Frame Issues ??

To just pass on a conversion I had with a Extreme Tec ATV owner Jeff Baker . . . . Apparantly, frames are bending behind the front a-arms on first gen Wildcats. He knows of two that qualified for frame replacements.

and another reason I don't ever want to buy a first


year machine again

I have had good service from first year machines. My 2007 Grizz 700 was very reliable. My cousin bought a rzr when they first come out and it has done very well. My 2012 570 has done fine, granted I don't have many miles on it. I hope this trend will continue.

Bobby D wrote:

[img][/img] and another reason I don't ever want to buy a first


year machine again [img]

WOW....as beefy as they are built,I would have never thought they would have frame problems.

Maybe they will have the bugs out of them in 2014 when I get me one.

uh oh.........I was afraid of this. Probably best not to buy one. I was starting to lean back to Can Am anyways. I have been leery of AC quality. Towed too many out of the woods over the years.

T-bone...I wouldn't let this news keep you from owning one. Look at how many members on here have them and no problems at all. I'm sure people have hurt Can-am frames before by jumping too high or other abuse. I know of a few RZR frames that have been damaged from to jumping and other crazy stuff.

I'm sure the Kitty Kat folks will be on top of it. I have never been a Artic Cat Fan until the Kitty Kat came out. I really think it is the best built sxs on the market as far as the beefed up suspension goes.

Time will tell on the Kitty Kats....way to soon to get the real story on them. After a few get about 4000 miles on them...I hope the owners will be truthful and give us an accurate review. That will determine if I buy one or not.

rayray wrote:

T-bone...I wouldn't let this news keep you from owning one. Look at how many members on here have them and no problems at all. I'm sure people have hurt Can-am frames before by jumping too high or other abuse. I know of a few RZR frames that have been damaged from to jumping and other crazy stuff.

I'm sure the Kitty Kat folks will be on top of it. I have never been a Artic Cat Fan until the Kitty Kat came out. I really think it is the best built sxs on the market as far as the beefed up suspension goes.

Time will tell on the Kitty Kats....way to soon to get the real story on them. After a few get about 4000 miles on them...I hope the owners will be truthful and give us an accurate review. That will determine if I buy one or not.

I dunno....I had alot of hope the Wildpussy was the turning point where AC does better on their quality. So far it was looking decent. A frame issue is a big issue. You are right in alot of respects though...time will tell. Unless the dealer shoots me a good deal to drive a wildpussy X then I am more than likely to go Maverick. I know its built right and strong. As of right now its Maverick time.

Jeff commented that they had been jumped. But still . . . He also said they were early builds.

2600 miles and still just as tight as the day I bought it and no bent frame issues here and it also a year old in feb. been on the same stuff everyone else has and the some cause some of them cant get a not to ride but ever so often! I will buy another one when the time comes and keep the one I have as well.

I have done quite a bit of research on the Wildcats in the past three months, and I could see maybe some early models having a problem, but as many of them that are out west and are repeatedly being launched over sand dunes over and over and this is the first I've heard of bent frames. Not to say its not true, I just dont think it is a current problem. The wildcat does have some weak points but this is the first I've heard of frame problems. I will be owning one if I get rid of my RZR.

Wildcat1 wrote:

2600 miles and still just as tight as the day I bought it and no bent frame issues here and it also a year old in feb. been on the same stuff everyone else has and the some cause some of them cant get a not to ride but ever so often! I will buy another one when the time comes and keep the one I have as well.

That sounds more like it....what are some of the repairs that you have had to do so far?

Well I feel like we're shooting the messager. The frame is bending up. Nothing is loose. Thought everyone would want to check for potential factory replacement. I'm done.

I didnt mean to shoot the messenger. It is actually a very good post. It is something to look for now. I hope its something they have improved since the early models.

I'm sure in the right hands anything can be damaged cause some people are just hard on stuff

Bobby D wrote:

I'm sure in the right hands anything can be damaged cause some people are just hard on stuff

Well, I resemble that remark.

Finzup wrote:

Bobby D wrote:

I'm sure in the right hands anything can be damaged cause some people are just hard on stuff

Well, I resemble that remark.

Well I wasn't talking about you it was just a general statement but you are pretty good at it

TBONE21 wrote:

It's a great post. It prevented me buying one and having to shell out thousands for a new frame.

Just going to head toward maverick.

You were never going to buy a Wildcat


You know you got to keep up with Commanderx and buy a Maverick too

Tbone, The Mavericks are have some problems of there own. All manufacters will have some issues. But I think they all are good.

http://www.maverickforums.net/forum/7-general-maverick-discussions/457-i-have-factory-defect-front-arm-bracket-tore-loose-bent-up-evrything.html

http://www.maverickforums.net/forum/11-engine-drivetrain/490-uhoh-found-while-changing-oil-tonight.html

TBONE21 wrote:

It's a great post. It prevented me buying one and having to shell out thousands for a new frame.

Just going to head toward maverick.

Tman, just buy one. You will never do anything that could ever damage a frame on any sxs. You have showed your care for your machine, and even said "I won't abuse my machine like that".

You are my friend, and if you mess up the frame on a wildcat, I will fix it for you for free. and

Finzup wrote:

To just pass on a conversion I had with a Extreme Tec ATV owner Jeff Baker . . . . Apparantly, frames are bending behind the front a-arms on first gen Wildcats. He knows of two that qualified for frame replacements.

Thanks for the info....I still like the kitty..kitty..

Yahoo!!!! I got the Humpster warranty!! Wildpussy stock up a little now.

Hump wrote:

TBONE21 wrote:

It's a great post. It prevented me buying one and having to shell out thousands for a new frame.

Just going to head toward maverick.

Tman, just buy one. You will never do anything that could ever damage a frame on any sxs. You have showed your care for your machine, and even said "I won't abuse my machine like that".

You are my friend, and if you mess up the frame on a wildcat, I will fix it for you for free. and

Can I get the same HUMPSTER warranty?

Finzup wrote:

Well I feel like we're shooting the messager. The frame is bending up. Nothing is loose. Thought everyone would want to check for potential factory replacement. I'm done.

No body is shooting the messanger....I think any post on concerns about a problem is the right thing to do.

I just find it hard to believe that the frame would bend unless somebody abused the machine..... unless there is a flaw somewhere in the design of the machine. I have looked them over pretty good and don't see how it could happen unless you did abuse it.

We all watch people do crazy things on YOU-TUBE and it looks really cool....but we never see the aftermath of what they damage. It just looks like they keep going and going and going....just like the energizer bunny.

TBONE21 wrote:

I still have my doubts on the wildcat still.

You just can't get the song from TOP GUN out of your head can you

yep, dont buy a wildcat------------------two bent frames and the whole artic cat line up is crap. lets see, what can we buy that is just perfect??????????????

Polaris????????????? oh yeah, there is a line up that doesnt have problems. ok, maybe not.

ok, ok---i got it !!! Can Am, i'm sure no one has ever had an issue with them, ahhhhhhhhh well, let me see, there was that leaves on the exhaust issue that damn near turned lilbits into a bbq pit.

Yamaha???????????????? you'll never see one of those rhino's broke down on the trail??????????????? well, only cause they are so far behind ya, you didnt notice. (exception to the slow rule----------HRR).

all i'm trying to say guys is there isnt a machine made that wont have some problems.

oh, i just about forgot the Teryx from Kawi. for some reason they have an unstable wheelbase. always rolling over on their sides. i tell you, its true. I have followed jimbob and that sucker is always on his side.

i know it cant be the driver !!!!!



and by the way---dont shot finzup, he was just passing along the info he heard.

Don't say Can-am and frames in the same sentenance. That is the curse of death. The Can-am Outlanders have had spar frame issues on occasion through the years. The newer Can-am Gen II ATV frames in the newer Outlanders have HUGE frame issues. Can-am is piencing them together with a patch. I'm a Can-am fan and never had an issue but I know frames on ATV were their weak spot. I guess the 1300 lb weight of the Maverick allowed use of enough steel to not be an issue...

Jet wrote:

yep, dont buy a wildcat------------------two bent frames and the whole artic cat line up is crap. lets see, what can we buy that is just perfect??????????????

Polaris????????????? oh yeah, there is a line up that doesnt have problems. ok, maybe not.

ok, ok---i got it !!! Can Am, i'm sure no one has ever had an issue with them, ahhhhhhhhh well, let me see, there was that leaves on the exhaust issue that damn near turned lilbits into a bbq pit.

Yamaha???????????????? you'll never see one of those rhino's broke down on the trail??????????????? well, only cause they are so far behind ya, you didnt notice. (exception to the slow rule----------HRR).

all i'm trying to say guys is there isnt a machine made that wont have some problems.

oh, i just about forgot the Teryx from Kawi. for some reason they have an unstable wheelbase. always rolling over on their sides. i tell you, its true. I have followed jimbob and that sucker is always on his side.

i know it cant be the driver !!!!!


and by the way---dont shot finzup, he was just passing along the info he heard.

I hear ya!! Lord knows if something happens with Can Am everyone gets bent out of shape. I am just getting bent out of shape on the AC's.
In all honesty there all pretty good in my book.

Finz is the man!!! Thanks for posting and keeping us updated. If I hear anything bad on any make I will be sure to post as well.

Wildcat1 so don't waste your time trying to


convince TBONE of anything

Bobby D wrote:

Wildcat1 so don't waste your time trying to


convince TBONE of anything

I think someone (???) has a Ford in their avatar. That person should be an expert since the Ford Raptor is the "king" of bent frames. Ford just denies it since they know 90% are grocery getters and will not have the issue...



http://www.raptorforumz.com/showthread.php?t=14208



That Arctic Cat with the bent frame was landed on one side at speed and rolled. That is rough on all Side by Sides. They all get bent in times like that...