Lucky No. 7 goes to the Arctic Cat M 8000 Mountain Cat 162. The new purple color on the Mountain Cat will get your attention just like the new C-Tec2 800 motor. Great power and a predictable chassis will make you feel comfortable right away. I love the new Stealth brakes on the Cats. Having all the power in the world doesn’t do you any good if you can’t stop. The shorter brake lever is an improvement over the previous design. I really like the idea of the QS3 Fox Float shocks. They’re easy to adjust to your liking or conditions, just not as plush as the coil-over QS3 shocks on the Hardcore. The Mountain Cat continues to improve each year and turn heads in the West.
Next on my list of fun-havers is the Ski-Doo Summit 600 SP 154. I was excited to ride this new 600 and wasn’t disappointed. Built in the Gen 4 Rev chassis, the new 600R E-Tec motor was crisp and clean running and never skipped a beat. Handling was similar to the 850 Summits with a lighter feel. The 600 comes in your choice of 146- or 154-inch track lengths. We rode both and I prefer the 154 in most conditions. The 600 SP would be a perfect fit for newer or younger riders, but I have no problem taking one out for a day of riding. They are less expensive, lighter weight and less tiring. Plus, they get the SHOT start and what’s not to like about that?