Just bought a new AC 400 4X4 auto. My first impression was the same as many. The engine seemed to really rev up high before the speed started picking up, and the clutch seemed to be pretty rough on initial engagement. So why'd I buy it? $4495 ($5800 MSRP) and a 2 year warranty! Now after putting about 15 miles on it I'm even happier. The owners manual says stay below half throttle for the first 100 miles, but also says you need to burnish the brakes by going 30mph and stopping 3 times...kinda hard to do both. Anyway, been keeping it about half throttle for now, but already the clutch has really smoothed out and the engine doesn't race up as much. The engine is made by Suziki and it makes it's top HP and Q at a relatively high RPM, so I guess it will always rev up a little more than some. It's air cooled so it tends to get a little hotter on the legs than my buddy's 1998 Polaris 500 Sportsman. But I think I'm gonna like this atv. It's pretty quite overall and smooth running, has great ground clearance (sits about 4" higher than the Polaris with the same tires) and handles easier than the Ploaris even in 4wd. Don't have anything else to compare it to other than a couple test rides of Kaw's and Honda's and a test ride really didn't leave much of an impression. We'll see how it handles a summer of work/play setting up stands, preparing deer plots, putting in a culvert and hauling firewood.
Helicopter Bill
