[Farrix]

Still dont like the way Arctic Cat sells thier sleds, way to pricey, oil pricey and parts.

BRP parts and oil are quite a bit more.

 

[Trail Ryder]

Hmmm ....

 

[ziemann]

As I said on HCS, it's nothing new for CFMoto to be a sponsor. Most sledders also own dirt products, so it is logical for them market to the sled crowd. CFMoto is certainly a possibility to buy Cat, but their ISOC sponsorship is just a coincidence.

 

[gbarchives-eltigre]

Ever since the EPA got involved in Snowmobiling the prices have exploded ahead of inflation. Olaav Aaen, many years ago, did an excellent article on the price increases per unit to meet the new regulations. Then came the lack of snow the last ten years and the dominance of the mountain market with 12 foot long sleds the size of UTVs. The entire industry has been painted into a corner. The industry also has preached the gospel of what’s new is great and what’s old is trash to be discarded. I’ve been to old car shows and old bike shows and seen none of the occasional seething hostility that I sometimes get when I bring vintage sleds to a show. I’ve had people confront me online or at shows over how “Vintage Is Stealing Business From The New Sled Market.” Some worked for dealers. A quick bull session with my friends found that all of my buddies have run into this problem at sometime over the years. Snowmobiling is the only Motorsport that does this. We should be like motorcycling. The fastest growing motorcycle company in the world right now is Royal Enfield. Why? Because they make classic looking bikes that don’t break down and don’t cost an arm and a leg. They are serviceable . They are fun to ride. Have great reviews. They have an expanding dealer network. They aggressively go after the new rider. They celebrate the classic machines of the past with modern reliability. They build the rider culture and not chop it up into us verses them. The former meat and potatoes market segment was the family rider. That’s why Arctic Cat sold so many Panthers in the past. Now snowmobiling has gone so far down the extreme sports rabbit hole that they’ve cut themselves off from the family market. Yes climate change isn’t helping, but when the price of entry is 12 grand for a good sled that looks like everything else and only fits a mountain or mountain like niche, and has hidden issues because of it’s hyper specialized design, is it any wonder this market is dying? Locally the hottest segment in my eastern hills, is people are buying and modifying the proven fan cooled sport sleds of the late 80s and 90s and 00s into what they want to ride. Air cooled engines don’t need extruders, ice scratchers. They run fine on marginal snow conditions. Owners upgrade the suspensions and engines and tracks to what they like. The smaller chassis work better on the aging narrow trails out here. Two men can easily put a sled in a truck, so you don’t need a trailer. Above all they are easier to work on and far cheaper than what’s sold today. Open your eyes to what’s hot on the older sled fan sites Mr Sled Makers, you might learn something. We are building the small cafe racers, to use a bike term, that you don’t offer anymore. By the way I’ve been active in this sport since fall 1966, when at the age of five Pops put me on a SkiDaddler wide track and showed me how to enjoy winter. I still love this.

 

[Mitchzr9000]

Ever since the EPA got involved in Snowmobiling the prices have exploded ahead of inflation. Olaav Aaen, many years ago, did an excellent article on the price increases per unit to meet the new regulations. Then came the lack of snow the last ten years and the dominance of the mountain market with 12 foot long sleds the size of UTVs. The entire industry has been painted into a corner. The industry also has preached the gospel of what’s new is great and what’s old is trash to be discarded. I’ve been to old car shows and old bike shows and seen none of the occasional seething hostility that I sometimes get when I bring vintage sleds to a show. I’ve had people confront me online or at shows over how “Vintage Is Stealing Business From The New Sled Market.” Some worked for dealers. A quick bull session with my friends found that all of my buddies have run into this problem at sometime over the years. Snowmobiling is the only Motorsport that does this. We should be like motorcycling. The fastest growing motorcycle company in the world right now is Royal Enfield. Why? Because they make classic looking bikes that don’t break down and don’t cost an arm and a leg. They are serviceable . They are fun to ride. Have great reviews. They have an expanding dealer network. They aggressively go after the new rider. They celebrate the classic machines of the past with modern reliability. They build the rider culture and not chop it up into us verses them. The former meat and potatoes market segment was the family rider. That’s why Arctic Cat sold so many Panthers in the past. Now snowmobiling has gone so far down the extreme sports rabbit hole that they’ve cut themselves off from the family market. Yes climate change isn’t helping, but when the price of entry is 12 grand for a good sled that looks like everything else and only fits a mountain or mountain like niche, and has hidden issues because of it’s hyper specialized design, is it any wonder this market is dying? Locally the hottest segment in my eastern hills, is people are buying and modifying the proven fan cooled sport sleds of the late 80s and 90s and 00s into what they want to ride. Air cooled engines don’t need extruders, ice scratchers. They run fine on marginal snow conditions. Owners upgrade the suspensions and engines and tracks to what they like. The smaller chassis work better on the aging narrow trails out here. Two men can easily put a sled in a truck, so you don’t need a trailer. Above all they are easier to work on and far cheaper than what’s sold today. Open your eyes to what’s hot on the older sled fan sites Mr Sled Makers, you might learn something. We are building the small cafe racers, to use a bike term, that you don’t offer anymore. By the way I’ve been active in this sport since fall 1966, when at the age of five Pops put me on a SkiDaddler wide track and showed me how to enjoy winter. I still love this.

I agree, very unfortunate for Cat fans

 

[Jagz]

Well said gb-eltigre

 

[stevem5215]

Old sleds have a place for sure. We did a ride on Saturday with 12 people. New sleds riding with older 90's sleds without an issue from anyone. A nice 93mi day on the trail. It's really easy to find an old sled and make it work for you. That's the answer to this really. If you have the money for the fancy new one then people do buy them. Old ones are available and work just fine maintained.

 

[betchacantcatchmycat]

Air cooled engines don’t need extruders, ice scratchers

Ever since the EPA got involved in Snowmobiling the prices have exploded ahead of inflation. Olaav Aaen, many years ago, did an excellent article on the price increases per unit to meet the new regulations. Then came the lack of snow the last ten years and the dominance of the mountain market with 12 foot long sleds the size of UTVs. The entire industry has been painted into a corner. The industry also has preached the gospel of what’s new is great and what’s old is trash to be discarded. I’ve been to old car shows and old bike shows and seen none of the occasional seething hostility that I sometimes get when I bring vintage sleds to a show. I’ve had people confront me online or at shows over how “Vintage Is Stealing Business From The New Sled Market.” Some worked for dealers. A quick bull session with my friends found that all of my buddies have run into this problem at sometime over the years. Snowmobiling is the only Motorsport that does this. We should be like motorcycling. The fastest growing motorcycle company in the world right now is Royal Enfield. Why? Because they make classic looking bikes that don’t break down and don’t cost an arm and a leg. They are serviceable . They are fun to ride. Have great reviews. They have an expanding dealer network. They aggressively go after the new rider. They celebrate the classic machines of the past with modern reliability. They build the rider culture and not chop it up into us verses them. The former meat and potatoes market segment was the family rider. That’s why Arctic Cat sold so many Panthers in the past. Now snowmobiling has gone so far down the extreme sports rabbit hole that they’ve cut themselves off from the family market. Yes climate change isn’t helping, but when the price of entry is 12 grand for a good sled that looks like everything else and only fits a mountain or mountain like niche, and has hidden issues because of it’s hyper specialized design, is it any wonder this market is dying? Locally the hottest segment in my eastern hills, is people are buying and modifying the proven fan cooled sport sleds of the late 80s and 90s and 00s into what they want to ride. Air cooled engines don’t need extruders, ice scratchers. They run fine on marginal snow conditions. Owners upgrade the suspensions and engines and tracks to what they like. The smaller chassis work better on the aging narrow trails out here. Two men can easily put a sled in a truck, so you don’t need a trailer. Above all they are easier to work on and far cheaper than what’s sold today. Open your eyes to what’s hot on the older sled fan sites Mr Sled Makers, you might learn something. We are building the small cafe racers, to use a bike term, that you don’t offer anymore. By the way I’ve been active in this sport since fall 1966, when at the age of five Pops put me on a SkiDaddler wide track and showed me how to enjoy winter. I still love this.

You sir have hit the nail on the head. I remember ordering my 1994 wildcat and there were like approximately 15 machines to pick from total. Then cam the early 2000’s and they made closer to double that if not more. Just go to country cat website and pull up the parts. You will see how many more sleds to choose from. And a lot of times it’s the same model just different hood or graphics. Not to mention that in 94 I was told I had to order one because they only built what was ordered. Sure a dealer could order some for himself but they had to be a name for each sled basically. Then they just started to mass produce them like cars and sure enough the quality went down with it. I got a 1995 wildcat now which suits me fine. But like the OP said once a sled is three years old they are considered obsolete and they quit making parts.

 

[Krom]

Like it or not once corrected for inflation sled prices aren't any higher now than they ever have been. Run the inflation calculator for yourself and see. I've done it at least 10 times.
You are getting 10 times the machine for the same $

 

[snapcap14]

Like it or not once corrected for inflation sled prices aren't any higher now than they ever have been. Run the inflation calculator for yourself and see. I've done it at least 10 times.
You are getting 10 times the machine for the same $

Just us retired folks can’t afford them. I’m 72 raising my granddaughter. I’m now riding a 09 f570. Got a good deal on a lower end 17 for her. My other 2 sleds are a 97 and 03. That I can’t pull start nor turn around because no reverse. Yea they are for sale now for close to a year. If they were elect start and had reverse I’d keep them. But cost to add those are over my price range.
For what we get for snow local dealer quit selling sleds . Local Trails last year were open for 6 days total. Luck I ave a lot of land to ride around my house. So us local folks ride non club trails when we want. Logging roads fields pipeline.
No way would I buy a new sled. For 5 days a year of riding real trails.