500HO compared to AC650
#1
12-21-2003 | 10:30 PM
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Trailblazer
Joined: Jul 1999
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500HO compared to AC650
I have a polaris 500HO and I love the machine. Thinking about getting the new cat 650. What top speeds are you cat 650 guys getting??? Is te acceleration and top speed the same as a prairie 650?? what can I expect from the cat 650 compared to my 500HO??? I am looking to step up to the big bores and the cat is calling my name. Lets hear it cat owners.....
#2
01-03-2004 | 01:43 AM
Weekend Warrior
Joined: Jan 2004
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#3
01-03-2004 | 02:23 AM
Weekend Warrior
Joined: Jan 2004
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500HO compared to AC650
Hey Trailblazer
Thanks, that what I wanted to hear.
I was thinking of getting an automatic, being paranoid about the rocker shifter on my AC 300 4x4. Still havent completely gotten used to that. Do you see any major negatives on the auto aside from 10-15 lbs extra weight?
Aside from the obvious displacement, are there any major differences between the AC 500 & AC 650? I didn't notice any obvious stuff.
Thanks for the great info!
Thanks, that what I wanted to hear.
I was thinking of getting an automatic, being paranoid about the rocker shifter on my AC 300 4x4. Still havent completely gotten used to that. Do you see any major negatives on the auto aside from 10-15 lbs extra weight?
Aside from the obvious displacement, are there any major differences between the AC 500 & AC 650? I didn't notice any obvious stuff.
Thanks for the great info!
#4
01-03-2004 | 07:47 AM
Quad Patrol
Don't let the hp numbers fool you. Its all in how you get it to the ground. Clutching clutching clutching!
Don't let the hp numbers fool you. Its all in how you get it to the ground. Clutching clutching clutching!
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 6,688
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500HO compared to AC650
Originally posted by: RhinoOffRoad
here are a few things to bear in mind that will help you make your decision. im not polaris bashing, id buy a polaris ranger in a minute.....but these are the facts.
when you shift the arctic cat into 4 wheel drive you have 4 wheel drive. the arctic cat limited slip is the most effective limited slip system ive seen. when you put the polaris in 4 wheel drive youre still in 2 wheel drive until the machine senses rear wheel slippage and then it engages the front wheels. as soon as there is no more rear wheel slippage the polaris disengages the front drive leaving you back in 2 wheel drive until the machine senses slippage again. this system works pretty good in the mud but i dont like it because when moving at speed along a slick trail you cant power corner. this is the only real weakness to the sportsman in my opinion, but its enough of a weakness to keep me from considering ever owning one. when i engage 4 wheel drive its because i want 4 wheel drive....i dont need the machine to determine if i need it.
when youre coming down steep hills the arctic cat will give you 4 wheel engine braking. due to the front drive system i spoke of above, the polaris only gives you rear wheel engine braking which can be down right dangerous because it will cause skidding on steed declines for all but the most experienced riders.
the arctic cat automatic tranny is belt driven just like the automatic tranny on the polaris, but from that point its all shaft. an interesting fact that most sportsman owners dont even know is that the final drive on the 500 sportsman is driven by a chain. before any sportsman owners argue that, please look in a service manual at the internals of the final drive and see it for yourself. the wheels themselves are shaft driven coming out of the final drive but the final drive itself is powered by a chain. i dont like chains on utility quads.
the cat has more ground clearance, more suspension travel, more rack capacity, and is one of the most dependable machines you can buy.
Originally posted by: OLDROY
I am trying to decide between the AC 500 and Polaris 500 HO.
I am trying to decide between the AC 500 and Polaris 500 HO.
when you shift the arctic cat into 4 wheel drive you have 4 wheel drive. the arctic cat limited slip is the most effective limited slip system ive seen. when you put the polaris in 4 wheel drive youre still in 2 wheel drive until the machine senses rear wheel slippage and then it engages the front wheels. as soon as there is no more rear wheel slippage the polaris disengages the front drive leaving you back in 2 wheel drive until the machine senses slippage again. this system works pretty good in the mud but i dont like it because when moving at speed along a slick trail you cant power corner. this is the only real weakness to the sportsman in my opinion, but its enough of a weakness to keep me from considering ever owning one. when i engage 4 wheel drive its because i want 4 wheel drive....i dont need the machine to determine if i need it.
when youre coming down steep hills the arctic cat will give you 4 wheel engine braking. due to the front drive system i spoke of above, the polaris only gives you rear wheel engine braking which can be down right dangerous because it will cause skidding on steed declines for all but the most experienced riders.
the arctic cat automatic tranny is belt driven just like the automatic tranny on the polaris, but from that point its all shaft. an interesting fact that most sportsman owners dont even know is that the final drive on the 500 sportsman is driven by a chain. before any sportsman owners argue that, please look in a service manual at the internals of the final drive and see it for yourself. the wheels themselves are shaft driven coming out of the final drive but the final drive itself is powered by a chain. i dont like chains on utility quads.
the cat has more ground clearance, more suspension travel, more rack capacity, and is one of the most dependable machines you can buy.
#5
01-03-2004 | 07:51 AM
Quad Patrol
Don't let the hp numbers fool you. Its all in how you get it to the ground. Clutching clutching clutching!
Don't let the hp numbers fool you. Its all in how you get it to the ground. Clutching clutching clutching!
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 6,688
Likes: 1
#6
01-03-2004 | 09:30 PM
Pro Rider
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,271
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500HO compared to AC650
the older sportsman's were chain drive, i'm talking the old 400 2 stroke. and also i dont know how you know all of this information about the two if you don't have either one, i have a 700 and 500, but not a AC. i guess you are going by other people's opions and the stuff on paper.
#7
01-03-2004 | 09:40 PM
Quad Patrol
Don't let the hp numbers fool you. Its all in how you get it to the ground. Clutching clutching clutching!
Don't let the hp numbers fool you. Its all in how you get it to the ground. Clutching clutching clutching!
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 6,688
Likes: 1
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#9
01-04-2004 | 02:32 AM
Elite Pro Rider
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 6,270
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500HO compared to AC650
Supposdidly the AC650 is geared a lot lower than the P650, so dont expect it to be as fast.
RhinoOffRoad, care to show me the chain in the final drive of the SP700 (front, SP700 (rear), SP600 (front), SP600 (rear), or theSP500HO
RhinoOffRoad, care to show me the chain in the final drive of the SP700 (front, SP700 (rear), SP600 (front), SP600 (rear), or theSP500HO
#10
01-04-2004 | 11:13 AM
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500HO compared to AC650
Originally posted by: RhinoOffRoad
you didnt pay attention to what i said. even on the '04 model the final drive on the 500 sportsman is powered by a chain. you cant see it because its inside the final drive. please dont argue out of ignorance. if you doubt me, open up a service manual.
Originally posted by: polaris5610
the older sportsman's were chain drive
the older sportsman's were chain drive