I think there are 3 different trannies,the manual clutch,auto clutch and the fully automatic gas and go kind.For just tail riding I like not shifting especially when climbing long steep hills its nice to be in the right gear all the time.If I was a serious sport rider though I would like to have a manual clutch so I could rev it right up a dump the clutch like in my dirtbike days.The auto clutch type I do not even see the point af them, you still have to shift yet you are not fully under control over it.Go full automatic on full manual shift and forget about the in between type.

 

With the auto tran I am ALWAYS in the right gear! I just love that.

 

Its easier to think of a belt drive quad's primary and secondary clutch as the front and back sprockets of a 18 speed bike.the primary clutch is the front sprocket of the bicycle and the secondary clutch as the the back sprockets of the bicycle.As you go up a hill from flat ground and did not move the throttle, the two clutches atomatically put themselves in the correct gear ratio or "GEAR"!If the auto could not change GEARS or gear ratio(Same thing) you would not be getting anywhere fast.Owning a auto and thinking it does not change gears,now that's funny.

 

WIscrambler,

just because a manufacturer comes out with something first doesn't mean it is the best. polaris just raised the bar and most everyone followed with an improved product. i heard from a yamaha outboard dealer that a yamaha outboard is basically an improved omc powerhead atop an improved mercury lower unit. the kawasaki 650 will do the exact same for the atv world. yamaha, honda, suzuki, arctic cat, and even polaris will sit back and let kawasaki introduce this beast then, after the good old test of time, make improvements on the kaw design and tech. and intro. their beast.

here is an even better example. dodge came out with the big rig look in their pickups first then ford came along and improved it and now chevy is attempting the transition. to remain competitive, manufacturers must give people what they want and as a consumer i want the most well designed and built product...not just a prototype. so, i would like to send polaris a warm thank you for raising the bar and, thus, making the auto tranny on my arctic cat soooo damn good.

i just want you guys to know my second choice in atvs was a polaris sp500 then a rubicon, grizzly, prairie 400, king quad, and pug badlands.
texascat

 

I have ridden auto's since 1985 or '86 when I bought my first Polaris. A Cyclone X. Got hooked on them and stayed. I have owned one ever since and have yet to have a belt fail or a motor. I also own a Grizzly and I like it too, but nothing compares to the true 4 wheel drive of the Polaris.

 

I bought my 300 Honda 4X4 before my Scrambler, on the 300 I'm always looking for the right gear. In hilly terrain, it's always two or three downshifts, and each shift looses momentum. The 3 wheel drive system hasn't left me stuck, but with it being full time, the quad steers like a piano. It takes about half an acre to turn this hog around. Thank heavens it has reverse.
The Scrambler, on the other hand, even stock was a blast to ride, nimble, easy to turn, easy to slide, wheelied with the throttle, etc. I quickly fell out of love with the Honda.
Throw some mods at a 400, and the HP gains are significant. Put a clutch kit in the PVT and put the power to the ground.
With the auto trans, you can concentrate on other things than "Am I in the right gear? Am I going to have to downshift once, twice, or three times to make this hill?"
Don't let anyone fool you, the PVT is an efficent piece of engineering when it comes to transferring power to the ground. It can be improved and modified to suit the needs of the rider easily and at reasonable cost.
Ride one that's been modified and you'll know.