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The F1000 is the newest and by far the best of the Arctic Cat F series. And that certainly reflects the price, but at least now you know you’re spending that money on something that you’ll be happy with. Most of the problems pointed out in the previous F series reviews have been taken care of making this sled a great buy. You also have the speed up a lot. The comfort level’s still the same, but it has always been good with those sleds. There are no complains about the handling here and you’ll be amazed by the mileage of this thing. Here are the specifications:

MODEL    F1000
M.S.R.P. *    $11,099.00
ENGINE    Suzuki, 2-stroke, liquid-cooled, 2-cylinder
DISPLACEMENT    999 cc
BORE X STROKE    90.3 x 78 mm
CARBURETION    50 mm throttle body batteryless EFI
HORSEPOWER    162 hp
IGNITION    3D
CLUTCH    Drive: Arctic (rpm sensing)
Driven: Arctic (roller cam) ACT drive system
SUSPENSION    Front: AWS VII double-wishbone A-arms with Arctic Cat gas (IFP) shocks and sway bar; 9.5 in. travel
Rear: Slide-action frame with coupling blocks, adjustable torsion springs and Arctic Cat gas (IFP) shocks; 13.5 in. travel
BRAKES    Hydraulic disc
LUBRICATION    Oil injection
EXHAUST    APV with tuned pipe and canister
SKIS    UHMW plastic ski saddleless
LENGTH    122 in.
WIDTH    48 in.
TRACK LXWXH    128 x 15 x 1 in.
SKI STANCE    43 in.
DRY WEIGHT    518 lbs.
FUEL CAPACITY    12.2 gal.

Nothing about the looks has been changed, so the F1000 is still as cute as the other Fs. The only problems you may expect here are with the starting in extreme conditions. Sometimes it may take a little longer to get it running. There sure is place for bettering the thing, but for now the F1000 is as good as it gets. The performance totally reflects the price and I know if you decide to get the sled you’ll be very happy with your choice.

Which one’s better – the 2007 F6 or the 2007 F5? It’s obvious that the F5 is even slower than the F6, but as I said in the previous review if you’re looking for a speed sled you should definitely be looking for some other Arctic Cat and not the F series. You can get the F5 up to 90mph on the ice and about 75-85mph on trail, but that’s about it. And don’t expect something way better than the F6. So basically what I’m saying is that the difference between the F5 and F6 is certainly not worth the $1300 more. You’ll be just as happy with the F5 as you’ll be with the F6, so why waste that money. If I have to choose between those two I go with the F5 in a heartbeat. Here are its specifications:

MODEL    F5
M.S.R.P. *    $7,299.00
ENGINE    Suzuki, 2-stroke, liquid-cooled, 2-cylinder
DISPLACEMENT    499 cc
BORE X STROKE    71 x 63 mm
CARBURETION    38 mm throttle body batteryless EFI
HORSEPOWER    84 hp
IGNITION    3D
CLUTCH    Drive: Arctic (rpm sensing)
Driven: Arctic (roller cam) ACT drive system
SUSPENSION    Front: AWS VII double-wishbone A-arms with Ryde FX shocks and sway bar; 9.5 in. travel
Rear: Slide-action frame with coupling blocks, adjustable torsion springs and Ryde FX shocks; 13.5 in. travel
BRAKES    Hydraulic disc
LUBRICATION    Oil injection
EXHAUST    Tuned pipe
SKIS    UHMW plastic ski saddleless
LENGTH    122 in.
WIDTH    48 in.
TRACK LXWXH    128 x 15 x 1 in.
SKI STANCE    43 in.
DRY WEIGHT    485 lbs.
FUEL CAPACITY    12.2 gal.

Note that the problems I pointed out in the F6 review stay 100%. You’ll still be dealing with a lot of break downs with this sled. And there will be regular visits to the dealers, that is for sure. Just think about that before spending all those money for a sled that’s not even that reliable. And if you’re totally in love with the F series spend some more money and get the F8 or the F1000, at least you know they’re upgraded and most of the problems are solved out.

I’m sure you’ve already figured that the F6 is the predecessor of the F8. There’s also an F5 model that we’re gonna talk about in the next review just to point out the differences and figure out which one’s the best choice. So, the difference between the F8 and the F6 is not that big , but it matters quite a bit so if you’re gonna chose between those two I say go with the F8 even though it’s near $1000 pricier. The biggest difference between the two is the power. The F6 is way slower than the F8 and if speed is what you’re going for the F6 is not the sled for you. It totally lacks top end speed which means you’ll be the one breathing the smoke. It’s comfortable though (just as comfortable as the F8) so if you’re not a speed freak you can save that $1000. But see the specifications before we continue:

MODEL    F6
M.S.R.P. *    $8,599.00
ENGINE    Suzuki, 2-stroke, liquid-cooled, 2-cylinder
DISPLACEMENT    599 cc
BORE X STROKE    73.8 x 70 mm
CARBURETION    46 mm throttle body batteryless EFI
HORSEPOWER    118 hp
IGNITION    3D
CLUTCH    Drive: Arctic (rpm sensing)
Driven: Arctic (roller cam) ACT drive system
SUSPENSION    Front: AWS VI double-wishbone A-arms with Arctic Cat gas (IFP) shocks and sway bar; 9.5 in. travel
Rear: Slide-acion frame with coupling blocks, adjustable torsion springs and Arctic Cat gas (IFP) shocks; 13.5 in. travel
BRAKES    Hydraulic disc
LUBRICATION    Oil injection
EXHAUST    APV with tuned pipe and canister
SKIS    UHMW plastic ski saddleless
LENGTH    122 in.
WIDTH    48 in.
TRACK LXWXH    128 x 15 x 1 in.
SKI STANCE    43 in.
DRY WEIGHT    498 lbs.
FUEL CAPACITY    12.2 gal.

Now, I don’t know why people are complaining about the handling of the F6 since it doesn’t differ at all from the F8, but they do and just have to mention it.  The biggest complain is that the F6 doesn’t steer the best in the corners. There’s also the wiring problem with the gauges again that the F8 obviously inherited. And that’s it. So again if you’re gonna choose between the F8 and the F6 go with the F8. Or just go with some other sled. There are plenty that deserve your attention better.

Like most of the Arctic Cat sleds the F8 is a pretty good one, too. It looks tiny because of the short track, but it actually performs very well on the trails and especially in the deep snow (believe it or not). Handling and suspension are excellent. Bumps are no longer something to be afraid of…the F8 just runs them over like they’re not even there. You have the speed and you have the comfort. It’s a good sled, but not one that shines over the others in the Arctic Cat family. Here are the specifications for it:

MODEL    F8
M.S.R.P. *    $9,499.00
ENGINE    Suzuki, 2-stroke, liquid-cooled, 2-cylinder
DISPLACEMENT    794 cc
BORE X STROKE    85 x 70 mm
CARBURETION    46 mm throttle body batteryless EFI
HORSEPOWER    142 hp
IGNITION    3D
CLUTCH    Drive: Arctic (rpm sensing)
Driven: Arctic (roller cam) ACT drive system
SUSPENSION    Front: AWS VII double-wishbone A-arms with Arctic Cat gas (IFP) shocks and sway bar; 9.5 in. travel
Rear: Slide-action frame with coupling blocks, adjustable torsion springs and Arctic Cat gas (IFP) shocks; 13.5 in. travel
BRAKES    Hydraulic disc
LUBRICATION    Oil injection
EXHAUST    APV with tuned pipe and canister
SKIS    UHMW plastic ski saddleless
LENGTH    122 in.
WIDTH    48 in.
TRACK LXWXH    128 x 15 x 1 in.
SKI STANCE    43 in.
DRY WEIGHT    503 lbs.
FUEL CAPACITY    12.2 gal.

The only problem people complain about is the gauges. It may be some wiring problem cause after some time they just go crazy or entirely stop working. That’s an easy fix with one visit to the dealers, but you may wanna keep it in mind before you get the sled. The price is ok I think, it’s a 2007 model after all. You won’t be sorry if you decide to go with the F8, but it won’t be such a big loss if you go with something else.

The Jaguar – Z1 is all it’s talked up to be. Comfortable after hours of riding, fast enough as a trail performance sled, handles great on trail and holds straight through the flat out straightaways. The power of this thing is awesome – mainly because of the 4 stroke engine, but the most noticeable thing in it really is the comfort level. I can’t think of any other Arctic Cat sled that can beat up this one when it comes to comfort. The thing is also very maneuverable and easy to control. I’m sure you’ll love it. Here’re the specifications for it:

MODEL    Jaguar - Z1
M.S.R.P. *    $10,499.00
ENGINE    Suzuki, 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, 2-cylinder
DISPLACEMENT    1056 cc
BORE X STROKE    98 x 70 mm
CARBURETION    48 mm dual throttle body EFI
HORSEPOWER    123 hp
IGNITION    Full transistor/coil at plug
CLUTCH    Drive: Arctic 4-roller (rpm sensing)
Driven: Arctic (roller cam) ACT drive system
SUSPENSION    Front: AWS VII double-wishbone A-arms with Arctic Cat gas (IFP) shocks and sway bar; 9.5 in. travel
Rear: Slide-action frame with coupling blocks, adjustable torsion springs and Arctic Cat gas (IFP) shocks; 13.5 in. travel
BRAKES    Hydraulic disc
LUBRICATION    Dry sump
EXHAUST    Stainless steel
SKIS    UHMW plastic ski saddleless
LENGTH    118 in.
WIDTH    48 in.
HEIGHT    49 in. (top of windshield)
TRACK LXWXH    128 in. x 15 in. x 1.00 in.
SKI STANCE    43 in.
DRY WEIGHT    575 lbs.
FUEL CAPACITY    9.4 gal.

The only downside I can point out is the small fuel tank, but the machine is actually very economic so I don’t think size matters too much in this case. It’s a great sled to have. Especially if you’re tired already of the noisy and environmental unfriendly 2-stokes. The price is pretty fair too. I’m sure you’ll fall for this sled only after a few miles on it. Perfect may not be the right word since there’s always room for improvement, but this sled is pretty close of being just that – perfect.

This is one fast machine we’re talking about. The thing climbs like no other with any loss of power or torque. It has the most unbelievable flotation through rough terrain. The M8 is extremely reliable and you can depend on it getting anywhere you want it to. The comfort level is great and the handling is an easy job. Speed is pretty much the only thing you wanna watch out for. The M8 has plenty of power in it so you really need to be an advanced rider to handle it. Check out the specifications:

MODEL    M8 162
M.S.R.P. *    $10,099.00
ENGINE    Suzuki, 2-stroke, liquid-cooled, 2-cylinder
DISPLACEMENT    794 cc
BORE X STROKE    85 x 70 mm
CARBURETION    46 mm throttle body batteryless EFI
HORSEPOWER    142 hp
IGNITION    3D
CLUTCH    Drive: Arctic (rpm sensing)
Driven: Arctic (roller cam) ACT drive system
SUSPENSION    Front: AWS VI double-wishbone A-arms with lightweight aluminum Fox Zero Pro gas (IFP) shocks and adj. preload springs; 9.2 in. travel
Rear: FasTrack LTS slide-rail, adj. torsion springs, lightweight aluminum Fox Zero Pro (IFP) shocks; 19 in. travel
BRAKES    Hydraulic disc
LUBRICATION    Oil injection
EXHAUST    APV with tuned pipe, pipe sensor and canister
SKIS    UHMW plastic saddleless
LENGTH    139 in.
WIDTH    46.5 in.
TRACK LXWXH    162 x 15 x 2.25 in.
SKI STANCE    39 - 41 in. adjustable
DRY WEIGHT    510 lbs.
FUEL CAPACITY    11 gal.

It’s a big sled, but as I said handling it is an easy job. You have to get used to the cornering, but once you do you won’t have any problems with it. Mileage is awesome, even though the fuel tank is not the biggest one out there. With the M8 you get great performance for a decent amount of money. It’s a 2007 model after all and you can’t really complain about the price. You should definitely consider getting this thing. It’s a challenge, but if you can handle it you can really call yourself a good rider.

The 2005 Z 570 wasn’t really the perfect snowmobile. Well, the 2007 edition isn’t that much different. Many of the problems still remain and I really can’t believe 2 years are not enough for Arctic Cat to do something about them. The comfort level still isn’t that great, you certainly won’t be happy with the mileage and check this out – the 07 model is actually slower than the 05 one. Go figure. Then there’s also the problem with the electric start which is not uncommon with Arctic Cat sleds, but it’s bugging that it’s still there after all those years in the business. So if you’re still reading, here are the specifications:

MODEL Z 570 LX
M.S.R.P. * $5,999.00
ENGINE Suzuki, 2-stroke, fan-cooled, 2-cylinder
DISPLACEMENT 565 cc
BORE X STROKE 73.8 x 66 mm
CARBURETION 2 in. x VM 34
HORSEPOWER 62.5 hp
IGNITION CDI
CLUTCH Drive: Arctic (rpm sensing)
Driven: Arctic (roller cam)
SUSPENSION Front: AWS V double-wishbone A-arms with hydraulic twin tube shocks and sway bar; 8.4 in. travel
Rear: FasTrack LTS slide-rail, adjustable torsion springs, hydraulic twin tube shocks, TSL rear arm; 13.5 in. travel
BRAKES Hydraulic disc
LUBRICATION Oil injection
EXHAUST Tuned pipe and canister
SKIS UHMW plastic saddleless ski
LENGTH 112 in.
WIDTH 47 in.
TRACK LXWXH 121 x 15 x 0.85 in. Quiet track
SKI STANCE 41 in.
DRY WEIGHT 497 lbs.
FUEL CAPACITY 11.7 gal.

This is absolutely the first time (and most likely the last time) that I will suggest if you really insist on getting the Z 570 sled you go with the 2005 model and not the 2007 one. Guess there’s a first for everything. The sled’s just gotten worse with the time – same problems…less power. Total degradation if you ask me. Too bad it’s such a cute sled.

The Bearcat WT is one big, heavy snowmobile. Big and heavy usually means slow, but this
4 stroke engine sled has plenty of torque in it. Well, it really is not the perfect racing sled, but it sure gets you where you want to go. It’s also extremely comfortable sled. And very reliable. It’s probably the easiest sled to control of all the Arctic Cats - the huge track has lots of stability. Plus it has tons of traction for pulling heavy things if that’s what you want to use it for. See the specifications:

MODEL    Bearcat WT
M.S.R.P. *    $8,999.00
ENGINE    Suzuki, 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, 3-cylinder
DISPLACEMENT    660 cc
BORE X STROKE    68 x 60.4 mm
CARBURETION    Electronic fuel injection
HORSEPOWER    53
IGNITION    CDI
CLUTCH    Drive: Arctic Wide Ratio (rpm sensing)
Driven: Arctic Wide Ratio (roller cam)
SUSPENSION    Front: AWS V double-wishbone a-arms w/ Ryde FX shocks, adjustable preload; 6 in. travel
Rear: FasTrack ALTS slide-rail, adjustable torsion, 2 in. rear arm shock, fiberglass overload springs, TSL rear arm, adjustable preload front arm; 8.5 in. travel
BRAKES    Hydraulic disc
LUBRICATION    Wet sump
EXHAUST    Single muffler
SKIS    UHMW plastic (wide)
LENGTH    133 in.
WIDTH    46 in.
TRACK LXWXH    156 x 20 x 1 in.
SKI STANCE    40 - 42 in. adjustable
DRY WEIGHT    700 lbs.
FUEL CAPACITY    15 gal.

The weight is pretty much the only downside I can point out. Being so heavy makes the thing slower and is also an obstacle before the deep snow riding. And that’s about it on the bad side. it makes a great family sled or a great working sled. If that’s what you need you should consider getting the Bearcat WT. The price is pretty fair considering the performance level and I think the sled totally deserves that money. The decision is all yours, but I think you won’t regret if you decide to go for it.

The Crossfire 7 is overall a sweet package for just about any riding style. Cruising the trails or busting powder, this machine does it all quite well. It’s light and powerful and I think you’ll enjoy riding it very much. It’s pretty comfortable although it takes some getting used to. It’s quite easy to control, but you have to be careful with the speed and cornering. It’s a great climber as well as track sled. You may be surprised with the ease it takes those hills. It’s a nice machine to have all around. Here are the specifications:

MODEL    CrossFire 7
M.S.R.P. *    $9,199.00
ENGINE    Suzuki, 2-stroke, liquid-cooled, 2-cylinder
DISPLACEMENT    698 cc
BORE X STROKE    79.7 x 70 mm
CARBURETION    46 mm throttle body batteryless EFI
HORSEPOWER    140
IGNITION    3D
CLUTCH    Drive: Arctic (rpm sensing)
Driven: Arctic (roller cam) ACT drive system
SUSPENSION    Front: AWS VI double-wishbone a-arms w/lightweight aluminum AC gas (IFP) shocks, adjustable preload & swaybar; 9.2 in. travel
Rear: FasTrack LTS slide-rail, adjustable torsion, lightweight aluminum AC (IFP) shocks, TSL rear arm; 15 in. travel
BRAKES    Hydraulic disc
LUBRICATION    Oil injection
EXHAUST    APV with tuned pipe and canister
SKIS    UHMW plastic
LENGTH    127 in.
WIDTH    46.5 in.
TRACK LXWXH    136 x 15 x 1.25 in.
SKI STANCE    42 - 44 in. adjustable
DRY WEIGHT    485 lbs.
FUEL CAPACITY    11 gal.

The only thing I advise you to do to any of the Crossfire models before you rush to ride them is to reinforce the tunnel, as it’s pretty weak. If you land on hard snow on the track, and you haven’t reinforced it before that, you can easily bend it. Not that it’s big deal, but you’ll only loose riding time while you get it fixed. Other than that the sled is great. You’ll be happy with the speed, with the mileage and the comfort level. And the price is normal for an 06 model, so if you’ve made your mind don’t hesitate on getting it.

This is one great first sled to have. Not just because of the way it performs, but also because of the price. You don’t want to risk it with expensive, fast sleds before you really learn how to control them. The Family Trail Z 570 LX is a nice way to start. It’s one very steady, fan cooled model that starts all the time with no problems. It’s pretty comfortable and with great gas mileage. It’s not top end orientated sled, but if you want you can push it up to 85-90 mph pretty easily. The Family Trail Z 570 LX is extremely easy to control and that’s exactly what every beginner needs. That’s why I think you’re gonna like it. Here are the specifications for it:

MODEL    Family Trail Z 570 LX
M.S.R.P. *    $5,799.00
ENGINE    Suzuki, 2-stroke, fan-cooled, 2-cylinder
DISPLACEMENT    565 cc
BORE X STROKE    73.8 x 66 mm
CARBURETION    2 in. x VM 34
HORSEPOWER    70
IGNITION    CDI
CLUTCH    Drive: Arctic (rpm sensing)
Driven: Arctic (roller cam)
SUSPENSION    Front: AWS V double-wishbone a-arms with hydraulic twin tube shocks and swaybar; 8.4 in. travel
Rear: FasTrack LTS slide-rail, adjustable torsion, hydraulic twin tube shocks, TSL rear arm, adjustable preload front arm; 13.5 in. travel
BRAKES    Hydraulic disc
LUBRICATION    Oil injection
EXHAUST    Tuned pipe and canister
SKIS    Plastic
LENGTH    112 in.
WIDTH    47 in.
TRACK LXWXH    121 x 15 x 0.85 in. Quiet Track
SKI STANCE    41 in.
DRY WEIGHT    497 lbs.
FUEL CAPACITY    12 gal.

For the more experienced riders this sled may feel like a toy, but remember they’ve also started riding on something like that. It’s a good sled that will not fail you and will soon take you to the next level. The price can’t be better - $5799 is pretty cheap for a 2006 model and I suggest you take advantage of it.