Did you guys see the new Cat Catalyst?

[Upstater57]

Answering your questions:
1 a little of both
2 yes
3 it will be a special weight
4 yes and will find out more this weekend



Trail sled, but will be selling it when the big engine will be available.




Believe it or not, but this is a 600 and makes way more horse than previous years. Add perfect clutching, lighter weight and a nimble "no bump steer" chassis and yes....it's beating 850's

Was not just ice testing but real world trail testing.



The new 600 engine. Makes way more hpr than before (trust me when I say Arctic Cat found power).
The one we dynoed did not have electric start. But it had the new Adapt clutch that has the mounting holes for it.

Would love to show you vids and pics, but I can't because of the legality bs. All I can say is the members here know I tell facts, not assumptions.


Result is..... Arctic Cat is doing everything to be back on top. This new 600 engine takes way more gram weight than I ever imagined, which shows it truly is making power. New engine, new lighter chassis, belt drive so less rotating mass, way better clutching and no bump steer.
The Catalyst has my vote!

Will be at Arctic Cat this week doing more testing!!! Stay tuned!

Good to hear and thank you for the info. Cat needs to have big success with this chassis. Having no electric start is probably worth 20lbs of the weight loss cat is claiming.

 

[jonlafon1]

Many years of pathetic Cat clutching set ups from factory. They have the right guys helping for sure! I can remember the stock stuff being light by 4-10 grams. My 2021 Cat 8000 was so light it was hitting the rev limiter constantly. NOT HEALTHY on 2 smoke motors. Over REVS

 

[74Nitro]

I thought Cat was just advertising that they gained low and mid-range HP.
Not saying it's impossible, but I'd have to see it to believe it when it comes to beating an 850 in a quarter mile drag race.

 

[earthling]

Good to hear and thank you for the info. Cat needs to have big success with this chassis. Having no electric start is probably worth 20lbs of the weight loss cat is claiming.

Batteries, cable, starter, and support gears, 20lbs would be bit light. But a 600 is an easy pull for a two-smoke. What this really says though (+12HP at the track) is that the the new drive system is waaaay more efficient. hrmmm.. Or the previous cat 600 was a dog. Will be interesting to see.

I doubt cat invented anything engine wise at least significant enough that it can take on an 850. So the combination of lighter, much improved driveline efficiency, better clutching, is enough to make it competitive with a 250cc (41%) larger engine.. I think not unless the race is fairly short. 1/4 mile.. can't see it happening.

 

[Doc Harley]

I doubt cat invented anything engine wise at least significant enough that it can take on an 850. So the combination of lighter, much improved driveline efficiency, better clutching, is enough to make it competitive with a 250cc (41%) larger engine.. I think not unless the race is fairly short. 1/4 mile.. can't see it happening.

Agree.....it's anybody's game in the short run. 600s can run with 800s and 850s can run with 998t.
I make a bet a geared down 600 can stay next to a winder for 300'
Still.....I like what I see & will be excited for Arctic Cat to bring something new to the table that's a winner. Cannot wait!!!

 

[DGZRT]

I want to know if Yamaha had any input in the design of the motor?? That would explain a lot.

 

[cannondale27]

Only time a NA 600 is going to beat a NA850 in equal sleds is either a really lame rider or the 850 is hurt. I call Bullshit. Hell even my Viper just creams every 600 I have ever raced any distance. I feel sorry for anyone who goes and buys one thinking they will beat a 850 or even a Viper decently tuned. NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!

 

[cannondale27]

You know I see this crap all the time. Preproduction units excelling and when production sleds come out its always a major disappointment motor and suspension. I think after buying the hype of first year sleds 4 times now I will let all the other suckers find out the hard way. These sleds should be XC racing this year and limited public run for the Sucker/Testers. That would satisfy me chassis wise. But no. Cat dropped the ball just teasing with factory handbuilt wonders on who knows what kind of fuel tune and suspension. Its just not reality to the real sleds that half the parts are from China and every effort is made to cut all fat from production also emissions. Those are what need to be tested.

 

[stevewithOCD]

Cannon makes a good point of "is this the production sled?"
Cuz the end product always changes.

A more constricting air box for noise
A heavier more constricting muffler for noise
A bit more oil so it doesn't blow like the first Poo 850's
A bit more weight when the rear suspension or frame start breaking
The Penny Pinching Accountant that needs to shave $1 off cost

IF this IS the production sled, then GOOD FOR CAT & possibly Yamaha's future!!!!

NOW, did they fix the little issues?
Cuz that's the question that will ALWAYS come to my mind.
AND if they have some issues, will they address them or let us fix them for the next 10 years

I'm just glad we have this discussion cuz it's been awhile that Cat has been on the board to even discuss

 

[stevewithOCD]

NOW, can a 600 run with the Big Dogs.
For a short sprint................YES................sometimes
I rode a Poo 650 Demo for an hour.
I can tell you I was neck & neck with every STOCK sled there including Viper, Winder, 850's & Apex's.
I was beating them all for 5-600 feet. 1/8th mile

Now this was on groomed trail rail beds.
When we got to real hard pack on lake, whoever had the most studs would walk away

These were all stock sleds with TRAIL set-ups
I don't think the Viper EVER caught me..........even on top.........NOT ONCE

So can a Lighter, more Powerful, PROPERLY CLUTCHED, more Efficient 600 take an 850 on snow to a 1/4 mile.
I say POSSIBLE

P.S: I don't want a 2-stroke, but the idea of a more efficient driveline & chassis from Cat has my eyebrow turned up

 

[Jefro]

If this test mule Catalyst that Thunder Products has in their posession is not very close to the production sled, why in the world would Arctic Cat be having them fine tune the clutching for it?

 

[Doc Harley]

There's an old saying.... believe half of what you see and none of what you hear.

 

[Nemesis6]

There's an old saying.... believe half of what you see and none of what you hear.

lol. My dad used to say that a lot. There's a lot of wisdom in those words.

 

[number1kyster]

I'm most interested in how a 4-stroke fits into this equation. It appears the Catalyst was designed to be narrow, compact, and light.

I wish they would design a chassis around the 998T like they are the Catalyst. Hopefully the 4-stroke sleds won't be an afterthought.

We have heard it will be available as a 2024 model with a 600. They have said it will have a big bore in 2025. There has been 0 mention of 4S engines with this platform.

 

[1nc 2000]

The four-stroke turbo 998 needs a chassis built to handle the every day 300hp we run thru it!

Put the cat front end on the nytro chassis with the 998 turbo in it with right exit exhaust.
The ergonomics on the nytro with a under seat gas tank can be had if Yamaha wanted to.