CF Moto/Artic Cat
- Thread starter Magnumb
- Start date
I agree, like it or not we need some made in China budget sleds. Other Power sports have been doing it for years now. I believe even most of the Japanese branded youth dirt bikes and quads are made in China now.
I have to admit, I know very little about this company but if they help to keep three manufactures in the snow business, that's a good thing!
www.cfmotousa.com
CFMOTO USA | Powersports
Discover CFMOTO: The ATV brand that gives you the power to conquer more. Made for the American dream, our powerful machines let you ride without compromise.
www.cfmotousa.com
I haven't seen the press release yet but I'm glad Cat is getting another life. That being said, I'd like to have my say.... (I was a Cat dealer from '05 to '13).... In my opinion, regardless of what conspiracy theory people believe.... "they" (whoever "they" is) don't control the weather. Weather is cyclical it almost killed snowmobiles in the late 70s/early 80s.
The industry continues to push the envelope of technology. Is that good? Yes but it doesn’t mean everyone needs a 20G plus machine to have fun. The manufacturers gave the magazines the top of the line machines to demo for a period of time. Magazines write articles causing potential buyers (particularly 1st time buyers) to believe they are must haves. You can put bikes, ATVs, boats, RVs all in this scenario. All are hurting.
When Cat came out with the ZR 200 and then the Blast, comments were posted all over including this forum how worthless/horrible these machines are. Ok, put your 14 year old kid on a 25 year old 500 Indy (or you choose your favorite vintage sled). Most are junk by now. Parts are becoming scarce & like it or not, many people don't have the skill, knowledge, time or place to rebuild one let alone keep one reliable.
Put the would be/should be entry level buyer on a 10 year "old too fast for his skill level" sled that needs maintenance before it will be reliable & if he doesn't kill himself it will break down a few times & he's out of snowmobiling for good.
Textron dumped dealers. Not enough left to cover the potential market area. Some would have bailed like I did because there is no money in machines. It's in parts, accessories & service. The internet has ruined that. "It's cheaper on the internet". Then buy it on the internet, you can ride in 3 or 4 days, not today.
The industry continues to push the envelope of technology. Is that good? Yes but it doesn’t mean everyone needs a 20G plus machine to have fun. The manufacturers gave the magazines the top of the line machines to demo for a period of time. Magazines write articles causing potential buyers (particularly 1st time buyers) to believe they are must haves. You can put bikes, ATVs, boats, RVs all in this scenario. All are hurting.
When Cat came out with the ZR 200 and then the Blast, comments were posted all over including this forum how worthless/horrible these machines are. Ok, put your 14 year old kid on a 25 year old 500 Indy (or you choose your favorite vintage sled). Most are junk by now. Parts are becoming scarce & like it or not, many people don't have the skill, knowledge, time or place to rebuild one let alone keep one reliable.
Put the would be/should be entry level buyer on a 10 year "old too fast for his skill level" sled that needs maintenance before it will be reliable & if he doesn't kill himself it will break down a few times & he's out of snowmobiling for good.
Textron dumped dealers. Not enough left to cover the potential market area. Some would have bailed like I did because there is no money in machines. It's in parts, accessories & service. The internet has ruined that. "It's cheaper on the internet". Then buy it on the internet, you can ride in 3 or 4 days, not today.
SHOOT2KILL
Active member
Magnum has been all over the internet claiming this is a done deal...FAKE News...Clickbait...Not saying it cant happen...It just Hasn't happened yet...Back to your regularly scheduled programing...
Well AC pulled another rabbit out of there hat it seems, cats have 9 lives it's said. Hopefully it's not just more wishful thinking. We'll just have to see how this all works out. Made in China, eh? Or made in Minny? Let's just be glad if it did happen with who ever. My preference was for Kawasaki to be the buyer. And the mass loss of snowmobile brands, manufacturers in the 70's was due to there being way too many of them. And them not to be able to satisfy the 'net profits' needs.
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SHOOT2KILL
Active member
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It does and hopefully it pans out. This sport needs another player and bad. I know it's long shot, but exciting non the less if it happened. Not sure what else could save the sport and make it last a little longer
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I'm such a terrible person! Sorry i ruined your day. haha
If they did in fact buy them and price sleds at 7k with a 5year warranty, then we'd see some real growth in the sport.
I mean you can buy a 400cc ATV for under 5k with a 5year warranty and they are not junk products and proven. They are simple products, but it's a good entry product for younger buyers
I mean you can buy a 400cc ATV for under 5k with a 5year warranty and they are not junk products and proven. They are simple products, but it's a good entry product for younger buyers
indy_500
Well-known member
Meh I’m not so sure it’s a cost of sled issue as much as it is a lack of snow. Under $10k budget sleds have always been around and they simply don’t sell unless the entire Midwest has great snow. You don’t go up to the UP chasing snow and find a bunch of Indy sp or doo sport 600s running around. It’s nothing but xrs with smart shox and VR1 boosts. Very avid snowmobilers simply don’t buy budget sleds, and non avid snowmobilers aren’t buying new snowmobiles very often…
The doo neos on sale aren't that far off. I don't know how anyone could put a 5 yr warranty on a sled unless there's some required maintenance that goes with it.
indy_500
Well-known member
5 yr warranty’s were very standard on spring order snowmobiles from 2010ish-2020ish. When inflation skyrocketed after Covid, warranty lengths went on a major keto diet to save costs to try not to raise the price of the units at the same rate.
SHOOT2KILL
Active member
I disagree...Absolutely nothing wrong with my 2022 Renegade 600 efi...It's capable of performing as well as any of my other 50+ high performance sleds have for the 55 seasons ive been in the sport...Is it a mogul masher...NOPE...But all my riding is done mid-week on early morning fresh groomed trails...
That's interesting. I never heard that. A guy who rides 2/3k miles a year would really clean up on worn out parts...
Finding a new sled for 5-6k with a 5-year warranty might bring in a new type of buyer...one that has already begun to buy under the CF Moto brand and then they see their dealer also offers sleds.... These buyers are not same buyers as the ones buying new Polaris of Can-Am/Ski-Doo products. These are people who make 50-70k.
I know 5k to 8k is not a huge difference in price, but i think a sled for 5k from a new brand might sway people. And who wants to buy the cheapest model a brand offers...riding that is demoralizing for some. There buddies are riding 12k sleds and here you come along with you 7k Neo sled from the same brand. Riding a new sled from a new and upcoming manufacture is a lot more enjoyable and your can rag on you buddies that your Chinese 5k sled is just as good as there 12k-16k sled in a lot of aspects and just as fun. This sport is not just about numbers, it's also about excitement and "feelings"
Plus you have the group that just rents new 12k sleds every year. They might consider buying if cheap enough.
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