Why does everyone hate arctic cat? - Page 3 - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

The Badger · 11-12-2009, 12:39 PM

I did blow one belt on my Crossfire 6 last year; but I was going 103 MPH and in my ignorance forgot to check the belt before we left. It was the previous seasons belt and hadnt gotten around to changing it. Other than that no issues and it has been relatively easy to work on. With the Snowmobile Forum.com's help of course.

Jerrys1 · 11-12-2009, 01:23 PM

I have always said to each their own I have friends that swear by AC but my dislike goes way back to the 70's my father loved the big cats namely the panthers. I rode a doo 340tnt he had several panthers in those years and I spent more time wrenching on his sleds than I care to remember the one that comes most to mind and forgive me but I dont remember the exact year it came out was the one that came with hydraulic drive!!! we couldnt keep that thing on the trail for a full days riding no matter how much wrenching we did!

I know they have come a long way since then but everytime I see that name I have flashbacks to those days sort of like post tramatic stress disorder lol.

xxxthebxxx · 11-12-2009, 01:37 PM

My brother's ZR has never had a problem ever, and now its got 5000 miles and is still going strong! I hope my Crossfire 6 is the same. Arctic Cats have great reputations here. Whoever hates them must not respect them because i think theyLre great! All snowmobile manufactures make great sleds, and its amazing how we pick apart them. If all 4 major brands were within 1 point of each other out of 100 (like Arctic Cat 95/100 and Polaris 96/100), instantly the other brand becomes crap, even though they both excel so well!

BIGTRUCKBALLIN4 · 11-12-2009, 01:59 PM

Cats engineering dept. needs to quit running there motors on the edge, thats cats problem, and has been for years.Yeah for the extra couple hp i dont think its worth it,need to de-tune a little cat.

NickJ · 11-12-2009, 02:39 PM

Reason for bias may be jealousy! I can't count how many times my XLT has been smoked by F5's and F6's. And the F7? Forget it, makes my sled look like a 340.

I was always one of those AC "haters," but have recently done some deep thinking and self-actualization on the subject. To be honest, I am now thinking of switching to the dark side. . .green side, whatever . .. .

sae1722 · 11-12-2009, 03:29 PM

When I was looking at getting back into sledding about 4 years ago, I was going to buy Skidoo's because it seemed everybody owned them. I was looking on Ebay and it seemed everyone I looked at said it had a recent "fresh engine" and they had very little miles on them. I then started looking at Cats and was amazed at the miles on some of them. One had 20,000 plus miles on it. I was sold and bought a 98 ZR600EFI and I absolutely love the sled. I thought the previous Yamaha V-max I owned was a great sled but I would take the Cat anyday. It all boils down to preference, I just prefer to spend more time on the trail and less in the garage!!

polaris rider · 11-12-2009, 03:49 PM

I think it all depends what u grow up on.. i, have always ridden polaris, so i was always biased to polaris cuz they neevr gave us any problems.. now that i just bought my first cat, im curious to see how this will play out..I always talk bad about skidoo, because of the bad things ive heard about them, but then again u can say bad stuff about all sleds, i especially shouldnt judge doo sense ive never owned one.. ive heard stories about them blowing up at 1k miles, then others going up to 12k....I dont really think u can take other peoples advice, because u no the guy that gets a doo and it blows up at 1k beat the hell out of it, then he'll go around saying dont buy a doo they suck! Thats why i think in most cases, dont go by peoples word, go by ur own experiences

BIGTRUCKBALLIN4 · 11-12-2009, 04:06 PM

Hey to sum it up ski-doos#1 in market share for a reason they make really good stuff (brp)its not a im better than u thing ,its just how it is and has been.You cant disagree with the masses.Rotaxes engine building facility is incredible,research and development=BIG $ and it pays off for ski-doo(brp)Does that mean the other companies r crap,it does not.Just stating facts thats all,enjoy the sport and the friendships u build.Who cares about the b/s.

crossbowme · 01-05-2010, 12:34 PM

When you're buying used the condition of the sled is far more important than the brand IMHO. High miles, low compression and that type stuff should be warnings. If the sled is well maintain you're probably in good shape. Look for recalls, also.

When it comes to new sleds you need to read articles, lurk around forums, do searches for problems. I bought a new AC last year. I had previously owned nothing but Ski Doo and was satisfied with them. Additionally, I have a BRP Can Am atv which takes one hell of a beating and keeps coming back. However, the reviews I read this last year were well in favour of the AC. I rode Yamaha and Polaris utility sleds and they seemed good. However, when I rode the AC Bearcat Z1 and I really like the ride and handling. So far the Bearcat has been exactly what I wanted. I'll let you know when it has 30,000 miles on it (it's a 4 stroke so that's my goal)!

It has been my experience that those people who own machines that they claim are the best usually are envious of your machine or they have a POS. Those who have good machines just go out and ride.

juniormobiler · 01-05-2010, 01:15 PM

i love arctic cat my second sled i owed was a 1991 arctic cat 440 prowler was a fun sled also looked very scary from the front looked like a evil machine was pretty fast to but know ive got the big boy 670 mach 1 but i still love my arctic cats ifanybodys going to hate on a sled it should be yamaha there peices of crap when it comes to sleds

ktownjohn · 01-05-2010, 08:24 PM

I am a new sled owner and I have an 800 mt cat. Love the sled, Lots of powers, and rides nice. The only thing that I could think of that people have against the cat family, is that they are heavy. As a new sled owner, and rider, I have buried my sled alot, learning how to handle it, on different snow. I know how heavy they are. Wouldn't trade the cat for anything.

Dr. Strangelove · 01-05-2010, 08:38 PM

Here's my take...
I am familiar with AC's...insomuch that through reading, riding, and repairing, I have become accustomed with the "quirks" that may be unique to this brand of sled. BUT...because I have not owned anything other, (although I have ridden) I have am not familiar with many of the parts, procedures, and lingo associated with them. There may indeed be better running, handling, looking sleds out there...however, "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder"! If YOU like it...who cares?

sportsman17 · 01-05-2010, 09:34 PM

i have lots of dealers around me in ontario so i have lots to choose from in brand wise.i started out with a 90 jag 440 afs and i loved it. then an 89 cougar 500 and hated it (heavy than a cow) i bot a 98 ski doo 380 and loved it but the steering wasn't the best but it had 10000 good km's on it and it wouldnt quit. this year i bot a 06 crossfire 6 and i have only put on 3 miles and im sold on 2 things. one is cat with is steering,power and suspension and two is the long track. i will never own another short rack in my life now that i have had a long track. its just whats around you for dealers, what you grew with and alittle of what your friends/family or other people ride you ride with have for sleds.

D&D800 · 01-05-2010, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kccats

WHAT!!!! Straight line??? What IS the Fastest? Cat! Who has ALWAYS been the fastest Cat!

Actually the Z1 Turbo and Crossfire are the fastest "stock" sleds make currently not to mention the 1998 T-cat.

(not meant to start a war).

For some reason in my area it always seems to be the Ski-Doo guys that are at war with the Cat guys. My biggest guess is that's what gives them the best run.

Jerrys1, I believe your talking about the 1974 Panther VIP. That was kinda a mistake but look where the Trail Cat got us....Independent suspension that was run by Polaris, Ski-Doo, and Yamaha for years while Cat dropped it and went with the non-trailing arm suspension which was patented up until a couple years ago and now all the other manufactures run it.

To me Cat has seemed to do better with trial and error and has revolutionized the sport in many ways IMO. From suspension to drivetrain (although I still feel they lack in the rear suspension department a little on the pre-F series). I've been asked what would I ride if Cat's weren't made and my answer is Polaris or nothing. To me they seem the closest to the Cat's in many ways. I have seen way to many Ski-Doo's lose cranks (not just triples) and I'm not about to drop 1500-2000 dollars to fix a 6k-8k sled. One of my buddies sold his MXZ800 (not even 2 seasons old) for $1500 because the crank blew and he was done with the sport and hasn't ridden since. Of course he lost 3 in his 1997 Mach 1 prior to buying the 800. I mentioned the crank issue to another one of my buddies with a Mach Z (lost a crank) and he said well it had like 7k miles on it.....Wrong answer to me. I know of 10 different people in a 25 mile radius that lost cranks on Ski-Doo's and most don't ride anymore....Not for me...

This is not meant to start a war just my opinions as we know we all have them.

polaris rider · 01-06-2010, 02:40 PM

D&D.. i think u misread wat KC meant.. he was sayin Cat IS the fastest production sled!

xxxthebxxx · 01-06-2010, 03:05 PM

Just face it: Cat is the best! I've ridden many sleds and by far the best cornering one is my Crossfire! Cat even has the fastest sled ever made! Everyone who beats on Cat hasn't ridden one

polaris rider · 01-06-2010, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xxxthebxxx

Just face it: Cat is the best! I've ridden many sleds and by far the best cornering one is my Crossfire! Cat even has the fastest sled ever made! Everyone who beats on Cat hasn't ridden one

your not biased or anything are ya?

lol

xxxthebxxx · 01-06-2010, 03:08 PM

Sure, not at all! Lol! But seriously I know I am a little biased but my crossfire is the first Arctic Cat I've owned, besides my brother's. I think they are the best, and Polaris is a close second.

polaris rider · 01-06-2010, 03:13 PM

id like to jump on one of each brand.. lets sey there all 06's and same engine size.. then id be able to say what i like best... i would like to jump on a REV and give that a try tho

D&D800 · 01-06-2010, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by polaris rider

id like to jump on one of each brand.. lets sey there all 06's and same engine size.. then id be able to say what i like best... i would like to jump on a REV and give that a try tho

Been there done that a few times. I went to several snodeos in which every manufacture brings there sleds for test rides. As big as 800's and as small as 500's. Yamaha was the absolute worst out of the bunch and Cat and Polaris were the only 2 I've ever had smiles on my face after riding.

And I know about the fastest sleds produced....just confirming.