Firecats - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

JesseC · 01-08-2008, 05:30 PM

I'm looking into gettin rid of my Yamaha Vmax 700 next year (Its quite the gas guzzler and I rarely take it past 160km/h anyways) and getting a Firecat 500 or 600...or a MXZ rev 600. However I've heard a lot of hype about mechanical problems with firecats and recalls and so forth. Does suzuki still make the engine? Can anyone share their firecat experience views as to wether they're reliable and how much shop time they require? Thanks.

arcticF5 · 01-08-2008, 06:34 PM

well i have an F5, F7, and 2 sabertcat 500's which are the same chassis. and i havent had to take them to the shop for anything but a basic tune up, the gas tank recall and the steering arm recall. that was it. other than that they are problem free. prolly just jinkst myself, lol, but whatever. in my opinion they are a good sled but just as is the same with any other sled as long as you take care of it it should be good to you.

IndianRvrShiver · 01-08-2008, 07:35 PM

There were several service bulletins on the 03's. Take VIN to dealer & he can tell which ones have been/not been done. Plan on replacing the 6 bogey wheels often....they seem to eat them up!! Like any other sled, preventative maintenance makes for enjoyable riding!!

grouly925 · 01-08-2008, 07:35 PM

The only year F7 that had any more recalls than any other sled was the 03. I have an 03, and feel safe to say that if every recall has been done on one, it is just as reliable as any other sled I've owned. The firecats were a major revolution in the chassis and motor for Arctic cat and it was fairly understandable why they had issues in the beginning. Right now, I wouldn't trade my firecat for anything out there, except maybe an apex. Mine has never been to the shop and only required the same routine maintenance that any sled would.

kccats · 01-08-2008, 09:05 PM

If you are looking for fuel milage then what about SDI Skido, isn't it up there with or better than the 4 strokes? The Fire Cats are going to be as fast or faster than the Yami but not sure about the fuel consumption?

JesseC · 01-08-2008, 09:16 PM

Yeah the SDIs are great...fuel consumption is one thing for me because my 700 now is a big triple. So I'm looking more for a 600 twin. I know im gonna be spending lots on gas for a 2-stroke i just dont need the big triple. It s a base model 1999 so I'm also looking for something newer with electric start and reverse. Thats a big part two and Cats have the best looks out there I'm just reluctant to buy one n find out its not that reliable. People tell me they're unreliable but I'm sure if its taken care of properly it would be fine.

grouly925 · 01-09-2008, 07:22 AM

If you're looking for electric start and reverse, it may be easier to find a sabrecat in a 500 or 600 model. Not many firecats came with electric start and reverse because they were mostly a performance sled and these two options add weight. I am sure they are out there, but they might be few and far between. I believe that both are aftermarket options so if you are dead set on having a firecat with electric start and reverse, I'm sure you can. The one benefit though of the efi on the firecats is that you don't really have to pull it that much, they always start on the second pull, and if warm they 99% of the time start on the first pull.

beavernutts · 01-09-2008, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JesseC

I'm looking into gettin rid of my Yamaha Vmax 700 next year (Its quite the gas guzzler and I rarely take it past 160km/h anyways) and getting a Firecat 500 or 600...or a MXZ rev 600. However I've heard a lot of hype about mechanical problems with firecats and recalls and so forth. Does suzuki still make the engine? Can anyone share their firecat experience views as to wether they're reliable and how much shop time they require? Thanks.

I have an 04 sabercat 600 efi lx and love it no problems but the two recalls.

tamacat · 01-09-2008, 08:28 AM

I have 2 F7s that I absolutly love. Other than the recalls They've been great.Maintanance is a must just like any other sled.I doubt I'll ever sell or trade them in . I like them that much. 2 things stand out to me with these sleds.They steer with No effort at all, and the power is pretty brutal. Fuel economy is not too bad either.