tailfeathers just exactly what do you think is wrong with the styling of the AC especially when you have a yamaha those round 70's lights went out 10 years ago the AC is a very long sleek machine that has a bullet proof front add you a couple of Blaster 55 watt halogen and you have a real beuty I can honestly say I think the Yamaha is the most ugly bike on the market with polaris coming in second with that cybory headlight mounted on the steering. The round headlights just dont cut it with me...but maybe its only a face a mother could love I guess to each his own.

Artic Cat 500 auto...looks like a little tank and climbs like one too

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What about Polaris coming out with a five speed tranny instead of another PVT without compression braking.At least Honda's auto will have compression braking that will not tax fuel mileage and top speed,and all four wheels will have engine braking when decending hills unlike the two wheel system that Polaris adds to their machines.I followed a Polaris Sportsman in the snow on my Honda and when traversing a hill the back end of the Polaris would keep sliding down the hill and then back up when he punched the throttle,it was very annoying to him and noticed that my Honda tracked straight.I figured it was either the 4wd system that only goes in when the rear wheels spin or the IRS.If you own a Sportsman try it sometime and you will see what i mean.

 

Butt ugly, yep thats about all you can say about cats. Only thing uglyer, are those King Quads. Sorry cat guys, but the truth ain't always pretty! Later Bob.

 

So bob what do you ride?

 

I really like the looks of the Arctic Cats myself, but then again I like the looks of the more rugged style quads that more resemble the older ones. Mainly stuff like the Yamaha's, the old Kawasaki 400 bayou, and all the hondas except the recon. I don't particularly care for the looks of the plastic rack polaris's (I liked the 400 sportsman and the 425 magnum 4x4 though), the Praries of any type, or just about any of the suzuki's (the KQ looks rugged, but is butt ugly, especially the old blue ones). The 500 suzuki would look better if they changed the front rack up some. Its overall styling is good until you get to the front rack. I also think the Timberwolf is ugly.

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Andy Bassham *(1999 Arctic Cat 500 4x4, 1989 Honda 300)*

 

I think the new King Quad has an awesome rugged good look to it. Not like a pretty-boy machine.

 

Bzizzi,I've NEVER had the problem with my Sportsman that you mention.NEVER.I have decended some very steep hills to that were just packed with snow to.If the EBS is so bad and it makes the rearend slide around,how come that does'nt happen on my quad?Guess what?You said try it,I done it hundreds of times and it;s not like you say.Why dont you take your 3 wheel drive Honda up a nice steep snow packed hill someday,tell me how well you followed the Sportsman that you talk about.Bill

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Ok...here we go. HONDA: Good styling tough looks but sit too low to the ground. Blunders: (Trunkmobile 200) YAMAHA: Tough looking, good stance. Yamaha is aligning themselves with the "JEEP" look. Their designers aren't stupid. Blunders:Timberwolf (Wimpy), Blaster front end. POLARIS: Mean looking, high aggressive stance. Complaint: a bit cheesy in the fit and finish department. Blunders: Beach ball between the handlebars. ARCTIC CAT: Look straight out of the early 80's. Body too skinny looking, weak front styling, seat and gas tank transition too sloped. Hey! Tough looking sleds! Weak looking quads. Blunders: All body styles. KAWASAKI: Only good looking machine is the Bayou 220. Blunders: They screwed up the Prairie with the goofy looking new front.
SUZUKI:New King quad is not bad, others need work. Blunders: Machines asthetically look too small, and sit too close to the ground.TRAXTER: Fill that stupid gap! and we'll think about it.

Ok...I could go on and on....the bottom line is styling sells...then comes mechanics, etc.
If you don't think so ask anybody at DODGE. Whats underneath is only as good as the outer wrapper. Dodge trucks were always tough underneath, but looked like crap. Solution: Come up with a cool, tough look! Presto! Top seller! (I own a chevy by the way). I've been a Product Graphic Designer for over 20 years, specializing in Product Image. Looks sell. TF

 

To T.F. - Just curious, Are you the same T.F.
I have been chating with on the Minn. Dnr web
site all the time? from: chet

 

Yep...Chet, don't let the ATV haters over on the DNR site know we like 4-wheelers! Later...TF