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Pros: EVERYTHING
Cons: THAT I CAN ONLY DRIVE ONE AT A TIME
My 2006 Arctic Cat TRV 500 Auto is my second ATV, my frist being a 2002 Yamaha 660 Grizzly. I bought this so my wife could go with me once in a while. The two-up seat and extended length are the only way to go. This is one BIG machine. I was worried about the 500cc Suzuki motor being enough to move the big cat around and about fuel economy. Let me tell you this motor has all the power you will ever need. Living in Alaska fuel consumption is a serious concern when out in the bush. We don't have gas stations out there. As for gas mileage, this big cat gets over 20 mpg and I wouldn't trade that for anything with a bigger motor. With a 6.5 gallon tank,I never even think about extra gas. I just added the Fitch Fuel Catylist system and have not computed fuel consumption since. With the Fitch system I don't ever have to add stabilizers or octane boosters to my gas and I can buy the lower octane pump gas. I added the heavy duty bumpers front and rear with a Wern 2500# front winch and a Wern 3000# rear winch. These all are Arctic Cat accessories. I purchased the rear rack for use when the second seat option is not needed. As my teenage son drives this, I am very comfortabel with the one lever brake system. (there is also a foot brake) I never worry about him flipping over either direction due to too much front of rear brake at the wrong time. This cat puts 60% front and 40% rear brake with one lever. A great safety feature. The shifter is on the correct side (left) as most of us don't like to take our hand off of the throttle to shift. I added the front rack extension and speed system rear luggage. To make the gun mount work (Arctic Cat says it won't) I simply drilled another hole in the middle of the two that come from the factory. The gun mount works perfectly on the accessory TRV rear rack. Kolpin gun boots will fit as they make the gun boots for Arctic Cat. I have one for each side. The stock tires went away for 26" ITP mud lites mounted on the factory stock wheels. If you go with the ITP fnacy wheels you will gain about 6 inches of width and be hitting everything you go past with your wheels. The suspension will be overloaded also. Anyone want to buy a brand new, used once, set of 12" type seven wheels? Cheap! Now this 800 pound Cat has the bite it needs to go just about anywhere. My 500 does not have a front locking diff , however I have never found the need for it especially with a winch on both ends. With the rear mounted winch I had to cut the factory accessory rear bumper and make a couple of brackets to mount the bottom of the bumper to the bmuper attaching points that come on the winch mount. Like my Grizzly, I added a home made 4" ABS tube for tow straps etc. I also carry a small shovel mounted on the rear bumper. Arctic Cat heated grips and thumb warmer were added. The trailer hitch is the best in the business. This cat may weigh 800 pounds as I have it set up but you never feel the weight as it moves lite on it feet just like a cat should. Arctic Cat offers a real nice but spendy set of wrap around bags for the passenger seat. I find them useful but not water proof. If you want a great, do anything, go anywhere machine that anyone can handle with ease, this is the one. Oh yah, you can get a big box for the back as an accessory to use in place of the seat or rear rack. That is the only accessory I still need to get. Check out the Speed Rack system, you will love it! If I could only have one machine it would be this one. I have over 1000 miles on my TRV without a problem. Purrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!
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