<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Sanny651 @ Jan 10 2007, 12:49 PM)
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I guess I'll retort with this. I responded to this question with an opinion, which is the only way it could be answered. If someone feels the need to twist my responses by breaking it down sentence by sentence and contort the known intended meaning of my statements, that's on them, not me. I regurgitated information from others with regards to frame costs and welding...people that have gone through this frame situation. For the record, a new frame is $572 on Alpha Sports...I think that qualifies under the "roughly $500" statement I made, don't you?
Lastly, it's my OPINION that if it were truly a huge epidemic, in this sue happy society some class action suit would have already been in the works and some lawyer would be salivating right now. I haven't heard of one to date...have you?
I haven't read a single post of someone crashing where it was due to a cracked frame. I haven't read a single post where someone found the crack other then when they were inspecting the bike or doing maintenance. If you can find something to the contrary, I'd love to read it.
Yes, I would be as objective with other manu's as I would Cat. My Cat had it's downsides as well as upsides. It's not the perfect quad for everyone, and I've stated that many times before. I'm not drinking the AC KoolAid Shonk. I guess I expected more from a member such as yourself that has read my numerous posts calling out the pro's AND con's to Cat's, especially the V2 (see my pinned post by the way).
Lastly, allow me to clarify your misconception of my responsibilities as a mod. We are here to maintain the peace (so to speak), filter through posts to ensure that they are clean and "family" orientated, and keep members from making beligerant or otherwise degrading posts. What we are NOT here for is to be lawyers, require engineering degree in metal fabrication or be someone who instructs others what to do with their personal decisions. If that were the case, we would not have forums with open discussion, but rather an "Ask the Expert" type layout (in which case I would no longer be a mod as I'm no expert). The fact of the matter is that we are just members like you who are charged with maintaining order. I'm sorry if you misunderstood, but that is our role. I hope this clarifies things for you.[/b]
Good stuff Sanny! :thumbsup:
I'm sorry if members think my comments 'don't belong', Sanny has said it all so maybe I should've kept the following to myself. My apologies.
It's not targeting anyone, it's just a general statement from observation.
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I think sometimes members forget that we mods are members too... What I'm getting at is that us mods come here to post and mingle in discussion just like everyone else! That is the main reason I visit ArcticChat... To post like a member, to 'chat' with you guys. :site: :chug:
The times a mod's opinions become the final say is when we have no choice but to do the job of moderation.
Everything else is just our opinions, no more or less valid than any other' member's opinions. After all, nothing at ArcticChat officially/legally represents Arctic Cat (or any manufacturer) in any way.
We help with advice if we can, but if we can't, it would be unfair to hold it against us just because we're ArcticChat VOLUNTEER staff as well as members. It's not always easy, but we still 'work' for free!
No biggie though, the vast majority of comments from members about ArcticChat staff is overall positive. On behalf of ArcticChat staff, I'd like to thank all of you for your kind words.
:chug:
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Posting as a member:
Yes, my frame has been replaced, and it's no longer a problem. The frames used for replacement have an improved alloy that resists cracking because it is more flexible. This new alloy is used in mid-season released 05 models and newer.
Welding will fix the crack, but ultimately the alloy of the rest of the frame is still not as good as the new alloy used in newer ATVs. This is why I believe people seeking answers to the frame issue of an ATV that could be from the affected period should have their dealers check the VIN history. A used 04 may have a perfectly fine frame in it because it was replaced. Knowing will remove doubt & worry.
One thing has become painfully clear from owning any vehicle type over the years... There is no such thing as a perfect vehicle. Or any other product for that matter. On every one there has been something that did or could fail, or wear quicker than I liked, or a feature built/designed in such a way that I did not agree with. I've found that all brands, vehicles, products, have this in common.
Because I now know that, I don't expect 100% perfection that is not going to happen. So I focus on the merits I do like.
From what I've seen on the trails, I'm not going to switch to a different brand because of any problem unless the problem wasn't taken care of to my satisfaction. I want Cat's superior suspension. I want Cat's superior ground clearance. I want and get from Cat what the others don't have.
My friend & riding buddy Houleigan knew all about the frame issue on the 04 model. What did he do? He bought a brand new leftover 04. If the frame cracks, he'll get it replaced and put it behind him just like I did. At the end of the day he will be like me... Happy with his Cat.
Sorry for the long ramble folks! :chug: