From the team that has been winning on the track we bring you their lineup for 2011. Arctic Cat is still strong despite rumors that have been floating around, and for good reason. The Twin-Spar chassis is arguably the best ride overall, the Sno Pro 500 (despite the minor recall) is a winner on the track and in the ditches, and their Z1 Turbo simply stretches your arms when the boost kicks in. What’s in store for next season? Let’s show you.
Engines
Last year Arctic Cat introduced the updated 800 HO twin 2-stroke. This engine is simply fantastic. It revs quick, very similar to a 600, due to its lighter crank, and produces a wide powerband. It quickly became a favorite of ours. Also, the 500 EFI twin 2-stroke was placed in the very light and nimble Sno Pro 500. The same engine offerings are available for 2011. This chart shows the engines and number of models you’ll find them in. Last year’s numbers are in parentheses.
| 1056cc Turbo 4-stroke | 5 models (5) |
| 1000cc 2-stroke | 2 Models (2) |
| 800cc 2-stroke | 11 Models (8) |
| 1056cc 4-stroke | 3 Models (4) |
| 600cc 2-stroke | 3 Models (3) |
| 500cc 2-stroke | 2 models (2) |
| 570cc Fan 2-stroke | 4 models (4) |
Spring-Only
Arctic Cat has offered some pretty different spring-only colors and decals and this year is no different. In fact, this has got to be one my personal favorite color schemes for a spring model. I’m not a huge fan of the color green, but this particular color and the black tunnel and decals on this sled simply look hot! Straight from the ’70 Cuda color chart comes the Sublime green with black strobe graphics on the Z1 Turbo Sno Pro Limited, Crossfire 800 HO Limited, F8 Sno Pro Limited, and M8 153 Limited. It’s simple, it’s different and it’s cool in a semi-retro kind of way. The Bearcat Z1 XT Limited is a pretty Desert Red.
| Z1 Turbo Sno Pro Limited | 1056cc 4-stroke Turbo motor, 15x128x1.25 track, Twin Spar, Sublime Green/Black |
| F8 Sno Pro Limited | 800EFI motor, 15x128x1.25 track, Twin Spar chassis, Fox Float shocks, Sublime Green/Black |
| Crossfire 8 Limited | 800EFI motor, 15x141x1.50 track, Fox Float shocks, Sublime Green/Black |
| M8 153 Limited | 800EFI motor, 15×153-162×2.25 track, Fox Float shocks, BCA backpack, blowmolded seat, Sublime Green/Black |
| Bearcat Z1 XT Limited | 1056cc 4-stroke motor, 20x156x1.25 track, Twin Spar chassis, twin tube shocks, Desert Red |
Trail Performance
Arctic Cat has a lot to offer for the trail and ditch rider. Their Twin-Spar chassis offers a ride that is easy on the body with a comfortable seat and good ergonomics. The IRP handlebars and seat offer customization to fit your preferences and is better than any other brand on the market. Even if you get a Cat with only IRP handlebars, it will allow you to adjust them to your personal needs. The suspension is dialed in and the sleds corner flat.
The Sno Pro chassis is great for the ditch rider and fills the gap between the Crossfire chassis and the F-Series. For 2011 a couple minor improvements including a revised EFI calibration and throttle body heat shield round out the Sno Pro 500.
Two new models are added for 2011; the F8 EXT and the Z1 Sno Pro.
| Sno Pro 500 | 500EFI motor, 15x128x1.25 track, Sno Pro chassis, FOX Zero Pro IFP shocks, racing seat, Green color |
| F8 LXR/Sno Pro | 800EFI motor, 15x128x1.25 track (Sno Pro), 15x128x1 track (LXR), Twin Spar chassis, Fox Float shocks (Sno Pro), Fox Zero Pro IFP shocks (LXR), new style seat, Green or Orange color |
| F8 EXT | 800EFI motor, 15x144x1.25 track, Twin Spar chassis, Fox Zero Pro shocks, Black color |
| F6 Sno Pro | 600EFI motor, 15x128x1.25 track, Twin Spar chassis, Fox Float shocks, new style seat, Green or Orange color |
| F5 LXR | 500EFI motor, 15x128x1 track, Twin Spar chassis, twin tube shocks, new style seat, Green or Orange color |
| F570 | 570 Fan motor, 15x128x1 track, Twin Spar chassis, twin tube shocks, new style seat, Green or Orange color |
| CFR 1000/800 | 1000EFI or the new 800EFI motor, 14x128x1 track, Crossfire chassis, Fox Zero Pro shocks, White color |
| Z1 Turbo EXT | 1056cc 4-stroke Turbo motor, 15x144x1.25 track, Twin Spar chassis, Fox Zero Pro shocks, Black color |
| Z1 Turbo/LXR/Sno Pro | 1056cc 4-stroke Turbo motor, 15x128x1 track (STD), 15x128x1.25 track (LXR/Sno Pro), Twin Spar chassis, Fox Zero Pro shocks, Green or Orange |
| Z1 LXR/Sno Pro | 1056cc 4-stroke motor, 15x128x1.25 track (Sno Pro), 15x128x1 track (LXR), Twin Spar chassis, Fox Float 2 shocks (Sno Pro), Fox Zero Pro IFP shocks (LXR), new style seat, Green or Orange color |
Crossover
For the on/off trail rider who likes a lightweight chassis with good maneuverability and off-trail performance, the Crossfire will fit your requirements. This has been a popular model over the years and continues in the 2011 model lineup.
| Crossfire 8/Sno Pro | 800EFI motor, 15x141x1.25 track (C8), 15x141x1.50 track (Sno Pro), Fox Zero Pro shocks (C8), Fox Float shocks (Sno Pro), Black (C8), Orange (Sno Pro) |
| Crossfire 6 | 600EFI motor, 15x141x1.25 track, Fox Zero Pro shocks, Green color |
Mountain
Arctic Cat’s M sleds have been popular in the mountain segment. They are lightweight and easy to move around in the trees and in the steep and deep. The Sno Pro and Limited get the very cool telescoping handlebars, but you can get them on the M8 as an option.
| M1000 Sno Pro | 1000EFI motor, 15x162x2.25 Power Claw track, Fox Float shocks, blowmolded seat, White color |
| M8/Sno Pro | 800 motor, 15×153-162×2.25 track, Fox Float shocks, blowmolded seat, White (Sno Pro), Black (M8) |
| M8 HCR | 800 motor, 15x153x2.25 track, Fox Zero Pro shocks, blowmolded seat, Green color |
| M6 | 600 EFI motor, 15x153x2.25 track, Fox Zero Pro shocks, blowmolded seat, Green color |
Touring / Utility
If there is one area where Arctic Cat leads the pack ahead of everyone else (and we know there’s more than one), it’s the Touring and Utility segments. Sure, when it comes to utility Ski-Doo may offer more utility models, but Arctic Cat offers so many accessories that you’d swear you bought an ATV. We’ve seen some really cool off-road looking accessories on a Bearcat.
For the Touring segment, Arctic Cat has always led the pack. Their touring sleds are so comfortable, ride so nice and offer so many amenities that you’ll never miss your Escalade when you hop on a cat touring sled.
| TZ1 Turbo LXR | 1056cc 4-stroke Turbo motor, 15x144x1.25 track, Twin Spar chassis, Ryde FX shocks, Desert Red color |
| TZ1/LXR | 1056cc 4-stroke motor, 15x144x1 track, Twin Spar chassis, Ryde FX shocks, Desert Red (LXR), White (TZ1) color |
| T570 | 570 Fan motor, 15x144x1 track, twin tube shocks, White color |
| Bearcat Z1 XT | 1056cc 4-stroke motor, 20x156x1.25 track, Twin Spar chassis, twin tube shocks, Black with Blue or Black with Green color |
| Bearcat 570/XT | 570 Fan motor, 15x151x1.25 track (570), 20x156x1.25 (XT), twin tube shocks, Black color |
Overall, Arctic Cat has a pretty good offering. A lot of it is the same, but there is a splash of Sublime color and a couple new models with a few minor improvements coming for 2011. If you missed getting a new 800EFI motor this year, you have the opportunity to grab one next year. With leading horsepower, leading ride quality, and leading racers, Arctic Cat is a winner all around.
