atv shoping used

Have owned both Honda and Suzuki and now have a 97 Honda foreman I bought new. Old school yes and that's good as I can fix most concerns myself. Haven't had much problems with it except the clutch slipped within a month of owning it and dealer fixed it and has been trouble free since. I know guys with Polaris that absolutely love them and others that wish they never seen them. Don't know enough about the others as I don't know anyone that owns one. As for buying a used one go with your gut on them. Does it look rode hard put away wet? Run away fast, does it look well taken care of? Might be your next best purchase. Try it out, go thru all the gears, look at the air filter and air box to see what's in it to see what's in it. If liquid cooled check the rad for repairs or damage. Check the belly skid plates to see for damage from hitting something hard. Main question would be why is it being sold? Just don't use it, want new, or want to get away from the problems. Best of luck

I own an artic cat currently, just a small bike 366 , it replaced a fully wore out 96 big bear , honestly I've not had any major issues with my cat but there is a pile of little fit and finish stuff , it rides much nicer then the big bear due to independent rear suspension and has selectable 4x4 , but is not a good cold starter and does not like large amounts of deep wet snow , the big bear on the other had was a no frills full time 4x4 with a solid axle and was pretty much unstoppable water and snow wise , much simpler built machine and no electronic stuff to worry about and had a pull cord which my cat doesn't , fuel mileage is pretty much a toss up and I was surprised at not getting a little more out of my newer bike , my buddies 450 Kodiak puts mine to shame range wise with The same fuel capacity.

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Originally Posted by trappermatt

I own an artic cat currently, just a small bike 366 , it replaced a fully wore out 96 big bear , honestly I've not had any major issues with my cat but there is a pile of little fit and finish stuff , it rides much nicer then the big bear due to independent rear suspension and has selectable 4x4 , but is not a good cold starter and does not like large amounts of deep wet snow , the big bear on the other had was a no frills full time 4x4 with a solid axle and was pretty much unstoppable water and snow wise , much simpler built machine and no electronic stuff to worry about and had a pull cord which my cat doesn't , fuel mileage is pretty much a toss up and I was surprised at not getting a little more out of my newer bike , my buddies 450 Kodiak puts mine to shame range wise with The same fuel capacity.

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Not that there's anything wrong with your bike (they actually have a great track record) but your 366 is not truly a Cat. It's made by a Chinese company. Kymco or something like that. Only the 400's and up are true Cats made in the USA.
Some say the fit and finish isn't quite the same as the real Cats.

There is only one AC in our camp and it's been the worst lemon possible. Buy a Honda or Yamaha and odds are it will be passed on to your children. They may not have the best suspension but are dead nuts reliable. With ATV'S knowing it will get you home everytime trumps a smooth ride everytime. I run a 350 Big Bear and have dragged out moose whole. No need for more machine if hunting is the intended purpose.

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Originally Posted by last5oh_302

Not that there's anything wrong with your bike (they actually have a great track record) but your 366 is not truly a Cat. It's made by a Chinese company. Kymco or something like that. Only the 400's and up are true Cats made in the USA.
Some say the fit and finish isn't quite the same as the real Cats.

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Yes I know it's an artic cat designed bike built by kymco , Most don't know how much of their stuff was built by one manufacturer under the name of another

i have a 04 arctic cat 400 , its been pretty reliable , rides a bit stiff and its really good on fuel i usually get about 50 to 70 km's more than my brothers polaris 500 on the same trip

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Originally Posted by trappermatt

Yes I know it's an artic cat designed bike built by kymco , Most don't know how much of their stuff was built by one manufacturer under the name of another

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Its funny this was brought up, Polaris really pushes the "Made in the USA" with thier bikes and I know first hand how untrue that is. In a plant that I worked in we manufactured the molds for the body plastics for thier 700 and 500 machines and then in our mold shop we injected the parts for manufacturing. We then had to put made in USA stickers on them and box up the parts to ship from Canada to there assembly plant. We also got a discount to purchase a new quad directly from Polaris, one co worker bought the smaller machine ( can't remember the size possible 300 or close) and it was made over seas not in the USA. Even the molds that we built here in ontario had to be stamped made in USA. When question about the integrity and legality of this we were told to do it and not to question it. How many other companies do this? Probly loads. So we can't beleve everything we see

My understanding is that Polaris is made in Mexico.

Arctic cat is definitely made in the USA. They're made at the Cat plant in Minnesota.
That being said my 08 has a Suzuki King quad motor but Cat started using strictly all their own engines in 09.

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Originally Posted by last5oh_302

My understanding is that Polaris is made in Mexico.

Arctic cat is definitely made in the USA. They're made at the Cat plant in Minnesota.
That being said my 08 has a Suzuki King quad motor but Cat started using strictly all their own engines in 09.

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yes you are correct about Mexico I didn't realize they moved in 2010. When I was involved was back 2000 - 2003

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Originally Posted by gooseman

yes you are correct about Mexico I didn't realize they moved in 2010. When I was involved was back 2000 - 2003

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Can Am went that route for most of their ATV's as well. They're 'assembled' in Mexico.