The Legacy of Arctic Cat Snowmobiles 

"What was One thing that Made Arctic Cat...…" ….. A ARMS...…. Cat had A Arms years and years while everyone else has TRAILING Arms.... LOL …… Yes LOL Now all manufacturers have A arms. …..Thanks CAT!!

To this day, the name ThunderCat inspires fear in all who aren't riding one. That is how crazy they were.

When I think of Arctic cat I think of the firecats

I started snowmobiling in the first part of the 70s, went from a 440 EXT to the king Cat, then in 77 came the Snopro 440 Ranr them on Ice and hold on to your sno suit, they were fast, I raced at the Minnesota state Fair one time and Cat was beating everything in all class, 340, 440, 650. Mod 1 ,Mod II, and Mod III , then came the Boss cat 1 and the Boss cat II unreal fun we had them days...

The 800 Suzuki is insanely reliable. I have 5 in our fleet and they have all been flawless for the last four years. You guys are smokin' some good shit.

Best Video from you guys 2019 So far ...

I started to drag race Arcticcat in 1976 a 440Z. We jumped into super stock,Mod and Open classes. With my dad setting it up and me racing it. We won just about every race. I had a 634 Puma 440Z and a 700Zr and 900 Zr. That 900 could outrun any of the other sleds. Arcticcat has always been a awesome sled.

Back in the day, IMO the 1973 El Tigre, derived from the ‘72 EXT, was a game changer of a trail sled.

When was it determined that the Zuke 800 wasn’t reliable? It was the most reliable 800 ever built. Smokey? Yes, but very reliable.

My great uncle roger skime is the first thing that comes to mind when someone says arctic cat

It should be embarrassing to these guys that they overlooked batteryless efi.

My father bought his first Arctic Cat, a 1991 Prowler 440, after riding Polaris mainly all his life because he wanted something different. Then he got me a 1979 Kitty Cat to bomb around on around the same time and that started my love of the brand. Over the years a 1997 ZR 440, a 1998 ZR 500, and my current ride a 2005 Firecat F6 Sno Pro have been added to the stable. These three sleds definitely live and breathe performance. All have racked up many miles, love all of them. The Firecat though, when that sled hit the snow in 2002-2003, I was in high school, and even kids who weren't into snowmobiles were talking about them. It was an incredibly bold move to depart from the legendary ZR platform, to a wildly different platform that shared little from the previous generation sleds. They still turn heads on the trail, 15 years after they hit the snow. Looking forward to more legendary Cats to come in the future, things are a little rocky for them at the moment, but I hope they can regain their footing!

I just got a 1990 prowler 440, the first modern style sled that Arctic cat made.

Always loved the 1996 ZRT 600.... When that was released I thought it was a good looking machine!

I have owned every brand of sled but bought my first cat just last year. It is by far the best and funnest sled I have ever owned. Also I ride my sleds hard and it has taken everything I have put it through. Also I love the 800 Zuk engine. That's one of the reasons I picked a 17 M8000 over the 18 M8000. I knew the motor was proven and would not leave me stranded in the back country.

Last 800 wasn't reliable? Maybe dirty and an oil eater, but definitely reliable. The Suzuki 800 was one of the most reliable 800's ever

My First Sled was a AC Pantera 550, with AWS front end... 2005, I just sold it a couple of years ago, they got me started in this wonderful sport... and I will always be grateful to them for the joy I got from that sled, suspension, was just plan awesome... Good Times ... and more to come!

My memories are of the original 440Z of the 70’s

Firecat 700.

Mine was a 92 EXT not the special but the regular EXT. It was flat-out reliable fast and it was my third snowmobile after the 1970 I believe Bolens Sprint 340. I know right and love and never will get rid of my 1200 touring skidoo. Flat out love everything about it

They NEED to make 2 stroke lightweight triples. I am telling you this is how arctic cat gets back to the top of the sales chart like the 90's, people want that sweet triple exhaust note even if it makes the sled a little heavier.

Panther pretty much says it all. I'm mean the 1966 Panther looks like a model T today but it might as well have been a space ship compared to it's competition. It set the standard and the same basic design is still with us today.

96 zrt 800 awesome machine 6500 miles no problems 2003 zr1 900 6200 miles awesome machine 2003 zr 800 efi 4200 miles awesome machine 2007 F 1000 6800 miles awesome machine 2009 z1 turbo 4800 miles ran awesome till it burned to the ground had many great years on my Arctic Cats

800 king cat from the 70's is where it all started. I had a 634 mod Puma for years... ning ning ning ning bwaaaaaaa

My father bought me a 1973 Arctic Cat Puma 440 electric start in early 1975, it was quite a machine, head and shoulders above the other brands at the time.

Wonderful. You guys create some great vids for us all to watch. I'm a generational Cat rider. Snow and Dirt. Own a few now, owned many previously. My dad owned many, my kids now own some. If you are truly a CAT guy then you know that Cats are simply a joy to own. I put 7000 km's plus on my last Firecat with no issues. My '98 zr 600 had 5500 km when I sold it. I could go on. I currently own a 2009 Thundercat (4x4 atv) that has been flawless and will tear apart my brothers can am 800 and his Polaris 850. We have compared the three on the dirt roads many times and the T-Cat is in a league of its own. Great video.... about time you guys share a bit about the best!!!

Most under rated man at the company with knowledge to spare yet extremely humble is Jack Nelson.

I had a 74 el Tigre 400, I asked a dnr officer to "clock it" he said I was able to hit 90 mph. Granted this sled was rebuilt and had some conversions- like a rubber track and exhaust.

I had a 1991 Jag special. The motor blew, so my dad and I put a 500 free air out of a 76 eltigre in it, damn that thing would fly on a cold night!

When I think of Arctic Cat I think of the 1998 Thundercat 1000,

Cat out did themselves with the f7. The speed, handling, graphics and resale value. But rider forward killed that. F1000 was fun reliable, Cfr 1000 was crazy fast and then the turbos gave us something we have never seen.

1967 Panther. Slide rail suspension was a huge improvement over bogies. 1970 Puma Mod series. This sled influenced both the SnoJet Thunderjet and the Mercury Twisters years after it was introduced. 1972 EXT oval racer. This birthed the ElTigre for 73 and its grandson was the Jag that about a million kids grew up riding. 1977 Z the sled that finally could take on the SRX and the Twister on The ovals. Jump ahead to 440 fan ZR. Just a fast simple light smooth sled. Ok that’s enough fan boy gushing from me. Lol. I wish they could make something like the fan ZR today.

Born and raised to love ski doo... but secretly always loved the cats. I had opportunity to get a great price on dealer demo in 2015 a zr 8000... Everyone up at camp instantly started making fun of me... Well so far I'm the only one that hasn't had to be towed home also only guy Noone can pass on the lake and it's the first sled everyone wants to jump on to try 👍🤙💪

Ive got a 1997 arctic cat 580 ext efi and i love it theres just something about the raw power that i love

I loved the El Tigre's of the 70s and early 80s before they went bankrupt for a bit. Pantera's were nice too. Ah heck so were Jag's, Lynx, Puma, Panthers etc. Neverowned a Cat but i always loved their looks and colours.

The 800 HO Suzuki is incredibly reliable and efficient its all in how the loud handle is used

As kid cat meant the fastest there was ! U got goose bumps when u fired up a triple !

Love this kind of content! I’d love to see one bashing polaris 😂 I’m joking snowmobilers are snowmobilers no matter what you ride!

Love those old cats! I prefer the early/mid 90s fan cooled 440s for the ultimate in value, fun and reliability! I could never justify $10k+ for a new sled. Hats off to those who buy new, I ride by all of you every year on my sub $500 machines 😁

Totally agree Luke, the ZR900 is my favorite to date. Mine was ported, piped and handled like it was on rails. Never understood why they dumped it and still waiting for it to come back!

I love my 1100turbo bigTwin sounds and torque with over 250Hp. Got all the flaws upgraded and its a bomb.

Started on a lynx when I was 8. Wanted a 94 cougar Soo bad but the powers that be said it had too much powa Used to drool over my neighbors new 95 ext efi that would never run but looked so cool And thats the thing I think about cat the most. Their push for fuel injection. They had the broadest efi lineup of the four

I had a 900 t cat... they don't make um like that anymore lol that snowmobile is absolutely insane

Get one while you can!

King Cat

Arctic Cat is the Lancia of snowmobiles. A company that somehow is always coming up with crazy ideas that change the industry. They started the 90s muscle sled craze with the Thundercat, changed the industry from bogies to slide rails, pioneered A-arm front suspension, invented batteryless EFI, pushed the industry towards high travel/high end suspension etc. And, much like Lancia, they’ve never been known for the highest build quality, and yet while it isn’t the prettiest, it works. I know they’ve been struggling lately, and haven’t exactly the leader they once were (so hopefully they don’t go the way of Lancia) but I hope they find that mojo again. Hopefully the Alpha One is recent proof that they still have tricks up their sleeves.

First new cat, 95 Z440. Then I bought two 97 ZL440’s. After that two ZR 500 LE’s. THEN I bought a 03 F7. Killer fast. I also had a 04 F7. Not as fast as the 03 but a great ride.

I tuned in expecting at least a little bit of the origin of AC…anyways, my favourite model is either the Exterminator or maybe the original EXT! 🤙

My brother went over the falls by the hospital in Thief River Falls. He broke his neck riding an Arctic Cat. It was Ron's from ACE Hardware's machine..

No mention of the 7c edition ZR600

I don’t have the time or inclination to build one myself, believe I have idea of a fun machine that rides on air over snow. Can’t compete with snow Mobil for power, but can imagine it as fast over level. Engine , tank, frame, simple efficient, lightweight. J.H

Cat=💪

Lmao no one, ever, can say the old 800 was unreliable. It's the most durable 800 twin ever put in a sled.

Slide suspension put AC on the map. While everyone else was still using bogies, Arctic Cat had the smoothest ride out there with the most stable ride you could get. There were no groomed trails. I have been on Arctic Cat's since 1964. Next was the 1971 800 King Kat. The 1971 EXT's were race dominant. Then the AWS suspension, then all the modern stuff that youngsters know of today. But without the beginning, there would be no Legacy. As for Textron, they hold the fate of Arctic Cat for the future. In my opinion, that's not a good thing.

ZR 440 sno pro

1975 Arctic cat Z 340 mod kit ! bar none .

It will be interesting to see what Textron does with Arctic Cat now that they have bought them. To be honest, I have never seen a good outcome when a company buys out another. The competition isn't there and usually it slowly fades away. For example Arctic Cat bought out Scorpion, and Kawasaki bought out Sno-jet and that's just a few. History has a habit of repeating itself. I just hope I'm wrong in this case.

634 hirth twin mega wrap around pipes w. cat skin hood seat PANTHER

I think you said it right. It seemed to always work. When it didn't work it sucked hard.

The sled I learned to ride on was an Arctic Cat kitty cat. That was the most reliable Arctic Cat I have ever owned. That’s why I ride Yamaha.

Everyone driving a Arctic Cat are driving the 3rd or 4th place snowmobile and there only claim to fame is coming out with the Thundercat that made more power than any sled on snow. Fit and finish are sub par, not clean burning and smoked like hell. There is a reason Arctic Cat is 3rd in snowmobile market share behind #1 market share holder "Ski-Doo" and #2 market share holder Polaris. I do like the fact snowmobilers are passionate about the brand they like.

ZR580 is still a crazy fast trail sled. Lays waste to stuff twenty years newer.

I HAD A 70 PUMA 440 SACHS A 81 EL-TIGRE 6000 529 SUZIKI 12M8000 NOW 09-8OOR154 DOO

I think Arctic cat needs to stand behind their products more. my 2019 alpha 154" track is falling apart. Track lugs are splitting and spitting off right where the track flexes. Cat or my dealer will not help me out .... I'm afraid this track wont last another season. Keep in mind this is all deep snow mountain riding now have 1800kms on it with around 10 missing lugs and another 10 split ready to fly off. Any Advise on what I can do??? New track is $2200 Cad plus tax and install. Too bad because I otherwise love the sled!

I think we are witnessing the end of Arctic Cat's history ... at least for some of the consumers. For 2020 Arctic cat put how many customers frustrated with the abandonment of 4-stroke engines? We understand that the 5-year contract signed with Yamaha had expired in 2019. But it is horrible what we hear in Quebec currently about Arctic Cat. With all its bizarre decisions, dealers are stunned by this big loss of money income. Arctic cat do nothing to reassure customers in the future. As for UTV and side by side, Textron abandons his name and come back with the name of Arctic Cat. It's all about how the customers felt attached to the name and its history, but Textron is not that bad. I understand that in the west there are snowmobiles from 2017 that are not sold. But, it is not with the machines of pre-war period (Lynx 2000, Bearcat 2000) that we restart that it will settle the thing. I think we are witnessing the end of the story. But congratulations for your good work, I love you all.

The Thundercat engine is no where near the weight of a small car engine. I've personally picked one up by myself, I would say they are maybe 120lbs. It's a good amount of weight Even something like a 4G63 weighs almost 3 times that amount. People can't just pick up 4 cylinder car engines.

Arctic Cat will be lucky to survive. Textron has wrecked more companies. Polaris barely made it thru a Textron ownership. Homelite didn't. Time will tell,but the folks in TRF may regret the Textron name.

I think AC needs to concentrate on their dealers. They are getting stomped by Po and SD. I remember when their dealers were awesome and now it's just so so.

Thunder cat ain’t a thunder cat if it’s 4 stroke 🤣

If I worked for this company I would try to built small v8 sled

The best Cat ever was the Powder Extreme. My buddy had one and we had to tow him out every other ride. Our Rmk 700s would eat his lunch like it was nothing. What a pile. hahaha

Have a 2000 ZR 600, just this season, (when I bought it) after riding for just this season, had to replace both clutches, belt, drive pins, drive chain, one shock is blown, ignition had to be overridden, bogey wheels, and rear bumper fell off. Bought a skidoo 2 weeks ago, and will not be going back to Arctic cat. Ever. The engine runs great though, no issues with that other than had to replace the plugs for the first time cause they got a little dirty, because it runs oil heavy. New Arctic cats are probably great, but old ones? No thanks.

Why does this feel like save the arctic campaign? I have a 2017 Arctic Cat and it’s great, but I’m sorry to say Ski Doo has a better machine, better fit and finish, accessories galore and a huge dealer network. I still like mine, but they have a long way to go before I’ll buy another one.

First-I’ve never said this B4

I feel like Arctic Cat has been coasting on their past success for a decade now. All the people I know in my town that ride AC are older people from age 30 and up, and that's cause they still think Cat is the same innovative company it was in the 20th century. All the young people of age 15-20 in my town (including me) drive Polaris, Ski-Doo, or Yamaha Bravo.

Cheers to the f7. The last really fun snowmobile ever made. Ski-doo’s rider forward retardation ruined the sport of snowmobiling. Period. 💯

Gentlemen please before you make comments like "Its never been done before" look back in the history of snowmobiles. The alpha one with the single rail has been done before as well as many "new" ideas, they are just done on a modern scale. Great article just the same though.

The 800 Suzuki wasn't reliable...? I beg to differ.

Have they gone bankrupt again?

3rd comment

Nice to put out a legacy of Cat before they go bankrupt.

You guys beat up on arctic cat on all your reviews so now you grasp for saving grace with a trip down memory lane....if they can’t compete let them fail.

Lol... New motor is SHIT!! The ctec 8000. Still drinks gas compared to etec 800. And slow as hell compared to my 800. 107 top speed. And bust its ass in a drag race every time. That's the truth too!!

I never buy arctic 4 stroke Yamaha motor in my cat sled . I think that was dumbest thing cat ever did going business with Yamaha

Meh. Seems like yamacat just needs to sign the DNR.

Arctic junk