2022?
- Thread starter spag900
- Start date
I couldn’t agree more. As an avid Cat owner, this year really was depressing. I’ll use Textron as the excuse, but it has been the same for over 15 years anyway.
Been lurking here awhile since I’ve been thinking about picking up my first sled. I can definitely see why a guy looking to trade a couple year old sled on a new one would be frustrated. But I don’t see how this year release put them in a different spot than before? They are still on a “dated” chassis compared to everyone else. Now there is another company with a factory turbo but its not like every other base model sled but arctic cat has a turbo. Other brands already had bigger motors before. They changed clutches and that was a huge gripe from people and gave some more track options on the mountain sleds. Still they seem to be a good value play. I don’t care about a fancy GPS gauge but I do get some do. And I also get many people would be turned off by that cringe worthy release video. They need to burn the footage and never speak of it again.
That said Im probably going with a Cat. Been trying to decide if I want the ATAC suspension but this release did decide that for me. Blue isnt a deal breaker because I could wrap it but I do want a 154 x 2.6 track. The hardcore in green looks sick so guessing thats what Im probably going for.
Any reason not to get a new hardcore? Seriously is a question as a new buyer. From my outside perspective Seems cats are solid sleds, perform well in the snow where it matters, and the few bucks they are cheaper I could put towards mods. I know since its a new clutch thats a total gamble if its better or a grenade. Am I missing anything? All the brands seem to have their quirks. Any reason I really should be looking elsewhere with this year’s release?
That said Im probably going with a Cat. Been trying to decide if I want the ATAC suspension but this release did decide that for me. Blue isnt a deal breaker because I could wrap it but I do want a 154 x 2.6 track. The hardcore in green looks sick so guessing thats what Im probably going for.
Any reason not to get a new hardcore? Seriously is a question as a new buyer. From my outside perspective Seems cats are solid sleds, perform well in the snow where it matters, and the few bucks they are cheaper I could put towards mods. I know since its a new clutch thats a total gamble if its better or a grenade. Am I missing anything? All the brands seem to have their quirks. Any reason I really should be looking elsewhere with this year’s release?
You will like the hardcore. It is a solid sled and the only sled I’d buy this year if it was time to upgrade. It easily hangs with both the other brands NA 850s. It’s a super fun easy sled to ride. Don’t hesitate.
Thanks for the input!
I will say perception is reality and I think some of the constant negative noise that you hear about Cat going under could be squashed pretty easily by them. As an outsider if they came out with a longer warranty that would help them show that they don’t plan on going anywhere. 2 years when ordering is good enough for me personally but a longer warranty would send a better message. Cat is definitely behind on the flash, advertising and messaging of the other brands. I know Im in the minority in that doesn’t matter to me.
I will say perception is reality and I think some of the constant negative noise that you hear about Cat going under could be squashed pretty easily by them. As an outsider if they came out with a longer warranty that would help them show that they don’t plan on going anywhere. 2 years when ordering is good enough for me personally but a longer warranty would send a better message. Cat is definitely behind on the flash, advertising and messaging of the other brands. I know Im in the minority in that doesn’t matter to me.
I think cats are a super good sled for a new rider... some may not but they are extremely easy to ride and the engine plus track make it a super strong sled.
The only thing that is a must imo is to seal up air intake.
Seeing the price of the summit 850 turbo and the Polaris 850 matryx slash boost (that name!!??!!) there not for me price wise.. I'm sure they will sell a bunch but I just can't justify it for toys.. So for me Cat is still s contender, it already has all the features of the Slash and still gets you were you want unlike the Summit.. so I'm down with Cat for a 2022 and will keep my 19, and unload my 17.. PR department could use some PR people to make all old stuff sound new like the other brand (turbo excluded).. Cats tunel i shorter than full length, if you get stuck with a shorty tunel you need to cary a rope so you can reach in over the track and it's just horrible for your back.. cat, the only model for 2022 with rider ergonomics while on the sled as well as off..
If your lifting them your doing it wrong. My back doesn't get sore
As depressing as the new release was, I’m still going to get a new one. I’ve waited 12 seasons and it’s now time. I have no desire to have a factory turbo anyway. My complaints are lack of an advertised low interest rate and only 2 year warranty. However, the more I keep building a new sled on the web site, the more excited I get. I hope the fishing is good all summer and fall. Then the new sleds will be shipped before we know it.
The only place cat is lacking is in the marketing department. Aside from the turbos, basically all of the other brands exciting “new” features have been on cats for years. Unfortunately no one knows about them because there has been little to no marketing hype. Cats tunnel has been as short as the doo experts tunnel for a decade, yet the doo gets praised as first short tunnel. Then you got the most exciting release for 2022 with the matryx, with hot “new” features like short cooler(cat 2013), roller bearing clutch(cat 2017), then you got the mag tether and fancy Hayes brake master that have been on cat since ‘19. That’s 3/4 of the new features on the matryx that have been out for years now, but poo is getting praised for the innovation. Cats sleds are as good as anything on the snow but their lack of marketing is killing them. I don’t get the need for new just to have new, when something works. Yes there are things that could be updated, but the base chassis is good. I seen a Facebook post where a guy literally said the last new chassis cat released was garbage(2012) “but at least it was new”. Would people really rather have new garbage than something older and proven? I wouldn’t. Also cat can’t afford a failed new release again. For some reason when cat puts out a crappy sled for a year they never live it down, look how many still act like the ascender is the same pos that came out in 2012, yet Polaris has been releasing garbage engines for 20 years and no one bats an eye. It’s mind boggling and it all comes back to marketing, or lack there of on cats part.
The only thing Cat is missing is marketing and a Turbo two stroke, they rule the turbo four stroke area though.
I wasn't going to buy any 22K snowmobile anyway, regardless of brand, still don't trust the Polaris engines, NA or boosted, and I can't steer a Doo, so I will be snow checking a 2022 Green Hardcore 165, the easy choice really
I find the outdated chassis comments hilarious, all brands are aluminum boxes with suspension mounting points, the shape of the box may change a tiny bit but does that mean it's a new chassis? , does moving an a-arm mount 1/2 inch mean it's a new chassis? the Pro climb has evolved into the Ascender, they may look the same but don't handle or perform alike at all, the Ascender evolved into the Alpha, a HUGE change for the industry, and all along minor tweaks have been made, you cant call an Alpha a Pro Climb, apples to oranges
just my 2 cents
I wasn't going to buy any 22K snowmobile anyway, regardless of brand, still don't trust the Polaris engines, NA or boosted, and I can't steer a Doo, so I will be snow checking a 2022 Green Hardcore 165, the easy choice really
I find the outdated chassis comments hilarious, all brands are aluminum boxes with suspension mounting points, the shape of the box may change a tiny bit but does that mean it's a new chassis? , does moving an a-arm mount 1/2 inch mean it's a new chassis? the Pro climb has evolved into the Ascender, they may look the same but don't handle or perform alike at all, the Ascender evolved into the Alpha, a HUGE change for the industry, and all along minor tweaks have been made, you cant call an Alpha a Pro Climb, apples to oranges
just my 2 cents
Maybe running boards, steering post has been a rattling pile of **** for years. Fit and finish sucks compared to others. They have always steered hard. My tunnel bent on my 19. 20 has been fine. Their short cooler was aweful years ago. My buddy's sled was always getting hot but all you heard was how hot the polaris runs. They have had a short tunnel but it is not as short as the slash. Seat is too tall with estart but polaris was always too tall. I bet the 165 is over 600 wet with e start. Only matters to a point because they ride lighter than anything. Power is good but fall off up top compared to 850. Everything else sits up in the air. Stock alpha nose dives in the powder when you let off. Not going to stick up for poo on their motors. I was always lucky and someone else had the problem. I think they have their 850 worked out now. It is marketing. The dumbest thing cat ever did was let burandt go. I started out on cat but i won't sit around and wait. Life is too short. I ordered a boost.
One of cats biggest failures is realizing the potential of social media and the current generations desire to “fit in”. That is where poo is killing every other brand by scooping up anybody that has any sort of social media presence. This began with Chris burandts departure with cat, which yes, was one of cats biggest mistakes. Cat had a huge opportunity to get into the social media game a couple years ago with Caleb kesterke and they blew that too. Probably the biggest up and comer out there since burandt, and he was already killing it on a cat and they let Polaris snatch him up?
. Could have been a big step in social media marketing for cat and they let it get away.
. Could have been a big step in social media marketing for cat and they let it get away.
I'd snowcheck... haha. One can dream!
If A/C had installed the running boards from the accessories catalog, updated the material in the steering bushings, add their own Protect air type filter, added an elevated spindle and replaced the trail snow flap we would still be disappointed with no turbo but there would be far less discontent. It would show signs of them listening but instead we got new clutches (they were needed) and new colors. I get they have a new chassis coming and with the lack of changes this may be the last year of this one but I would have paid more to get the changes listed. I know we can get it aftermarket but we should not have too. I have rode Cat from the early 70's and bleed green but if they don't do something with the Team clutch junk I will be bleeding a different color. After pricing all three 2022 there is not a whole pile of difference . I like my Alpha but I don't think I can trust it in the back country any more with the Team clutches.
I've been a real stick in the mud on here about cat, but honestly I think those little changes would do SO much to refine the sled. I would be stoked about it
