[hammerbike]

I am seriously looking at a 2009 Arctic Cat XTX 700 EFI and would appreciate some honest feedback (good/bad) on this model. I am not hard on my equipment and over maintain everything I own. I still want a reliable, easy to service unit. My wife, son and I used to quad...lots! Then as my son got older, we got out of it. Now the wife and I are looking at a Prowler as a way back to the outdoors! She is really excited (surprise!) at the prospect of not having to drive her own unit and the 2 of us being able to communicate while we ride together. We have access to a huge trail system that can allow us to travel to several surrounding towns easily.
I own a 2003 Suzuki 1500LC motorcycle with 110,000+ kms on it and it has never been back to the dealer since I purchased it, so I am pretty comfortable doing most maintenance/repair things myself.
I appreciate any and all feedback.
Thank you,
Hammer

 

[hammerbike]

Gee, 16 views and no responses???????????
Hammer

 

[sandchris]

Hey hammer,welcome. From what i have heard from a few local guys they really seem to like their 700's.We have seen a few guys with problems on here too.Me personally I like them.The tilt steering is a big plus for me.I don't own a 700 i own a 650 model.The fuel injection is nice too.I visit a lot of utv sites and all them have post with guys that love or hate a particular brand.Or that are cussing the brand they bought.My opinion is by what you like and no matter what brand it is get the extended warranty.
I really like the looks of the AC compared to the other brands so that is what i bought.

 

[Dice Wiley]

i love that it has storage(a cooler) under the hood and more ground clearance.riding in the snow; the guy with the best ground clearance gets the farthest and is stuck less! real quiet stock and roomy! the aftermarket has anything you want for them too. i think the stock suspension is nice compared to others. my buddy's Polaris has slipping belts when we cross streams or play in snow. other buddy's Rhino is narrower and can slip through some places....but a little lower for clearance. the power also is nice......can cruise the dunes no problem. air down your tires like you would for the snow.

 

[Joes5091]

I am seriously looking at a 2009 Arctic Cat XTX 700 EFI and would appreciate some honest feedback (good/bad) on this model. I am not hard on my equipment and over maintain everything I own. I still want a reliable, easy to service unit. My wife, son and I used to quad...lots! Then as my son got older, we got out of it. Now the wife and I are looking at a Prowler as a way back to the outdoors! She is really excited (surprise!) at the prospect of not having to drive her own unit and the 2 of us being able to communicate while we ride together. We have access to a huge trail system that can allow us to travel to several surrounding towns easily.
I own a 2003 Suzuki 1500LC motorcycle with 110,000+ kms on it and it has never been back to the dealer since I purchased it, so I am pretty comfortable doing most maintenance/repair things myself.
I appreciate any and all feedback.
Thank you,
Hammer

I love my 2009 700 XTX LE

 

[hammerbike]

Thanks for your input. I'm kinda old and slow and we have a 09 XTX 700 EFI flatbed demo in our garage tonight to try out. I did take it out and I was really enjoying it just cruisin at 50 kph, even the wife liked it and drove it! I'm wondering if the 700 wouldn't be a waste for me, and I'm starting to think about the 550 EFI. It has all the same options and carrying/towing capacities, etc. The 2" lower seat height would be nice too, even if I do lose a little ground clearance. We also would like to put a snowplow on it for clearing the driveway. I'm thinking if I'm just putting along at 50 kph, do I need the bigger motor?? Hmmmm.....
Feel free to offer your input on the 550 EFI as well!
Thanks for your response, I appreciate it!
Hammer

 

[goonski]

Welcome Big Guy, hey I already told you my thoughts!

Goon

 

[moose]

welcome aboard !

i have had some trouble with mine as some here know.lol. had starting issues from brand new, turns out that the decompression valve spring wasn't installed right. all looks good so far since they found the problem and i'm happy now. LOL. but other than that i love it.

now, if you are torn between the 700 and 550, i would go for the 700 regardless on how fast you cruise at. i look at it this way, the 700 has more displacement, more power....equals to less strain on the engine no matter what you do with it, especially if you want to plow snow with it. but that's just my opinion, go with what you desire most.

 

[hammerbike]

All good points for sure. I just keep thinkin that for the few times I may need some extra grunt, I have low range and diff lock...........although power is the secret to plowing snow efficiently.......hmmmm
I am also not interested in a more aggressive tire, so I don't think turning the tires over in mud would be an issue. (?) I may see if I can take a 550 for a spin, that would probably be the best.
Thanks for your feedback.
Hammer

 

[hammerbike]

Well the best deal is on a brand new 2008 XTX 700 EFI, so I guess my decision is made! lol
Hammer

 

[sandchris]

Alright then quit messing around and let us see some pics. of your new ride.

Well the best deal is on a brand new 2008 XTX 700 EFI, so I guess my decision is made! lol
Hammer

 

[hammerbike]

LOL!! I haven't even got it yet!! It's an all stock 08 XTX 700 EFI, silver.
Nothin special.....yet!
Hammer

 

[sandchris]

All prowlers are special around here.We want pics. of you in it making brmm brmm noises.LOL.

LOL!! I haven't even got it yet!! It's an all stock 08 XTX 700 EFI, silver.
Nothin special.....yet!
Hammer

 

[Split]

i think if i wasnt all about vtwin POWER i would buy a teryx. I own the prowler cuz of the power but if all things were equal i would have bought the kawi...don't know much about the history of AC but i been riding hondas, yamahas and kawi's since i was 5 and they make great machines with real quality builds..that being said..if you buy the xtz 1000 you would never need anything else!

 

[hammerbike]

At my age (!) the 700 has all the beans I need! LOL
I used to work at, and my son now works at, the local dealership and the owner "really treated me right" !!
I finalized the deal today and I pick it up tomorrow night, WOO HOO! LOL
Hammer

 

[sandchris]

Congrats Hammer even at your age.LOL

 

[hammerbike]

Pics of me in it making brrm brrrm noises will follow in the next couple of days!! LOL
Hammer

 

[hammerbike]

Thanks!! LOL I'm looking forward to pickin it up tomorrow after work!
Hammer

 

[Split]

well congrats on your purchase! You will have lots of fun like we do! Split

 

[hammerbike]

Thanks for the welcome (all of you!). I'm really looking forward to picking it up tomorrow after work. I'll bring her home and put her in the shop and check the whole thing over, front to back, then the next day after work I'm riding! LOL
OH yeah, I'll take pics too!! LOL
Hammer