Am in the market for a new machine, considiring the 700 AC or Grizz 700. Currently have a 05 grizz with 8100 miles and time for a new one. Please tell me the good and the bad of both

 

I have the Arctic Cat 700 EFI

mine is the M4 model, so it has the Suzuki motor in it. It's nothing special down low but it gets fast plenty quick for a heavy machine. Way faster than you can go anywhere with actual obstacles.

The AC is really tall feeling. I say feeling because although it feels all tippy, I've yet to roll it over even driving it like it's a Banshee. It doesn't inspire confidence at speed, but it doesn't carry through on it's threat either.

The linked brakes work almost too well. The rear on mine is touchy and prone to locking, but it's not meant as a primary brake. The engine braking system is awesome in both HI and LO range.

At low speeds and crawling on rocks, I love the AC. I'll fall off it before it comes unglued from the rocks I'm on. I'm really impessed with it's stability over harsh terrain.

I've yet to really need the front locker. And there's no mud here so I can't tell you how good it is there. But it's stong on rocks and did great in snow on stock tires.

The lights on the Cat work great in the dark too. Steering is actually light unless you're locked in up front. I was pleasantly surprised by that.

Can't compare it to a Grizz cause I haven't ridden them. But I like my AC alot, and the H1 model is supposed to have a stronger motor. So sounds like a winner to me!

I also hear how great the AC Speedrack system is. And the machine has a full 2 inch receiver in back, which I like.

 

I have been looking at a new machine and I like what the Grizz has to offer. First the grizz has EFI (I would never buy another without),second the grizz is avail w/ power steering (not a nessesity but once you ride one you would not want to do without) I own a Raptor 700R with essentialy the same engine as a Grizz and can tell you it is one of the most well rounded engins in any atv I have ever ridden. Third and my opinin is just the overall quality of the bike, the only other company that probobly does as good if not better of a job is Honda in this department.

The only thing that I don't like about the Grizz is the stock tires look pretty lame if you ask me. I am not trying to make a diect comarison to the A/C but these are good selling points of a Grizz.

P.S. The Grizz has also won just about every big bore shootout in the last 2 years in just about every mag avail!

 

I do not like linked brakes as on the ACs. I want a right hand front brake lever and the option to use either front or rear independently. The Yamaha power steering is a major improvement for high milage riders. So for recreational trail riders I believe the 700 Griz is usually the best. The AC is hard to beat in deep mud but the new Griz isn't far off the pace. The AC is also very good when big ground clearance is needed but again the Griz is close. Stock Griz tires are junk but 25 inch Bighorn radials have really improved my Griz performance.

 

Polaris has the best stock tires with it's 26" radials on the 500 EFI and 800 EFI Sportsmans. I know that wasn't one of the two choices in the original post but Polaris has a lot to offer.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: oldturtle

I do not like linked brakes as on the ACs. I want a right hand front brake lever and the option to use either front or rear independently. The Yamaha power steering is a major improvement for high milage riders. So for recreational trail riders I believe the 700 Griz is usually the best. The AC is hard to beat in deep mud but the new Griz isn't far off the pace. The AC is also very good when big ground clearance is needed but again the Griz is close. Stock Griz tires are junk but 25 inch Bighorn radials have really improved my Griz performance.</end quote></div>

The GC on the H1 is 11.0 inches... The grizzly has 11.8... The should pretty dead even in the mud, with perhaps the grizzly getting the nod because of the A-arm design that gives them better GC under the A-arms...

 

The Grizzly is just an enjoyable machine to ride. Power steering is fantastic. It is light and nimble feeling. Well balanced. Feels very smooth, stable and controllable. Very comfortable ride. Fast enough. Good ergonomics with quality construction. It just feels like a well built and well thought out machine. A real pleasure to ride. Makes getting off of it and back on to my old machine one heck of a letdown.

Where it my choice it would be no contest. The grizzly hands down.

 

Both great quads, every one has its pluses and minuses, I would lean towards the Grizz for a sportier ride, and the Cat for more work. That said, the Grizz is still an excellent worker, and the Cat can be enjoyable on the trail as long as you don't go too fast around corners...no anti-sway bar makes it an excellent rugged terrain crawler, but has more bodyroll during hard fast cornering. Cat has a higher centre of gravity as well.

Try to test ride both if you can, everyone has their personal prefferences.

I would personally pick the Grizz hands down but thats just me.

-Krait