2002 mountain cats

800 twin
New 800 MC owner, Kevin Allred writes, "Last spring, Cat introduced a new Mountain Cat line including a new exhaust valve 800 twin. This new motor with its impressive horsepower and torque numbers, drew a lot of attention. How does this motor transfer its impressive numbers to real world snow? Impressively.
"In the deep snow, the MC 800, with its 144-inch track, handled well and only fell short of a 800 151 ever so slightly in the high stakes highmarking game. This changes, though, as snow conditions change.

"If snow conditions are soft, hard, deep or in between, this new Cat did not care about conditions or terrain, it simply performed, holding its own. Period. When a race breaks for the parking lot, what ride do I want? You guessed it, the fast black Cat. All you will see is its tail. It's fast."

Throughout the season, the MC 800 began to show signs of RPM slippage. Many around concluded the exhaust valves gained carbon build-up and were holding closed. The valves were removed and inspected. No deposits. After further inspection, the servicing dealership discovered the drive clutch was well worn. All clutch components were rebuilt and the clutch reinstalled. The Cat regained its snappy self.
On the trails, the 800's wishbone front suspension held true to form. Positive cornering and sustained stability in the junk whoops.

During the 2000-2001 season, Cat claimed many of its disenfranchised owners back; those who bailed on Cat after owning a 700 Powder Special. Many of these "returning" owners found the 800 to be the Cat they always wanted. Some were not so satisfied, however.
The bulk of complaints stemmed from gearing, track length and track compound. The numbers may not be solid, but roughly half, or more, owners geared down the MC 800 to generate the track speed needed to keep up with other 800s, either in 144- or 151-inch form. This was a personal preference, but it is this author's experience, the tall gears caused the MC 800 to bail when it should not have. Down the trail though, the tall gears ran fast.

The other complaint grew on the track's shorter length. Though this was Cat's first year in the 800-mountain class market, some owners wished for the 151-length of a RMK or Summit. Numerous drivers swapped out their rear suspensions for 151- or 156-inchers. Some can't be pleased.

Track compound. In the Rockies, the driest and strangest snow fell all year-long. No moisture. Sleds, all makes, would trench in the grainy or fluffy stuff. The track, though only few in number, would shed a cleat or two. Cat stood behind the product. Was this the track's fault? Probably not. The track was designed for the snow conditions the West has 99-percent of the time. This year was that odd one-percent and some, I repeat, some tracks dislodged a lug or two on a rock.

Now, the MC's ergos are near perfect. The designers laid down a well-configured seat and padded fuel cell combination. On the handlebars, easy rocker switches for the hand and thumb warmers make adjustments easy. It is also hypnotic to have a clear view of the speedo and tach. The seat material is textured to hold an icy butt, and the wide and serrated runningboards are mountain man exact.

This, in its first year, is a fine offering from Cat. With some simple changes, which the 2002 model addresses, this MC is poised to pounce on the ever growing and highly demanding mountain market.