Hi All!

What for kind of stock protection does polaris have on their machines? I read that Artic Cat has a plastic protection under their machines. Does Polaris have that too? What about other brands? yamaha, suzuki, honda?

Do polaris have a chain saw holder add on? I have seen that Artic cat has such add ons.

How do an Artic Cat 400 come up to a Polaris Sortsman 400 in only utility use? Towing capacity, utility boxes (for chain saw, fuel dunk, axe, helmet...etc). I am looking for a cheap and good utility machine, with lots of protection and good tires from stock.

ATVs is very very expensive here in sweden....

Thanks
Henrik

 

between those two choices for your uses I would suggest the arctic cat 400. the cat has more ground clearance (12 inches) bigger racks (300lbs combined), bigger gas tank (6.5 gallons).

arctic cat 400 4x4
Model 400 4x4
Displacement (cc) 376
Engine Type SOHC 4-stroke 4-valve
Bore & Stroke (mm) 82.0 x 71.2
Cooling System Air & oil cooled
Transmission 5-speed w/hi-lo range
Drive System 2/4 WD + Diff Lock
Overall Width (in) 47.5
Overall Height (in) 49.25
Overall Length (in) 84.5
Wheel Base (in) 50
Suspension Travel Front (in) 10
Suspension Travel Rear (in) 10
Ground Clearance (in) 12
Suspension Type - Front Double A-Arm
Suspension Type - Rear Double A-Arm
Front Brakes Hydraulic Disc
Rear Service Brake Hydraulic Disc
Tire Front 25x8-12
Tire Rear 25x10-12
Wheel Width - Front (in) 6.5
Wheel Width - Rear (in) 8
Max Fuel Capacity 6.5/24.6 L
Rack Capacity - Front (lbs) 100
Rack Capacity - Rear (lbs) 200
Side storage Capacity (lbs) NA
Box Capacity (lbs) NA
Under Hood Capacity (lbs) NA
Towing Capacity (lbs) 1050
Alternator Capacity 16 Amps
Speedometer Analog
Odometer Digital
Dry Weight (lbs) 663

polaris 400 sportsman

Engine Type 4-stroke
Displacement 425 cc
Carburetion Mikuni 34mm CV
Cooling Liquid
Starting Electric w/ recoil backup
Drivetrain
Final Drive Shaft
Transmission P/R/N/L/H
Drive System Automatic PVT
EBS (Engine Braking System) Standard/Accessory
Suspension
Front Suspension MacPherson strut with 8.2"/20.8 cm travel in/cm travel
Rear Suspension Fully independent, progressive rate w/ anti-roll bar; 9.5"/24.1 cm travel in/cm travel
Brakes
Front/Rear Brakes Single-lever hydraulic disc w/ hydraulic rear foot brake
Tires
Front Tires 26x8R - 12/25 x 8 - 12
Rear Tires 26x11R - 12/25 x 11 - 10
Dimensions/Capacities
Wheelbase 51/129.5 in/cm
Turning Radius (inside tire) 82/208 in/cm
Dry Weight 715/324.3 lbs/kg
Length/Width/Height 81/46/47, 205.7/116.8/119.4 in/cm
Seat Height 34/86.4 in/cm
Fuel Capacity 4.75/18.0 U.S. gallons/L
Front-Rack Capacity* 90/40.9 lbs/kg
Rear-Rack Capacity* 180/81.8 lbs/kg
Hitch 1.25" Receiver
Hitch Towing Capacity* 1225/586.8 lbs/kg
Hitch Tongue Weight* 120/84.5 lbs/kg
Ground Clearance 11/27.9 in/cm
Instrumentation/Features
Gauge Type Digital Gauge
Speedometer/Odometer Standard
Tachometer Standard
Tripmeter Standard
Hourmeter Standard
High-Beam Indicator Standard
Gear Indicator Standard
Fuel Gauge Electric
Warning Lights Hi Temp / Low Battery
Rear Work Lights Standard
DC Outlet Standard
Colors
Colors Sportsman Green/Black, Red/Black, Blue/Black
MSRP
MSRP (US$) $5,999 MSRP (US$)
MSRP (CAN$) $8,499 MSRP (CAN$)

 

Underbody protection on the sportsman's is top notch, the whole undercarriage is all steel with no exposed drivetrain components. No additional skidplates are necessary (except on the front and rear of the A-arm guards, the stock flaps are lacking, but that is for protection from brush and debris, not rocks and ground hazards).

I don't know about the AC, but my sportsman is extremely well suited for the kind of riding you describe. But like I said, I've never sat on an AC, so I am kind of biased.

 

The arctic cat uses the hard plastic for under protection and comes with front and back A arm gaurds also. Im sure both would do the job though my opionion is the cat is better for working and the polaris is better for trail riding. The cat also comes with a trailer hitch in the back.

 

2005+ sportsmans also have a receiver hitch, but it is 1 1/4 instead of AC's standard 2 inch. The only difference is that the receivers you use in your truck won't fit on the sportsman.

 

I think you should have enough info now between the two of us going back and forth to make a good educated decision on what would fit you best. If you cant test ride each one that would be ideal but if now I think you will be happy with either.

 

Yeah, I'm sure we could go on forever [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img].

But no matter what, it is a good idea to test ride both before you buy. Or find someone who has one to let you ride it.

Remember, on a message board, you will likely only hear negative experiences; that's what the boards are for. So don't be discouraged if you hear bad things about AC or Polaris here.

Good luck.
Ty

 

Thank you!

Thank you Hoopie and tyler711 for your information! Many thanks. I will buy the machine in 2006 sometime, so I think I will test drive both of them before.

 

Make sure you do. Keep you from kicking yourself later if you don't like what you got. And for 2006, the sportsman 400 is a 450, and supposedly is a lot quicker. I'd be the first to admit that the 400 4stroke is no racing engine, and the quad is heavy!

 

go with the polaris - the AC are still rookies in the ATV bizzness!