1996 arctic cat zrt 600

If we had to choose among the ZRT 600, Formula III or new Indy 600 XCR SP, we'd pick the Cat as the best of the bunch. Power-wise, the Cat and Ski-Doo are extremely close. The jury is still out on the new Indy's case reed triple. The engine in the sled we tested was too close to prototypical form for us to render a true value judgment. And suspension-wise, we feel that the ZR-type setup of the Cat is definitely the best of the three. There's one other aspect to this Cat that we must point out: The ZRT can handle deep snow and fresh powder better than any triple we've ridden to date.

The defining characteristic of this junior muscle sled is the 600cc three cylinder engine. At 594cc, the Cat/Suzuki triple measures 66.5mm by 57mm for bore and stroke. In an effort to keep weight to a minimum, the new triple doesn't offer the anti-vibration shaft found on Cat's big triples, the Thundercat 900 or ZRT 800. Part of the reason is weight reduction, but another simple reason is that this engine is not merely a sleeved-down version of those engines. This engine is new to the Cat line.

The case-reed inducted 600 triple is a computer-designed engine. Engineers
used the computer to identify areas of high or low stress and strengthened those areas accordingly. The total engine package is said to weigh just over 70 pounds, making it about 11 pounds heavier than the ZR 580's twin.

More importantly, it weighs 44 pounds less than the ZRT 800 triple, but
in essentially the same chassis.

Case reed induction is nothing new to Suzuki. The use of crankcase vacuum to suck fuel past six-petal fiber reed valves is why this engine can deliver a wider, more usable power range than if it were merely piston-ported. To get the three Mikuni VM36 carbs at the optimum angle to deliver fuel, the engineers tilted the cylinders forward 15 degrees. The side benefit is that when the engine is placed in the engine bay, it further lowers the sled's center of gravity.

The new triple should deliver about the same power as Ski-Doo's Formula III triple, which would mean it pumps out 125-ish horsepower at 8500 rpm. The seven port design features Nicasil-lined cylinders and a bridged exhaust
port for higher peak power. Add in an exhaust pipe expressly tuned for the
heart and soul of this new Cat.

We were unable to get our hands on the ZRT 600 for last year's annual super sled Shoot-Out, but since then, we've seen field reports and have enjoyed hands-on testing that leads us to our conclusion that this is the best in its class for 1996. While you expect power in this category of sports sled, you expect it for the straight-aways only. The Cat is built to handle the curves at the end of those straights. Frankly, we are not impressed by this class of sled overall. If it's straight line, rip-across-a-lake speed that you seek, buy an 800 or the 900cc Thundercat. If it's trail antics you crave, we would opt for a 580-ish twin and its lighter-over-the-ski feel. In general, we've found the 600 triples to be a blend of go-fast and handling that has many compromises - they are neither the fastest nor the best handling.

But fortunately for Cat fans, the ZRT 600 is the least compromised of this breed. It has power. It has handling. It has snow-ability.

That gets us into this matter of long-travel suspensions. Arctic Cat has a major problem when it comes to long travel. The problem is neither mechanical nor technical. The problem is marketing. Cat's extra-long travel version of the FasTrack rear slide suspension gives up nothing in comparison to the competitions' new 10 inch suspensions. Cat has 8.5 inches of suspension
travel available. On the face of it, you'd assume a deficit of 1.5 inches
versus the competition. And there is, if you go by length only. But length
of travel isn't as important as how that travel is used. In the case of the Cat ZRT suspension system, it isn't how long it is, it's how long you use it.

The ZRT chassis/suspension combination has been the best for overall handling and ride. The competition has definitely closed the gap. Still,
the ZR is arguably as good as anything on the market at this time. We had
ridden everyone else's 1996 sleds before we got on the ZR-based Cats. We
were willing victims of the hype. After all, on paper, the Cats came up short in suspension travel. Thankfully, we don't ride on paper but on mogul-rough
trails with tight turns and wide sweepers. The ZR and ZRT chassis is at
home in snow.

The AWS IV front wishbone suspension keeps the skis on the snow so that the carbide runners can bite. The Fox gas shocks and progressive action springing provide an excellent balance of taut yet supple enough action to absorb bumps and still give you excellent "road" feel for steering. The rear suspension also relies on Fox shocks which do an incredible job of accepting and defining shock action to give a sporting ride with ample cushion. The ZRs and ZRT are exceptionally precise on the trail. A low center of gravity and well-balanced ski stance are ideally suited to the low-slung aluminum chassis. Handling is excellent.

So is the ability to stop. The Wilwood hydraulic disc brake has been fine-tuned since it first appeared on Cat racing style sleds. Today, it is extremely rider friendly, requiring a light touch of the brake lever to provide quick, consistent, nearly fade-free stopping power.

We also appreciate Cat's ability to design a sled that is hand and face friendly when riding in severe cold. Cat designers consistently come up with windshields that work, as well as easy-to-grip handlebars that come with heating elements. Add in an 11 gallon fuel tank and you can enjoy the ZRT in the snow for a good day's ride.

If that day's ride is in deep snow, don't worry. This 600cc triple cylinder sports machine is the best in class when it comes to snow-ability. Credit the design of the front pan, chassis and track attack angle. We were truly impressed at how good this sled was in fresh, nearly bottomless snow conditions.

We like the ZR 580 model better, but this heavier three cylinder sled is just a titch less of a powder performer. And unlike the mild 580, the ZRT 600 has the advantage of instantaneous "go-power" when you kick in the throttle.

With this first issue of the season, we've reported on the sleds that were staff favorites. The Cat ZRT 600 was a staff hit. It even surprised our more jaded staff test riders who weren't expecting the ride and handling to be as good as we found, nor the snow-ability to approach the standards we found. If Cat has a problem in convincing the public that it has the handling and ride of the competition, perhaps Cat types should let consumers ride the ZRT 600 and discover for themselves that the reality is not how a sled looks on paper, but how it performs in the snow. That's when it becomes obvious that the ZRT 600 is the best in class.

1996 ARCTIC CAT ZRT 600
 Engine Type: 594cc liquid-cooled triple
Exhaust: 3 tuned pipes; muffler
Clutching
Drive: Comet (RPM sensing)
Driven: Arctic (Torque sensing)
Suspension
Front: AWS IV; 6 inches
 Rear: Arctic FasTrack; 8.5 in.
Ski Stance: 41 in.
Overall Height: 37 in.
 Overall Length: 111 in.
Fuel Capacity: 11 U.S. gallons
Offical Dry Weight: N/A
 Price US  $6,999.99
Riding Impressions: The best handling, most powerful 600 on the market. And, who says you need a long-travel suspension for a smooth ride and dependable handling on rough terrain? I thoroughly enjoyed this machine, especially the way it performed in deep powder. The only problem I found was that the throttle had a tendency to freeze up after frolicking in the deep powder.
- Steve Ingram, test rider