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There’s Fast… Then There’s Cat’s Turbo

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Arctic Cat’s 2012 turbo is like a turbocharged mill with another turbo on it.

The last couple of years Arctic Cat has been delivering huge horsepower in the turbocharged 4-stroke Twin Spar chassis to the level of 175 ponies. However, perhaps because of weight and chassis friction, the results had seen limited success. What we have this year in the ProCross platform is a Cat Turbo that absolutely delivers.

There’s always the question you could ask about whether a sled can have too much power. The answer is simple: If the chassis can handle the power, then there’s pretty much no limit.

Such is the case here. The new ProCross handles so well and by design is so well integrated with its 4-stroke, the Turbo version is flat-out outstanding.

Keep in mind, this is a sled for those who want only the ultimate in acceleration and top speed. Based on our riding experiences we would say the 160-plus horsepower 800 2-stroke is a more integrated package and has a better balance between weight, handling and usable horsepower.

However, there is always a segment that wants the absolute acme of any breed and this Turbo is the Bugatti Veyron of snowmobiles.

Acceleration is immediate, unrelenting and rude. You need to pay strict attention to where you’re going or you’ll be blowing past corners all day.

This sled is very much a different breed than its 800 and EFI 4-stroke siblings and will appeal to a more narrow segment of the market.

You can find a full detailed ride report on all the new Cats in the Online Edition of Supertrax (Vol 22 #5) available right now only on ZINIO.COM!

SUPERTRAX 2012 PREVIEW ISSUE NOW ONLINE

ITS FINALLY HERE!

The Publishers of SUPERTRAX are happy to announce that the exclusive-to-ZINIO March 2012 Preview edition is now available for download!

This issue gives you the first look at specs, details and ride impressions of all the 2012 snowmobiles from the team that’s actually had extensive saddle time on these sleds!

Get in depth first impressions on the 2012 sleds from Yamaha, Ski-Doo, Polaris and Arctic cat as well as great columns from Kent and Mark Lester. you’ll also ride a gem from the late CJ Ramstad regaling the history of Team Arctic, plus great gear and accessories you will definitely want in your trailer.

If you aren’t familiar with ZINIO, don’t be afraid. This is just about the most user-friendly online application you could ever consider diving into. Here’s the best way to look at it: consider ZINIO a digital newsstand.

Zinio allows you to shop for, search for, read and store digital editions of magazines and books on your desktop computer, laptop or iPad. By accessing a user account, magazines can be purchased and downloaded directly to your computer or device to be accessed anywhere you can access your files.

this issue is ONLY AVAILABLE ONLINE and will NOT be available in print! Click the links below to download your copy today for the low, low price of only $3.99. Within minutes, you’ll be reading your own copy on your computer or iPad – you don’t even have to leave your office!

Click here to get your copy now!

2012 CAT PROCROSS 800 IS FAST!

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We’ve had two chances to test ride the new ProCross Cats and to get a feel for the design goals Cat has initiated.

The first thing we noticed about the new platform is its great ergonomics. Cat has deep-sixed the adjustable seat and handlebars on these sleds (the ProClimb mountain sleds still have the telescoping bars) and some Cat fans will be disappointed they’re gone.

Not to worry. The ergonomics are so good on these sleds you are instantly comfortable whether sitting or standing, especially if the rider’s height is anywhere between 5ft 7-inches and 6 feet.

Although we don’t know any actual weights yet, the 800 feels extremely light and agile when you’re riding it. We call it “flickable”.

The sled responds so quickly to the rider’s weight shifting and handlebar inputs, it feels like it’s almost plugged into your brain.

Probably the biggest question is whether or not this 800 is as fast as the very fast Ski-Doo E-TEC and Polaris Cleanfire 800s.

Certainly, the mules we’ve driven have been super-fast. We can’t comment on whether or not the production 800s will be faster or slower, but we have to admit, the ones we rode last week in West Yellowstone were absolute bullets – we’re talking nosebleed fast.

More on Zinio.

You can get a full detailed ride report on all the new Cats when you grab the Online Edition of Supertrax (Vol 22 #5) on Zinio.com available Friday. Don’t miss it!

2011 Polaris Rush 600 LX Snowmobile Review

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Luke evaluates the 2011 Polaris RUSH 600 LX highlighting the featuring of this sled form anyone hunting for a 600-class 2-stroke snowmobile on the used market.

CAT’S NON-4-STROKE, 4-STROKE

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The 2012 Cats are available with either an 800 2-stroke or two versions of the Suzuki even firing parallel 4-stroke twin you’ve seen in the Z1 the last few years.

We’ll tell you more about our riding impressions on the 800 tomorrow but right now we’ve gotta get this off our chests.

The new F-Series 1100’s are flat-out excellent 4-strokes and perform like no other 4-stroke snowmobiles we’ve ever ridden.

One of Cat’s design parameters was to build a 4-stroke sled that feels, handles and performs very close to a 600 2-stroke. I know it sounds ridiculous because we’ve all been pre-conditioned to believe no 4-stroke can match a 2-stroke in those departments.

Weight is the issue and all 4-stroke mills carry extra mass. Can’t deny it. However, the new 1100 series Cats have somehow beaten the odds and these sleds feel every bit as light and handle as well as, or even better than, a comparable 2012 F-Cat with a 2-stroke.

Comparing the 4-stroke EFI version of the new Pro-Cross Cat models to yellow and red, we would have to confess the new Cat actually out-handles its 600cc 2-stroke competitors, at least in trail settings.

We’re not arguing the 1100 gives up a bit of top end motor compared to its 2-stroke competitors (maybe 5-8mph), but the bottom end and mid-range power makes up for it.

This is a very impressive achievement and sets the bar high for the rest of the industry.

We didn’t believe it could be done; but now that it has been delivered, there are no excuses from anyone else.

Wait ’til we tell you about riding the new Turbo…

You’ll be able to get a full detailed ride report on all the new Cats when you grab the Online Edition of Supertrax (Vol 22 #5) on Zinio.com tomorrow (Friday). Don’t miss it!

CAT’S NEW SLED IS MAGIC!

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Okay, we’ve been busting to tell you about the new Arctic Cat sleds for almost a month now and today the embargo is lifted and we can spill the beans.

We’ve ridden this sled rather extensively at two different sites (Minnesota & Montana) and our praise for the new chassis has been doubly confirmed. This is a breakthrough snowmobile.

The new F-series Cats are much lighter, more compact snowmobiles than Cat has produced since the days of the Firecat and the new sleds’ hallmarks are twofold: Excellent ergonomics and most importantly, handling.

Frankly, there hasn’t been a Cat that handles like this one since the days of the old sit-down ZR chassis and AC moves to the top of the handling heap in one fell swoop with this widely spaced double A-arm design.

This sled’s neutral handling manners are better than any competitor and its knife-like ability to carve corners makes it a total blast to ride. This element has been sadly missing on Cats the past few years and now the fun-factor is back in spades!

The other big deal is the way the new 4-stroke Cat works. This is the first 4-stroke we’ve ridden that doesn’t feel anything like a 4-stroke! Honest.

We can’t believe how there’s simply no handling compromise with last year’s Z1 even-firing parallel twin under the hood. This is pure magic and finally, after almost ten years of 4-stroke sleds, somebody has finally managed to get it right.

More tomorrow…

You’ll be able to get a full detailed ride report on all the new Cats when you grab the Online Edition of Supertrax (Vol 22 #5) on Zinio.com this Friday. Don’t miss it!

ZINIO ISSUE OF SUPERTRAX LANDS MARCH 11TH

Where Else Can You Find Out Everything About the 2012s!

With the breakthrough sales of digital devices like Apple’s iPad, subscribing to digital format magazines online is making more and more sense – and more people are doing it every week.

Certainly, larger numbers of snowmobilers are surfing snowmobile-related websites for information every day anyway, and the availability of high-speed service has reached far into the rural areas where most snowmobilers live.

2010: First Mags on Zinio

Last fall, Supertrax began making its printed issues available to those who wanted to view the magazine on a home computer or mobile device. Today, you can log onto Zinio.com and download any of the issues of Supertrax you may have missed this season. Everything’s there – all the photos, all the silly comments and all the test reports. It’s quick, super-easy and cheap. All you need is a PC or Mac computer, iPad or any one of the other similar mobile “e-books”.

Traditionally, Supertrax has published four printed magazines yearly, in-season, and the last couple of years our readers and advertisers have been asking for more issues and more information, Supertrax style. Last year our publishing cycle was modified so our readers could receive all four issues in-season (prior to this, the last issue of Supertrax was a March edition, pretty much available after the snowmobile season ended).

March 2011: See All the New Sleds

The March printed edition of Supertrax was always a great idea and very much loved by our readers, so we wanted to find a good way to relate all the 2012 new sled info to you including any special programs the OEMs had dreamed up for special purchasing incentives and freebies on the 2012s. The idea was to get the information to you as fast as possible and, unfortunately, printed magazines take longer to process to the final stage of reaching your doorstep than digital ones do.

As it is, the March Digital Edition of Supertrax will be available only on Zinio, (not in print) as soon as the last manufacturers’ embargo is lifted and we’re allowed to tell you about all the latest new sleds and equipment, plus give you our valuable billion-dollar opinions and reveal photos of the 2012s to you.

You’ll Be Remembered As a Mental Giant!

You can purchase the March issue as a single online copy or you can subscribe digitally and receive every issue instantly downloaded to your computer for a bargain price. Remember, this March 2011 issue of Supertrax will not be available in print – only on Zinio! Zinio’s format means your purchase will be completely private and secure.

You’re gonna love this new way of reading Supertrax and you’ll be among the wisest, most cunning and computer savvy people in your group. Think about the status! You’ll be loved and respected as a totally modern thinker.

The March 2011 issue of Supertrax will not be available in print – only on Zinio!

Click here to check out all the current issues and this will be your link to buy your own digital copy of SUPERTRAX available only on ZINIO.

Byers Finishes Weekend with Podium

While the weather was getting nasty in other parts of Ontario with the dreaded rain, Sudbury was getting hit with snow which kept everyone in the winter mood for this past weekend’s racing at Sudbury Downs.

A great track was put together by the CSRA and fans were able to view the whole track from the raised heated grandstands. This was the first weekend since the season opener in Calabogie that the whole Supertrax Magazine /Byers Motorsports/ Polaris team was together with both Jamie and Kyle racing.

Kyle returned to the track after 8 weeks of being on the sled due to prior schooling commitments. In Moto 1 of Sport 600, Kyle nailed the start and grabbed the hole-shot but struggled with the rhythm section and fell back to 5th.

In Moto 2, Kyle didn’t get the start he wanted and was mid pack. He was able to make a couple passes for 4th before the finish. Kyle got a good start in the final despite starting in the back-row and had got to about mid pack. Unfortunately for Kyle, he got caught up in a 3 racer pileup in the 2nd corner which took majority of the race to untangle and finished 14th.

Kyle came out Sunday wanting to show everyone he still had what it takes to run upfront. Kyle finished 2nd in Moto 1 after getting a great start and finding his racing groove again.

Kyle came out strong again in Moto 2, grabbing the hole-shot, got passed by a rider in corner 2 but charged hard down the front stretch and made the pass for the lead. Kyle led the remaining laps holding off 2nd place for the win. You could tell Kyle was in the groove and pumped after qualifying second, wanting a good finish in the final.

Kyle didn’t get the start he would have liked getting pinched in the first corner coming out in the latter half of the pack. Kyle was making time and picking off one rider at a time. He had made his way up to 8th before getting hit by another rider coming out of the corner and was tossed off the sled with 2 laps to go crossing the line 16th.

Jamie hit to the track on Saturday for the Semi-Pro Stock class grabbing the hole-shot in Moto 1. Jamie fell back to 3rd but soon after, 2nd place came off his sled in the rhythm section handing 2nd back to Jamie for the finish.

Once again, Jamie was on the throttle for the Green flag, grabbed the hole-shot and led from start to finish holding off 2nd place’s last lap charge. Qualifying 2nd for the final, Jamie lined up to the outside of the starting line.

He got pinched off on the start and had to let off the throttle coming out of the first corner near the back. He was able to make up some time on the outside of the rhythm section and pick off riders before the finish, coming across in 6th.

After the noon Pro/Semi-Pro practice, Jamie was very happy with the mod sleds performance and was confident going into the qualifying moto’s. His Polaris IQ 600 hooked up off the start and grabbed the hole-shot in moto 2.

Jamie was passed in corner 2 but stayed on the throttle down the front stretch, diving to the inside of the starting line corner, making a great clean pass for the lead and the win. In Moto 2, Jamie was 2nd and he and the leader were pulling away from the rest of the pack. Jamie overshot the finish line triple, got crossed up in the air and came off the side of the sled on the landing.

Falling back to 6th, he got back up quick, charged hard and was able to pass 2 riders for 4th. Jamie, once again, lined up on the outside for the final and was confident that he could grab a great start.

At the drop of the green, the sled hooked up and launched Jamie 1st into the corner. Fellow Polaris rider #381 got to the inside of Jamie putting the pressure on and Jamie blew the 3rd corner falling back to 4th.

Jamie got back on the gas and passed both riders in the first corner after the finish line taking back 2nd. Jamie pulled away from 3rd and grabbed the 2nd place podium position for his best finish of the year thus far.

“The mod sled worked awesome today and helped me grab every hole-shot” Jamie said after the race. “This Dayco XTX belt is working and hooking up great. I can’t believe we’re still on the same belt we started the season with!”

Jamie did not attend the CSRA Regional race 2 weeks ago in Kirkland Lake as he was offered with a great opportunity by Supertrax Magazine to attend the 2011 SnowShoot in West Yellowstone, Montana as a test rider. Jamie was able to ride all the 2012 sleds before they were released to the public and Supertrax took action photos for next season’s Supertrax issues. Jamie would really like to thank the Lester Family and the Supertrax Media Crew for this opportunity and great hospitality.

The next scheduled CSRA event is March 26-27, 2011 at Chicopee Ski Resort in Kitchener, Ontario. Kyle will be joining us again at the Season Finally at Horseshoe Valley Ski Resort near Barrie and Orillia, April 2-3.

Was The RUSH Modeled After A Snow Scoot?

Dear Motorhead:

I have a question for you. My uncle has an old Yamaha Sno-Scoot and the suspension looks very similar to the RUSH. Do you think that is where they got the idea?

Ian

Reply:

Thanks for your email!

Interesting observation and one which has not gone unnoticed!

Here’s the deal – while the old Sno Scoot rear suspension does look similar the goal each OE had in using the design was completely different.

The original Sno Scoot chassis was engineered around a 1980’s Riva Scooter engine and CVT.

This dictated the use of some radical chassis designs – not the least of which was the transverse front leaf spring IFS.

Cost was paramount as well to get the Sno Scoot to market at a low MSRP. None of these factors influenced the design of the Rush in any material way.

The Pro Ride shock over tunnel skid was built in an effort to achieve true, full travel, shock and spring rising rate response to skid movement.

Hope this helps.

Motorhead Mark

Eyeballing A Beater Sled

Dear Motorhead:

To start, I want your job! Supertrax is hands-down the best mag for snowmobilers.

My friend has a 1989 Ski-Doo Formula Plus LT. That’s been sitting outside for 4 years without been started. Is it worth fixing up and what would be some tips to help getting her going again?

Thanks,

Julius

Reply:

Thanks for your email and kind words!

Without knowing how the sled was put away it is virtually impossible to know what to expect.

For sure you need to disassemble carbs and remove heads to see the condition of the engine internals and fully clean float bowls.

You can expect to spend some jing as anyone who would leave the sled outside four 4 years likely didn’t put it away properly.

One caution – you can likely get it running with some gas and new plugs – however if it was not oiled up before storage you’ll just do damage to expensive stuff like rings and bearings.

You’ve got some work to do!

Motorhead Mark