Home Forums Gear Horses and ATV's Artic Cat???

Friend is looking at a 2012 Artic Cat camo and looks in good shape. Don't know the model but he can get it for around 4250 on a divorce sale. I'm a Yamaha and Honda man myself so I don't know anything about Artic cat. sAny comments would be appreciated. Just found out its a 700

I have an Arctic Cat 2006 650 TRV. It has been a trouble free machine and I use it hard. I'd buy another in a heartbeat. Good machines.

Mine is a 2005 500 manual that I've beat the hell out of. Other than modifications I wanted to do (snorkel, clutch kit, rejet the carb, pipe it, etc) I've not had to turn a bolt. The only maintenance has been air filter, wheel bearings, brakes and oil changes. It was a replacement for a 1997 454 that I beat the hell out of and only did brakes, bearings and oil changes.


I'll buy another one if my 05 ever dies.

I'm also a Yamaha and Honda guy. When I decided I wanted a bike with a large integrated dump box for the ranch I realized that A/C had to be my choice.
My '16 TBX has been an excellent bike. It has several features I like better than the Yamahas. And I don't say that lightly; I really like Yamahas ATVs.
For $5999 spanking new with efi, power steering and a 700 engine it was a steal.

They are great bikes with solid German built motors prior to '18.

I have a 2003 arctic cat I bought brand new 250 4x4 and it never gave any problems. batteries and oil changes only. The older models like mine were Suzuki power trains.......

The ranch where I work part-time has 3 AC 700. All of them are a handful of headaches, constantly. They don't hold up anywhere close to a Honda over time and use/abuse.

All have dashboard electrical problems. All have had rear suspension issues after hard use. All have had wheel bearings replaced. All have had transmission shifting issues. All have had front brake problems/early replacements. All have gotten stubborn after awhile on their EFI componentry and have needed shop work. All have needed replacement starters, and randomly won't start sometimes. Two of them have had 4wd shifter problems. The local dealer/shop usually has one of the three there to get worked on about half of the time.

They aren't built for trouble-free cow work over time like a Honda Foreman. Not even close. The workers have petitioned the owner to quit buying them whether they are a good deal or not, as they can't be counted upon when we want/need them.

The ones some of my friends have are not great ATV's and most have had mechanical issues. When I bought my first ATV I was told to stay away from AC by actual owners.

In my area they are called “Arctic Craps”.

Got a 2013 trv 700 when it works it's great only major problem was it kills batteries like crazy 3 in 3 years went a hotter battery problem solved

i had a 04 650 vtwin that was a great machine (Kawi motor) the newer ones seems to be made much cheaper

They are not a bad machine.


Not as comfortable as a Polaris, but you work on them a lot less.


They are loud, and dont turn as sharp as other brands.

Best 4 wheeler of all time is a Yamaha Grizzly 700.

It is not even worthy of a debate.


Hands down, best evah.......

What did you win it in a VFW raffle?

Serviced mine yesterday.


Piece of cake compared to our Polaris 4 wheelers.

I would say they're pretty decent wheelers but the price he's getting it for isn't that great. I think you can get a new, year old model for about $500 more....tho that is in a 500.

But the machines are good overall. I know several folks that have them and none have been any trouble that I know of.

Yep.