The old argument of whether you got chocolate in my peanut butter or you got peanut butter on my chocolate really applies when comparing two Arctic Cat mountain cross-over models—the Riot X 146 and the Hardcore 146.
These two models require very close observation to notice any subtleties that separate how they perform on the mountain. Although both deliver practically the same performance and ride, the Riot X design has a slightly higher emphasis on taming rough trails while the Hardcore design has a slightly higher emphasis on powering through deep snow.
First, both have the same powerplant—8000 C-Tec2 two-stroke engine with the same bore & stroke, same exhaust, same Adapt CVT clutching and same gearing. The only difference throughout the drivetrain is the Riot X uses a 9-tooth, 2.86-pitch drive sprocket, while the Hardcore has a 7-tooth, 3.5-pitch drive sprocket. This is likely due to the need to accommodate the difference in the track. The Riot X has a 2.6-inch Power Claw track while the Hardcore comes with a 3-inch Power Claw track.
The suspension is basically the same, although the Riot X has a model variation with the Adapt suspension which changes some of the shocks to accommodate on-the-fly adjustments. The Riot X also has a little more front suspension travel to make it better prepared for rougher trails. Its chassis and ski stance are also about four inches wider than the Hardcore.
When it comes to features, the Riot X comes with push-button electric start. The Hardcore comes with a lightweight mountain seat.
While riding these two models last February during the 2022 New Model Introductions at West Yellowstone, MT, it was difficult for the SnoWest test riders to really separate these two sleds when it came to cross-over performance. Although the three-inch track on the Hardcore gave it a little more thrust in tree riding, the Riot X seemed just a little quicker to build speed.
At the end of the day, we just had to decide if we thought we looked better riding a green sled or an orange sled … and of course, “Who got peanut butter on my chocolate?”