Arctic Cat in Trouble
- Thread starter GoBigParts
- Start date
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volcano buster
Well-known member
Can't speak for Adams, but the other two used to run Cats.
Have never liked Adams. One year my annual trip took me through Alpine, stopped into Nxt Level with my buddy to say hi and see if he would show a couple of visitors on a map where the good riding was at. Wanted $200 to point us in the right direction. What a money hungry a****!
Why do you care if they need them. Go have fun and they'll have fun and who cares.
As far as cat being behind, they are. No turbo and no factory 2 rail mountain sled. Cat let burandt, kesterke and rasmussen slip away. They also didn't care about their input.
Same thing with this story. If you like them, then who cares.
I just checked again. Here it is. You can find sleds for less than people think if you don't go turbo, big gauge, upgraded shocks, etc. But, who really wants those sleds?
Doo Summit Adrenaline, 850 etc, 154/2.5 lug = $14,799 msrp.
Oh I just realized I was looking at edge models. I think the 3" (edge) price was the same as what you posted though which confused me.
It's just funny that so many people complain about the big screens and turbos being unnecessary and expensive, but you can literally go buy a sled without that stuff for $6k-8k cheaper. Those options are there for the people who want them, and the cheaper options are there for those who don't. At the same time, the base models are still considerably better than a top of the line model from just 5 years ago.
I've had multiple Turbos and went back to NA. Sure, the Turbos are fun, but I found the NA power to be more manageable. I've been riding sleds over 50 years, and I'd sooner use 100% of the power and it be manageable, than 50% of the power that I paid 4 to 5k more for.
My 600 was 11k . I thought that was good for brand new and was less than a 650 at the time. Less and good being in comparison to others at the time. Now what price do you think would bring new riders on board? I just got t-boned by a outa-state ding dong running a red light and totaled my truck. I’d say the truck part is way worse. My truck was older and still I can’t replace it for nada value of the wreck. Nevermind a new one. I have done ok for a guy at the bottom and have ok saving ms and I still can’t buy a new truck lol.
I don't understand the lack of 2 rail complaint?
Doesn't the monorail make it more maneuverable?
Doesn't the monorail make it sidehill with ease?
Doesn't the monorail hold significantly less snow?
I am very anxious for my first season on a monorail! If given the choice I would have chosen the monorail.
If I understand correctly, the only downside is trail manners?
Help me understand the negative remarks?
Have you owned one?
Here’s some speculation from another group . Be kinda weird but you potato farmers could get yer snowmobile and yer tractor parts at one time?
That's exactly what's happening. The top 10% are getting much richer due to crazy stupid tax cuts for rich people and corporations, just like they did in the late 1800's. They were Robber Barrons then, and they are Robber Barrons now. The top 10% prefer jet airplanes and mega yachts. Sleds are far too much work, raw nature, and danger. If they want snow, they fly to Dubai.
The bottom 80% are too poor to buy sleds, they're lucky to have a TV to watch football. The middle class is shrinking fast, mostly becoming part of the working poor. The only solution is highly progressive income and wealth taxes, like we had from the 40s to the 80s.
The biggest complaint about the mono rail on the Ascender is how easily it washed out, especially in bad snow conditions or hitting that hard patch under the fluff. Also some felt it did not have the best trail manners but I personally think that was more social media/Snowest hype then reality. The biggest problem was the Ascender is just to front heavy for the mono rail to really shine. I gave my 19 alpha a solid 2 years before I converted it to a twin rail Elevate setup. Best thing I did to that sled and honestly it's the only way I'd run an Ascender. Iceage nailed the geometry with that setup and is such a fun sled to ride. Without question my all time favorite mod to date. The only negative to the change was I gave up a lot of traction. The 3" 3.5 pitch power claw combined with the mono rail is a traction beast.
Now fast forward to the Catalyst, with in 2 minute of my test ride last spring I knew this chassis and the mono rail were a perfect match. Without question I would not have hesitated snowchecking the alpha, if there was an option. I truly believe this chassis and a twin rail is a step backwards. Would be great seeing a shoot out between the two setups on the Catalyst. If that proved I was wrong, I'd be the first and loudest to declare I was wrong. But I'm certain I'm not....LOL!!! There is a reason everyone that bought a 600 last year, left their 800 ascenders at home all season. Plus some of the bigger players behind the curtains with full access to everything needed to convert to a twin rail, including punched out/clipped 3.5 3" tracks, are staying with the mono rail.
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There are people that want a 2 rail. There are advantages and disadvantages with both when comparing against each other. Another simple fix to corner more market which they have refused because of Beavis. There is a reason they don't use them in the hill climbs. Single rail is night and day different on catalyst compared to original alpha. You will be happy.
Few reasons from someone who has been on the other 2 brands and always intrigued by the Cat.
1. My riding group has probably been made up of some 60+ Doos and Poos over the last 10yrs... 4-5 Cats in that span. Saw more issues with those 4-5 Cats than all the other sleds put together. Mostly between the crank and driveshaft. Intake issues. Electrical issues.
2. I disliked alot of things on the Proclimb. The body work was awful. Intake was awful. Boards were meh. Chaincase and oil tank setup left lots to be desired. Controls, engine, and the overall feel through the bars made the sled feel dated. Ascender was a little better, but by that time the other brands had 850s, and I know many of you disagree but the 800 Ascenders I rode felt weak in comparison to the 850s. I spent some time on an Alpha in some super deep snow and the intake was horrible. Bog city, almost unrideable.
3. Now the last 4 years they have had an 800, while everyone has turbos. Nothing more needs to be said about that.
Catalyst looks like a great sled with the exception of a few first year hiccups. I hope Cats finds a good buyer, improves the dealer network, and gets a turbo released. Buyers haven't been shying away from Cat because of social media, I actually think it's insane so many of you think that. They have been behind for a long time and do a poor job of listening to their (potential) customers.
The twin rail was ready and supposed to be released at Haydays.
Beavis should have been let go years ago just because of his arrogance about the monorail. I would still buy an alpha but no reason not to give people the option.
I actually agree with you on all these points.
Although I never experienced any engine problems or bogs in our 800's in all those years, thanks for responding with your complete list.
