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Although the locking front end is the primary reason the AC
did so well
New for 2001 are the hydraulic Chassis / Suspension
Just about the only criticism ever leveled at this quad has
been that it felt heavy and leaned in the corners. Yep, it has some weight to
it--and plenty of it. The AC500 tips the scales at 645-pounds. The third heaviest utility
quad behind Bombardier's Traxter's (700+ pounds) and the Polaris Sportsman (697-pounds) So
yes, it's heavy, and yes it's not a super handler, but it's not supposed to be. This quad
is pure utility and as such, the weight factor is not detrimental to performance. There's
nothing wrong in my opinion with a utility quad feeling heavy. Actually, solid is
a better description. Other than the purring engine, there wasn't a squeak or a rattle to
be heard. In my mind that's an indicator of quality construction. The entire unit is as
taut and muscle bound as any machine we've tested. Another item worth mentioning is that
the racks and chassis have electrostatic powdercoat painting.
Fully independent double A-arm front suspension and patented ACT (Arctic Cat
Technology)-independent rear suspension create a respectable 7.2-in. (18.3-cm) of travel
at both ends. The four-link setup allows the solid axle left or right side to move up or
down independently. The semi-independent axle movement provides a smoother ride and better
traction than a conventional straight axle. The rear CV joints offer more efficient
transfer of the power than conventional U-joints. Also allowing more suspension travel and
no maintenance. The front and rear rack weight capacities of 100-lbs. and 200-lbs.
respectively, are nice round increments. They are also the highest rack capacities of any
quad. Comfort / Controls The display panel and controls are sensibly placed and easy to
read and use. The display has an odometer, tripmeter, speedometer, high-beam indicator,
reverse, neutral, overheat and gear indicator lights. We especially liked the gear
position indicators. The Rocker Shifter This was our only gripe with the whole machine. We have to
confess we had trouble warming up to the rocker shifter. It was by far the hardest
shifting method we ever had to get accustomed to. We even solicited opinions for the best
shifting procedures from other Arctic Cat owners on the forums section of our page. There
were differing opinions on the best foot placement and shifting procedure. Mind you, these
differing opinions were from long-time Arctic Cat owners. Shifting is an important element
and its design shouldn't allow for a "whatever works best for you"
functionality. A few mentioned that when wearing winter boots the rocker allows easier
shifting. However, a toe shifter can be moved up a notch to compensate for larger boots as
well. The shifter works fine mechanically, but sheesh, it drove us bonkers to use
consistently well. It was unanimous among our testers that the rocker has no
advantages over a toe shifter.-- In theory, it sounds easy--push your toe down to
downshift and push your heel down to upshift. This works fine if you're always in an
upright, sitting back on the seat position. But for riders who like sitting forward
hugging the gas tank with their legs because of personal riding preference or when
climbing hills, pushing down with your heel in the forward position becomes almost
impossible. Personally, I thought it was fiendishly difficult to get used to. I want to
stress that it worked great mechanically, the problem was just getting used to it. In any
event, it's a moot point as Arctic Cat now sells a toe shifter version in their 2001
accessory catalog. My suggestion is that if you're having trouble getting used to the
rocker, order the toe shifter for $19.95 from Arctic Cat. It's our humble opinion
that AC should strongly consider making the toe shifter as standard equipment and the
rocker shifter as an available option. Odds / Ends If memory serves us correctly, Arctic Cat is the first OEM since Honda's '88 350
Foreman to offer the same size front and rear tires. All the test riders liked the ride
and traction of the Titan AT 489 25x10-12 tires. The same tires are found on Polaris ATVs
and we've grown to like the traction and smooth ride they offer. Summary I actually had someone admonish me the other day for wanting
to test our quads in a "controlled environment." But this is exactly
the best way to test an unfamiliar quad. Because we are so familiar with our hillclimbs,
mudbogs, fast trails and creek crossings, we know immediately if the quad is performing
correctly or in a substandard manner. Trying to do a thorough review in day and a half of
riding in unfamiliar riding areas or at the OEM intros is not easily accomplished. We've
tested Arctic Cat's at intros, but this was the first time we had one at our own testing
grounds and we thank AC for the opportunity. OK, here's the verdict. We were slightly astonished at how
solid and vibration-free the entire machine felt. It's strong evidence of a thorough
manufacturing process. Even after the beating we gave it, there's not a bolt or nut
loose--nor any squeaks or rattles of any kind. Throttle response is superior and the
torque is phenomenal. The steering was a little heavy at times, but no more than other
650-pound machines. This quad is our top pick for all-around utility work. We continue to
recommend gears to people who will use the quad for lots of towing, so you farmers and
firewood cutters should stick to the AC 500 with the rocker shifter as opposed to the 500
automatic. Specifications
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