mountain cat 600 efi

Our Fourth Annual Powder Sled Playoff fell victim to the reality of consumer demand. We had hoped to test the mountain 600s, 700s and 800s liquids, and the fan cooled mountain sleds. What we learned was this: dealers ordered a minimum cache of fan cooled and 600 liquids.

Weller Recreation didn't order a single 600 Summit. Frandsen Recreation ordered one 600 Mountain Max and it was shipped out long before the evaluation. Tri-City told the same story: 700s and 800s are the consumer picks. That left only one 600, an EFI Mountain Cat from Cutler's. We were a little disappointed with the market's realities.

This year's Mountain Cat, in both 144- and 136-inch configuration, remains on our short list of favorites. We have learned to appreciate the snap of the EFI motor and its eternal pull. This little wicked 600 is a serious boondocker and deep-powder explorer.

Our test crew seemed to agree with us, rating the 600 MC just a titch down from its 800cc big brother. It actually scored a little better in the Performance Feeling segment. How can that be? Because we instructed our judges to score each sled within its intended market. Obviously, the 800s would outrun the 600, but in the paradigm of 600's the Mountain Cat 600 EFI is rock solid. "The Arctic Cat has great power for a 600," noted Test Rider Len. "The EFI engine is very smooth and has a nice, broad powerband. But, that's not to say it couldn't use a harder midrange power hit."

We learned this sled remains a favorite to carve and divot in the meadows. Its wishbone suspension is forgiving, forthright and positive when smashing the junk whoops, threading the needle through the trees and drawing a line across a steep hillside. Test Rider Brent noted on his report that the "Mountain Cat 600 EFI is a true mountain sled."

Ergonomic wise, the 600 MC's layout is comfortable and easy to work with. The seat could use another 1.5-inches of foam; short torso guys get lost behind the instrument pod and windshield. The seat can also use more texturing. When riding one knee up, a knee will easily slip out from under the driver. The wide serrated running boards are perfect. However, the board's platform needs greater foot traction - the small dimples seem gimmicky.

The parabolic skis keep snow off a driver when cutting and carving, but, the design is easily pushed around by the two-inch lugged track when zipping down a groomed trail. A deeper keel and slightly more aggressive (longer) runner would solve this.
The main concern voiced by our mountainous test crew was weight. Our guys found this Cat to be similarly nose heavy to the 800 model. Test Riders Dale and Paul both commented that the sled needs to go on a diet.

The 600 MC also comes equipped with its best-of-the-industry mountain bar. This two-tier system is complete for today's stand up riding style in the mountains. The handlebar has perfectly placed heater switches and dimmer switch for that can't look now moment. This is needed when trees are poking up in your path.

Is this a sled to buy? Yes. Can you use it as a serious mountain player? Dang straight.