I have an Arctic Cat 650 that unfortunately has had many problems. It is a wonderful machine but it is plagued with belt problems and axle problems. By dealer is taking it back and I can choose a new machine. I can get another Arctic Cat or go with a John Deere (traxter or quest 650) Buck or Trail Buck. I ride in the midwest 90% of the time. We have mud, trails, and woods. 80% of my riding is for fun and the rest is Hunting and working the ATV.

I really like the idea of gears because I am gun shy of belts at this point. I know a lot of machines are belt driven with know problems so I am open.

How is the Traxter for general riding. Do the gears hold up in wash board trails? Is is a harsh ride? How durable is the machine. I dont want anything to break I just want to ride.

How about the 650. Does the belt slip? Will it climb hills and rocks without slipping the belt? Will it pull 200-400 lbs without slipping the belt? Is it more fun to ride than the traxter?

How are bothh of them in the mud.

As you can see I have a lot of questions. I dont want to make another mistake.

thanks for your help.

 

Anyone?

 

The belt is not a problem on the Arctic Cat 650, there are things that need to be done. From the dealership the belt system sucks, its easily fixed for abour $25. Install a black spring in the secondary clutch. I have done this to my Kawasaki 650, same clutches, and it works wonderfully. I have never spun the belt with this spring. Also remove one shim on the secondary too.

Axles, well I have owned a 2002 Cat 500i and I busted two axles. I sold the quad. I run 26" outlaws and the cat was not built for that. I have heard the newer cats are very good and do not bust axles. How did you break yours?

If you want some more information on the belt system search for a guy called Nyroc and goto his website in his signature. He has a ton of information that will make the belt system bullet proof.

 

I burned up three belts. My dealer took out a shim and messed around with springs and we could not get it to work. I had them install a highlifter clutch kit and that solved the problem. Once I hit the gas and the tires hook up look out because the axle breaks. I am running 28 inch mudlites. I had my dealer change the axle and and put on my 25 inch tires and change out a spring. Once I went into their test area I hit the gas the 25 inch 589's got some grip and the axle went again.

It is the last straw. Once I fix the belt problem then the next weekest link breaks. I love me 650. It rides great and has a ton of power. I cannot stand to have the thing break almost once a week. I dont have that kind of time. I ride hard and it just cannot keep up. My rear syspension sags and even with new shocks and springs the dealer cannot fix it.

I am looking at the quest 650 and the Kawi 700. Neither one have a IRS that will sag and neither one will be able to have a broken axle unless I really do something stupid with it.

 

Your getting rid of your cat for the same reason why I got rid of mine. Axles, I had hoped they would of fixed them. Guess not.


The John Deere quads look nice, I think they might be over priced though. They are also very heavy and built well. My friend test drove a 650 Quest and said it was not sporty in the least. It has great power but way to heavy and he drives a 400i. Look at a Praire 700 or Twin Peaks 700, same machine. Incredible power, reliability is great and once you add the spring to the secondary clutch your going to rock. I have 26" outlaws on my 650 Praire and never a problem, it turns like nothing. I love my Praire.

 

I will take a look at the 700's today.

Thanks for the info.

 

anyone else have any thoughts?

 

well my uncle has a traxtor which i've borrowed wen my bro was on the ds, its an alrite trail n fun machine, but if wat you mostly do is trail n fun ridin i'd suggest something else, altho it is very tough and a great work machine, by the sounds of it you'd love the prarie, i know a guy who has one who rides it almost like its a sport quad and as far as i know he has had no problems

 

I saw the JD last weekend. I thought they looked realy cool. I would probably try one if they would add a on/off 4wd feature. Its hard to do a doughnut or play around with the front wheels pulling all the time. I think having a JD ATV would still be cool.