1997 bore war
Amsnow
Arctic Cat ZRT 800
Second Place: 7.10 points
Uppers
Shoot-Out winner still strong. Styling a plus. Solid contender for top musclebuy.
Downers
Suspension tuning could be easier. Fit and finish could stand to improve.
Because Arctco didn't unveil its big iron with the other sled makersin Idaho, it was more than two weeks and another state later that we hada chance to evaluate the ZRT 800. Based on its performance in the AmericanSnowmobiler Shoot-Out and the fact that very little has been done to changethe performance package under the hood, the big 794cc Cat heads into '97as the one to beat. This Suzuki-built triple with 150-ish horsepower andArctco clutching scorched the Shoot-Out's quarter in 12.215 seconds andtopped 103 MPH. We couldn't expect to see that kind of performance in Idaho'sheavy, wet snows. But in West Yellowstone, Montana, where Cat brought the'97 ZRT 800 for late spring evaluations, our test riders rated both theengine/clutch response and overall engine throttle response as 8.0s. Thiswas respectably similar to the new Mach Z and '97 Storm ratings.
The Suzuki triple features reed valve intake for the three 38mm Mikunicarbs as well as triple pipes for maximum performance. Under the hood, youwill notice that Arctco pays attention to detail with pipes that are properlysealed at the exhaust to ensure top power.
For 1997, the next-to-biggest Cat features the FasTrack long-travel system,which means it comes with the rear lift extra travel tunnel, stamped sliderail and increased travel. This Cat offers 1.5 inches more travel in therear suspension front torque arm and two inches more at the rear torquearm. The standard AWS-IV wishbone front suspension provides 1.2 more inchesof ski travel. How did this suspension rate? The front end earned 7.0 pointsand the rear ride scored 7.5 points.
Cat uses Fox rebuildable shocks on the ZRT 800 as well as aluminum skispindles, plastic skis and standard carbides.
Where we were surprised was in braking. Cat's Wilwood hydraulic discis one of the best, but on the big Cat it earned just seven points fromour test crew, fourth overall.
While the Cat finished just ahead of the Storm, it was .6 points behind the top-scoring Ski-Doo Mach Z.
Arctic Cat ZRT 800
Overall Height: 37 inches
Overall Length: 111 inches
Ski Stance: 41.0 inches
Engine: Suzuki 794cc, oil-injected, liquid-cooled triple
Exhaust: 3 Tuned pipes
Clutch:
Drive: Arctco (rpm sensing)
Driven: Arctic (torque sensing)
Suspension Travel:
Front: AWS IV double wishbone, adjustable coil over Fox gas shocks; 7.2 in.
Rear: FasTrack Long Travel System slide-rail, Fox gas shocks; 13.5 in.
Fuel Capacity: 10 gallons
Key Features: Wilwood hydraulic disc brake, tach, speedo, trip, gas gauge, low oil light,hand and thumb warmers standard.
Optional: reverse, mirrors, rack and hitch.
Retail Price: $8,499
Riding Impressions:
"Offers a better ride than the Vmax-4; overall, not as ergonomicas the Ski-Doo."
- Steve Ingram, Test Rider