Excellent.... glad you were able to ride in DEEP snow! Now, IF you were lucky enough to live somewhere that GOT that much snow OFTEN....you would have a Mtn.Sled.......even just a 146 but a Mtn.Sled for sure.... I WOULD... I have a Mtn.Cat 153 for those rare days of deep stuff....and I LOVE riding trees off trail... Then I have my trail sleds WHICH I have gotten stuck playing around OFF TRAIL enough that I went out and got the 153.....................ANYWAY............... the air intakes are not a big deal..... this sled sounds killer! Thank you!.
There's nothing like snowtrax, another awesome review. The riot in that color scheme looks amazing. Ive read online some people say the ergos of the catalyst compared to a snopro 500 are very similar, would u agree? I have a snopro 500 and love the way i fit on it.
The ergonomics of the Catalyst aren’t like anything else in the industry. In my opinion, they are perfect. I’ve never ridden anything that feels this right when your slaying twisty trails.
I’ve only sat on a Catalyst in a showroom as we have no snow. I must say, despite not being an Arctic Cat fan, the seating position is incredible. I would love to take one for a burn - with an 858! I think AC has a winner on their hands here….
Absolutely. That’s what needs to happen. They need to go back to the Riot and Riot X. Leave one at 39 inches and put the full ZR front suspension on the other one. That way everyone can get exactly what they want.
@@pavmentsurfer13 I thought about buying a 858 riot and riding it for a bit then swapping the front end over to a full trail width front end. Still debating between another riot (I have a 2023 800) and a RXC 858
Luke evan says riot is flat in the turns no ski lift so how is wider really going to be better idk lol!! Iv spent enough time on my fathers catalyst to know unless ur in the real steep and deep that 600 is plenty of power. I raced buddies 800 cat and 850 doo. The 600 spanked both to 60 mph when doo went by me then the 800. Plenty of power for off trail without a doubt. Watching videos with guys mounting riding catalyst in extreme deep snow with with ease.
It’s not crazy. But it is important to remember that Crossovers are generally intended for lower elevation riding. Not to say they can’t be ridden up high too. It’s just not really what they’ve been setup for.
Explain why a trail front end makes it a true 50/50. I disagree. That front end makes it more like a long tracked uncoupled trail sled. I dont think a crossover should have a front end that is as planted on the trail as a....trail sled. I want a 39" ski stance so it a little loose on the trail yet is more nimble off trail. That's the compromise of getting away from a trail sled, IMO.
Sooo… what YOU want is what makes a 50/50 crossover. But not what anyone else wants. Sorry to say, but the majority of crossover buyers disagree with you. It’s why the assault is so popular and loved by so many. My rational is that 50/50 means it has to be as good ON trail as it is OFF trail. AS GOOD… Not almost as good… but equal. The 39 inch wide riot is NOT as good on trail as it off. It’s far better OFF trail than it is on. Which means it’s more like a 60/40 crossover AT BEST. Here’s another bit of truth for you. The benefits to on trail handling you get going to a 42.5 inch front end is GREATER than the negative impact it will have on the sled when your off trail. In the collective opinions of everyone here at Snowtrax, if you can’t ride a 42.5 inch crossover sled off the trail because of that extra 3.5 inches, you need more practice. Furthermore, if where you ride, a 39 inch front end is BETTER… you’d probably be better off buying a chaos or freeride. A crossover is supposed to do both equally as well. The 39 inch front end is not good enough on trail. So it’s not a 50/50. But, at the end of the day, do we really need to get in each others faces over %10? All arctic cat needs to do is go back to the Riot and Riot X…. That was the best way to keep both of us happy. Skidoo is doing it now with the Backcountry. Offering both front ends. Everyone’s happy. Arctic should do the same.
You want it to be as good as a trail sled on trail. That sounds 60/40 to the trail side to me, not 50/50. A trail front end sucks off trail. Imo, a 50/50 sled is half good at everything and not the best on anything
@tsurfer13 couldn't disagree more.... haha. As a guy who has owned both a SBA and BC... the SBA i'd say is a 70/30 trail bias. That front end hinders it off trail. I like to go to the mountains 1-2x/year. Keeping a 42" stance on it's side for 4 straight days is so tiring. the BC outshines at that aspect, yet is still 80% as good on trail. I'll be keeping my opinion of 50/50 means good on trail, and good off trail. Not necessarily great at either, but very good. 42" front is great on trail, but bad off trail (unless off trail is flat fields/ditches).... which, if you are a flat lander i guess that is probably what you want, but not if you head out west a time or two a year. We'll agree to disagree, buy what works best for your style of riding. With all that said, i run offset spindles back home in MN, takes about 20 minutes to swap out, so i have a 42" front end back home.... best of both worlds. I really think the SBA is a 70/30 trail biased sled where the true 50/50 in their lineup is the SKS... however, no 850 option in that sled....
@pavmentsurfer13 I can make the argument that a 43 ski stance is not good enough off trail so it's not a true 50/50. Your obvious priority is on trail characteristics and off trail is secondary. Perhaps you are 60/40 and I am 40/60?
Hey Cat.... if you watched this and are reading this. For the love of god please do NOT put a trail front on your crossover sleds. Dude even said in this video that it corners flat. No need to ruin the off trail characteristics.
Yeah, do NOT bring back the riot and riot X model offerings. We don't want to ensure everyone can have the crossover sled they want. Only cater to ONE group of crossover riders.
Excellent.... glad you were able to ride in DEEP snow! Now, IF you were lucky enough to live somewhere that GOT that much snow OFTEN....you would have a Mtn.Sled.......even just a 146 but a Mtn.Sled for sure.... I WOULD... I have a Mtn.Cat 153 for those rare days of deep stuff....and I LOVE riding trees off trail... Then I have my trail sleds WHICH I have gotten stuck playing around OFF TRAIL enough that I went out and got the 153.....................ANYWAY............... the air intakes are not a big deal..... this sled sounds killer! Thank you!.
Like to see this same review with the 858 motor, and I’m sure tweaks will come on the catalyst
Stay tuned next season for info on the 858. No one could get their hands on one this season.
I have 13/4 profile track 16" is probably the best track to be true 50/50 sled. I just wish the bc has this option.
There's nothing like snowtrax, another awesome review. The riot in that color scheme looks amazing. Ive read online some people say the ergos of the catalyst compared to a snopro 500 are very similar, would u agree? I have a snopro 500 and love the way i fit on it.
The ergonomics of the Catalyst aren’t like anything else in the industry. In my opinion, they are perfect. I’ve never ridden anything that feels this right when your slaying twisty trails.
I’ve only sat on a Catalyst in a showroom as we have no snow. I must say, despite not being an Arctic Cat fan, the seating position is incredible. I would love to take one for a burn - with an 858! I think AC has a winner on their hands here….
I am waiting to see if they eventually change out the subframe for an aluminum one. I could see it losing g 10-15 lbs.
Maybe get to put more then 10 km this winter … didn’t even finish the breakin period .
We're all hoping!!
Do you think putting ZR a-arms (possibly front shocks too if they’re longer) On a riot would make it even better on trail?
I've had all the crossovers and none of them will be perfect
Absolutely. That’s what needs to happen. They need to go back to the Riot and Riot X. Leave one at 39 inches and put the full ZR front suspension on the other one. That way everyone can get exactly what they want.
@@pavmentsurfer13 I thought about buying a 858 riot and riding it for a bit then swapping the front end over to a full trail width front end. Still debating between another riot (I have a 2023 800) and a RXC 858
Should make a high country model
Luke evan says riot is flat in the turns no ski lift so how is wider really going to be better idk lol!!
Iv spent enough time on my fathers catalyst to know unless ur in the real steep and deep that 600 is plenty of power. I raced buddies 800 cat and 850 doo. The 600 spanked both to 60 mph when doo went by me then the 800. Plenty of power for off trail without a doubt. Watching videos with guys mounting riding catalyst in extreme deep snow with with ease.
Where are you guys riding w all this snow? It’s crap in Sudbury. Even Timmins etc.
lol… we had to travel to find snow. But this test ride was filmed late last season in a location with lots of snow.
Be nice if cross overs had an adjustable clutch for elevation. I know im probly sounding crazy oh well
It’s not crazy. But it is important to remember that Crossovers are generally intended for lower elevation riding. Not to say they can’t be ridden up high too. It’s just not really what they’ve been setup for.
Does not use the trail ski as stated. G2 proclimb ski comes standard.
Explain why a trail front end makes it a true 50/50. I disagree. That front end makes it more like a long tracked uncoupled trail sled. I dont think a crossover should have a front end that is as planted on the trail as a....trail sled. I want a 39" ski stance so it a little loose on the trail yet is more nimble off trail. That's the compromise of getting away from a trail sled, IMO.
Couldn't agree more
Sooo… what YOU want is what makes a 50/50 crossover. But not what anyone else wants. Sorry to say, but the majority of crossover buyers disagree with you. It’s why the assault is so popular and loved by so many. My rational is that 50/50 means it has to be as good ON trail as it is OFF trail. AS GOOD… Not almost as good… but equal. The 39 inch wide riot is NOT as good on trail as it off. It’s far better OFF trail than it is on. Which means it’s more like a 60/40 crossover AT BEST. Here’s another bit of truth for you. The benefits to on trail handling you get going to a 42.5 inch front end is GREATER than the negative impact it will have on the sled when your off trail. In the collective opinions of everyone here at Snowtrax, if you can’t ride a 42.5 inch crossover sled off the trail because of that extra 3.5 inches, you need more practice. Furthermore, if where you ride, a 39 inch front end is BETTER… you’d probably be better off buying a chaos or freeride. A crossover is supposed to do both equally as well. The 39 inch front end is not good enough on trail. So it’s not a 50/50. But, at the end of the day, do we really need to get in each others faces over %10? All arctic cat needs to do is go back to the Riot and Riot X…. That was the best way to keep both of us happy. Skidoo is doing it now with the Backcountry. Offering both front ends. Everyone’s happy. Arctic should do the same.
You want it to be as good as a trail sled on trail. That sounds 60/40 to the trail side to me, not 50/50. A trail front end sucks off trail. Imo, a 50/50 sled is half good at everything and not the best on anything
@tsurfer13 couldn't disagree more.... haha. As a guy who has owned both a SBA and BC... the SBA i'd say is a 70/30 trail bias. That front end hinders it off trail. I like to go to the mountains 1-2x/year. Keeping a 42" stance on it's side for 4 straight days is so tiring. the BC outshines at that aspect, yet is still 80% as good on trail. I'll be keeping my opinion of 50/50 means good on trail, and good off trail. Not necessarily great at either, but very good. 42" front is great on trail, but bad off trail (unless off trail is flat fields/ditches).... which, if you are a flat lander i guess that is probably what you want, but not if you head out west a time or two a year. We'll agree to disagree, buy what works best for your style of riding. With all that said, i run offset spindles back home in MN, takes about 20 minutes to swap out, so i have a 42" front end back home.... best of both worlds. I really think the SBA is a 70/30 trail biased sled where the true 50/50 in their lineup is the SKS... however, no 850 option in that sled....
@pavmentsurfer13 I can make the argument that a 43 ski stance is not good enough off trail so it's not a true 50/50. Your obvious priority is on trail characteristics and off trail is secondary. Perhaps you are 60/40 and I am 40/60?
Hey Cat.... if you watched this and are reading this. For the love of god please do NOT put a trail front on your crossover sleds. Dude even said in this video that it corners flat. No need to ruin the off trail characteristics.
Yeah, do NOT bring back the riot and riot X model offerings. We don't want to ensure everyone can have the crossover sled they want. Only cater to ONE group of crossover riders.
Don't beleive they are mountain a arms
Luke said it used trail spindles and mountain a arms.