<< MADMAN,
i agree, the sportsman will be tough to beat! By the way, minehunter says the sportsman lacks compression braking. mine has engine braking (EBS). does he know what he's talk'in about or is he just trying to bash a sportsman?!? >>



Could be trying to rile us up a little. I will take the 2wd engine braking downhill anyday over the sluggish performance and low fuel economy of the Artic Cat/Suzuki system of tight belt and low performance, but... then I don't need a small tractor/utility quad.

If the gentleman is concerned about dfour wheel downhill braking perhaps he should consider the Polaris RMK with the Viscolok front end. He over looked that one. He just may be trying to &quot;bash&quot; a little.

I would really like to see a &quot;Thunderquad&quot;Text

 

The RMK may be the way to go, but they haven't made it to the Rockies yet. If you have ever had to ride a Polaris down a very long , very steep mountainside you wouldn't appreciate just having 2 wheel engine braking. One trail we rode this past weekend had an 1800 foot drop in a little under one mile of trail. It wasn't hard dirt, but very loose rocks about the size of baseballs and smaller. The rider in front of me on his polaris was constantly sliding sideways while applying the brakes. He has over 8,000 miles on his polaris and he knows how to ride. I on the other hand hardly used my brakes. Just drop into 4wd low and let her go.

 

From Minehunter as posted in the Arctic Cat Forum

&quot;I put a post on the Polaris forum telling them that soon there may be a new king of the 500 cc machines. That ought to stir them up. It usually doesn't a lot to get a Polaris owner to go ballistic.&quot;

Seriously, don't you think it's time they upgraded that (AC 500) tractor?

 

My brother-in-law got a job recently at a Kawisaki dealership &amp; they just got their very first 650 twin in. I guess there were people knocking down the door as soon as the crate hit the floor, and people were throwing them offers ABOVE list price, if they would sell them the first one.
He said on the test drive (He is a setup guy) he was VERY impressed with the performance, but didn't get to ride it offroad to say anything about the suspension. He owns a Sportsman (non-HO) himself so he has what to compare it to.
As for the A/C, it sounds impressive, but I, too wonder about the lack of grease zerks. The reason new cars don't have zerks has less to do with durability and more to do with the fact that 90% of the people on the road either don't grease things at all, or if they do, they don't do it properly. Try and find a TRUE off-roader (jeep trail rider) who puts in a u-joint, ball-joint, or tie rod end that doesn't grease or find a tractor or heavy duty truck that doesn't have zerks on it. Sealed bearings are great as long as the seal holds. Some will hold about forever, others not so long. I just hope A/C put good ones in. I suppose they could use rubber bushings in the suspension, those may be a good compromise between long life and no maintanence. I will just have to wait and see what they look like.

 

Not to rub it in THOR but it looks like minehunter was right. Look at you guys. Everyone came out of the wood work to defend and bash. Take it for what the post is, a simple joke to get you guys stirred up. If Arctic cat does build the new machine just face it, it will be a very good quad. I didn't say the best but it will be a very good quad. Admit it guys, the new wave of quads only betters our hobby and sport. Manufactures are competing for our dollars on a very high scale. We all win when a new and improved machine comes out, period. Enjoy your ride.

 

Dakota, are you out of class for the day?

I was wondering if you were talking to me or one of your students with the tone that you implied. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

Yes we do all benefit everytime somebody introduces a new quad, computer, truck etc. it is the essence of the free market.

I have always admired the Arctic Cat forum people. Historically they have all been nice, polite, and respectful in their own forum with no bashing or cross forum agitation. Now today is another story...

Get a grip coach, If your class kids did that you'd have them take a lap or go to the office. Period.

 

minehunt,
i have enjoyed many new england mountain rides and have never had a problem going down steep hills! in fact, i feel as confident on the hills as i do traveling through deep mud. you really don't have much to talk about here of any truth, so why don't you go over to Honda now and try your nonsence there.

 

Madman72, Obviously you are a true Polaris fan. Thats fine, but I don't know how you can make statements like you have without checking out the competition. The Sportsman 500 is a good quad, but it has been around for a while now. Even the H.O. version has only minor improvements ( better brake lines, 20 percent more h.p., better steering shaft bushing etc.) in about 4 years of production. It has done well and has sold well, but just for comparison, go and test ride the Kawasaki 650. The Sportsman may still have a better ride (when not loaded down) with its independant suspension, but power and speed---no. I'm not saying this to bash any company or quad. Its just evolution. I'm sure that all the manufacturers will now try to build a better quad than the Kawi 650, and in time will, but it has many new features, not just a big engine. Give them credit. I don't care who builds them, I just like innovative technology. Right now, its the best I've seen. I also got to ride it and it is a real rush for a utility quad! A friend of mine rode it also (he owns a Grizzly) and he was really impressed also.

 

For myself I'm not brand bias. I looked over what the others had to offer and I picked what I thought was best for me. If something better comes out next year I'll probable be on that. For now it's the Sportsman 500 H.O. Why does Cat need a sport machine? Because they need something to compete against the others companies in that market. There are some of us that enjoy all aspects of riding. From going through deep mud to blasting across a track or trail. Doesn't Cat have the ball's to compete against the others brands whom ever they are? Or are they just going to hide stuck in the mud behind the pack of the other manufactures. Improvement from any brand will only advance the ATV sport. If it wasn't for Suzuki will would probable wouldn't have are four wheeler. Since I bought my first brand new ATV in the 80's the market came a long way, I hoping it continues to grow. Competition is a good thing, It brings out the best from all the companies. But Cat's still going to have to come up with a few more innovations to even be considered in the hierarchy.

 

Easy Thor, I didn't realize I put a tone on my post. Is that part of the new software on this forum? I was just saying it was funny to me how upset everyone got. No one really bashed a polaris yet everyone got all bothered. I'm sorry if I came off like I was trying to give you a hard time. I used to ride a polaris expedition so I know how it is.

I'm am glad to see you know alot about me. That is pretty cool. Forums like this would be even better if everyone got to know each other a bit more. Of course I don't think you were trying to be nice in the way you desribed me but that's ok too. You just don't know me. Sorry if I offended you. It wasn't my intention or the tone I was trying to use. I guess I shouldn't use words like &quot;period&quot; it sounds to abrupt and final. As my students would say, &quot;My bad coach.&quot;

Dakota R/T