Fishin' buddy: a long-term trial shows this steady workhorse can take it all, and then some. It even doubles as an ice fishing shack or duck hunting blind (beer not included)

Canadian Forest Industries, Nov/Dec 2003 by Elmer, Howard J

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The Arctic Cat 500i is going into its third year of production with several upgrades, but no major changes. This speaks to the success this platform and the engine/powertrain combination has seen. It remains a strong seller, despite newer and larger displacement ATV's coming on the market. It served me well in a wide range of applications during a 10-month test that spanned all the seasons and gave me a chance to use the ATV for work and recreation.

As just one example, last fall I had a chance to see how the '03 500i handled multiple soakings when I used it as a mobile duck blind. The 500 spent hours submerged up to the seat and continued to run, thanks to an air intake that's mounted at the junction of the gas tank and saddle, and a completely waterproof engine and electrical system.

Watertight Power

The engine and transmission case on the 500 automatic is a solid monoblock that also houses the magneto. The clutch cover is cast aluminum and seals fully - in a word, waterproof. This 493cc engine is a fully sealed, liquid cooled, single cylinder, four-stroke engine, and is available only as a 4[Symbol Not Transcribed] [times]4 in an automatic configuration or as a manual. The Duramatic automatic transmission has a Hi-Lo range shifter (easily reached high on the left-hand side of the fuel tank) and a start-in-gear feature. The tranny is a CVT type with an EBS (engine braking system). The unit does not free-wheel.

It will carry 100 lb on its front rack, 200 lb on the rear, and its towing capacity is rated at 1 050 lb. Yet my boat weighs twice that, and I had no problem pulling it out of a gravel launch, up-hill, and manoeuvring it into winter storage last fall. Since then I have also been pulling sawlogs out of my woodlot with the 500, attached simply to the tow ball.

That little "i" in the name stands for "independent." That's fully independent suspension both front and rear, using double A-arms and giving the rider 10-inches of travel while keeping all four wheels on the ground and the frame relatively level. While fully sprung, the ground clearance is 12 inches, and with the addition of pre-load spring adjustment (five positions in the rear and three in front) you can set up the ATV to accommodate rider weight and load.

Though common sense, it doesn't hurt to mention that, advantages aside, independent A-arm front suspension will also dive in sharp turns. The greater the load, the more sudden the dive. This point of caution also highlights the benefit of the selectable two and four-wheel drive. By unlocking the front differential (2WD) - particularly in tight spaces - the torque steer eases up. When you need 4WD, it's as easy as flipping a switch.

Stopping power comes from front and rear hydraulic disc brakes with stainless steel braided lines that operate off a single-lever control, featuring an integrated brake lock. The Duramatic automatic transmission also offers stopping power, with positive engine braking during deceleration and while running downhill.

Auto Towing

This automatic also showed another benefit during testing. For frequent towing, the automatic was preferable to shifting gears manually while hauling heavy loads. The latter strains engine components, sometimes causing premature part failures. Plus, a steady uninterrupted powerband while under load is the most predictable and safe way to move heavy items, up and down hill.

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On uneven terrain I found that the independent suspension put more rubber in contact with the ground, giving me more grunt and firmer steering control. This system virtually eliminates tire lift and off-camber tilt. Of course with four independent wheels you have to provide individual drive shafts, creating more mechanical components that have to be serviced or that may fail.

Taking this into account, Arctic Cat is pushing the power through CV (constant velocity) joints to the four tires. These tend to be more efficient than U-joints and require less maintenance. They also added "Stick Stoppers" to protect the CV boots that cover the joints. Under it all is a high density plastic skidplate that doesn't rip, offers some give, and tends to slide off stumps and rocks - and it doesn't rust.

Nice Rack

Using the 500 as a duck blind allowed us to test Arctic Cat's newest feature - the MRP system (Multi-Rack-Platform). This innovative idea uses open-channel receiver racks, front and rear, to accept over 40 different slide-on accessory racks and specialty items. The concept is to offer, from the factory, what you used to get only from aftermarket suppliers. Arctic Cat-built components are sold individually or as "sets," with descriptions like: Fishing; Camping; Waterfowl; Big Game; Construction; Farm&Ranch.

These add-ons (unlike bungee-corded milk crates) fit well, hold tools securely and offer things like a workbench with a vise, wire dispensing reel, chainsaw clamp, and holders for axes, and the like. One of the most attractive features of this system is that the work features of the MRP are quickly converted to the sport features.