I can get a Kawi 650 for about $100 more than an AC 500, both with Winches installed. I'm gonna be in the woods most of the time. Mud, trails, and hunting. Sell me one way or the other.

 

Both will be good. This is my take on them:

1. Mudding: The artic cat will be slightly better due to the massive ground clearance.....IRS.

2. Trail Ridding: The kawa 650BF will be better due to the SRA.

3. Power: Hands down it will be the Kawa 650BF

4. Reliability: Both are good, but this IMO goes to kawa.

5. Rock & Log Crawling: The artic cat due to IRS.

Both machines will work great for you. The IRS gives the artic cat an advantage here for the deep mud and rocks, but the power of the Kawa 650BF will be able to overcome most of that. If the area is hilly, you will love the power and torque the kawa 650BF v-twin has. Either way, you can't go wrong, but I am bias due to my great experience with kawasaki's and the v-twin power.

 

I owned a 500 Polaris Explorer prior to upgrading to 650 KAWI. KAWI 650 hands down over Cat 500.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/img]

 

I agree with most, but Im not so sure the AC has much advantage in the mud. Its has more ground clearance but being a 500 gives it much less power and torque than the Prairie. So you can make up the difference with larger tires on the prairie and not loose as much power.

 

I wouldn't say it's much less powerfull than the 650, but there is an advantage. The 500 Cat has the same motor as the Vinson, and lower gearing. That said, there's no replacement for displacement, and Cat offers a 650, same motor as the Kawi. Power is really useless if the wheels are in the air, GC makes or breaks it in the mud, and Cats have plenty of that. I'd ride both, see what fits you best, you really can't lose with either one.

 

No question about it the Kawi will be better. I don't know much about the arctic cats though. I do know Kawi sold them their 650 motors for AC's atv's. Bad choice damn it! Bad enough we got this alliance with Suzuki!!!!!

 

Here are the things that are pushing me towards the CAT. Although I haven't riden a 3 or 4 wheeler in 17 years.
-Storage spaces in the tank.
-2" receiver hitch.
-MRP system.
-The way the warn winch and controls mount. May be the same as Kawi, I'm not sure.
-2 year warranty program going on right now.
-IRS. Hopefully things have changed, but I bent the axles on my old 3-wheeler twice.

And the Kawi
-POWER
-SPEED

 

Since you haven't had a atv/atc in 17years, and based on what you are looking for, you would probably like the ac500 better, even though I favor kawa. The ground clearance is the best on the AC.

 

OBXRAM

If you want a put-put go with the AC. If you want a Put-put on STERIODS go with the KAWI. Get the picture?

The 650 Kawi/700 has and continues to recieve rave revues as being the best in its class. Bottom line, Ride them both. Your decision.

Good decisions based on facts.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/img]

 

I pick up the new Kawi this Saturday. Right or wrong, I'm sure I'll have fun.

Now I just gotta hold off on the CDI, springs and tires so the wifey doesn't shoot me or me bike.