2001 snowmousines

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Arctic Cat Pantera 1000
Grins: Very cool new seat/storage gadget.

Groans: Heavy steering could be improved.

There is no denying that the Pantera 1000 is at the top of the heap with its full-liter engine package. With the added bulk of the passenger seat and rack hanging over the track, the super kitty is capable of pulling many of the lighter sports sleds out of the hole. The clutches engage low, which delivers a gentle takeoff, but the sleigh is still capable of quick acceleration when pressed.

But a two-up luxury touring machine is more than just engine, and Cat knows it. The front suspension on the Pantera is the basic AWS V double wishbone geometry found on all Cats. Ryde FX shocks deliver 10 inches of travel.

The only issue our crew had with the Pantera was its heavy feel. "I thought it was heavier to steer than the others," commented Test Rider Jeff Velander. "But I suppose that's the trade for the smooth power of a triple triple under the hood."

Under the extended tunnel, a touring-specific version of Arctic Cat's FasTrack long travel system gives 13.3 inches of travel. In the past, our crew has given the fiberglass overload springs good reviews for simplicity of use and functionality. This year is no different. One flick of the spring and presto-chango, you have converted the sled from a solo rider spec to a double rider spec. Simple. Effective. Good.

Arctic Cat wins our award for the coolest gadgetry on its 2001 two-up touring sleds. The new seat design with integrated storage feature is one of those simple things that you can't believe no one has done before.

Cat engineers have developed a removable queen seat. It attaches by a latch at the rear of the seat, much like an ATV or PWC seat. When it's in, it is the same as any two-up machine. But when it's out, the cargo area doubles in size. What's even cooler, our crew thought, is the custom-designed bag Cat will sell to fit the space.

"Our designer made the bag to actually fit the cargo rack regardless of the seat configuration," explained Cat's Snowmobile Product Manager, Joey Hallstrom. "When the queen seat is in place, the bag fits standing up. When the seat's removed, it fits laying down. Not only that, but is has hook and loop fastener straps to secure it, and it is expandable to about twice its size."

The Pantera 1000 carries all the goodies- electric start, reverse, individually controlled passenger handwarmers, wind deflectors for the adjustable height passenger grips, wide footrests and a tall touring windshield.

This is one market segment Arctic Cat has figured out. If you want to tour in comfort and style, plus blow past your fellow tourmates on the lakes, take a strong look at the Pantera. Our crew thought it was nearly a dead heat with the Grand Touring SE and Venture 700.