My agency owns two Grizzly 660s, not sure what year but probably 04-05 ish. Lots of miles on them, bone stock with no mods. Today I had the opportunity to drive an 08 (I think, or maybe 09) Arctic Cat 650 twin 4x4, also stock with less than 200 miles on it. It was a huge machine, the fenders and racks give it the appearance of being a lot larger than it is. I was pretty impressed with it, felt very strong and had a much better sound than the annoying sound the 660 makes. Systems all seemed to work rationally, except the headlights.
Anyway, after flying around on it I pretty much decided it felt considerably quicker than the Grizzly. Seats a little higher and harder, not as comfortable for a long day as the Grizzly, but bearable.

Here's where it gets weird. We were responding (emergency services) to an ATV accident, a portion of this response took us down a paved road for about a half mile. My coworker took off on a Grizzly, and I could not keep up with him on the AC 650! The faster and further we went, the more I fell behind, and I was wide open. I couldnt believe it, I thought sure I'd be able to run right by that old Grizzly. After he said he wasn't even pushing it that hard, but I don't know about that. We are both the same size, if anything the Grizz is heavier with a winch and a cargo box. I'm probably somewhat more experienced but we're both certified and many years riding.

I should note that I'm not a huge fan of the Grizzly, I don't really dislike them but like I said above I don't like the sound of the 660, and to me the suspension feels too soft and slow to react. I've always been more of a Polaris guy, but I will give the Grizzly it's due, they work well and last. So I was really surprised that the machine I thought felt faster wasn't at all, and got my a******** handed to me by the old Grizz. Not sure if this is the right place to bring this up, but I figured here was as good a place as any, and if I brought it up on AC forum I'd likely get smacked around.

 

Some good testimony! I know I LOVE mine! Thanks for sharing!

 

This maybe why.

AC 700 H1_______41.4 hp
AC 700__________41.4 hp
Brute 650 ________41.4 hp (solid axle)
Grizzly 660_______40.9 hp
Can Am 500______40.4 hp
AC 650 H1_______39.3 hp

And the Grizzly weights 100lbs less. http://www.powersportsnetwork.com/en...le2=8234&go=Go

Why would you think a H1 with less diplacement (641cc) 107lbs more weight would beat the 660 Grizzly?

You can dial in the Grizzly's shocks to the stiffest settings and make it feel like the pivots points are welded if you think its suspension feels soft.

 

well the hp and displacement is close, I didnt realize the AC was 100 lbs heavier. To answer your question, I thought the AC would be faster just based on seat-of-the-pants feel. It felt a good bit stronger to me, riding it for the first time. I've ridden the Grizzlies a lot. So I was surprised when the Grizzly just walked away from me.
Our shocks are set in the middle, I never thought about adjusting them because they dont belong to me. But I probably could and get away with it.

 

his hp is more like the brute 650s, he did say it was a twin did he not?

 

The H1 650 is a single cylinder not a twin cylinder. According to this. 2011 Arctic Cat 650 H1 4x4 Reviews, Prices, and Specs

 

yes i know, but he said it was a twin, so it was probably an h2 with the kawi 650

 

cat stopped making the 650 v-twin (or V2) in 2006 i believe when they came out with their own 650,the H1. If its new then its a 650 h1(single cylinder). The v twin was a kawasaki motor on the cats. I ride a 700 cat and yes the 700 grizz will beat me by a couple quad lengths. I run 28" tires,he was stock,but im sure he would still beat me,plus cat has a hesitation on take off. Im not saying thats why,the grizz is just flat out faster. If it were the 650 v-twin on the cat then im almost sure the cat would have been the faster of the two. The twin dont produce the low end grunt like the single cylinder,but it does put out some top end power. v twin,known for high RPM.

 

Not sure, but I think 2006 was the last year for the 650 Twin from AC. After that AC's only twin was and and still is the 1000.
Could be wrong ,not really up on Arctic Cats ATV models.

I like there sleds though.

 

If the name has a H in the designation it stands for Hemi. Some cats have been using Hemi heads for quite some time now.
http://www.arcticcat.com/atv/tech_power.php