hey i am a loyal polaris man but i have to say the cats are awesome in the mud a friend of mine has a 650 he broke both front axles and still got thru mudd i could not get thru

but his bike seems a little tippy on the trails compared to mine

jmo
tyler

 

700 polaris, I think your correct on the cat being more tippy than polaris. The cat sits up higher making it more tippy though that can be controled knowing how to turn into corners. What tires you run makes a big difference in the mud also. I dont plan on doing much mudding with it though. Just whatever I find on the trails. No bogs or anything. Mainly pleasure trail ride and work. This may be a touchy subject and dont want to start a battle but from reading differnt forums on problems with cats and polaris the cats seem much better in reliability.

 

i really like cats too... i was looking at the 500 manual also Hoopie and the only reason i didnt buy that was because of the way it rode when i tested it, my buddy matt has the AC 500 and i do have to say that is a rock solid atv

 

polaris5004x4, Did you get to test drive them in real world scenariso or at the dealer? What didnt you like on the cat when test driven. I ask because every machine has something its not as good as it should be but they can all usually be fixed with aftermarket items for a better set up. HOw does your freind like the cat

 

i rode matts AC 500 manual its an 04 i think he got it right before i bought my polaris.... what i did like on it was the power, it had very nice power, i also liked the quick engagement over my belt drive, i didnt like how stiff it rode but i really didnt notice the steering as a problem. it seemed to me like it was a little bit top heavy when i rode it, i think that would have been my second choice over my polaris because all in all it is a very nice atv, matt likes it alot too as i mentioned above it is a very solid atv all the way around

 

At the test ride i was at the polaris guys proved that the polaris sportsman's 4x4 are the only ones that have real 4 wheel drive.They had a 3 wheel roller set up with the 4th wheel on a flat plate whth a stopper on it. what it was was a 4x4 tester ,the two rear wheels were on rollers and only one front wheel was on a roller ,the other front wheel was on a flat plate with a wheel stopper. They rode all the competitors 4x4's(including the artic cat) on this roller set up,up them in four wheel drive and increased the throttle,all of them spun three wheels and would stay on the roolar set up.ONLY THE POLARIS'S HAVE REAL FOUR WHEEL DRIVE.when they put the polaris's on it it would want to climb right over the stopper.That was proof enough for me.As long as one wheel is gripping something on a polaris 4x4 it will move.

As for the artic cat winning the mud contest,,that isn't a stock for stock 4x4atv contest. Those are some modded mudders and I'm sure you can buy a locker set up for the front differentals of all the other 4x4's.

Now I'm not going to knock the other competitors 4x4's too much because i know they rock in there own ways,but like I said before EVERYONE at the test ride thought that the ARTIC CAT WAS THE HARDEST TO RIDE.Not everyone one there was a die hard polaris guy either.

I have a picture of the roller set up,I'll try to get it up--in the picture it's a yamaha grizzly

 

Well, I haven't seen the test you are talking about, but here's what I know.... 2005 arctic cats 500 and up, as well as most 2006 AC all have locking differentials now.

What i'm thinking is that the test used and older AC bike... one with just the limited slip in the front. That could easily explain the situation these polaris guys created.

My 2005 allows me to drive around in 2wd, push a little button to engage 4wd limited slip, and if needed, i can switch a lever to lock all 4 wheels together, all pushing at the same rate. That sounds like true 4 wheel drive to me!

Dunno, kinda nice that we can choose what we want our bikes to do, no?

Also, hard to control in 4wd? wow, i don't get that. in limited slip, it's a different feel as the front tires provide more grip then just getting pushed along, but by no means would I say it's hard to control. that i just don't get (i've ridden both, not too much difference) and the shocks are adjustable.. get the settings right for you, and drive! like it plush, set it plush.. etc.

When locked in 4... good luck turning, the thing wants to go straight only... why? all 4 are pulling equally. that my friends is what true 4 x 4 is.

 

well what ever! we know Artic CAT guys will never agree with a polaris guy, but who number 1 and has been for awhile--not artic cat

 

doesn't polaris industries get a kick back from the dealers for every dollar you guys spend on polaris atv repairs? no wonder their number one!

Seriously, i like your bikes (not as much as mine, but hey, a close second or third), i'm just shedding some light on Arctic Cat machines. And hey... we can always agree that our bikes are better than honda!

 

Exactly what i said Eros, i didnt notice that the steering and turning was much different... or harder then the polaris, what i did notice was that the polaris did turn a little sharper, you also have to remember the AC 500 has the suzuki 500 engine, and with that said its gotta be reliable