2024

[74Nitro]

Just speculating here, but I'm wondering if they have the 7000 back because there is possibly power steering on it.
Is there any details out on that FB page?

 

[dfroster]

Just speculating here, but I'm wondering if they have the 7000 back because there is possibly power steering on it.
Is there any details out on that FB page?

Just speculating here, but I'm wondering if they have the 7000 back because there is possibly power steering on it.
Is there any details out on that FB page?

I asked about power steering on the 7000 ZR and Pantera and the OP said no. But, we’ll know for sure tomorrow.

 

[DranttelSS]

Just speculating here, but I'm wondering if they have the 7000 back because there is possibly power steering on it.
Is there any details out on that FB page?

The specifically list "EPS" on the 9000 models so under that logic I would say not. But I hope I'm wrong.

 

[Doowithblue]

I so wanna order another one but with power steering but then again i feel like theres not enough of a significant change in anything else on the sled to warrant shelling out big cost to upgrade just yet.

 

[MrSled]

What they spec says and what they come with could also be different.

The 23 LTX-LE ended up coming with Kashima coated QS3r's in place of the std QS3 shocks it was advertised with, and one reason I went out and purchased the LE instead of the SRX I had ordered. I wasn't really wanting the IACT or the QS3 shocks when I heard about the LE coming with the good QS3r shocks after having them on my 2017. I thought they had discontinued their use of them. I'd take the RR over the Thundercat every time.

Where is this 2024 Cat information coming from? I've googled searched and can't seem to find this information or pics. Must be their mistaken "teasers" they let out a little early every season.

What a great shock upgrade in that 23 LTX, The QS3R's are the #*$&@!!

 

[number1kyster]

I so wanna order another one but with power steering but then again i feel like theres not enough of a significant change in anything else on the sled to warrant shelling out big cost to upgrade just yet.

I feel the exact same way. I’m ready for a real change. Different ergos, a better ride, etc.

I think if I bought another 998 it would be an XTX or Riot. At least it comes with a MTN seat and the rear skid would be something new for me. But even still, I’m not sure I’m willing to pony up $8k-$10k to get into a new SW from my 2018.

 

[KnappAttack]

I feel the exact same way. I’m ready for a real change. Different ergos, a better ride, etc.

I think if I bought another 998 it would be an XTX or Riot. At least it comes with a MTN seat and the rear skid would be something new for me. But even still, I’m not sure I’m willing to pony up $8k-$10k to get into a new SW from my 2018.

The new PS sleds seem to ride like a dreamboat too. After riding my buds power steering sled I just knew I had to get one at some point, even though they are huge $$$$$. Not sure what is different on them, if its the springs, or the springs and valving combo or what, but they ride plush with what seems like lots more sit-in. I've heard this from all the people I've spoke with that have the new 22 and 23 EPS sleds. I'm wondering how the heck they accomplish this as the new sleds seem to sit much lower in the travel or ride height. I've had no problem ponying up the $$ due to the easier steering and better ride alone. The ergos and handling, even the ride has always been fantastic, but they have made it even better over as the years go on.

You won't see a chassis change for a while yet. Any when you do, the 998 could very well be gone from the lineup. When/If Cat comes with their own turbo two-stroke that could spell the end of the turbo 998......

 

[Upstater57]

The new PS sleds seem to ride like a dreamboat too. After riding my buds power steering sled I just knew I had to get one at some point, even though they are huge $$$$$. Not sure what is different on them, if its the springs, or the springs and valving combo or what, but they ride plush with what seems like lots more sit-in. I've heard this from all the people I've spoke with that have the new 22 and 23 EPS sleds. I'm wondering how the heck they accomplish this as the new sleds seem to sit much lower in the travel or ride height. I've had no problem ponying up the $$ due to the easier steering and better ride alone. The ergos and handling, even the ride has always been fantastic, but they have made it even better over as the years go on.

You won't see a chassis change for a while yet. Any when you do, the 998 could very well be gone from the lineup. When/If Cat comes with their own turbo two-stroke that could spell the end of the turbo 998......

Love my 2022 Tcat EPS. I think the 2024 Tcat will be the last one. When cat built the 900 twin in 2003, it stopped building the Tcat. Suspect the same will occur for the 2025 model year if they bring the two smoke turbo. Not sure what Yamaha will be doing after 2024. I cannot imagine Yamaha with a two smoke line up.

 

[earthling]

Market perception matters and the way things are shaking out across the brands is 2-stroke for local trails and mountain riding (sub-day trips) and 4s for multi-day and performance cruising (and utility, etc). The market right now sees a lineup forming where Ski-doo has separated the renegade and mxz lines into 4s and 2s respectively with turbos in each. Polaris will more than likely have the same lineup but chose to just use S4 to mean 4s and everything else is 2s. I think its possible that the current market conditions are forcing the manufacturers to get the last few hurrahs out of the 2s segment while knowing that they are going to get regulated into switching to the 4s segment. Cat cannot stand alone with just 2s power, the market won't allow it, meaning that they will simply lose market share over time as consumers tend to be brand loyal and want choice across the brand. Further, the weight differentials across the 4s lines are not that big. The Winder is 587 dry(~600 for new EPS models), the S4 is 590 dry , and the Ace derivatives are about 550lbs dry. If cat cannot fit the 998 or another 2s in the Catalyst chassis, and they want to keep the relationship going (and R&D costs down) they could come along with an improved Pro Cross that is a little lighter, and with slightly shifted balance (forward and lower). They don't need much, just an inch and a half or so would allow them to move the plastics ahead at the knee line together with a new tank/seat shape and it would feel like a massive improvement. Anyhow, since we are speculating, thats my speculation. The other alternative is cat wamts complete control over their manufacturing and delivers a 2 cyl 4s like Polaris and it does fit in the catalyst. Weight however will come out similar as we have seen from Polaris and the S4.

 

[74Nitro]

Market perception matters and the way things are shaking out across the brands is 2-stroke for local trails and mountain riding (sub-day trips) and 4s for multi-day and performance cruising (and utility, etc). The market right now sees a lineup forming where Ski-doo has separated the renegade and mxz lines into 4s and 2s respectively with turbos in each. Polaris will more than likely have the same lineup but chose to just use S4 to mean 4s and everything else is 2s. I think its possible that the current market conditions are forcing the manufacturers to get the last few hurrahs out of the 2s segment while knowing that they are going to get regulated into switching to the 4s segment. Cat cannot stand alone with just 2s power, the market won't allow it, meaning that they will simply lose market share over time as consumers tend to be brand loyal and want choice across the brand. Further, the weight differentials across the 4s lines are not that big. The Winder is 587 dry, the S4 is 590 dry (600+ for new EPS models), and the Ace derivatives are about 550lbs dry. If cat cannot fit the 998 or another 2s in the Catalyst chassis, and they want to keep the relationship going (and R&D costs down) they could come along with an improved Pro Cross that is a little lighter, and with slightly shifted balance (forward and lower). They don't need much, just an inch and a half or so would allow them to move the plastics ahead at the knee line together with a new tank/seat shape and it would feel like a massive improvement. Anyhow, since we are speculating, thats my speculation. The other alternative is cat wamts complete control over their manufacturing and delivers a 2 cyl 4s like Polaris and it does fit in the catalyst. Weight however will come out similar as we have seen from Polaris and the S4.

My local trails are four stroke turbo....

 

[earthling]

My local trails are four stroke turbo....

Ours are dominated by 2s. It isn't about how they get used, its about how the market perceives them as being used. Consumers align themselves to a perception of how they feel they fit into the world. There are plenty of examples of this. How many SUVs and Trucks with 4wd are sold every year only to never need 4wd or go offroad. How many people buy into sports fashion and sit around on a couch. How many mountain sleds are sold in places like Ontario where the average elevation is 1500 ft and snowfall is moderately low (compared to real mountains). I was in a dealership the other day and there were more 146" and longer skids with 2.5-3" paddles on them than there were trail oriented setups. When I was talking to the owner about this he said " its what people want, no matter how impractical it is around here". Perceptions. Lots of S4s will get sold once Polaris drops a turbo on it. Lots of them will be sold simply because the buyer is a Polaris buyer and wants something more trouble free than they have with the 2s. The perception of 4s vs 2s at their most basic level is that 4s are heavy, less maintenance, last longer, etc but when you talk about 2s the memories of past performance surface instantly. Its hard to get brap-brap-braaap out of your blood if your perception is that brap brap means performance to you.

 

[74Nitro]

Ours are dominated by 2s. It isn't about how they get used, its about how the market perceives them as being used. Consumers align themselves to a perception of how they feel they fit into the world. There are plenty of examples of this. How many SUVs and Trucks with 4wd are sold every year only to never need 4wd or go offroad. How many people buy into sports fashion and sit around on a couch. How many mountain sleds are sold in places like Ontario where the average elevation is 1500 ft and snowfall is moderately low (compared to real mountains). I was in a dealership the other day and there were more 146" and longer skids with 2.5-3" paddles on them than there were trail oriented setups. When I was talking to the owner about this he said " its what people want, no matter how impractical it is around here". Perceptions. Lots of S4s will get sold once Polaris drops a turbo on it. Lots of them will be sold simply because the buyer is a Polaris buyer and wants something more trouble free than they have with the 2s. The perception of 4s vs 2s at their most basic level is that 4s are heavy, less maintenance, last longer, etc but when you talk about 2s the memories of past performance surface instantly. Its hard to get brap-brap-braaap out of your blood if your perception is that brap brap means performance to you.

What I mean is my local trails are almost entirely open farmland with a small amount of woodlots. An 850 can't hang with me here.
If I lived around Huntsville for example, the 850 would be the better trail sled, as I wouldn't be able to hang with them on those tight trails.

 

[WinderFab]

What I mean is my local trails are almost entirely open farmland with a small amount of woodlots. An 850 can't hang with me here.
If I lived around Huntsville for example, the 850 would be the better trail sled, as I wouldn't be able to hang with them on those tight trails.

I miss those farmland trails, hopefully next year is better..

 

[earthling]

What I mean is my local trails are almost entirely open farmland with a small amount of woodlots. An 850 can't hang with me here.
If I lived around Huntsville for example, the 850 would be the better trail sled, as I wouldn't be able to hang with them on those tight trails.

To be clear, when I say 'dominated' I mean in sales, not performance. Performance wise, other than me personally getting spanked by a Rave a few weeks ago in some pure ditch banging/dirt/snirt conditions, most of Ontario should be 4s country (sales dominated) but isn't.

 

[jonlafon1]

What I mean is my local trails are almost entirely open farmland with a small amount of woodlots. An 850 can't hang with me here.
If I lived around Huntsville for example, the 850 would be the better trail sled, as I wouldn't be able to hang with them on those tight trails.

The U.P. has it all. Mostly big wide sweepers, but plenty of tight and lots of turning ALSO.. Head over to Iron county and you can have a about half tight twisters and half straighter sweeper trails. Pick your poison. My favorite trail in Iron county and just about the entire area would be trail 6 up over the mountain range.. When that's groomed and tight wow what a awesome ride