Purchased a ZR with ATAC in the 129.
Did you order a Catalyst?
If so, what did you get?
I went through the process and honestly wasn't exactly sure which sled to choose right up until the final clicking. Seems like I kept finding new information about these things. Things that could make a difference in the decision too. It's rare for me to make a purchase while still trying to learn so much about the product.
I'm looking forward to digging into these things and putting on some seat time.
I went through the process and honestly wasn't exactly sure which sled to choose right up until the final clicking. Seems like I kept finding new information about these things. Things that could make a difference in the decision too. It's rare for me to make a purchase while still trying to learn so much about the product.
I'm looking forward to digging into these things and putting on some seat time.
1 - 20 of 28 Posts
I thought about the 129 option as well. It should be a lively handling machine. I didn't realize it was an uncoupled skid until a couple days ago. That is one I wish I had a chance to test. I'm looking forward to hearing how it rides.
I rode the 137 and it was fantastic. Talked to Marcus (cannot remember his last name), and Engineer for Cat and he said the 129 is a real fun sled to ride. Can rail if you lean forward, and lift the ski's easily when sitting back further.I thought about the 129 option as well. It should be a lively handling machine. I didn't realize it was an uncoupled skid until a couple days ago. That is one I wish I had a chance to test. I'm looking forward to hearing how it rides.
I ordered a ZR 137 with IFP shocks. Talked to my dealer's salesman today and was told all Catalyst sleds sold out in NINE MINUTES! When I first tried to log on the website had crashed. Tried a few minutes later and got in. He said "You were lucky".
I don't think it was 9 minutes, but maybe less than 2 hours. I started refreshing at 8. At 9:30 am centeral zone I was done.I ordered a ZR 137 with IFP shocks. Talked to my dealer's salesman today and was told all Catalyst sleds sold out in NINE MINUTES! When I first tried to log on the website had crashed. Tried a few minutes later and got in. He said "You were lucky".
I got lucky at 9am and got the zr with atac 137
While I didn't get a chance to test ride any here on the NY tours side of things, heard they sold out in very short order on certain models. proc/cons on that. But also heard they were being sold at MSRP plus several hundred more. $19 grand for a 600?? YIKES !
Where did you get 19k from? mine was $16044.99 for the zr ATAC 137 and that was with added goodies.While I didn't get a chance to test ride any here on the NY tours side of things, heard they sold out in very short order on certain models. proc/cons on that. But also heard they were being sold at MSRP plus several hundred more. $19 grand for a 600?? YIKES !
16 for the sled, 2,000 for extras (unknown), 700+ for shipping, etc. This is what I heard and believe it to be true. IMO, crazy!Where did you get 19k from? mine was $16044.99 for the zr ATAC 137 and that was with added goodies.
I can see how there would be some confusion on pricing. Some options did not add to the price automatically during the "build" process. You could click on the options and add them, but it wasn't changing the total dollars. I did some test builds to see which accessories did or did not add to the total. It did vary at times, so I just did my own math.
On the other hand, the 19k number would be full retail on a pile of goodies and no negotiating. It is possible to see a total in that range at full retail.
On the other hand, the 19k number would be full retail on a pile of goodies and no negotiating. It is possible to see a total in that range at full retail.
I was online and could've ordered one. Two buddies and I were all texting each other at that time and they both ordered.
The sled is fantastic, and I'm not at all concerned about shipping delays or reliability. The hesitation was on my end, and I won't be ready to get one until next year. However, by then it might not be one, it might be two.
The sled is fantastic, and I'm not at all concerned about shipping delays or reliability. The hesitation was on my end, and I won't be ready to get one until next year. However, by then it might not be one, it might be two.
@favoritos - I did not order this year. This will likely be the first time since 1990 that I haven't jumped at the opportunity to be an early adopter of a Cat product.
Some of the more successful dealers are receiving a larger dealer allocation, so there will be a few out there. Since the production numbers seem limited, and demand high, I wouldn't doubt that a few people will be open to spending top dollar. You can certainly bet that the dealers with available machines will be marking them up. You can see that already on Facebook......
FYI- I've traditionally been an early adopter of Cat products- and have the scars to show for it. I debated returning to Cat, but will wait to re-evaluate a year from now once Cat offers additional engine, display, track, and accessory options.
Some of the more successful dealers are receiving a larger dealer allocation, so there will be a few out there. Since the production numbers seem limited, and demand high, I wouldn't doubt that a few people will be open to spending top dollar. You can certainly bet that the dealers with available machines will be marking them up. You can see that already on Facebook......
FYI- I've traditionally been an early adopter of Cat products- and have the scars to show for it. I debated returning to Cat, but will wait to re-evaluate a year from now once Cat offers additional engine, display, track, and accessory options.
I ordered a 146" m
I still have not seen one of these sleds in person. Riding bud took one of his kids to a last minute demo in our area. They looked over the sleds pretty good and took a few spins around the course. I could tell by the enthusiasm in their call from the parking lot, . . . These things should be fun.
One takeaway that surprised me were the comments on throttle response and power feel. They are both big guys (over 300 lbs), and they are currently riding new 800 ZR sleds. They said the Catalyst felt much stronger than expected. They thought it would give the 800s a run for their money. I asked about high speed and they said there wasn't a chance to try. So the comments are based on takeoff and mid range.
One takeaway that surprised me were the comments on throttle response and power feel. They are both big guys (over 300 lbs), and they are currently riding new 800 ZR sleds. They said the Catalyst felt much stronger than expected. They thought it would give the 800s a run for their money. I asked about high speed and they said there wasn't a chance to try. So the comments are based on takeoff and mid range.
That's about inline with everything I've heard also. Sounds like there are some minor differences with the engine but not too drastic. I think it's probably a combination of a slight HP bump, lighter sled, and people say the intake sound is pretty loud and things like that can make a machine feel faster also. I also think guys on the 800's don't ride 600's too much and maybe assume they're not enough and don't realize how potent they are on the trail. I prefer 600 (or less) for the trails, I would still like an 800 for offtrail but we'll see how this 600 does in the M. Maybe it'll surprise me.I still have not seen one of these sleds in person. Riding bud took one of his kids to a last minute demo in our area. They looked over the sleds pretty good and took a few spins around the course. I could tell by the enthusiasm in their call from the parking lot, . . . These things should be fun.
One takeaway that surprised me were the comments on throttle response and power feel. They are both big guys (over 300 lbs), and they are currently riding new 800 ZR sleds. They said the Catalyst felt much stronger than expected. They thought it would give the 800s a run for their money. I asked about high speed and they said there wasn't a chance to try. So the comments are based on takeoff and mid range.
I saw the sled at haydays but not since. I had an opportunity to group ride them with AC insider and Thomas sno sports but had to work. I guess I'll see one at haydays if I go this year.. maybe Princeton at Tom's spread??
It's interesting that the bodywork is the same for all three models.
The one I rode was very quiet. Even hammering on the throttle. Quieter than my 22 RR6. Some of the test sleds had well over 5000 miles on them. The one that I rode that sold me had less than 600.That's about inline with everything I've heard also. Sounds like there are some minor differences with the engine but not too drastic. I think it's probably a combination of a slight HP bump, lighter sled, and people say the intake sound is pretty loud and things like that can make a machine feel faster also. I also think guys on the 800's don't ride 600's too much and maybe assume they're not enough and don't realize how potent they are on the trail. I prefer 600 (or less) for the trails, I would still like an 800 for offtrail but we'll see how this 600 does in the M. Maybe it'll surprise me.
I saw the sled at haydays but not since. I had an opportunity to group ride them with AC insider and Thomas sno sports but had to work. I guess I'll see one at haydays if I go this year.. maybe Princeton at Tom's spread??
It's interesting that the bodywork is the same for all three models.
Interesting. Well maybe not louder then, but different maybe. I've heard it said a few timesThe one I rode was very quiet. Even hammering on the throttle. Quieter than my 22 RR6. Some of the test sleds had well over 5000 miles on them. The one that I rode that sold me had less than 600.
that it has a different sound and sounds like in a positive way.
Agree, on power to weight. I've been saying this online and in my Youtube video reviews since I got back from the photo shoot in January, that the 600 felt stronger than expected.
At Togwotee elevation, and follow-the-leader trail rides, I didn't notice a significant difference between the 600 Catalyst and 2024 800 ProCross sleds, power-wise. The engineers at the photo shoot said there wasn't going to be much of a change in power output from the engine, and that makes sense - it's not like there's a hidden amount of power to be extracted.
I suspect there are two reasons for how it feels:
1 - The belt drive. I wish they would've had a Catalyst with a chain drive, because I'd love to compare, to see exactly what the belt drive is doing. But, I'll bet that has something to do with it.
2 - The difference in weight is profound. It's instantly obvious, and everyone loved the lighter feel of the sled. It kinda feels like a Blast, as far as how easy the sleds respond to the rider. But, it's more planted and predictable, even better than a ProCross.
At the photo shoot, we were lead to believe that weight difference would be at least 10% lighter, and it definitely felt that way.
As far as intake/exhaust noise, It's definitely different. The sleds we rode were the first ones off the line, and they were tweaking them daily. It's possible sound has changed, but we all liked it the way it was. I wouldn't say louder, but different - and better. It sounded more powerful. I don't know how else to describe it.
At Togwotee elevation, and follow-the-leader trail rides, I didn't notice a significant difference between the 600 Catalyst and 2024 800 ProCross sleds, power-wise. The engineers at the photo shoot said there wasn't going to be much of a change in power output from the engine, and that makes sense - it's not like there's a hidden amount of power to be extracted.
I suspect there are two reasons for how it feels:
1 - The belt drive. I wish they would've had a Catalyst with a chain drive, because I'd love to compare, to see exactly what the belt drive is doing. But, I'll bet that has something to do with it.
2 - The difference in weight is profound. It's instantly obvious, and everyone loved the lighter feel of the sled. It kinda feels like a Blast, as far as how easy the sleds respond to the rider. But, it's more planted and predictable, even better than a ProCross.
At the photo shoot, we were lead to believe that weight difference would be at least 10% lighter, and it definitely felt that way.
As far as intake/exhaust noise, It's definitely different. The sleds we rode were the first ones off the line, and they were tweaking them daily. It's possible sound has changed, but we all liked it the way it was. I wouldn't say louder, but different - and better. It sounded more powerful. I don't know how else to describe it.
The one thing I noticed right away when I test rode it, was the lack of drive train chatter. Zero slip if you will when taking off that I feel going from reverse to forward on my Pro cross sleds.Agree, on power to weight. I've been saying this online and in my Youtube video reviews since I got back from the photo shoot in January, that the 600 felt stronger than expected.
At Togwotee elevation, and follow-the-leader trail rides, I didn't notice a significant difference between the 600 Catalyst and 2024 800 ProCross sleds, power-wise. The engineers at the photo shoot said there wasn't going to be much of a change in power output from the engine, and that makes sense - it's not like there's a hidden amount of power to be extracted.
I suspect there are two reasons for how it feels:
1 - The belt drive. I wish they would've had a Catalyst with a chain drive, because I'd love to compare, to see exactly what the belt drive is doing. But, I'll bet that has something to do with it.
2 - The difference in weight is profound. It's instantly obvious, and everyone loved the lighter feel of the sled. It kinda feels like a Blast, as far as how easy the sleds respond to the rider. But, it's more planted and predictable, even better than a ProCross.
At the photo shoot, we were lead to believe that weight difference would be at least 10% lighter, and it definitely felt that way.
As far as intake/exhaust noise, It's definitely different. The sleds we rode were the first ones off the line, and they were tweaking them daily. It's possible sound has changed, but we all liked it the way it was. I wouldn't say louder, but different - and better. It sounded more powerful. I don't know how else to describe it.
1 - 20 of 28 Posts
Arctic Chat : Arctic Cat Forum
Arctic Chat Forum is a community to discuss Arctic Cat 400, 440, 500, 650, snowmobiles, sleds, ATV's and more. Join the fun!
Full Forum Listing
Recommended Communities
