Arctic Cat Reviews

Anthony

I was told a gasket was put in wrong and that because of all the rain we had been having the case where the belt is was full of water. I was told it was fixed. Now 2023 I ride up to my deer blind and almost didn't make it out. It looks to be the same problem. I was told Arctic Cat doesn't replace the garbage they sell. Only fix it. Not much I can do about making sure it doesn't get wet. That happens when I use it. Will be the last Arctic Cat of any kind of machine I will own.

I have begged and pleaded with TEXTRON and Arctic Cat for this part. I have even called dealers as far away as Anchorage, AK, and Ontario, CAN searching for a replacement. I even tried an AIR BOOT for the 2002 model which they produce. It isn't long enough. If they can make a part for a 2002 model why can't they produce the part for a 2001 model. I have a product I cannot even trade in for another vehicle. TEXTRON and Arctic Cat are a poor excuse for a corporation. Very disappointed in the lack of support.

On December 29th 2019, I started the machine. Let it warm up and proceeded to take it for a ride. Approximately 1 KM from my house it developed a very prominent engine knock. I immediately took it home and shut it off. I took it to Barrie Powersports in Barrie, Ontario, Canada the first week of January, after not hearing anything for a month they called me and said they had found the problem and it was the primary clutch making the noise. So I told them to go ahead and order another clutch for it. On February 12th they called me and said they had put the new clutch on it and the knocking sound was still there. They have since informed me that the crankshaft is hopping due to a failed crankshaft bearing AGAIN!!!

The current status is, the machine has 1879 KMS and it needs roughly 8 000$ in repairs just to be rideable again. Between the obvious mechanical issues with the machine and complete lack of explanation as to what had caused the failure with it the first time I have lost all faith in Arctic Cat/Textron products and support. I have made several attempts to gain some sort of compensation from Arctic Cat/ Textron and the dealer they have both made it very apparent that they are unwilling to work with me on this issue. Would hate to see anyone else scammed out of 33 000 Canadian $.

It is a quiet machine. Very low on vibrations and starts like a gem. Shifter is well designed, a little fussy when new but after my 800kms, cleaned right up and shifts from P to R to D to L with ease. Excellent storage, decent seats comfort wise. Sitting position is high, stable and good for short and long hauls. The tilt steering is absolutely perfectly designed. Bench seat is awesome, great for adding a lap belt in the middle for those slow rides with the young kids to make their day. We are in a very sandy area. In 2wd, she struggles to get any serious speed, so 40km/hr is about it. In 4wd, open front diff, she takes off and can do all speeds. Mud, bog etc is a must in low range, don’t bother with high range. Excellent 4wd system with front locker, easy to use and works perfectly.

Wiring harness, electrical is all well sealed from factory though a bit exposed in the front end, very easy to add a small guard inside the passenger front fender (behind glove box) to protect the weakest point. There are three separate fused power ports to add your electronics etc, I added light bars, winch and USB ports. Easy to work on, good access to engine, diffs etc. Skid plates tear easily from mounting bolts. Add washers before going for serious riding. Towing is fine in low range, but stiffen up spring rate first. Barely 10” ground clearance in real life applications (weighed down by mud and passenger). Bang for your buck is really one of the best if not the best out there for major brands.

I wanted a Honda, was ready to settle on a Ranger 500 and discovered the Prowler for 2k$ less than those options and no regrets except for having a CVT which I simply despise. This CVT is really good though and Engine braking is solid, can easily drive without brakes. Roll cage is a bit big and footwell on driver side for the left foot is a bit tight for a size 10 shoe. Seatbelts, door mesh, headlights, dash, digital odo, tach, hour, engine temp, coolant temp display are all at par or better than competition. Box tilts and system is simple and effective. Tailgate latches are simple, not the best but they work and haven’t failed me.

Again, worth the money if this is your first and or your only price range you can or will ever be able to afford. Price of an ATV, gets you a side by side that is nearly as capable. Nice ride for tight and narrow trails, haven’t found one I couldn’t navigate. Steering radius is the weakest point, not as tight as I would like but steering weight is light for no power steering, no fatigue in driving this unit. Buy it!! Gave it a 4/5 stars as it is after all an AC, CVT, and 443cc. None of which are technically negatives but when faced against its class, that is why people don’t buy them. I bet it is faster than a Ranger 500 and Honda p500 as well though. Go figure!

Eventually I started to go more on the throttle and made it to far as it could go and this thing had power and speed. After at lease a week and a half I had noticed a slight decrease in top end as before I had gotten the bike to 90km/h but now the bike was topping out at around 76km/h a dramatic decrease in speed. I took it into the shop for an oil change and to see if there was anything wrong. They said that nothing seemed out of the ordinary and I was on my way. I assumed that maybe I had just built up speed on a flat straight and that it was just by conditions I happened to break 90km/h. Another couple days later after some nice trail riding I notice to hear a slight rattling noise while accelerating. I took it to the shop and they said that they could fix it. Within about a weeks time I had my bike back and everything’s was covered under warranty and I noticed it had the top end back.

I was enjoying the bike for quite sometime when going down a dirt road when my bike started to make loud mechanical crashing sounds and slowed to a dead stop in the middle of the road, I had no idea what it was because I was unfamiliar with how the arctic cats engine works and I was only going about 60 well below the speed limitations of the vehicle and had only been riding for half an hour or so. It turns out that the clutch belt blew and that’s it would have to be replaced. They covered it under warranty but warned me that belts were user error and the next time would not be covered under warranty. This was puzzling because as far as I knew I was operating the bike well within its operational limitations.

I took the bike out for a couple more rides and not 3 days later the belt blew again. They must’ve put a cheaply made belt in this time because the one before shredded like a normal belt would shred where as this one completely exploded leaving my entire clutch tangled in burnt rubber and fabric ropes. I decided that I would replace the belt myself seeing as they would already charge me hundreds of dollars for something that happened through no fault of mine. I spent days cleaning and getting out shredded belt pieces to the point where it was beyond my capabilities I took the bike to them and they said that it was the way I was driving it and I quote “Well you’ve been driving through the mud and dirt” as if I didn’t pay for an All Terrain Vehicle.

I decided that I would take it to a shop in town rather than take it to them and have them just destroy it some more. 3 and a half months later and my fourwheeler still remains at a shop attempting to be fixed. I don’t know if I was sold a lemon or if the legends of Arctic Cats terrible craftsmanship have been proven, but one things for sure I will never buy another product from Arctic Cat so help me god.