AmSnow.com is now SnoWest.com
In back, the seat and trunk area have been totally redesigned. You can still easily move the seat into seven different positions, higher and farther forward and lower and farther back. However, the clunky plastic trunk and taillight system was replaced by a larger zippered pouch integrated into the rear of the seat. The new 8 lb. lighter seat is standard on all F-Sleds and the Z1/Z1 Turbo. You'll also get running boards that are several pounds lighter this year and don't build up snow as easily.
Cat NitsThe SP still has the beefiest F-Series shock package as well. It features Fox Float shocks up front and a Fox IFP center shock in the rear skid, as well as a 2-inch diameter Fox IFP rear shock. Finally, throttle pull on these EFI sleds is incredibly easy and just amplifies the F8's smoothness.
Well, the obvious nit to pick is that the F-sleds are still the heaviest 2-stroke trail sleds on the block. Even with a big weight loss this year, they are still in the same ballpark as many like 4-strokes. However, the Cat sleds are balanced extremely well, and we took the SP through plenty of snocross-esque maneuvers and it never felt awkward.
Like Cat's Turbo, the SP is so smooth you often don't realize how fast you're going. It's easy to be overconfident, but being "Mercedes-smooth" isn't a bad thing.
Final F8 ThoughtAn all around great trail sled, but it's still a little on the heavy side. BUT, the SP flat-out works in 99% of trail conditions. The graphics package is also a little reminiscent of He-Man's Battlecat … we're not quite sure how we feel about that.