The Clearance on the cat. I've actually hung up our 500 Sportsman where my 650 doesn't seem to touch. But then, a half inch difference could be all that is required, or maybe the more powerful engine. Who knows. Slightly taller tires on the Polaris would give it a better stance. The Stability of the Polaris. Cat wants to ride sideways going up certain vertical areas we've taken it in. The locker from the Cat. I'm not sure about Polaris' 4 wheel setup. Kicking in when the rears turn just the slightest bit faster.. I'd just as soon have the option to lock them in so it turns from the get go. The way you sit on the Polaris, the Cat you're just up there, you kinda sink into Sportsmans' seat. <Side note, Cat may have fixed that for the '08 model year as they've said you feel more like you "sit in it rather than on it".> The Sportsman is a bit more comfortable, I'll grant it that. A few things I'd put into a singular Quad to make for a helluva machine. All in all, however, I'd probably go for a big bore Sportsman as my next Quad. I love the power advantage I seem to have with the Cat over the 500. But.. hell.. it's about 150ccs bigger.

 

I think the Thundercat is not in the ATV class. It is a ORV as anything above 800 ccs is no longer considered a ATV. Meaning that you will not be able to take it on forest service trails for ATVs...or so I have read. Maybe they will come out with power steering. I don't see the big draw there frankly. It's not like ATVs are tough to steer.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: 97xplorer

wrong sub forum and why do you say that?</end quote></div>

Well, I have seen both in action in many different situations, and the Cat's always come out on top. And, even though the Polaris' may be faster (engine for engine) the Cat's are heavier and stronger and have far less problems. Not because I own one but those are the facts.
On Dirt Trax TV, the latest test for static roll that was just done. The Cats loaded and unloaded and were able to get to a higher degree of off camber before they rolled.
We don't have to get into the mud debate, or articulation, or suspension with respect to fast riding over bumps, because we know that AC comes out on top. And with the exception of the 650 V2 (Kawasaki engine trans combo - which can be fixed with some clutch springs), the engines and transmissions are about as bullet proof as they come.
I will give Polaris the edge on drag racing and top speed, and maybe slow speed soft suspension but it pretty much stops there. Reliability and durability the Cat's are above, and not just Polaris but all. The only ones that come close are the Suzuki King Quads and the Yamaha Griz's.
I am not bashing just stating what is and the facts.
With respect to side by sides it was pretty hard to beat the Yamaha until this year when AC has now put them in second place.
I see so many other brands that need to put lift kits and bigger tires just to start to compete, and once they do that then the handling suffers as well as stressing drive-lines (and breaking them, because the CV joint angles are stressed to the max). My AC trail ready 800+ lbs, with me on it my machine tops 1000 lbs and I have 13.5 inches of clearance (ala 25" tires) and over 11.5 inches of wheel travel and the only mod to my suspension are 1 inch wheel spacers and HighLifter springs on the back (no lift from them, just more weight capacity - at lower preload setting).
People can buy what they want it isn't my money they are wasting. Chances are if an AC can't make it there, probably no other machine can either.

 

It is my opinion that the bigger engines are great and all but i am just fine with my 500 HO. I also agree that the rider has alot to do with it. An idiot with no respect can tear up land and mess it up for all of us on any atv no matter the make model or size.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: CATLIFT7254

It is my opinion that the bigger engines are great and all but i am just fine with my 500 HO. I also agree that the rider has alot to do with it. An idiot with no respect can tear up land and mess it up for all of us on any atv no matter the make model or size.</end quote></div>

I agree, however, big-bore is only encouraging a bad condition to get worse. Drive responsibly and safely or the trails we now have may not be available. And who is going to be mostly attracted to big-bore? Could it possibly be the personality type such as an adventurist, thrill seeker, speedster, daring, macho, bold, 'bad boy', 'big dog', 'king of the hill' - and are these personalities conducive to responsibility and safety? A gun by itself can't kill but put it in the wrong hands and watch out. The factories are just as irresponsible as anyone for us loosing trails by making these machines available and attracting certain personalities and in a sense 'putting the gun in the wrong hands'...
Not to say that some responsible and safe drivers my buy them but for the most part they will be purchased by the above mentioned personality types.

 

I don't agree with the "factories are at fault" argument. Just because GMC makes a big pickup that can carry a ton doesn't mean everyone is going to be carrying a ton. Just because they make machines that can go really fast doesn't mean everyone will even ever get them up to their top speeds. Catlift said it well when he said it doesn't matter what size the quad is, it's the rider. I've seen idiots doing moronic stunts in places where they should not be. Every size quad, from kids 50cc to 800cc monsters. It is up to us to police ourselves and turn in people who are being idiots if we can. My son and I were stopped by a Fish and Wildlife guy to check registrations and safety gear. The guy was just doing his job. Not, ten minutes later on this trail (10 mph speed limit, going through a town, parallel to the main street) there were two idiots riding sport quads about 50mph. Unfortunately, the Fish and Wildlife guy had moved on by then and didn't see them. I've also seen fathers with their little kids ripping along the same stretch of trail. Most people behave and are respectful of the laws and private landowners rights. But again, it didn't matter what size the quad, when it comes to bad behaviour. It's the person. Maybe we dads should teach our kids that same respect for law and be good examples. Then we can see an idiot and say, "Son, see that, don't you ever do that". Just my .02 worth.

On the quad front, I too, like the 500cc engine on my quads. It is pretty bulletproof and I have not had any troubles in about 600 miles of hard terrain with either one. (mud, rock crawls, stumps, logs, etc.) Each company has its stengths and weaknesses. I also would love the clearance of a Cat, the stability or the Polaris, engine of the Polaris, power steering of the Grizz, storage racks of the Polaris, the ability to pick the Polaris AWD system and to manually lock it, and two up seating where I can take the seat with me or fold it under the "pickup" bed. I shopped around, looked at the forum's for pros and cons, and the Polaris Sportsman X2 500 EFI met my needs the most. If I didn't ride two up, I would have gotten a Grizzly if they were available when I bought mine. To each his own. All said and done, I haven't had a moment that I regretted buying the X2.

 

I totally agree with you on the X2 Moose. I haven't had mine long but i love the features it has. The only dislike I have is that the engine sounds like it is slinging itself apart when i get in it good. I had a 2000 SP500 and it was the same way and all of my friends i have rode all sound the same. I can't think of another atv i would own other than the one i have now, it is so nice.

 

Catlift, who makes the Type 7 wheels? I didn't know you could fit 27s on an X2. Did you have to lift it or do they rub? I will probably need new tires by the end of next year and would be interested in knowing the plusses and minuses of the 27" tires.

 

The wheels are made by ITP. They are black with a polished ring around the edge kinda like a fake beadlock. I am pleased with the tires so far and have not had any rubbing. I have learned that with the xtr's that if they are not pulling then they are digging and that can be a mess if you aint careful. I am gonna try to figure out how to add a pic to my profile but if i can't i will pm you a pic of my unit so you can see the wheels and the fit of them. O yea they are 14 inch, i nearly forgot that.

 

Thanks for the reply. I'll keep it in mind.