2023 cat. Where is it?

[Clark42]

Personally for me, it is well beyond time for some alterations. Ya I love my hardcore, but I'm not about to "invest" in almost of the same product again at an annual increase for virtually the same thing over and over. It's time to add some tech. Fix the typical issues that make them now seem and feel archaic in comparison. Running boards and rear bumper design for instance. Not a difficult change to make, but a substantial one that has dramatically over looked.

I never found myself actively searching for details on poo and doo like I do now.

To an extent I agree.... But this chassis just flat out works. yeah I put tube boards on, and have done some intake sealing among other things, but this snowmobile just functions. Sure, I have enough time behind the bars to feel comfortable and confident, which is a big deal. But I don't think any amount of technology and innovation can ever replace experience.

 

[F_ast]

Yup, I’m willing to give them a pass this year with the economy and supply issues. Plus I don’t think the chassis is any worse than anything else on the snow and I don’t get the need for 50 more ccs just because the other brands have it, especially when the current 800 is on par with the 850s power wise. In other words I don’t need new just for the sake of being new as long as the current sled is still competitive. Yes, they will need to add boost soon to compete there, but na to na they give up nothing. All that aside the number one reason I’ll stand behind cat is I’ve had the best luck with their sleds vs the competition.

Ya I can understand that sentiment. I have been very cat loyal for a long time. I was factory sponsored, think technically still am. They make awesome product that is very competitive. But it's a safe move ensure tour supply doesn't change, but a poor PR move to not add new offering in this market too. It's no excuse when both your competitors offer new back to back years and you offer nothing but BNG.

 

[F_ast]

To an extent I agree.... But this chassis just flat out works. yeah I put tube boards on, and have done some intake sealing among other things, but this snowmobile just functions. Sure, I have enough time behind the bars to feel comfortable and confident, which is a big deal. But I don't think any amount of technology and innovation can ever replace experience.

True. It works great. And i love mine. My 162 goes anywhere my buddies 850 turbo goes . But at 1 time the 2010 M8 was the best sled on snow too. Until 2011.

My point is guys wont just keep buying cause there is a cool new colour. And I'm not trying to discredit the awesome work and changes that have gone into the ascender from its conception.

 

[jason_hildo]

I dunno you look at Doo gen5 and Cat looks a loooong way behind. Doo has new running boards, Cat needs those. Doo new gauge, Cat needs. Factory turbo, Cat needs. Weight, and it just keeps going on and on.

 

[Clark42]

I can't speak for the technology portion, and having a sled that has 'internet buzz'. At the end of the day, I don't care about the parking lot scene and parking hard, I just love to ride snowmobiles and the current chassis does just that, and it does it so well. Some simple upgrades would be much welcomed though, as you mentioned. Arctic Cat is such an underrated snowmobile

 

[Clark42]

I dunno you look at Doo gen5 and Cat looks a loooong way behind. Doo has new running boards, Cat needs those. Doo new gauge, Cat needs. Factory turbo, Cat needs. Weight, and it just keeps going on and on.

running boards would be sweet. Doo's new display is a let down, and turbos.... The one item everyone seems to think will take their riding too the next level... Cat really just needs to improve their marketing segment. The have something good, people just don't know about it

 

[turboless terry]

Question for the Cat faithful...IF Cat doesn't Introduce a Turbo Mtn sled, OR a new chassis, OR an 850+ N/A, are you still loyal to Cat?

... I'm hoping they come out with Turbo that is 190 hp on a new chassis, because we ALL win with 3 viable sled companies!

Ace

I wouldn't call myself a cat faithful even though i started on cat and they opened the door to a new way to ride before videos and clinics and before 99% even knew. Doos would spank them on the hill and you could do similar things on the later polaris's. It was the m series that opened up new doors for me.
Even if they come with a turbo it's a no go for me. I have a polaris kaos boost and a 22 estart mountain max 165. It weights 584 ready to ride. If you boost it it is well into the 600 class. That is getting into 4 stroke territory with less power. Been there done that and dont care to go back. My boost is the funnest sled ive ever rode next to my wife's 165 kaos matryx with 34 inch front end in deep powder. Her sled is literally easier thany 154 alpha with elevate and ski stance at narrow. None of the alpha drawbacks such as heavy steering, not liking slick stuff, and sliding out on steep sidehills. Sometimes unpredictable. There are ways around some but not all of it. Estart model with less gas and seat that is 2 inches too high. Crappy running boards, fit and finish and serviceability. Their boards were fine 10 years ago. Not now. Their steering has always sucked. The only thing they have going is that track and they are too stupid to punch it for a 2 rail skid. The alpha isn't the holy grail. It is another option. They were too stupid to keep burandt or rasmussen or kesterke. Keep saying they don't need an 850. They do. They are down on power, marketing and everything. The only thing doing anything for them is that track. I always said power is easy to remedy. Weed that out and doo and poo are killing them on everything from sled down to accessories. This is before you add in polaris's guage that tracks everyone which is the coolest addition to snowmobiles in years. Cat can just keep using yamaha's 4 stroke mentality and see where that gets them. I bet they dont come with anything other maybe a raised spindle and bng. They are so far behind it's not going to push the others. Ski doo and polaris are pushing each other. I bet if you compared sales number they be depressing like Yamaha. Maybe that's going a little far. Its sad to see because they used to be in the mix and on top of jackson or winning all the snowcrosses.

 

[summ8rmk]

Standing on the sled, my Alpha feels like a better fit than my Khaos.
It fits my posture.
The feet are further forward, and u can plant ur knees against the dash. Great positioning for hauling azz down the trail and descents. The higher rail on the edge of the running board roll ur ankle slightly toward the tunnel, provided a firm confident footing. Also let's u know where the edge of the running board is.
The tapered tunnel and narrow fuel tank make for a comfortable stance.

Polaris boards are more rigid. The flat surface lets me put my feet out past the edge too easy. They have great traction, but I destroyed the soles on a $400 pair of boots in 1,000mi! Cat boards haven't ruined any of my boots since the proclimb chassis came out. Mseries was ruff on boots also, mostly from constantly kicking the snow off the boards.

Alpha traction is Insane! Stability on a sidehill is not so great. Track and hyfax wear on the trail is disgusting.

If i only rode in deep snow, Alpha all the way. We mostly ride our lovely Cascade concrete, and I need a twin rail for my riding style.
Until cat comes back with a twin rail Mtn sled. I will have to ride a Khaos most days and bring out the Alpha on the deep days.

Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk

 

[boondocker97]

Question for the Cat faithful...IF Cat doesn't Introduce a Turbo Mtn sled, OR a new chassis, OR an 850+ N/A, are you still loyal to Cat?

... I'm hoping they come out with Turbo that is 190 hp on a new chassis, because we ALL win with 3 viable sled companies!

Ace

I was considering getting a turbo Ski-Doo before I picked up a lightly used supercharged Alpha this season. I bleed green, but I won't buy another one until there is a major update because I won't be gaining anything over what I already have with my 900 mod twin rail and the supercharged sled.

It's very frustrating knowing there are new things ready to go, but they can't seem to get them released.

 

[Calvin42]

Cat is just not as diversified as the others. Even though Textron has deep pockets, they're spending elsewhere. Not sure they're thinking. My last Cat was a 2003 Mountain Cat. Even back then things weren't great. One of the biggest issues was dealer support from above. Cat treated they're dealers terribly. Many just got out because it wasn't worth it. They had to take more inventory than they could sell and then have to give it away because they had new sleds on the floor that were 3 years old. And from the outside looking in, it hasn't gotten any better. There are so many little things that Poo and Doo have improved on and yet Cat is years behind. I don't really understand the loyalty. I respect it, but don't understand it. For everyone's sake, I hope they bring something new to the table. Competition is good for all concerned, but not if it's only two companies competing.

 

[chevy_man]

First sled I rode was a kitty Kat.

I ride a rmk.

I rented a m8000, alpha, rode my buddies turbo m8000, etc. Was dead set that I needed a cat.

The steering is so damn heavy it's insane. I got wore out steering the damn thing. Polaris you just think about turning and it's happening. Cats you are cranking on the bars wasting energy.

My buddy who has owned 15 cats over the years, has cat banners covering his shop, etc. has decided his next sled will be a Polaris because of the steering.


If they fix the geometry I'd buy a cat.

 

[Super 8]

 

[Pinchecharlie]

That's cool...

 

[summ8rmk]

Mounted on the handlebars?
I prefer dash mounted.

Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk

 

[hansenmac]

maybe just mounted up on an older sled with no room in the "old style" dash. Looks nice though looks modern.

 

[Pinchecharlie]

Seems like the world just "wants". So all artic cat really needs to do is build the lightest most powerful, predictable, agile, effortless, comfortable, controllable, technologically advanced reliable machine and viola....

 

[iroc1132]

You forgot "Flickable"
Because that is the basis for which all sleds must be judged!

 

[Albatroz]

Seems like the world just "wants". So all artic cat really needs to do is build the lightest most powerful, predictable, agile, effortless, comfortable, controllable, technologically advanced reliable machine and viola....

No, all they need to do is write on the internet that they have done this, and give all parts silly names..

 

[turboless terry]

First sled I rode was a kitty Kat.

I ride a rmk.

I rented a m8000, alpha, rode my buddies turbo m8000, etc. Was dead set that I needed a cat.

The steering is so damn heavy it's insane. I got wore out steering the damn thing. Polaris you just think about turning and it's happening. Cats you are cranking on the bars wasting energy.

My buddy who has owned 15 cats over the years, has cat banners covering his shop, etc. has decided his next sled will be a Polaris because of the steering.


If they fix the geometry I'd buy a cat.

Funny you say this because my shoulders need replaced. I road a non estart alpha for 3 years and would just about cry when we got home. Just got back from a week of sledding on estart boost and didn't hurt at all at night.

 

[boondocker97]

Mounted on the handlebars?
I prefer dash mounted.

Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk

I know for a fact some of the test sleds had old plastics scabbed onto them to help disguise them. So if that photo is from one of them it might have been easier to mount it up that way for testing.