Arctic Cat "Catalyst" (All I am allowed to share)

[Jerry2star]

https://www.youtube.com/@SnoWestMagazine/videos

[/QUOTE]


Newest thing on YT is 2 months old though.

 

[boondocker97]

My summary of the podcast posted in another thread

Just listened to the hour and twenty minute long SW podcast on spotify. Here are the main points:

1. Tested all 154 length tracks. Some 3" lug and one 2.6" lug. 3" was the definite choice in the deep snow they were in. 2.6" trenched a little more.
2. SW staff does not like the current Alpha Ascender. Like at all compared to a Polaris or Ski-Doo. Catalyst feels nothing like the current platform. It's lighter, more balanced, predictable, and the Alpha skid in this new chassis doesn't feel like the Alpha in the current chassis. They had one current 800 Alpha and no one wanted to ride it after being on the Catalyst.
3. Does not feel like a Cat. Feels like something completely different. Feels like the most naturally adapted mountain platform of any brand. Cat staff emphasized that mountain was given the priority when developing the platform.
4. Chassis feels shorter and smaller.
   1. Everything is packaged about as tight as it can get.
   2. Reduction of parts throughout. Even smaller, trimmer wiring harness.
5. Weight.
   1. They believe the 10% weight reduction.
   2. Sleds they tested all had ES and they can't believe they didn't notice the extra weight from it. No different tank or seat for ES models, but rest of ES system is largely the same as past Cat models.
6. There is no "breakover point" in handling. It's an even feeling rolling from one side to another and easy to compensate or make changes.
7. Back end never washed out.
8. Belt drive.
   1. 3 gear ratios available that use same belt.
   2. Eccentric tension adjustment on the top shaft.
9. Steering system.
   1. Old system uses 6-7 parts from handlebars to skis.
   2. New system uses 3-4
   3. New mountain steering post has a U-joint in it to get it vertical.
   4. Steering is easier and progressive.
10. Aluminum accessory running boards that were on the white/blue sled iced up. Composite boards did not ice up.
11. 600 Engine
    1. It rips.
    2. 125hp class.
    3. In the Catalyst chassis it goes as good as an 800 in another chassis. They would rather buy a 600 Catalyst than an 800 Ascender.
    4. Will be no larger motor in this chassis for 2024. Cat simply does not have it ready, supply chain, manpower, etc.
    5. They are excited for when the larger engine comes.
12. Limits on how many snowmobiles can be built.
13. Cat is going to try to price it around current 600 prices.
14. Everything was better than expected.

 

[christopher]

 

[slyrydr]

as some of us have to ride more than a few miles to get to the good stuff, and have to leave scratchers down while on the trail, and sometimes the trail is so hard even they won't keep the overheat light from coming on.....i read somewhere that there is improved cooling....any imput as to what that might be, and is it significant

 

[Dam Dave]

as some of us have to ride more than a few miles to get to the good stuff, and have to leave scratchers down while on the trail, and sometimes the trail is so hard even they won't keep the overheat light from coming on.....i read somewhere that there is improved cooling....any imput as to what that might be, and is it significant

They removed the snow flap so I doubt its more cooling than before

 

[Jerry2star]

as some of us have to ride more than a few miles to get to the good stuff, and have to leave scratchers down while on the trail, and sometimes the trail is so hard even they won't keep the overheat light from coming on.....i read somewhere that there is improved cooling....any imput as to what that might be, and is it significant

My only guess is the one piece tunnel design that is straight intead of "stink bug rear" so any snow on the track gets thrown directly to the front area but idk im not an engineer.

 

[Mafesto]

So are Cat and Yamaha still working together? Will there be a blue version of the catalyst?

 

[summ8rmk]

That is an excellent question!
I think they are for 2024.
We have not seen or heard a peep from yamaha. If they were going back to manufacturing their own mtn sled, i think we would have seen or heard something by now.

Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk

 

[Old & slow]

as some of us have to ride more than a few miles to get to the good stuff, and have to leave scratchers down while on the trail, and sometimes the trail is so hard even they won't keep the overheat light from coming on.....i read somewhere that there is improved cooling....any imput as to what that might be, and is it significant

IMPROVED COOLING

• The CATALYST platform utilizes an all-new heat exchanger design with an optimized fin profile to provide additional surface area to improve cooling performance in low snow conditions.
  • The trail and crossover models feature an all-new snow flap design enhancing cooling performance for any trail condition.

 

[slyrydr]

kool....pun intended....and thanks

 

[Pinchecharlie]

Be great if they didn’t get so hot lol

 

[creastysomp]

A snowmobile used for 4-5 months is still a better deal than a boat that can only be used for 4-5 months!
hellodear.in

teatv

 

[summ8rmk]

A snowmobile used for 4-5 months is still a better deal than a boat that can only be used for 4-5 months!
hellodear.in

teatv

Should easily get 7mo of use out of both of those.
Snow Nov-May
Boat Apr-Oct

Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk

 

[Live2ride777]

Wondering about these dates they talked about in the beginning of the thread. Doesn’t seem like much more info has come out on the current 600 they plan to release in march for pre order. I’d like to know what I’m ordering in detail before I order one.

 

[goridedoo]

Wondering about these dates they talked about in the beginning of the thread. Doesn’t seem like much more info has come out on the current 600 they plan to release in march for pre order. I’d like to know what I’m ordering in detail before I order one.

They will release more info before/at snowcheck… will probably be terrible and confusing information if it’s anything like previous years info, but there will be more.

 

[Griff]

The market is ripe for Cat at snowcheck. They will have to earn it, but I hope they impress and then capitalize. I for one am ready to get back on a Cat.

 

[volcano buster]

Local AC dealer wasn't too optimistic about a big cat just yet.
The 600 has had some work done it sounds like.

 

[dgiles]

I don't think the market is ripe for Cat. Without an 800 in anything and competing against big bores and turbos with multiple years to improve and work out the bugs, they are sliding down the backside into the abyss.

 

[wasatchcomm]

ya tough to sell a 600 mountain sled when the competition has factory turbos. the platform I hope is as good as they say,, but without a big motor or and boost, not many mountain sleds will be checked is my guess....if they had a 870 ish NA motor id bite,, but not a 600

 

[koolaid]

I'm rooting for them! Going to be looking for a new sled after next season, hoping the 24 Catalyst 888 is the ticket. If not, ready to switch to a 9R 155 as that is what I'm looking for. Just scared to death of Polaris failures and something I wouldn't deal with very well like the fan boys do. Too much money being spent to accept that kind of bs