Artic Cat

[Turtle]

I was recently checking out the Artic Cat ATV's at a sport show and was wondering who may have tried/owned them and things you like or dislike about them.  I was planning on buying a Polaris (sportsman 500) and then I saw the Artic Cat's and got to pondering which might be a better machine.

A salesman will tell you what you want to hear, but a Graybeard member will tell you how it really is.

Thanks in advance.

-Turtle-

[dixiedog]

Turtle -- I bought a new 04 Artic Cat 250 4x4 in summer of  05 at Bass Pro, it was still boxed up and sold new. I have owned one other ATV it was an 1986 suzuki 250. So that is what I have to compare the AC to. I must tell you that if Iwere buying a new ATV I would not buy a Arctic Cat, my AC has held up well as I only use it mostly for hunting , It has a lot of viberation and has a leaky carb. from the day it was new,I had to put fome padding between the plastic parts to keep the plastic from vibrating when riding and it is even worse when idling, I call the AC dealer for warnty repair on the ATV but they said that the carb. was not covered under warnty and lots of them leake through the pit on the bottom of the carb it leaks right on the motor and could start a fire. It is also hard to shift as it is a push down trans. on the left side. I plan on keeping the AC for now and get the carb repaired . Also when rid ing at a higher speed the full time 4wd seems to pull out of sinc. Just my $.02 --- The 1986 suzuki was much better quality. I have also heard that the newer Arctic Cat's are of better Quality.

[Thebear_78]

My 97 artic cat 454 is still running strong, climbing mountains here in alaska.  I think that most of the big brands, Artic cat, bombardier, polaris, and yamaha are fairly similar.  One of the longest living 4 wheelers out there has got to be the honda though.  The honda's don't have the ground clearance or fancy bells and whistles but they are about as bullet proof as anything you will find out there.  If I could buy any 4 wheeler on the market tomorrow, it would be the bombardier outlander,  but with everything considered I think you will get more for your money with a honda foreman. 

[longshot]

Turtle,

I just bought an '06 400, my brother rides an '02 400, and a hunting buddy has a '05 400.  Between the three of us, we havan't had any problems at all with our Arctic cat's.  We primarily use tham for hunting in the winters, but we ride them pretty hard in the summer months for play.  Some of the things I really like about my 400 is the digital display speedo, under seat mounted fuel tank, reliability, fuel capacity, and I think that the AC's have the best ride around, thanks to the best independent suspension in the quad market today.  I don't think you could go wrong with the AC....

Good luck!!!

Longshot

[markc]

On most of the older AC atv's you find Suzuki motor's.  Thats where the motors were coming from until recently when AC began making their own 650 motors.  Not sure about 05-07 models, but most of them are suzuki motor's and if I am not mistaken tranny's as well...

[dixiedog]

Yep my 04 has a Suzuki motor it runs good, it is the frame and plastic that is not so good,but it does take me there and back. The tranny is not so good as for shifting.

[NorthernMich]

just a pet peeve...it's ARCTIC, ARCTIC, just like the ocean and the circle and the cold wind....

got that off my chest 

[gdolby]

A friend of mine has the 2 seater 500. has good power/acceleration and the ride is smooth. The only thing I don't like about it is that it is independent suspension and it feels awkward going around a curve . I have a 700 Suzuki w/ solid axle so it may be I am just not used to it. Have a good day.......Bill

[Paladin]

Turtle-Polaris 500 EFI=excellent, Dixiedog-you need a clutch adjustment. the carb is ether dirty or the needle worn out(shut the fuel off when ya get off the bike and run the carb dry before hauling it), gdolby- your friend needs to adjust his suspension, it's set to soft. READ THE OWNERS MANUAL

[Paladin]

Dixiedog I forgot to say we also put fuel filters on the vent lines to keep bugs out of the carb and also one in the fuel line good luck

[Turtle]

Update - In doing more research I've found, at least in our neck of the woods, that Arctic Cat service is pretty much non existent.  Bass Pro and Gander sell them but service isn't that great.  The service guys tell me that they have a hard time getting tech help from Arctic Cat and on the other hand Polaris is really good with answering phones and helping the service guys if they need it.

-turtle-

[BlkHawk73]

  Spent a few days recently riding a AC that was a 650 twin.  Had plenty of power and never let me feel underpowered in any situation.  Rode ncie and even on long rides was comfortable.   I'm considering one myself for a spring purchase.  As for service, me I'm not too worried as the my brother worked for the local AC dealer for quite a while and is still on good terms/friends with the folks there and the owner. 

[wapitichaser]

I went through the same dilemna last year. I have an AC 700 FI. For hunting and hauling gear it cannot be beat. The racks are huge and the suspension will out manuever any other make in the rough stuff. I can haul out half an elk with bones in one trip on the racks or a whole one deboned with antlers. I live in Colorado and regularly use my ATV in the snow as deep as 18" with no chains. No other ATV can follow me where I go. I like my machine a lot. There are a lot of choices out there . Find what fits your needs and budget. The Yamaha grizzly was my second choice,but I got a better deal on my AC.

Personally I cannot stand Polaris. They have way too many problems. Do your research!!! I have friends with POPO's and they spend more time in the shop than on the trail. Goodluck!!!

[Two Bears]

Sorry guys but.....Puff puff pass on the Arctic Cats they are dogs, I tried them all from 500 to the  700 and ended up with a pair of brutes

Go for a Kawasaki Brute Force 650i or a 750 you will be very glad you did.

[Two Bears]

I went through the same dilemna last year. I have an AC 700 FI. For hunting and hauling gear it cannot be beat. The racks are huge and the suspension will out manuever any other make in the rough stuff. I can haul out half an elk with bones in one trip on the racks or a whole one deboned with antlers. I live in Colorado and regularly use my ATV in the snow as deep as 18" with no chains. No other ATV can follow me where I go. I like my machine a lot. There are a lot of choices out there . Find what fits your needs and budget. The Yamaha grizzly was my second choice,but I got a better deal on my AC.

Personally I cannot stand Polaris. They have way too many problems. Do your research!!! I have friends with POPO's and they spend more time in the shop than on the trail. Goodluck!!!

I call "BS" on this statement about Polaris always being broke down, I have had several of them over the years and use them heavily both off road and very long trail rides and put 2000-3000 miles a year on the sportsmans and I can tell you they are very dependable. I went with the Brutes because of the INSANE power that they put out. The rides are about the same from Polaris to Kawasaki but OH MY GOD THE POWER IS UNREAL.
Its nice to have the power when you want it either work or play.

Go to highlifter. co m and check things out about all brands and from people that REALLY ride/work them both for heavy mud and serious trail riding to work

[30-30man]

The bashing will never stop until the company turns it around with better products and long warranties.  They are trying to do just that but not enough to make a difference in my opinion.

 I currently own a Yamaha Bruin, Kawasaki Bayou, and an old Honda atc110 three-wheeler.  I have had zero problems with any of them.  The Kawasaki was purchased just a few months ago and I never looked at a Sportsman.  Mainly because of my past experience with Polaris. (jetskis)  I guess it boils down to money and trust.  Polaris is going to have to give an outrageouss extra long warranty (10+Yrs) to get people to start buying them again over the big three.  Hydaui/Dodge had to do the same thing. Who ever heard of a 70,000 or 100,000 mile warranty before they did it? The early models ruined the reputation and people don't quickly forget.  News travels fast and so on.

Now Polaris has a loyal following and they are making a better product now.  It is their past that the cause for all the bashing. This will end in time but it is up to Polaris to turn things around.  They are already offering a 2 year warranty I think.  It is not enough to make me buy  one though.

[robert4570]

I've always had Hondas and they are bullet proof . I recently bought a 2007 Artic Cat 650 h1 and used all hunting season in swamps and muddy terrain. I went from a Honda 300 Fourtrax to the 650 , big difference in performance and ride .
There are  some fallen trees that I would  get hung up on regularly , the excellent ground clearance of the 4 wheel independent suspension makes it a breeze to go over over such obstacles.

Overall I love the bike.

Do your research.

[Two Bears]

30-30man.....Your funny


Since you HAVE NEVER owned a Polaris ATV  (as you stated) how can you even open your trap and bash them about their ATV's?

Sorry but You have NO credibility on this issue so keep the Polaris ATV bashing to yourself.  It reminds me of a saying....Until you have walked in those shoes.....

Regards

[whiskybill]

Two Bears somebody hit a nerve or mess in your oatmeal? 30-30 man had an opinion and everyone else has their own opinion. My self when I bought I did some reading and asked people about their bikes and talked to people that worked on them. I then made my choice I bought a honda rubicon and have had zero trouble with it. To each his own today I might buy a can am, brute or grizzly. But everybody can think what they own is the best that's why we live here for choice.  Where in MN do you live?