zl 800 efi ss

Arctic Cat has one of the best collections of unique and innovative technology on the market today. Every year there's one sled that seems to be the collecting point for the very best of the techno-gadgetry. This year, the sled is the ZL 800 EFI SS. It's a showpiece for Cat's new fuel injected 800 APV engine package, wide running boards and Smart Ride rear suspension, as well as some proven favorites like the Wilwood hydraulic brake and ACT shocks on the AWS front.

"In my first ride with the ZL 800 SS, I thought it was good," noted Test Rider Doug Erickson. "I took it out at the end of the test session just to revisit the SS suspension in the 800 in comparison to the other sleds I'd ridden that week. It was worthwhile. I felt it rode extremely well in the stutter bumps, and actually handled comparable to the ZR even in the high-speed, deeper bumps. I wasn't able to bottom it out and it worked really well, so I was real impressed with the way the SS worked."

Cat uses its own IFP shocks up front on the AWS-V suspension. They delivered a comfortable ride and managed the pitted out corners well.

There is a new track on all of Cat's 800s this season, replacing Camo-plast's nipple track. In its place will spin a more conventional 1-inch lug track. Cat reps told us that the new rug performs better in more varied snow conditions.

There is a non-SS version of the ZL 800 EFI available as well. This unit comes standard with Cat's Flex-Drive electric starter and mechanical reverse. The esr version also sports Cat's new automotive-style mirrors mounted on the large windshield.

Pricing for the ZL 800 EFI SS comes in at $8,399. The ZL 800 EFI esr is listed at $8,599.