Any G4 Doo owners ride the Alpha 1

[Teth-Air]

Did you see the American snowmobile magazine article with 2018 weights. The mountain cat was lightest bye 3 lbs. ready to ride weight. The Polaris was a 155 belt drive 2.6 but it was electric start. So that is 14 to 20 lbs? But also not the 3 inch track and heavier shocks like cat. Probable the non painted tunnel and rails too?
Any which way all three are close enough in weight to stop arguing about. Add a can or a heavy weight bumper, tunnel bags etc. Makes the difference from lightest to heaviest.
Also weights were in chart with snow on sleds. Cat gained the least weight and ski do the most.
Sorry if this was already posted.

The electric start is near 30 lbs from memory. Polaris has a big fuel tank too, I believe 44 litres. I said the Cat felt heavier still but that could be center of gravity or ski stance too.

Still I am impressed with how far that chassis has come.

 

[Teth-Air]

That horrible clutching in the 850 robs a ton of that engines go in the
Form of heat . Doo needs to give up on their **** clutches they've been making for 30 years ..... And yes the handlebar setup is always sweeping down low . Trail sled steering post. And torsion springs bahahahahaha

Everybody knocks the Doo torsion bars but still it is one of the lightest designs and gives one of the best rides.

Shock and T-motion is more of a problem really.

 

[powder pounder]

The electric start is near 30 lbs from memory. Polaris has a big fuel tank too, I believe 44 litres. I said the Cat felt heavier still but that could be center of gravity or ski stance too.

Still I am impressed with how far that chassis has come.

We could go on and on, arguing about a pound or few here and there, as far as in concerned they are close enough apples to apples that not worth anymore talk.

 

[CO 2.0]

I still hate the way the Doo's feel. G4 is a big improvement over the previous gen, but still not up to my standards. I can jump on either my cat or poo and ride them exactly the same. But when I jump on a G4 I have to change everything up in regards to weight distribution and foot positioning. Front end still has that weird unpredictable feel in certain situations, and it feels fat still where the running boards meet the plastics. Everyone has their opinion, that's mine.

 

[rulonjj]

One thing that’s impressive on the cat is how much weight you can lose with less than $3,000. With a hood, belt drive, can and pipe, you can lose over 35 lbs. That’d put it at close to 400lbs dry on the alpha. Combine that with the least snow buildup and it would be the lightest on the snow.

 

[slyrydr]

I'm planning on having a '19 Alpha arrive this fall. I'd really like to know what bolt ons will get me 30-40lbs without messing without doing a headlight delete or messing up the intake. And no belt drive, don't trust that with 3" track.

...i've had a tki belt drive on my '16 cat for 3 yrs, one adjustment after the first 50 mile ride, after that, never touched it...belt looks good...174 3" track...

 

[sno*jet]

We could go on and on, arguing about a pound or few here and there, as far as in concerned they are close enough apples to apples that not worth anymore talk.

i predict alpha wins the weight game out in the snow by a notable amount.
comparing to top of the line 3" 850s. as we should be.
none of this 2.6" axys800 stuff, those dont hang anymore

 

[SnoPro1000]

Even with the 25 lbs taken off the axys the cat is still lighter on the snow. And that’s the axys with the 2.6 belt drive.
Now take 12*lbs off for the alpha and who knows how much for snow build up in undercarriage. Even witch out cans on both sleds cat looses more weight again.
Cat had come a long way. IMO they are top at the moment. That 18 mountain cat ( I own one) is unreal the places it’ll go you think your stuck and it’ll pop out and go. It just flat out handles and now is the lightest on the snow? So what’s everyones excuse now?
When it was reliability 12-13
When it was weight 12-17
When it was trenching and handling 12-15
Now ppl just make up excuses to not want cat it’s sad really.
Cat has this stigma that will be hard to shake off

 

[Old & slow]

Can anyone tell me what AC did to the 600 racer this year. I read at the beginning of the season they shaved 30 lbs off that sled. I believe they changed the intake and light up front but there has to be more? I did see an ad that said, the competition says the front of our sled is ulgy but they only see the back. Well its something like that. In the past a lot of production improvements came from the race department.

 

[Big10inch]

Even with the 25 lbs taken off the axys the cat is still lighter on the snow. And that’s the axys with the 2.6 belt drive.
Now take 12*lbs off for the alpha and who knows how much for snow build up in undercarriage. Even witch out cans on both sleds cat looses more weight again.
Cat had come a long way. IMO they are top at the moment. That 18 mountain cat ( I own one) is unreal the places it’ll go you think your stuck and it’ll pop out and go. It just flat out handles and now is the lightest on the snow? So what’s everyones excuse now?
When it was reliability 12-13
When it was weight 12-17
When it was trenching and handling 12-15
Now ppl just make up excuses to not want cat it’s sad really.
Cat has this stigma that will be hard to shake off

While there are some brand loyal people out there, I see a lot more open minds. I rode Polaris 15 years ago because the Edge RMK 800 was the stink. Then came the M7, I rode M Cats for years because Dragons broke. Then a couple Pro's and an Axys because Cat was having the issues you describe. Now back on Cat because it is the best sled available for my needs, and Polaris motors blow.


I just do not like the Doo's enough to have ever taken that plunge. I keep trying to like them because of a great dealer but just can't spend my money on a toy I am not excited about.


I could go back to Polaris too but under no circumstances will I do anymore field engineering for them on new products, on my dime. Maybe the 850 will be great, history suggests otherwise.


The Cat is dialed, on top. Cat dealers will be rejoicing after starving for the last 10 years. They will steal market share back without a doubt.

 

[Big10inch]

Everybody knocks the Doo torsion bars but still it is one of the lightest designs and gives one of the best rides.

Shock and T-motion is more of a problem really.

Lightest? Like third lightest out of three? How is it lighter than a Float or even the Poo coil over?


There is still a shock and on the Cat the shock does both, doesn't have a pair of steel springs...

 

[goridedoo]

Even with the 25 lbs taken off the axys the cat is still lighter on the snow. And that’s the axys with the 2.6 belt drive.
Now take 12*lbs off for the alpha and who knows how much for snow build up in undercarriage. Even witch out cans on both sleds cat looses more weight again.
Cat had come a long way. IMO they are top at the moment. That 18 mountain cat ( I own one) is unreal the places it’ll go you think your stuck and it’ll pop out and go. It just flat out handles and now is the lightest on the snow? So what’s everyones excuse now?
When it was reliability 12-13
When it was weight 12-17
When it was trenching and handling 12-15
Now ppl just make up excuses to not want cat it’s sad really.
Cat has this stigma that will be hard to shake off

Dealers... none left around here.

 

[10003514]

Even with the 25 lbs taken off the axys the cat is still lighter on the snow. And that’s the axys with the 2.6 belt drive.
Now take 12*lbs off for the alpha and who knows how much for snow build up in undercarriage. Even witch out cans on both sleds cat looses more weight again.
Cat had come a long way. IMO they are top at the moment. That 18 mountain cat ( I own one) is unreal the places it’ll go you think your stuck and it’ll pop out and go. It just flat out handles and now is the lightest on the snow? So what’s everyones excuse now?
When it was reliability 12-13
When it was weight 12-17
When it was trenching and handling 12-15
Now ppl just make up excuses to not want cat it’s sad really.
Cat has this stigma that will be hard to shake off

2018 Cat was still the heaviest dry weight, 2019 Cat is lighter by 2lbs over Doo and within 10-15lbs of Polaris. The new cats are good but not leaps and bounds ahead of anyother sled, the Alpha is getting good reviews but still needs to be put through all conditions by consumers. The limitations on any of the Doo/Cat/Polaris sleds is rider not the sleds ability anymore. Last spring myself and 2 buddies demoed a EB 2018 Cat and at the end of the day 2 axys and a G4850 were snowchecked. 2019 will be even closer between with manufacturers with Polaris having an 850 and Cats Alpha skid. It is a great time to be into mountain sledding. What Doo/Cat/Polaris are creating for mountain riders is amazing.

 

[Teth-Air]

i predict alpha wins the weight game out in the snow by a notable amount.
comparing to top of the line 3" 850s. as we should be.
none of this 2.6" axys800 stuff, those dont hang anymore

That is like saying the 155's are garbage. Some guys love them and ride so fast that they are not disadvantaged. There are days my 2.6" is better and others the 3" is better. Reason is you get same flotation but it is good to have track spin to initiate turns. If bottomless pow was the norm them anything spins but unfortunately life is not always like that.

 

[Teth-Air]

While there are some brand loyal people out there, I see a lot more open minds. I rode Polaris 15 years ago because the Edge RMK 800 was the stink. Then came the M7, I rode M Cats for years because Dragons broke. Then a couple Pro's and an Axys because Cat was having the issues you describe. Now back on Cat because it is the best sled available for my needs, and Polaris motors blow.


I just do not like the Doo's enough to have ever taken that plunge. I keep trying to like them because of a great dealer but just can't spend my money on a toy I am not excited about.


I could go back to Polaris too but under no circumstances will I do anymore field engineering for them on new products, on my dime. Maybe the 850 will be great, history suggests otherwise.


The Cat is dialed, on top. Cat dealers will be rejoicing after starving for the last 10 years. They will steal market share back without a doubt.

Cat will do better for 19 but I bet at Ski-doo's loss and not Polaris's, unless of course someone had a recent bad experience with Poo. 2020 might be a different story.

 

[sno*jet]

That is like saying the 155's are garbage.

no its not. the 153 MC will outclimb a 163 2.6 axys 800 all day long. nothing wrong with 155-153. im comparing 3" models because i notice they climb better, its the track i would choose on an axys. ive ridden with both. youre in denial imo.

 

[Big10inch]

Cat will do better for 19 but I bet at Ski-doo's loss and not Polaris's, unless of course someone had a recent bad experience with Poo. 2020 might be a different story.

Well, Cat has me back after two in a row bad experiences with Polaris. My '14 Pro was at the dealer over 12 times, three different dealers before they fixed it. The bribed me with $2000 to stay so I bought an Axys. The 4th ride on the second season, with 1100 miles on it the motor shelled out for no reason. the dealer F'ed up so bad I had to fix it. Polaris somehow lost my extended warranty. I could go on and on and on. Polaris is going to have to SERIOUSLY change for me to bring my money back to them. I had nothing but problems, ruined two seasons for me. I do not think I am the only one having these issues either...


You may see Doo guys switch but not the ones I know. Especially since they think having an 850 over an 800 is the worlds biggest advantage LOL.

 

[Big10inch]

no its not. the 153 MC will outclimb a 163 2.6 axys 800 all day long. nothing wrong with 155-153. im comparing 3" models because i notice they climb better, its the track i would choose on an axys. ive ridden with both. youre in denial imo.

I love the 3 inch on my 17 MC. I would stick with the 2.6 on Polaris to get the belt drive though. It changes the way the sled rides and keeps weight down. Besides the 3" Polaris track just doesn't work as well as the other two brands 3 inchers IMO. I go about 225 lbs and I am 6.2". I took the 155 2.6 Axys all kinds of stupid places, that track with the belt works for me.

 

[Teth-Air]

I love the 3 inch on my 17 MC. I would stick with the 2.6 on Polaris to get the belt drive though. It changes the way the sled rides and keeps weight down. Besides the 3" Polaris track just doesn't work as well as the other two brands 3 inchers IMO. I go about 225 lbs and I am 6.2". I took the 155 2.6 Axys all kinds of stupid places, that track with the belt works for me.

You would be surprised how much of an upgrade it is to gear down a Quickdrive Polaris with a TKi belt drive kit. Smoother and way less drag, not to mention the gear down doubles clutch belt life.

 

[Teth-Air]

no its not. the 153 MC will outclimb a 163 2.6 axys 800 all day long. nothing wrong with 155-153. im comparing 3" models because i notice they climb better, its the track i would choose on an axys. ive ridden with both. youre in denial imo.

Denial? I simply put that there are conditions that the 2.6" is better and conditions the 3" is better. It's not all about climbing, well not in my world anyway.