Whether you want to slam down a ditch, take a long-distance cruise through the woods, carve the highmark on a mountain or set speed records on a frozen lake, Arctic Cat has your needs covered.
The migration of Cat’s race chassis into the 2010 model list and refinements across the lineup will benefit Cat riders, and a new two-stroke engine might cause fits for people who ride other brands.
A Race Sled For The Masses
Would-be racers and aggressive trail riders should take notice. Arctic Cat has the sled for you: the Sno Pro 500. The company built this sled to not only help grow snocross and cross-country racing, but to provide a lightweight, fun trail sled with the latest technology.
The machine is built on the same chassis that Tucker Hibbert used to win his last two Winter X Games gold medals, and Team Arctic cross-country racers rode them to seven of the top 10 spots in the United States Cross-Country Red Lake I-500 race this year. Could you be the next terrain-racing stud?
The AWS VIII front suspension is designed to deliver sharp handling and superior big-bump performance, and the FasTrack skidframe is set-up to tackle double jumps and ditch riding. Fox Zero Pro shocks are fitted all the way around. Under the hood is the 85 hp Suzuki 500 engine with a 38mm throttle body.
The pyramidal, Sno Pro race chassis is made from tubular chrome-moly and extruded aluminum. It offers the same comfortable, upright rider position as the Twin Spar chassis with wide running boards that offer good traction and stability.
A unique feature of the Sno Pro 500 is its Progressive Steering System. It requires less rider input to initiate a turn but becomes progressively resistant as the skis reach full lock. Cat says this system reduces rider fatigue and it has a tight turning radius. The steering post has two mount locations (forward, back) for a customizable setup.
The sled has a 12-gallon fuel tank and oil injection. It rolls on a 15- by 128- by 1.25-inch single-ply Cobra track and a Team Industries driven clutch is standard. Cat claims the sled weighs 450 pounds. Its retail price is $7,995.
F Series Cleans Up, Lake Racers Speed Up
Sledders must be getting the word that the F Series snowmobiles are good trail sleds because Cat’s sales are up (flip to page 11 for the story). The machines ride well, their handling is sharp and rider comfort is, arguably, better than any other brand of sled. For 2010, the platform has a more refined appearance thanks to a revised tail section.
Gone is the cavernous plastic trunk, complex snow flap and suspended heat exchanger in favor of a traditional tunnel close-off panel. The new setup has a cleaner appearance and is less “busy.” And as most sled manufacturers offer little or no storage, Cat redesigned its seat to include an integrated, zippered compartment to stow gloves, goggles and supplies. A new LED taillight improves visibility and LXR and Sno Pro models get new, high-gloss body panels.
For 2009, Cat tipped the Twin Spar tunnel to achieve sharper handling. Now this year the company has a new ski with stiffer, deeper keels for more positive cornering. The design is 6 inches wide (up from 5.5 inches) and weighs 1.9 pounds less.
Another notable change across the board for the Twin Spar chassis is the relocation of the front wheels between the rear suspension rails. Cat claims this boosts top speed. Fox Zero Pro shocks are standard all the way around on most Twin Spar-based performance sleds, including the F8, F8 LXR, Z1 Turbo EXT, Z1 Turbo, Z1 Turbo LXR, Z1 LXR and F5 LXR.
The Sno Pros (F8, F6 and Z1 Turbo) have Fox FLOAT dampers in front and a 2-inch diameter Fox shock on the rear arm. F570 has hydraulic twin tubes and the straight-up Z1 has RydeFX shocks.
Introduced last year as lake racer specials with their high-horsepower two-stroke engines and simplistic, lightweight and low-slung style, the Crossfire R models fit into Cat’s high-performance image. For 2010, the series gets the faster, 150 hp 800 H.O. engine and a new name: CFR.
The CFR 800 and CFR 1000 return with a speedy 14- by 128- by 1-inch Hack Saw track and adjustable handlebars, but they each get FrogzSkin hood vent fabric and the new skis. Fox Zero Pros are standard front and rear.
Deep Snow Sleds Modernized
Refinements to Cat’s M Series sleds helps modernize a lineup of great, but dated, mountain machines. The new 800 H.O. engine is the leading change, boosting output of all M8 machines to 150 hp.
Changes across the M board include a new blowmolded seat base that reduces weight by 5 pounds and offers water-resistant storage. The seat is 3 inches taller and a new shape improves driver mobility. They also get the new skis for better handling and flotation. FrogzSkin fabric replaces steel screens on the hood vents.
The model list received a few tweaks, too. The 1000cc engine is only available in the M1000 Sno Pro, built with a 153- or 162-inch single ply, Power Claw track. The M8 and M8 Sno Pro have the same rubber options, but the M8 HCR is only available with a hard-durometer, 153-inch track.
In the hybrid class, engine options are 800 or 600cc; gone are the Crossfire 1000 and Crossfire 5. The Crossfire 8 Sno Pro returns with the Fox FLOAT ski shocks and rear track shock with telescoping handlebar, but like the M Series it gets the FrogzSkin vent screens and new skis. Crossfire 8 and Crossfire 6 sleds have Fox Zero Pro shocks front and rear.
A Few Updates For Touring And Utility Sleds
Four machines fill out Cat’s touring lineup. All touring sleds get new running boards that retain less snow and save a little weight. The new skis sharpen handling and save almost 2 pounds. Front wheels in the rear suspension have been moved between the rails to increase top speed.
Four-stroke sleds get a new swaybar mount to reduce body and chassis roll through turns. Non-turbo machines — TZ1 and TZ1 LXR — have a new exhaust system that saves 10 pounds. The LXR bodywork gets a high-gloss finish. The fan-cooled T570 loses 8 pounds thanks to installation of the push-button reverse system.
The 1100cc four-stroke-powered Bearcat Z1 XT gets the updated exhaust for a 10-pound weight loss along with painted bodywork for more durability. Front and rear suspension springs have a stiffer rate for better load-carrying ability. The Bearcat 570 and Bearcat 570 XT receive push-button reverse, which saves 5 pounds. The suspensions also get the updated springs.
2010 Arctic Cat model lineup
Name: Sno Pro 500
Big Change: New chassis
Name: F8 Sno Pro
Big Change: 800 H.O. engine
Name: F8 LXR
Big Change: 800 H.O. engine
Name: F8
Big Change: 800 H.O. engine
Name: F6 Sno Pro
Big Change: Revised tail section
Name: F5 LXR
Big Change: Revised tail section
Name: F 570
Big Change: Push-button reverse
Name: CFR 1000
Big Change: FrogzSkin hood vents
Name: CFR 800
Big Change: 800 H.O. engine
Name: Z1 Turbo EXT
Big Change: New model
Name: Z1 Turbo
Big Change: Revised tail section
Name: Z1 Turbo LXR
Big Change: Removable storage bag
Name: Z1 Turbo Sno Pro
Big Change: Revised tail section
Name: Z1
Big Change: New exhaust saves 10 lbs.
Name: Z1 LXR
Big Change: Removable storage bag
Name: M1000 Sno Pro
Big Change: Molded seat base
Name: M8
Big Change: 800 H.O. engine
Name: M8 Sno Pro
Big Change: 800 H.O. engine
Name: M8 HCR
Big Change: 800 H.O. engine
Name: M6
Big Change: FrogzSkin hood vents
Name: CFR 800
Big Change: 800 H.O. engine
Name: CFR 800 Sno Pro
Big Change: 800 H.O. engine
Name: Crossfire 6
Big Change: FrogzSkin hood vents
Name: TZ1 Turbo LXR
Big Change: Splined ACT Drive gears
Name: TZ1
Big Change: New exhaust saves 10 lbs.
Name: TZ1 LXR
Big Change: New exhaust saves 10 lbs.
Name: T570
Big Change: Push-button reverse
Name: Bearcat Z1 XT
Big Change: New exhaust saves 10 lbs.
Name: Bearcat 570
Big Change: Push-button reverse
Name: Bearcat 570 XT
Big Change: Push-button reverse
Cat’s Ripping 800 H.O. Engine
The 800-class machines also have exciting news thanks to a nearly all-new 800 High Output engine. The powerplant has a new crankshaft that’s 4.3 pounds lighter along with new pistons, head and cylinders. The variable exhaust Arctic Power Valves and fuel system calibration have been revised, too. All of this adds up to about a 10 percent boost in horsepower with claims of more than 155 hp. The 800 H.O. is in F Series, Crossfire, CFR and M Series machines.
We spent time with a prototype 800 H.O. under our thumb in January and were downright impressed with the new powerplant. Low-end power was quicker and stronger than the 800 Suzuki it replaces and the pull felt stronger all the way up to the top end. In all, it felt like the best, strongest-running two-stroke engine from Cat in a long time. We’ll log more miles with 800 H.O.-powered sleds this spring and have in-depth reviews in issues of Snow Goer next fall.
