2014 Arctic Cat Lineup

[tmo1620]

When you buy one you get a dry weight on your spec sheet that comes with your sled, if ya really wanted to know just go into a dealer and ask to see a spec sheet for one of the sleds on the showroom floor

Has anyone ever asked a rep from Arctic Cat why they don't publish there weights in there brochures/webpage? Seems odd when the other manufacturers do. Not a bash, just a question as this has been this way for quite a few years now.

 

[tmo1620]

38-39" on the M and 42-43" on the HCR

What is the ski stance, why so wide,hmmmmmmmmmmmmm

 

[tmo1620]

I like the new cats, being 18 lbs lighter with the refinements they did should make it a strong contendor with the XM this year and far and away better than that Pro RMK that looks like it was built in China, but Im gonna ride my "ancient technology" 11 M8 for another season seeing as I have full warranty until Nov 30 2014, then Ill buy a new 15 M8....... hopefully with a new DI 800

 

[mobgma]

Source snowmobile.com


5000 Series C-TEC4 – Suzuki-built 1056cc fuel injected twin used in past models
6000 Series C-TEC2 – An all-new, direct-injected 600cc Arctic Cat engineered twin
7000 Series C-TEC4 – Yamaha-sourced 1049cc triple with Arctic Cat fuel-injection intake, exhaust and clutching
8000 Series 800 HO – Suzuki-built 794cc two-stroke twin as before
9000 Series C-TEC4 Turbo – Cat’s famed top of the line 177 hp turbocharged powerhouse supplied by Suzuki

 

[Summitric]

38-39" on the m and 42-43" on the hcr

rode a new hcr 800 in the mountains 2 years ago...... Didn't like it much..... Ski stance too wide, and trenched badly..................... Also tried an m8 and it was much better, and didn't trench quite as badly either.

 

[TylerG]

rode a new hcr 800 in the mountains 2 years ago...... Didn't like it much..... Ski stance too wide, and trenched badly..................... Also tried an m8 and it was much better, and didn't trench quite as badly either.

completely different chassis though..... mostly it was operator.....

 

[tmo1620]

Spoken like a true yamaha fan.....lol, balance is huge factor in making a mountain sled work, my mseries side to side wasn't that bad until I took the suitcase off and put a can on, then you could really notice how much heavier the clutch side was, a lil tuning on the front shocks fixed that a lil bit

In my own opinion the more important item than weight is the overall balance of the sled. These are mountain sleds and they need to be able to take some abuse and also be able to do things like pull dead sleds out to the staging areas, so sometimes a little extra weight is not always a bad thing. The 05 through 11 M sleds had a poor side to side balance but the front to back was not bad. The M series 12's and up seem to have a not bad side to side balance but very poor front to back balance. When I stand on the sled in a normal riding stance I would like to see 50% of my weight on the rear of the sled and the other 50% on the front of the sled, not the current front heavy transfer.

 

[Summitric]

completely different chassis though..... Mostly it was operator.....

was not............. They are different chassis......... Much prefer the m chassis for my type riding. Also had that bogging problem with the air intake hose collapsing........ Would happen at the worst of times

 

[moyiesledhead]

Has anyone ever asked a rep from Arctic Cat why they don't publish there weights in there brochures/webpage? Seems odd when the other manufacturers do. Not a bash, just a question as this has been this way for quite a few years now.

Ummmmm......it's right there on their website. Didn't have to look very hard.

 

[thekrust]

I just wish that was put out independantly. Looks too much like plain old propaganda when Cat toots thier own horn.

 

[maxwell]

rode a new hcr 800 in the mountains 2 years ago...... Didn't like it much..... Ski stance too wide, and trenched badly..................... Also tried an m8 and it was much better, and didn't trench quite as badly either.

Yep. That's what a 15 wide powder pinky doses.

 

[Mike270412]

This is the Arctic Cat section.Go away!

Yep. That's what a 15 wide powder pinky doses.

 

[maxwell]

This is the Arctic Cat section.Go away!

Bwahahaha

 

[Cat401]

rode a new hcr 800 in the mountains 2 years ago...... Didn't like it much..... Ski stance too wide, and trenched badly..................... Also tried an m8 and it was much better, and didn't trench quite as badly either.

wow, 2 year old Cat chassis is NOT new....night & day handling and performance difference......that's like comparing the Rev to the XM

 

[Mike270412]

And stay off crackbook while driving.

Bwahahaha

 

[cnelson6]

Yep. That's what a 15 wide powder pinky doses.

Nope thats what the HCR with the competition track does. Im not to sure why alot of guys like the HCR im sure its a fun sled when doing the jackson hole hill climb but in the mountains on deep powder days it doesnt work very well. I was thinking about doing a new xm but I would like to try the new cat and see what its all about. Im really liking the new colors i think it will stand out with the new freerides. But does anybody know if cat has the belt issues figured cause that is one of the main things thats keeping me from them.

 

[Mike270412]

What belt issues.You mean a belt only lasting 1900 km?

Nope thats what the HCR with the competition track does. Im not to sure why alot of guys like the HCR im sure its a fun sled when doing the jackson hole hill climb but in the mountains on deep powder days it doesnt work very well. I was thinking about doing a new xm but I would like to try the new cat and see what its all about. Im really liking the new colors i think it will stand out with the new freerides. But does anybody know if cat has the belt issues figured cause that is one of the main things thats keeping me from them.

 

[mobgma]

From snowmobile.com. Not sure if it is biased or not. Based on 2013's.

Ready-To-Ride Weights
Model	Model Year 2013	Model Year 2012	Difference (+) or (-) between model years
Polaris RMK Pro 800 155	514 lbs	530 lbs	- 16 lbs
Arctic M8 Sno Pro Limited 153	567 lbs	559 lbs	+ 8 lbs
Ski-Doo XM 800 Summit X 154	564 lbs	560 lbs	+ 4 lbs
Polaris RMK Pro 600 155	511 lbs	526 lbs	- 15 lbs

Analysis of Results: The two RMK Pro models, due to Polaris’ aggressive nature to cut weight from the Pro models, were 15 to 16 pounds lighter than the previous model-year. The Pro RMK 800 is 50+ pounds lighter than same model-year M8 and XM (as well as the 600 RMK Pro). Again, these are all wet RTR weights.
The weight increases from last year’s model-year to this year’s model-year for the Ski-Doo XM Summit (from the XP Summit) and the Arctic Cat ProClimb M8 centers on taller or redesigned tracks for the two, a new rear suspension design for the Summit (tMotion), and some tunnel reinforcements. With that said, for the M8, the increase in weight from last year to this year is also found in the fact we learned how to burp the fuel cell and stuff an extra gallon of gas in the fuel tank.
For the XM Summit, a driver will not notice its 4-pound gain as it is a new and sweetly balanced chassis (probably the best).
The 600 RMK Pro is lighter than the 800 RMK Pro because, from our understanding, the 600 has a lighter crankshaft and smaller crankcase.
In general terms, we believe a new model-year chassis should be lighter than the chassis it replaced, or at least the same weight. But if a new model-chassis weighs the same or is a few pounds heavier, the mountain snowmobile rider will excuse this if the snowmobile is agile, light through the bars, and expertly balanced.
But, if you are a numbers geek, a mountain snowmobile that is 50 pounds lighter than its competitor means the lightweight missile is also the heavyweight in sales.

Turning Radius
Model	Right	Left
Polaris RMK Pro 800 155	24 ft. 1 in.	24 ft. 8 in.
Arctic M8 Sno Pro Limited 153	23 ft. 3 in.	23 ft. 7 in.
Ski-Doo XM 800 Summit X 154	22 ft. 5 in.	23 ft. 6 in.
Polaris RMK Pro 600 155	23 ft. 2 in.	23 ft. 5 in.

Analysis Results: Like humans, snowmobiles have a dominant side. But, in this case, the difference in a right- and left-turn on a hard-packed snow surface is between a couple inches to a one-foot radius gain. What does this mean? Nothing really.

The turn radius test was conducted on a groomed snow-floor surface to learn how sharp a snowmobile's turn is. For you it means how quickly the snowmobile reacts to sharp left- and right-turns in the trees, and how well the snowmobile can stuff itself into a sidehill.

Tip Over Angle in Degrees
Model	Right	Left
Polaris RMK Pro 800 155	51	49
Arctic M8 Sno Pro Limited 153	47	49
Ski-Doo XM 800 Summit X 154	47	45
Polaris RMK Pro 600 155	50	47

Analysis Results: Like turning radius, a dominant side exists. Smaller number means easier to roll into a hillside. However, being the degree differences are minor – two to three degrees – little negative affect is felt by the driver. Overall, driver skill matters more for sidehill attacks than minor degree variances.

Clutch Engagement at an Elevation of 5682 Feet
Model	RPM
Polaris RMK Pro 800 155	4000
Arctic M8 Sno Pro Limited 153	4000
Ski-Doo XM 800 Summit X 154	3900
Polaris RMK Pro 600 155	4200

Analysis Results: No performance gains or letdowns. These ranges are appropriate and do not suggest anything good or bad; these numbers are FYI data.

Hill Cross – Averages in Seconds Two Runs per Mountain Sled per Driver; Elevation 8150
Model	Kim Steele	Greg Huntsman	Roger Raymond	Overall Average
Polaris RMK Pro 800 155	14.94	17.85	16.92	16.57
Arctic M8 Sno Pro Limited 153	14.13	17.18	16.66	15.99
Ski-Doo XM 800 Summit X 154	15.07	16.70	17.76	16.51
Polaris RMK Pro 600 155	16.13	17.65	16.36	16.71

Analysis Results: All snowmobiles were run on a hot pipe. Depending on driver skill, how the driver negotiated the uphill course and gates, determined times. The M8 averaged the fastest time. Yet from all averages, between the slowest and fastest times, a delta of 0.72 of a second existed, not quite three-quarters of a second. The slowest average time came from the 600 RMK Pro, as expected. Yet, the 600 RMK Pro continues to be an over-achiever. What does all this mean?

With our Brower Timing System, we can assure accurate times when our drivers' propel the test fleet though the gated hillcross course, or through the shootout's 500-foot uphill straight-line speed course.

First the three 800s are evenly matched with the average speed spread being 0.58 seconds. For the XM and the M8, these two mountain sleds’ horsepower advantage overcame its weight disadvantage against the 800 RMK Pro. We’ll address this in more detail with the Driver Impressions in Part II,

Uphill Track Speed (20-30 degree slope angle, 300-feet) Driver, Roger Raymond
Model	RPM
Polaris RMK Pro 800 155	37
Arctic M8 Sno Pro Limited 153	38
Ski-Doo XM 800 Summit X 154	38
Polaris RMK Pro 600 155	32

Analysis Results: The higher-horsepower XM Summit and M8 Sno Pro spun its tall-lugged tracks the quickest, but only by one MPH over the RMK Pro 800. Furthermore, the 600 RMK Pro with smaller motor had the slowest track speed; that is expected. All sleds were pulling proper RPM and WOT – wide open throttle.

500-foot Uphill (8-degree slope angle) Speed Run Averages in Seconds – Three Runs per Mountain Sled per Driver; Elevation 8140
Model	Dustin Pancheri	Kade Klingler	Overall Average
Polaris RMK Pro 800 155	5.49	5.29	5.39
Arctic M8 Sno Pro Limited 153	5.65	5.64	5.645
Ski-Doo XM 800 Summit X 154	5.54	5.49	5.515
Polaris RMK Pro 600 155	6.10	5.96	6.03

Analysis Results: All snowmobiles were run on a hot pipe. The RMK Pro 800 pulled the fastest times due to its reduced rotating mass (belt drive), its light weight and giving it the ability to flatly launch out of the hole keeping most its track surface on the snow. Yet, the differences among the three 800s is 0.2 seconds, with only 0.64 seconds spread between the fastest (800 RMK Pro) and the slowest (600 RMK Pro). The take away?
The 800s are evenly matched for that day and its snow conditions. Both drivers did say – Dustin Pancheri and Kade Klingler – that from launch to 300-feet, the 800 Pro was the fastest, but when the XM Summit and the M8 just passed the half-way mark, their speed built faster than the Pro 800; from the M8’s and XM’s horsepower advantage. The drivers did believe that had the course been 100 feet longer, the M8 or XM may have pulled the fastest times.
Summation
The 800s are, performance-wise, razor-edge close. The 800 RMK Pro proves an efficient mountain sled. The XM and M8 overcome their weight disadvantage by throwing more horsepower and torque to the track. The 600 RMK Pro is a remarkable snowmobile. It remains the surprise on the mountain; riders often say, “What the…?”

Coming off the line the 600 had to prove itself among the 800s; and it did it freakishly well.

With these results over two weekends near Alpine, WY, no snowmobile emerged as the over-the-top winner. Any given day, as driver attention and snow conditions change, any of these 800s will slightly snub the other, due to track hook-up, clutch and drive train efficiency, and horsepower. One must balance out power-to-weight in their love for their snowmobile. So, for a concluding statement; that is yours to decide from the above data. Stay tuned for Part II

 

[TylerG]

What belt issues.You mean a belt only lasting 1900 km?

Over 2000km on our first belt... Going to change it sheerly because of mileage on it. Still a good belt!

 

[cnelson6]

I question it as I have been told by a few guys that I have ran into on the hill and one guy in a group I ride with said that they have been going through belts like crazy so im not to sure what to say now. I also have spoke with mr. linderman and he has been researching a fix for the belt problems so I dont think he would be doing that for nothing. Im not trying to start a bash I just wanna know the facts if the belt issue that I have heard about has been resolved or was it just to some select production machines? And what year are your proclimbs tylerg and mike. If yours are both 13s the issue may have only been with the 12s