Hello everybody, I have been reading your forum and I must say it seems the sp 500 is a real nice machine. I have made a few postings on the artic cat forum and the people their were very helpful and considerate. They gave what I thought was a pretty good mention to polaris. I am buying a new bike and have it down to either sp500 or ac500 auto. With all things equal (stock) does the cat stand with the sp500? does anybody know how long the auto trans belts last, time & miles? can you change it if it breaks 20 mile in back country? Please respond in an honest and positive manner because this is not ment to open up a fight.
Thanks Sly

 

the only question that i can really answer is that yes, you can change the belt in an emergency situation. i have not had to by the way, but i have taken mine off and it comes off very easy. all you need to be able to do is remove the pvt housing (3/8 socket). i do believe they last quite long if not too abused.
Go Polaris!! you won't be disappointed!

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chris mattox 99 scrambler 400 4x4 / 98 300 express

 

The SP500 is a nice machine its best feature is its independent rear suspension. It is also true 4wd. But beyond that i think the AC-500 Auto is a better machine. Just look at the belt covers on the 2 machines and i think you will notice the quality diffrence right off. There seems to be quite a fiew problems with the SP500. Just look farther back in this group about SP500 problems it seems to me to be the most trouble prone quad built. Where i live the ACs seem to sell really well when i see people in the woods on polarises and chat with them quite a fiew are recomending the AC over polaris. Im not saying im a polaris basher. I have had Alot of intrest in a Scrambler 500 because there is nothing else that can really compare to it (the wolv is underpowered) AC is not really a popular brand yet but they are growing strong and in that particular class i think you could do no better. It is awfull difficult to find somone to say anything negative about the AC Line (unless of course the dont own one)

 

Both seem to me to be great bikes. As someone already put, the Polaris is prone to malfunction. They both have very nice features like:
Polaris-Independant rear suspension, speedometer, comfortable ride(probably the best riding quad), true 4wd, handle bar pod light(I personally do not like), and is fairly fast.

Arctic Cat-Semi Independant rear suspension, speedometer, semi comfortable ride, great stock tires, nice winch mounting area, also fairly fast, heavy front bumper, and a little lighter than the Polaris.

I only have one problem with these bikes. I do not like auto trans. I would prefer the manual. Others might disagree.

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I think the new 00 cat doesn`t come with the 26' anymore... I'm not sure and correct me if I'm wrong. Both of these quads are very powerfull and quite fast. I think that the sportsman has the advantage (in my opinion) with his 4WD system and IRS but the artic cat seems to be very reliable. I would suggest that you ride both in similar condition and buy the one that you feel more confortable on.

 

I own an Arctic Cat 500 manual. I love this quad, I think it is 1 of the best overall quads ever. It has the most rack capacity, most torque, and biggest tires of any utility quad. Combine this with a good reliability record(So far only a fan switch[under warranty], oil/oil filter, 2 light bulbs, and axle oils have been changed), and probaly the 2nd best ride in the Atv industry and you got 1 hell of a quad.

I will probaly get a Sportsman 500 as my next quad though(keeping the cat). I want it for it's great mudding abilties. Now my Cat is the absolute best STOCK MUD QUAD that I have ever seen, but the trails I with the trails I ride in it just doesn't have the clearance lkie the Sportsman. It also doesn't have the true 4wd, auto transmission, and higher intakes that make the Sportsman so great in mud.

So either way you go you will get a great quad.

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Arctic Cat 500, Don't worry I'll pull you out.

 

No, they don't come with the 26" tires anymore.