Have about 2000 miles on my 2024 Arctic Cat Catalyst, other that the early sticking of exhaust valves it is hands down my most favorite sled I have ever owned. Upgraded to the G8 guage this year which I primarily use for machine information only, all I have to say is its an awesome display. Still making subtle chassis adjustments trying to tame the ski lift in corners, other than that IMO its an awesome sled! No regrets whatsoever!!
Hey Mikey I think he likes it
- Thread starter euphoric1
- Start date
. Glad to here, neighbor has new Cat also and very happy also.ohiosledder
Active member
I've got about 500 miles on my 26, and so far it has been fantastic! It's just so damn fun I don't want to get off of it. I've got ATAC and the G8. So far, I'm finding that I don't use ATAC too much, the medium setting is just really good for me. The G8, well sometimes I'm looking at engine info, sometimes I'm looking at trail and geography, and other times I'm looking at the media screen to see what's playing in my earbuds, but man, what an awesome display. My only regret is that Cat unveiled EPS shortly before I took delivery on it, so I'm hoping they come out with a kit for that. Also, there's been a lot of discussion about the seats. My only comment on that is due to the profile, it is a colder seat, so eventually I'll get the kit for that (I can live without it). I'm hoping for some big miles and smiles next week in the central U.P.
I didn't get the ATAC as I try to find the happy medium between conditions on set up and I was afraid on the limited settings it wouldn't be what I was looking for or I would find the one setting and leave it which would defeat the purpose of spending the extra money, but that's just me. I agree "its just so damn fun I don't want to get off of it" it is a really fun sled to ride!! NO DOUBT!! the sled steers so nicely I don't get excited about EPS but know its a draw for some. I am close to where I want suspension set, not something I do in just one ride, try to find where its to my liking, and once I find it I will leave it. "but man what an awesome display" ABSOLUTELY!! HANDS DOWN!!
ohiosledder
Active member
Yes, I'm starting to think that it wasn't worth the extra money for the ATAC, but then again, I haven't been in big moguls yet to try out the hard setting to see if it was really worth it. I also have to commend CAT for making a sled that comes apart so easily, even the headlight adjustment is accessible, and, we finally have a place for a spare belt!
I'm not as aggressive as a rider as I used to be, I like to get into it on occasion and as I stated before I like to make chassis adjustments slowly, ride in all different conditions and find a set up that is suitable for me in varying conditions, yes it may not be ideal in all but it is possible for me anyways to find that place that works for me throughout. The last thing I want to be doing is adjusting things at every ride, id rather just ride, may not be absolutely perfect for conditions but something I can deal with. As far as ski lift I have been playing with front rear suspension spring adjustment trying to see if I can get what I want with that before I start tugging on the limiter straps, nothing to do with ski lift but have also played a bit with front springs to keep better pressure on skis, I run snow-trackers 8" aggressive. I love how easy the sled is to steer and want to see if I can achieve what I am looking for without tugging on limiter straps and mashing weight on the front end as I do also enjoy the nimbleness the chassis gives, I have no interest in power steering and I know everyone might think differently on how they adjust their suspension but I want to find what works best for me. This year I have ridden pretty much nothing less than trail greatness and overall am happy with how sled rides, pushes a bit in corners when icy, this is my first 137 also and has taken some getting used to.
dfattack
Well-known member
Not suggesting to do this and certainly know you won't, but smart shox do exactly what you appear to want. No messing with settings on the trail but can make adjustments as trails change. For example, when we rode last week I was changing the shock settings all day long. Tight twistie trails I bumped up the shocks to stiffen them to keep shocks more planted in the corners. When we hit longer grade or 107 type trails I went to comfort setting. I personally love having that ability. Non smart shocks will never give you that flexibility. I know from Dootalk you either love them or don't and those prefer to monkey with the settings. I'm one who doesn't.
I agree with you on power steering on 2 stroke engines, however I REALLY miss it on a 4 stroke. It was sooo nice to have. If Doo ever came out with it...that is the one and only reason I would make a move and replace my 2022 Mach.
As most of you know I am not a 4 stroke fan at all, first one I have ever driven was the Crosstour I picked up and it was only around Root Cellars parking lot and 2 things hit me instantly...first doesn't sound like a sled...to me anyways, I still love the sound of 6 to 8000 rpms. Secondly felt incredibly from end heavy and could notice the heaviness of the steering instantly and can understand the desire to have power steering on a 4s sled. I understand the draw to 4 stroke sleds for some but for me I hope and pray 2s sleds are here to stay as long as I ride. The steering on the Catalyst is almost EFFORTLESS and don't understand the need for power steering on it, some will say its not the effort but the range of motion needed to turn on a power steering equipped sled, I still don't see the need for it and would think the range of motion thing would be something that would need getting used to, either way no desire for it on a 2s sled especially on a Catalyst, also why I'm trying to avoid tugging on limiter straps, but curious if how the center of gravity is set up on the sled if it will have as drastic of effect as the old days when engines and weight was almost right in line with ski position.
Darren, don't kill the messenger but I was actually committed to a Catalyst with ATAC and changed my mind, I know you have a pretty serious set up and calibration on your suspension and I can only imagine how it rides. The ATAC wasn't a so called "smart shock" set up and had limited settings and I was afraid that what if I didn't like the settings...then what? I'm not a by the book set up guy as far as suspension goes and as I stated I like to find the happy spot and leave it. Maybe if Cat ever comes out with something similar to the "smart shock" or "matrix" system I may give it some consideration and will have to wait for it to be perfected, the ATAC caught my eye at first but decided against it. Heck... most all of the trails we rode last week one could have ridden a vintage sled and not have had a sore back. I know its not by the book but it takes me a while to get the suspension to where I like it and I will leave it.
dfattack
Well-known member
I'm not sure what the ATAC option is to be honest.
What I will say is the beauty of smart shox is you don't have to find the "happy spot" anymore. you can simply push a button and have your perfect spot with varied conditions throughout the day. That's the main point. If you don't want to fiddle on the side of the trail (like me) then smart shox make perfect sense. For someone like you smart shox would be perfect but I don't know enough about ATAC to know if they are the same technology.
As far as power steering goes, one benefit I hardly hear anyone mention is how it isolated you to some extent to all the trail imperfections. To this day I get a little annoyed with feeling each and every clump of ice, chunk if this or that. You still feel the trail so to speak but it reminded me more of how a car will allow you to have road feel while isolating you from each and every road imperfection. Having a hard time explaining but hope you get what i'm trying to say.
ATAC was a preprogrammed map setting for the shocks but had limited settings you could select and was concerned that settings would be fine for someone else but not for me, have heard both good and bad about it so I decided against it.
ohiosledder
Active member
I'm coming off a four stroke (ZR 7000 Sno Pro) to the Catalyst. While I loved that engine, the heaviness was just wearing on me, especially as I get older. I'm literally going from one of the heaviest sleds to one of the lightest. I will never go back to a four stroke just because of the weight. Not to mention, no more pain in the ass engine oil changes or gearcase oil changes.
I agree and will add the serviceability aspect as well, I know some guys will disagree but to each their own, but I'd rather add a little oil to the tank once in a while than change oil in a 4s sled.