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�18 ZR6000 report

15K views 49 replies 15 participants last post by  agentjax  
#1 ·
‘18 ZR6000 report

First time Cat owner here- bought a ‘18 ZR6000ES. Did a quick trip this weekend and rode from Minocqua to Copper Harbor and back to Minocqua.

Love the sled- the engine is sweet and pulls hard. Clutching is dead on, it revs right to ~8100 and holds, no over-shoot, no rpm drop and always consistent ( which tells me the clutches/belt are running cool and efficient). Handles very well however the stock wear bars need to go as they pushed a lot in the corners, but steering effort and darting were low. The riding position is perfect and with the Mid Touring windshield wind protection was great.

Few gripes..thoughts?

The whole not having underhood storage for a belt is ridiculous ..I am sure this has been hashed out on here 1000x, but it just irritates me. When I do long trips I need all the storage room possible and shoving the belt into my tunnel bag with all my clothes is f-ed up.

Fuel consumption is not so good, again I am sure it’s been hashed out many times. Just about any sled is better.

Brakes- They squeak when applied with light to medium pressure and modulate a bit when they get warm..that being said they stop good. Anyone else experience this?

Track noise- At 28-32 MPH the track is really noisy, but anywhere else it’s very quiet and smooth ( almost no vibration ).

Top speed - Again, I know this has been a complaint, but I was ok with its performance. As always top speed is dependent on the conditions. It Easily hit 95 to 98 across the lake and probably would have crept to 100 in time. Consistent 80-85 down the railroad beds with very loose snow..

Anyways, to me it was a risk buying a Cat, but I am very happy with my decision and may very well become a life long convert.
 
#2 · (Edited)
Put the belt on the top of the belt guard. There are cutouts to use Velcro to secure it. I have an 18 as well and I put mine there. Will.try to get a pic up to show how I mounted it. -17 f right now. To cold to get that right now. No sled will get good mileage running g wide open. My 015 averaged over15 mpg last winter. Once you get it fully broken in, it should improve by up to 30%, as that much more fuel is being added for the first 6 hours.
 
#3 ·
Thanks for the reply- I didnt think there was enough room between the belt guard and exhaust pipe..That would be great if you could snap a pic (of course when it warms up!).

Regarding the fuel economy- My Ski Doo 600 always got the same MPG as my buddies Apex and so that was my baseline to compare the new Cat. On this trip the Cat was always taking ~1.5 gallons more. Glad to hear it may improve..Ill keep an eye on it during the next trip in a couple weeks.
 
#5 ·
Again, Greg is right on. If you're a trail cruiser, the 600 motor is fantastic on fuel. BUT, if you're running her hard, and doing that kind of running, she is thirsty. Riding with my wife, I am absolutely amazed at the fuel/ oil economy with this sled. When I ride with the guys, it is a whole different ball game...... I'm not see anything as low as 10 mpg (12ish), but it does drop quickly.
 
#11 ·
Thats what a total of 25 miles looks like. We have been in the deep freeze since we got rideable snow. I have also been sick as a dog for a week with a bad cold. Sled is amazing in those 25 miles though. Clutching with that bearing make it feel almost electric from engagement on up. Will be getting out this coming weekend to get a couple hundred more on to get the break in completed. Need it to warm up though so I can get the oil changed in the chain case on my 15 so my better half can go with me. That chain case is scaring the crap out of me.
 
#18 ·
If you are running a lot of wide open top end put the 084 off the 800 on it. I have had good luck with that belt. The 083 has not held up my 800 or 600. I got 600 miles out of my current 083 and that is the most i have ever got out of that one. 084 i would change out every 1800 just because
 
#19 ·
I am really confused why the belt storage is an issue on these sleds with the bag that is mounted on the tunnel of every sled. Although I agree that the slots in the belt guard provide an alternate location. Some people mention that the heat from the pipe may create degrading of the belt stored there.... but I don't know how accurate that may be. Must be a reason Cat doesn't provide the Velco on the ProCross sleds other than the 4000 series.

Also, when the sled is on break-in, you are wasting your time worrying about fuel mileage. But, with our RS, I saw over 90 miles with the gauge reading right about 1/2 on the first ride. Then went 105 miles yesterday and was still over 1/4 tank on the gauge. Saw 95 on the packed snow running down the canal too. Now that we are over the 6 hour mark, I'll think about paying attention to the fuel and oil use. Maybe....

Also, on the threading insert for the belt tool..... not a good idea if you ask me. I can see in a racing situation for fast belt swaps should a belt go out on the course. But for trail riding, where it will probably sit there for long miles at a time, I can see vibrations either wearing the threads on the tool, the tool itself working it's way out, or worse... if I belt shreds.... the tool getting bent and then not being able to be removed. Again, in a racing scenario, I can see it. It's only there for a short period of time and I'm sure removed / checked between races.
 
#20 ·
As I explained in my original post - I do several day trips and need to pack clothes, shoes, oil, belt, etc...Meaning - for example- we are doing a trip from Minocqua to Marquette to Paradise to Iron River and back to Minocqua. I need all the storage possible and don’t want to screw with a belt ...

I know exactly how long the break in period is and its not 6 hours.and i can assure you I wasn’t comparing mileage during the break in period....I have had enough sleds over the years to understand the dynamics behind fuel economy and this thing is thirsty- It’s not bad...but not what I expected.
 
#21 ·
All I was saying on the belt storage is that 90% or more of the people who buy these sleds seem to not understand that Cat provides storage for the belt on the sled via the bag and most don't seem to understand that. Sorry if that comment offended you....it wasn't aimed to you.

On the break-in.... might want to check your owner's manual...... as stated in the manual on page 6 and shown in the pic below that is of page 6 of the manual for 2018 6000/8000 2 stroke models :

The break-in period occurs in two stages.
Stage One occurs during the first 18 minutes
of a new engine's run time where the
ECM will provide additional fuel and oil
to the engine; along with limiting engine
RPM to 6500 RPM. Stage Two occurs
after the completion of Stage One and
eliminates the engine RPM limiter.
However, Stage Two still provides additional
fuel and oil to the engine for the
remainder of 6 hours. This additional fuel
and oil is less than the amount added
during Stage One.
Engine RPM and TPS must be higher
than programmed thresholds to accrue
time towards each break-in stage.
Premixing fuel and oil during the break
in period is not required. Due to the oil
delivery control strategy of the electronic
oil pump, the oil pump will automatically
compensate and deliver a richer fuel-oil
ratio during the engine break-in period


I understand that the 6000 isn't as great as fuel as most would expect. Especially when riding hard. I felt that way when I had the 1st year 6000 in my 14 6-RR. It was great unless riding at higher speeds over long periods ... then it was average at best in my opinion. I don't have enough run time on our RS yet but it seems to be better than the 14 was. And so far my 18 8000 is much better on both gas and oil than the 6000 in all riding situations.....
 

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#22 ·
The 600 won't get great mpg's either when it's loaded to the hilt w/ extra weight. Really working the 'ol girl . If goona be doing a lot of touring and lot of extra "stuff" better off w/ a 800. Kinda like a 350 cu in engine towing 12,000 lbs VS a 454 towing the same weight. The 350 will do it, but workin like mad to do so and sucking down the gas. Whereas the 454 will tow it w/ ease, power to spare and get better mpgs cuz it aint workin' as hard. OR another way yet. All these new truck engines that shut off cylinders to save fuel. When towing IMO) I don't see how they will save you fuel because the engine has to have the power to tow the weight. Same goes w/ a 6 cyl VS a 8 cyl towing the same weight. The 6 will do, but screaming like mad. The 8 cyl is just strolling along saying "oh there's something behind me?"
 
#28 ·
Live and Ride in Minnesota and you will find out. 50 mph limit and lots and lots of DNR guys and gals checking. Have a few lakes we can run up the speed but not very often. I dont mind as I am getting older and maybe wiser. Speed is not important anymore to me. Putting on lots of miles is though.
 
#30 ·
Regarding the 6000 and mpg, Cat revised the piston, mapping, and a few other things for the 16' and up. Supposed to be more efficient netting better mpg and a tic more hp. Whether it did or not, who knows. I for one have a 17' 6000 and have been impressed. Its almost impossible to compare mpg being there is so many factors, weight, riding style, track alignment, tight track, ski alignment, clutching off, etc.... For instance, my sled is dialed in and everything is aligned and adjusted properly. I am a light rider (175 with gear), I have a 1.75 track (not spinning down the trail), and we ride hard to the point of pinning the throttle every corner. I routinely put less gas in my sled compared to, 2 2018 doo 850, 16 800 poo, 2018 ctec 8000, and its a tie with a 600 etec. I am not easy on the sled at all. The top speed sucks but I do have the 1.75 so that's not helping.
 
#33 ·
Because it is a 600. 600s get terrible mileage if you open them up. The 800 makes more power at 6800 rpm than the 600 does wide open. The only way to see good mileage with it is to ride it under 50 at a steady throttle setting.
 
#38 ·
1978 or '79 Jag 2000 or 3000, Cat claimed it got 42 mpg's. Posed this to Snowgoer staffers at Big East show in Syr a couple years back and haven't seen any kind of follow up.

Guess they are too busy drooling all over their new Doo 600 in Gen 4 chassis. Funny how they are ranting and raving about it, yet I don't recall them doing the same when Cat came out w/ their 600 in '13 for '14.
 
#39 · (Edited)
Just got back from another trip riding from Minocqua to Ontonogan to Houghton and back and had a chance to check the fuel economy more exact..

80% woods trail and 20% railroad bed: 85 miles/8.5 gal gas = 10 mpg

90% railroad bed and 10% woods trail: 60 miles/7.3 gal gas = 8.2 mpg For comparison my buddy put 5 gal in at this fill up (12 mpg) and my past sleds a ‘13 Ski Doo 600 Sport carb and ‘15 Doo 600 Etec always got the same fuel economy as his Apex. So the Apex was/is my baseline.

Frosty: This data isn’t about what Cat did or didn’t claim..it’s simply a discussion about mpg which is something I take into consideration when buying a sled. And I can assure you fuel economy is important to Cat. With this sled you need to carefully plan gas stops, something I never had to worry about in the past.

1/2 throttle is basically the same as WOT - this is clearly the fuel / throttle strategy for the performance feeling. At half throttle it pulls 8100 rpm for 30 miles straight at 80-85 mph down the railroad bed. Again, I am really impressed with the clutching on this sled- like I said it ran 8100 rpm for nearly 30 miles straight and never lost any rpm from heat. These clutches are running very efficiently. Never once did it feel sluggish..

The oil consumption is REALLY good- same as everyone else has mentioned.

Ran Stud Boy Deuce bars on this trip and they were just ok. At initial turn-in they bite hard, then halfway through the corner they push, then hook again. I didn’t like this. That being said the steering effort was low and darting was almost non existent. Obviously there is a trade off for a aggressive ski, and that is steering effort. For 200 miles days I’ll take a less aggressive ski with low steering effort and accept some push. I don’t think I’d buy the Deuce bars again..next time I’ll just buy a standard Woodys carbide.

Few nit pick things - On high the grips are too hot and on low too cold. The throttle is cold on high and low. The dash goggle bag isn’t big enough for goggles- it shouldn’t be called a goggle bag. The large Cat tunnel bag should have a carrying strap and the fastening system sucks.

I have about 800 miles on it and it’s run flawless..love the sled.
 
#40 · (Edited)
After last weekends ride I now have 1010 miles @ 27.3 hours. Average speed of 37 mph.

This past weekend I took my 69 yr old dad on the ride and was able to get 12.9 mpg. Best yet, but obviously lower speeds. My dad’s ‘13 Ski Doo 600 carb got 18.75 mpg on the same trip!

Anyways, finally got the sled home so time to check it over. The belt width wore 1mm over the 1010 miles. New belt width= 38mm, this belt measured 37mm. That’s damn good and it still looks like new.

I noticed the right side panel rubs on the oil pan and the left side rubs on the belt guard. There should be more clearance, but not too big a deal ..those are the little things Cat falls short on.

One thing is for sure- the front suspension on the Cat is (I think) best in the biz right now. Soaks up the bumps better than anything I’ve ridden.
 
#41 ·
Have not had any issues with my 15 or 18 problem wise. I was out on Saturday and we hit a long narrow lake and I opened up my 18 for the first time and saw 94-95 with my scratchers down and not the best conditions. My Garmin is spot on with my speedo so pretty happy with it. Pretty sure in optimal conditions, it will break 100. My 15 ran 96 on its best day. I am at just under 800 miles on my 18.
 
#45 ·
Quick update...

My main complaint last season was the fuel economy. I’ve always used my buddies Apex as my baseline..he always ridden an Apex (now a 2017) and so I know how it has always compared (fuel economy) to my past sleds. Last year I was consistently putting 1.5 to 2 gallons more gas in my sled. This would translate to him getting 12.5-13 MPG and me getting around 9.5 MPG (give or take).

My sled now has 1650 miles and just got back from a 400+ mile trip ( rode from Minocqua to Copper Harbor and back). This trip I was getting much closer fuel economy to my buddies Apex. We were always within 1/2 a gallon. So if he put in 5.5 gal I was at 6 gal. This translated to 12.5 - 13 MPG for his Apex (same as last year) and my ZR6000 at around 11.5-12 MPG (up from the usual 9.5).

I realize the ECU had a break-in period...but I am assuming I passed that a long time ago. Was this thing feeding more fuel for the first 1250 miles?? There should be no reason to richen the fuel delivery for so many miles.

Thoughts?
 
#46 ·
It’s because the 600 is terrible on gas if you run consistent speeds over 65. My 600 gets 10 on a good day. the big bores of anything get better mpg than my 600 because you don’t have to hold them wide open all the time. Running up rail grades is what I do a lot. I went back to a 800 for this year