1998 arctic cat thundercat

If the 1998 Thundercat 1000 can't break a hundred out of the box, nothing can. Yet, for all its power- said to be 172 horsepower-the big Cat is one of the most docile sleds we've ever ridden.

But docile isn't why you buy a T-Cat. You buy aThundercat to invoke terror in your buddies. You buy a Thundercat because it has the biggest muscles!

But once you put aside its 100 miles per hour threat and its one liter size, you'll find that this Cat purrs quite nicely at Jag speeds, advances to ZR speed well and tops out in the altitude of the Stanley, Idaho airport test strip at 92 mph on AmSnow radar. Know for sure this kitty clears triple digits.

Imagine, each of the 999cc T-Cat's triple cylinders nearly duplicates the 339cc of the Jag 340's twin! This is an engine with big heads, case reed intake, an internal counter balancer and three tuned pipes.

The nice thing is that the AWS-4 front end can handle the performance during a shoot-out across a lake. And as we know,the Cat's FasTrack long travel rear suspension with up to 13.5 inches of Fox shock controlled travel actually prefers being molested by moguls taken at high speed.

Yeah, we hammered the throttle on the airport test strip. But we also dawdled along in powder, trying to get the T-Cat to spit and sputter. But this is a calm beast. It neither spat, nor sputtered. Just motored along at whatever setting our thumb registered on the throttle that controlled the three 38mm Mikuni round slide carburetors. Engagement on this sled starts much lower than you would think. Low end torque, as expected,is awesome. Midrange power is awesome. And top end strong.

There are definitely many things that you'll appreciate about the T-Cat if you buy one. After all, despite the short time we have to ride each year, ultimately, ownership means commitment and a coupon book.But believe us, you won't mind writing a check for the T-Cat thanks to Arctic's close attention to detail- especially fit and finish. All of the '98 Cats enjoyed a quantum leap forward in this department. Even the older styled sleds saw substantial improvements in finish, especially in the areas whereyou live. Like in the handlebar area and controls. There's a new pad andmore friendly controls.

Now, you tell us why you'd spend nearly 10 grandon this sled. It isn't because you like what you see with the hood closed.It's because of what you see when the hood is open. There's muscle there-172 horsepower worth! And that's why you buy this Cat!

1998 Arctic Cat Thundercat

Overall Height: 46 inches
Overall Length: 112 inches
Weight: 585 lbs.
Ski Stance: 41 inches
Engine: 999cc liquid-cooled, case reed Suzuki triple
Exhaust: 3 tuned pipes
Clutch:
Drive: Arctic RPM sensing
 Driven: Arctic roller cam
Suspension Travel:
 Front: AWS IV double wishbone A-arms, Fox shocks, 6.75 inches
 Rear: FasTrack long travel, adjustable torsion springs, TSL, Fox shocks, 13.5inches
Fuel Capacity: 10.9 gallons
Key Features: Wilwood hydraulic brake, speedo, tach, odometer, mechanical gas gauge, oiland coolant light, plastic skis with carbide runners
Retail Price: $9,499
Riding Impressions:
"For a big machine, the Thundercat rides and handles very well. Ina straight line, the T-Cat will thrill you like no other sled."
- Steve Ingram, Test Rider