I am looking at replacing my Wolverine with a machine that can do more work, however I am not looking for a straight utility machine since my wolvy handled pretty good and could go pretty fast. Fisrst of all I really appreciate everybodys help so far as I have asked questions on a lot of different quads. If I had my choice I would go with a new Prairie 700 or Twin peaks, but the price is to high.

Now, the Wolvy does lack a low range for grunt work and I would rather get a different machine than wreck the Wolvy. So, the choices have come down to a 05 Outlander 400 and a 05 Arctic Cat 500 Auto as there are some good close out prices on these machines at this time. My father is turned on by the Arctic Cat that is why it is a choice. He is part of the decision since my half will caome from the money I get for the Wolverine and he will cover the other half. So, I like the Outlander since it will have similar speed/performace as the Wolvy and it weighs less than 600 #'s. It also has a nice 4x4 system, tow rating of 1100#, and a 3 year warrenty with a asking price of $5388. Now the Artic Cat is nice but I feel it will not perform up to my expectations, but will work hard. It has more ground clearence, and a 6gal fuel tank wich is GREAT! However the handling will not be as good, and it has a tow rating of 1050#'s. It also wieghs 697#'s. One heavy pig. But has a asking price of $5600.

So let's hear some thoughts. I know I should have a sport machie for fast riding and a utility for work however I am not one of the fortunate ones that can afford that. SO for now I continue to try to have one that does both.

 

Ah, I see you are here!

The Outlander is by far the better trail quad of the two, BRP has a great 400 engine. However if you plan to do any type of work with the ATV I would go with the Cat. The racks on the Outlander are a joke, the Cat gives you the MRP system. The Cat also has a front diff locker, and dispite the tow rating when you hook a trailer up to both of those machines the Cat will tow a lot more a lot faster too. There are also a few very simple mods you can do to the Cat to improve the performance, people can get them to wheelie with no problems.

Good luck! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

Hey Catterman, I just replied to you on the other post. What type of mods? Any idea of the price of these mods? What are typ. speeds of the 50 auto? I have a lot of questions and suck at pulling the trigger on a big descision like this.

 

Hum, top speed on the auto 500 is around 60ish. try HERE to see what mods to do. Depending on how handy you are, a lot of them are done at home by yourself. The mods are opening up the airbox, and drilling out a few baffels in the muffler, along with maybe changing some springs in the clutch. Total cost could be like $30 is all, if you can do it yourself. Those guys will tell you exactly how to do it as well.

 

Get the cat.... My friend has one and it works hard and plays well!!

 

one thing that can be misleading by the tow rating of any machine is that they can pull alot more then they are rated for it is just that the factory feels that it can safely pull that amount of weight. and if you plan on going through any rough terrain get the cat. i had my 03 500 cat and it would do about 63 with the stock tires on it and well after i put 27 inch tires on it i could wheelie like a dream if i jumped on the back rack [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]. like catter said the outlander would be better for trail riding cause it sits alot lower to the ground but on the cat you feel like the kind of the world [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img] and i think it is 6.5 gallon tank the same as on my 650. and i am not trying to be a smartass that half a gallon is quite a bit extra for an atv.

 

personally, i would get the artic cat. My buddy has a outty and, well, he loves it except problems he has with it. THe cat would be a good choice.

 

If the Twin Peaks was your wish, why not get a BF650. I have heard of some great deals on them right now. I also think Kawasaki is offering a winch now too. Why settle? I drove an Arctic Cat 500 and it rode very nice but was not as powerful as the Prarie. If you are used to a sportier type quad, the BF 650 would definetly fit the bill.

 

Good point. I always thought that if I was going to get a Prairie(which is what the BF650 was before it was renamed) I would get a 700 and since the BF650 came out it always got passed up because my mind associated it with the BF750. I will have to look into those as I heard the 650 is very potent.

 

The kitty cat can't compete with the Outty's suspension and handling.