1991 yamaha venture vs arctic cat pantera

They're at it again. For 1991 Arctic Cat and Yamaha have two very similar new models. Drawing comparisons will only be natural. But there are major differences too.

Last year it was the Prowler versus the Phazer II. This year it's the redesigned Pantera versus the all new Venture XL. Cat versus Yamaha. And we love it!

The 1991 Arctic Cat Pantera is a fancy "full dress" version of the basic Prowler. Yamaha's Venture XL bears a strong kinship with the Phazer II.

While we'll make comparisons, the choice between these two - and a couple of other choices - will depend totally on your personal bias. The bottom line is this: it's difficult to find a great deal of fault with either of these all new two-place touring sleds. In fact, there is a lot to like with both.

The Venture comes with the sport's easiest to operate reverse gear. Polaris and Cat tie for second. In real-world operation, we found it easier to shift the Venture into reverse than it was to shift our corporate 4x4 from two wheel drive into all wheel drive.

Another plus with this system is that, once you've shifted into reverse, the Venture has a horn that starts beeping to warn bystanders that you are backing up. It's an added safety feature that helps make this Yamaha reverse the industry's best.

Being based on the Prowler - American Snowmobiler's "1990 Snowmobile of the Year" - the new Pantera has a strong heritage and a pleasing personality for trail riders. Like the new Prowler, it gets more zip, more power and overall improved performance, especially at low end and mid-range, where it's mandatory for a two-up luxury cruiser. Speaking of luxury, the Pantera comes standard with a set of travel cases mounted astern of the sled, an adjustable backrest, dual rearview mirrors, and yes, reverse gear.

When you consider that the new two-uppers are based on two of the most popular selling snowmobile models in the industry, you realize that these new models will be very solid touring sleds. What will sway the buying decision between the two will be personal prejudices and intangible "little things."

For example, both sleds have similarly sized powerplants. The Cat has the Suzuki "Lite" 440, which was new last season. The Venture XL counters with the 485cc Phazer twin. Both will have similar output, perform about the same on the trail, offer about the same ease of operation and prove reliable over the long haul. The differences are that the Cat's twin is liquid-cooled and therefore a little more quiet and able to provide more consistent power since that's a proven advantage of liquid-cooled engines. Score a "little thing" for the Cat, although the Phazer-type engine used in the Venture is noted for strong trail performance. So, don't score too heavily for the Cat.

The Cat's Suzuki "Lite" twin remains essentially the same as the one introduced in last season's Prowler. Porting changes to accommodate larger 36mm Mikuni carburetors are the major difference in this season's 440cc twin. The idea is to get improved performance across the rev range and to enhance the mid-range routing punch of this motor. The Cat engineers have succeeded. We found the 440 liquid-cooled motor to have a good blend of smooth "take-off" power and what we consider above average mid-range for corner-to-corner blasting when the spirit moves you. If top end has improved, we really couldn't tell since the Pantera is designed for comfort, not speed.

The Venture's Phazer-derived air-cooled twin was equally adept for two-up touring. The 485cc twin has always been a strong runner at low to mid-range. Unlike some fan-cooled engines, this Yamaha twin never seems "tapped" out under hard acceleration - a complaint we have with Ski-Doo's 440 fan-cooled twin. It always lets you feel as though there is a reserve power if you should ever need it. For ease of operation, the Venture motor uses dual butterfly Mikuni carbs with a variable venturi that runs from about 32mm to 38mm. These butterfly valve carbs are light on the throttle thumb and very rider-friendly. It's another one of the nice touches that America's touring riders will appreciate.

Both Cat and Yamaha equip their engines with standard electronic ignition and oil injection. Yamaha pioneered this set-up (Auto-Lube) with its first sleds back in the early 1970s.

In head-to-head comparisons we would be hard pressed to say which is quicker, faster or delivers greater on trail performance. And, quite honestly, we feel that criteria is over-rated in touring sleds anyway. We, like you, want comfort, dependability, comfort, durability and comfort more than "pocket rocket" performance. If that is an all important criteria for you, put a two-up saddle on a Wildcat or get a Mach I XTC. The Pantera and Venture - like the Prowler and Phazer II - are extremely well-matched.

Both are fairly evenly matched with basic appointments. Both come with electric start, heated hand warmers, reverse gear, speedometer and tach, step seating with backrest, protective windshield, and a parking brake.

We give the Venture the definite edge in ease-of-operation of the reverse gear. Its semi-synchronized gearbox is a delight to operate. Cat's is good. In fact, we considered the Cat reverse drive system to be the best one last season. Yamaha's is better.

We also give the edge to the Venture when it comes to passenger comfort - at least for a passenger's hands. The passenger hand grip has warmers with a "high-low-off" switch.

However, the Cat accommodates the rear passenger better since its backrest is adjustable. Another nice touch and a "plus" for the Pantera is the set of travel cases. Now we hate to be picky, but we have found one problem with side-mounted travel cases. In deep powder, the cases catch snow, block the smooth flow of air and create a turbulence that can kick snow up and behind the windshield. We've only encountered this situation in deep, fresh, powder snow conditions. On groomed and packed trails this situation should never arise. Like we said, it's a picky thing. It also applies to the Ski-Doo Safari GLX which also has travel cases.

We give the edge to Cat on rearview mirrors. These integrated stylish mirrors are mounted on the windshield via the windshield support brackets. We would prefer spring-loaded mirrors such as Polaris uses on the Indy 500 Classic, but we feel rearview mirrors, with or without spring mechanisms, are a definite edge for touring riders. They're standard on the Pantera. You can't get them at all on the Yamaha.

Some big statistical differences between the Cat and Yamaha come in the suspension department. Yamaha likes telescopic shocks which it pioneered and uses exclusively from Ovations to Exciters. Cat's engineers like the unequal length double-wishbone style. The Cat's rising-rate front suspension has 1.5 inches more travel available than does the Yamaha's telescopic strut. The Cat's rear suspension comes with 8.5 inches of travel. The Venture has 7.6 inches, nearly an inch less.

Those are the statistical facts. Frankly, from riding the two, it was difficult for us to appreciate the differences. We like the Cat's front end better because we are more used to it. Since Yamaha is the only sled maker with a telescopic strut front end, it is unique and takes a little getting used to if you haven't a great deal of experience with it. Is it better or worse? That is a question we leave for America's snowmobilers to answer. Yamaha riders will prefer the TSS. Non-Yamaha riders will think it spongy. In straight line running, we feel the TSS has an advantage and absorbs moderate moguls better. The Cat's A-arm front suspension feels more stable when cornering. The bottom line is your personal preference and experience.

The Cat's rear suspension is a progressive rate system similar to those used on other Prowler-chassis Cats this year. This "stiffer-under-pressure" suspension has 8.5 inches of travel, dual shocks mounted inboard, and easy adjustments made on an eccentric cam adjuster. For additional ride tuning, you can also let the limiter strap in or out.

The Yamaha Venture relies on a version of the Modified Pro Action link seen in the Phazer II. Main differences are the subtleties of shock valving and spring selection to tune this suspension for two-up routing. The attack angle of the Venture is similar to the Phazer II, making it "Phazer-like" when traveling in deep snow or climbing hills. Despite the difference of about an inch of rear travel between the two sleds, we'd be lying if we told you we could tell a great deal of difference between the two.

As for the rear suspensions, we rate them both even. As veteran touring riders know, you must adjust the suspension for the weight of both riders, and whatever gear you'll be carrying on the trip. If you're new to two-up riding, seek the advice of your dealer for proper set-up. Experiment from there. We found that both the Cat and the Yamaha will bottom out easily if you don't set the suspension quite a bit stiffer. Again, two heavy riders will need more stiffness than a light-weight couple, so plan on doing some fine-tuning the first time you and your partner hit the trail. Obviously, with these two-place sleds, what works and is comfortable for a single rider is apt to make two riders suffer. Once properly adjusted, either of the sleds' suspension can handle a full-sized pair of robust riders.

However, one thing we noticed is that both the Venture and Pantera may be better suited for drivers under six feet tall - and maybe a little shorter. Taller drivers riding with a passenger will find their legs cramped. While you can adjust the handlebars to improve your arm position, there is nothing you can do about leg positioning. A solution for both sleds in the future might be to raise the seat a couple of inches or invent an adjustable seat with an inch or two of rake. It would make a difference.

While a taller driver may feel cramped, the rear passenger has plenty of leg room thanks to the stepped seat design used by both Cat and Yamaha. We'll give a slight edge in seat comfort to Yamaha solely because of its experience in motorcycling. The "king/queen" Yamaha seat "feels" a little more comfortable. It seems to sit a little higher, and feel a little more firm in the same manner as a two-up motorcycle touring saddle is comfortable for a long ride.

Features that make us feel very comfortable are the Venture's self-adjusting disc brake, the standard parking brake on both machines, the reliable overdrive Cat clutch and proven YPZ drive system. Both have adjustments galore. You can set the handlebars to suit your riding style. The Cat's front suspension is about as adjustable as you'll find. Both have fine tuning adjustments for the rear suspension to suit rider and passenger weight - and don't underestimate that value!

Styling-wise, the Pantera looks very "Prowler-ish" while the new Venture has a look that is a cross between the Ovation and the Phazer. A good cross. The hood is low and wedge-shaped. Instead of a separate Phazer-type fairing, the Venture has a high windshield that works very well to divert winter winds away from its passengers. The Pantera uses a Prowler-type windshield fairing, although the headlight is integrated into the hood and not the fairing. Both sleds have ample cooling scoops to draw in fresh air for the engine, clutches and to reduce underhood temperatures. The Venture has a wide stretched oval snout and ascending louvers on the brake side of the hood. The Cat has a louvered nose.

With the step seat and travel cases the Pantera looks ready for a weekend of touring. The new Cat is decked out in rich silver and Cat green with a grayish-colored leopard pattern seat cover that took us a little getting used to.

The step seat and integrated backrest on the Venture give this Yamaha a distinct touring bike appearance. Both sleds are ready to go the distance, no matter what distance you decide. To handle the miles, the Cat has a 7.2 gallon fuel tank while the Venture comes with an 8.2 U.S. gallon tank.

As far as options, both sleds are loaded with standard features. The only options available for the Pantera are a cover and a tow hitch. Tach, speedometer, trip meter, warning lights - including low oil and engine temperature, halogen headlight, reverse gear, thumbwarmer, mirrors, adjustable backrest and travel cases are all standard.

The only things available for the Venture XL are the optional cover and an optional anti-sway bar. On this sled, we'd suggest you ride and tour without it first, then determine if you want it. This is a very stable sled and you might not want the bar which will tend to stiffen the ride. On a regular Phazer II we'd say go for the bar, but long distance trail rides are meant to be enjoyed in plush comfort.

Overall, we like the two new entries into the touring market. Both are well thought out, offer an incredible combination of plush, sophisticated riding amenities and deliver above average performance from tried and true power and drive systems. We knew Yamaha eventually would replace the old leafsprung XL with something nice. We weren't ready for how nice the replacement would be. And, as for Arctco, how can you top the Prowler? Make it into a plusher than plush Pantera.

These aren't the only candidates for two-up touring. The premiere touring machines from Polaris and Bombardier, while not all new for 1991, are equally impressive. But, for the long run, you'll have to decide which way you want to go. Fortunately, you have choices and decisions to make. While it may sound like a cop-out, there really isn't a bad two-up touring sled in this premium touring segment.