Arctic Cat 4 strokes - reviews?

Hoosier

Well-known member
Hey, it seems like you don't hear much about the arctic cat 4 strokes. When you look at the arctic cat sites, it seems like all the discussion is about the turbos and mods, etc. What is the non turbo 4 stroke cat like compared to say the F6? That's supposed to be an incredible chassis, just wondering what it is like with the 4 stroke...I'm a 90% trailer rider and like to ride long miles most days, so the gas mileage and not having to carry oil appeals to me. Don't care much about the smell, and I'm not sure if I care about the weight...
 

dcsnomo

Moderator
I have a non-turbo Jag, I'm a trail rider and I love it! Fast, comfortable, good storage, warm, can ride all day. My hot rod 2 stroke buddies give me grief, but hey, it all evens up at the pump! It does sound kinda funny , though!
 

Hoosier

Well-known member
Does it ride much different on the trail than Cat's comparable 2 stroke (probably the 600)? Does it feel heavier in turns?
 

jmag

Member
it is heavy, but it rides great. hard to compare the handling to a 600, not as sporty. it is a great ride, comfortable as can be. hard to beat as a trail cruiser. i really enjoy mine, so does my back.
 

dcsnomo

Moderator
Never been on a comparable Cat two stroke, heavier in turns than my 98 Polaris Indy XLT (to be expected). I'm gonna change out the rear springs this year 'cause I'm a big guy. Also gonna switch to Woody's or Bergstrom carbides. It's a big sled, but I'm a big guy so I'm cool with it. Real nice ride.
 

hamburgchf

New member
I switched to a Turbo 660 AC three years ago, I love it, it is quiet, no adding oil, clean smelling, and good mileage, I am like you I like to ride long rides. The other thing I like is handling, I thought because the 4 stroke engine was heavy it would not handle well, it is the best handling cat I have ever had and I have had quite a few.
 

mvedepo

Member
If you want a 4-stroke trail cruising sled than get the 2010 or newer Vector LTX. Its a SWEET trail machine. Fuel injection made a huge difference.

Also as for the weight its a non issue. My wife, a self admitted wimp, is 5' and 103 lbs. Of all the new sleds she tried last year she liked the new Vector the best. She had no issues handling the sled.
 
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anonomoose

New member
If you want a 4-stroke trail cruising sled than get the 2010 or newer Vector LTX. Its a SWEET trail machine. Fuel injection made a huge difference.

Also as for the weight its a non issue. My wife, a self admitted wimp, is 5' and 103 lbs. Of all the new sleds she tried last year she liked the new Vector the best. She had no issues handling the sled.

You might want to read the heading of the title on this thread. The question was about the 4 stroke cats.

It's about time the Yamaha meat got with fuel injection which Cats had from the get go. And you might want to jump on a CAT before you buy your next Yamaha and see just how nice the Cats are, compared.

Only complaint I have about the CAT and which is true about the YAMAHA'S is that you have to take your hands off the handle bars to go thru the multifunction display. Polaris beats them all by putting the button on the handlebar where it really belongs. You use it far more this way.

It's nice to flick thru engine temp, outside temp, altitude, switch up the analog to digital tach, fuel level, clock, fastest speed, highest rpm, etc...and you can do it without stopping or bouncing around trying to hit the button, when it is on the handlebar.

Otherwise the Cat is a fine sled, very solid engine and of course one of if not the finest suspension going.

All 4 stroke sleds are heavier than their 2 stroke counter machines. But not enough to take away the nice smooth delivery of power without the need to wind the motor out to high rpms.

The reliability it seems of the Cats is very good, with but a few early bugs.



It is American Made, too...I like that.

To do justice to the 4 stroke sleds, you should try and ride every one of the makers models, which will take a bit of time because they all make them now. And it even sounds like Skiiiidoodle has a winner on their assembly line.

If you take the time to compare, you will find that they are great trail sleds and unlike the 2 smokers, they aren't nearly as prone to engine problems.

There will always be those guys who jump on their first 4 stroke and say it is the best four stroke out there withOUT trying the other makers sleds. This isn't a good way to judge things now is it? To do a proper job you need to ride them all and don't take a buddy along who is pushing for one makers sleds over another....try and take an unbiased look at them and decide for yourself.

I own a turbo cat, and non-turbo cats, and the fit and finish on that sled is extremely good, and the fun factor is on the top. My older cats have never been touched mechanically and they are by far the most reliable machines I have owned and I have purchased every makers brand out there.

Take the plunge....those that did, haven't looked back. And the sled will be the one everyone in the family wants to ride when the time comes to pick one out.

My daughter loves the turbo Cat and says it steers the easiest of all the sleds. (She has never had it over 50 mph) Oh, and be sure to order the highest windshield you can get unless you like being cold...the skimpy windshields do little to protect when the temps get down to the bottom of the thermometer....and who wants to shy away from riding because your sled didn't come with proper protection??

Some of the makers put looks over function in the wind protection category...but there is NO substitute for good wind protection.
 

whitedust

Well-known member
If you want a 4-stroke trail cruising sled than get the 2010 or newer Vector LTX. Its a SWEET trail machine. Fuel injection made a huge difference.

Also as for the weight its a non issue. My wife, a self admitted wimp, is 5' and 103 lbs. Of all the new sleds she tried last year she liked the new Vector the best. She had no issues handling the sled.

Although you had a good natured response to the 1st post. If it is an AC, Poo, Yamaha or Doo post stay on brand topic or could be thought of as brand bashing. Just start another thread about the Vector & others will chime in. Probably best that way anyway to keep everyone objective. Just a friendly JD post reminder that I have learned over time stay on brand keeps the peace.
 

lvr1000

New member
what's a trailer rider, nash?

Wife has over 7500 miles on her Z1 Jag and still just loves the sled. Engine is just as clean as the day we picked it up. She's about 127 and handles the sled very well and we regularly put 125 to 200 miles a day for 6 days strait. As far as handling, I like it so much (she very seldom let me ride HER sled) I ordered the Turbo version when if first came out. I am a VERY aggressive rider and this sled (turbo) fits me perfect. Best thing I can ride with the boys, actually kick their butts on the twisties and still get 15mpg while their high tech gas sipping 2-s get 12-13. Only takes a little tweaking and alot of know how to get that Turbo sippin fuel and kicking butt on the big end.

As far as the non turbo, with a new belt and good conditions, the sled will do a TRUE 96 with me on it. Until I got my turbo dialed in, the wife use to kick my butt to about 80.
 
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