 Rubicon it has the only totally hydrolic transmission ever put on a quad, "like a bulldozer."
We have several of the Foreman 500's and two Honda Rubicons on our large farm and we have not had any trouble with the ES plain & simple.
Neither have IRS rear suspenshion but a straight axle is best for pulling or pushing heavy snow.
Find your self any Honda Foreman from 2004 on in good condition or better yet find a Honda Rubicon they really are bullet proof.
Garman</end quote></div>
What exactly about belt drive quads sucks? And who makes one? All of the CVT quads I've ever seen were either shaft drive, chain drive, or a combination of both. Millions of people love them, but you must have more experience with them than us to come to such a definate conclusion. Please share your wealth of knowledge with the rest of us.
Or do they suck just because you don't have one?
Belt drive quads really suck plain & simple.
It's either gears or tears on the trail.
The Honda Foreman 500 has heavy duty front & rear racks a low first gear for plowing it has a (GEAR) transmission five forward gears get-it.
The best well built quad ever nade is the Honda 500 Rubicon it has the only totally hydrolic transmission ever put on a quad, "like a bulldozer."
We have several of the Foreman 500's and two Honda Rubicons on our large farm and we have not had any trouble with the ES plain & simple.
Neither have IRS rear suspenshion but a straight axle is best for pulling or pushing heavy snow.
Find your self any Honda Foreman from 2004 on in good condition or better yet find a Honda Rubicon they really are bullet proof.
Garman</end quote></div>
What exactly about belt drive quads sucks? And who makes one? All of the CVT quads I've ever seen were either shaft drive, chain drive, or a combination of both. Millions of people love them, but you must have more experience with them than us to come to such a definate conclusion. Please share your wealth of knowledge with the rest of us.
Or do they suck just because you don't have one?
Jan 2, 2009 | 10:27 AM
#28
Pro Rider
Does it in the Mud!
Does it in the Mud!
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,266
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From: arnold,mo
is there a 500cc atv out there that is built like a tank?
well everyone is entitled to their opinion. whether they want hydrostatic or belt. For me, id rather change a belt rather than figure out why me electric shifter isnt working anymore or why the pressure in my hydrostatic transmission wont allow me to move. Im not one to know alot about a hydrostatic trans. but im guessing they work using vacuum or pressure? We have a kubota which is hydrstatic and it can hardly make it up a slight incline in medium gear. usually have to use low. Since 6 out of the 7 major manufacturers use a cvt transmission,id have to say there cant be too much wrong with them. It all really depends on what rockyman500 wants in an atv/tank!
Jan 2, 2009 | 02:55 PM
#29
Extreme Pro Rider
God forbid he lets the polishing secret out!
God forbid he lets the polishing secret out!
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 11,805
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is there a 500cc atv out there that is built like a tank?
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Belt drive quads really suck plain & simple. </end quote></div>
Almost Every utility ATV is Belt drive now. Name a Non Belt drive utility ATV thats best in its class, wins mud runs or pull off contest or anything for that matter.
Rubicon is not evern close. They can keep that odd ball auto tranny.
500 Rubi dead last in a Utility shootout.
Even the 2 smaller 450s beat it .
Rember the CVT were born from snowmobiles that put out much more power than any ATV made so there under no stressed in low powered ATVs.
The lowest powered sleds you can buy is a 55hp 550 fan cooled and the highest are 170hp performance sleds. ALL BELT DRIVE.
Whats the most powerful ATV rated at? 65-70hp TOPS!
Almost Every utility ATV is Belt drive now. Name a Non Belt drive utility ATV thats best in its class, wins mud runs or pull off contest or anything for that matter.
Rubicon is not evern close. They can keep that odd ball auto tranny.
500 Rubi dead last in a Utility shootout.
Even the 2 smaller 450s beat it .
Rember the CVT were born from snowmobiles that put out much more power than any ATV made so there under no stressed in low powered ATVs.
The lowest powered sleds you can buy is a 55hp 550 fan cooled and the highest are 170hp performance sleds. ALL BELT DRIVE.
Whats the most powerful ATV rated at? 65-70hp TOPS!
Jan 2, 2009 | 07:15 PM
#30
Trailblazer
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
is there a 500cc atv out there that is built like a tank?
IMO if I was going to buy a 500 class atv it would be a foreman s,or the suzuki vinson manual shift, but I like to grab gears. I am not a big fan of any auto trans no matter what brand. Hondas don't ride near as smooth as the other ones, but it is hard to beat thier reliability. As far as toughness its hard to beat the straight axel, but then again you loose ground clearance. If like a tank you are talking about going through deep mud than you probaly want to look at something with irs, and that usualy means auto tranny. On the other hand if you want something that is indestructable look at the foreman s, or the vinson manual, and you won't have to worry about belt slippage with a five speed. Just grab a gear and go.