Arctic cat NEWBIE info/advice

griffin · Sep 28, 2010

have been a doo boy all my life and im now looking to get into a cat. definitely will be a 900 and would rather have a 159 over 1 162 (for boondocking). any info you guys could give me on the 1ms or the 900s would be awesome. my biggest concern is the reliability. i hear they have good power so chances are no problems there. oh and my ride style is a lot of boondocking and hillcimbing. thanks guys

Idcatman3 · Sep 28, 2010

The difference between a 159 and 162 is less than 1.5" on the ground. I really doubt you can tell the difference in handling. The 162 tracks are also lighter (although I don't really think you notice that much either.)

Reliability is something you don't have to worry about too much. Watch the driveshaft bearings, chain and clutches and you're pretty well good to go.

There are so many mods you can do without compromising reliability.

If you do more boondocking, I'd actually look for a 151, not a 159/162. My backup is an '04 1M with a big bore 975 (uses M1000 pistons) and a 153x2.25" track. It's a lot of fun and will go more places than I really need to.

You'll get a lot of recommendations for a boss seat and front mount steering post, both good options.

You'll want to stay away from the early build '03s, and they didn't have all the goodies the full productions versions did. The '04 and later had a slightly different tunnel that wasn't as prone to cracking due to fatigue in the front. Not a huge problem, but it did happen to some.

snowdingo · Sep 28, 2010

I agree that you won't find a realistic difference between a 159 and 162. The 159s have the shorter pitch (2.52 ) whereas the 162 gives you a bigger 3.0. Bigger pitch means the track is able to bite larger portions of snow. And as the 162s have now been out for years, track replacement options are much better.

Good sled overall, I had an 03 900 151. Great motor.

griffin · Sep 29, 2010

I have looked at getting one of the 1ms with a 151 but the problem i find is that they have no system for altitude change. I ride alot of terrain that varies between 4000 feet up to around 9500 feet so i would need something with an HAC system or something similar (like efi) which im not sure the 2003s have

ccpowder · Sep 29, 2010

Not sure where you guys are boondocking, but here in Utah, the longer the better!! If you do the 159", the Polaris 2.4" Series IV track is awesome, I am running one right now and I would put it up against a Powder Claw any day...

Fiddy · Sep 29, 2010

get the cat there awsome my 05 out climbed a m8 and a xp

diggerdown · Sep 29, 2010

griffin said:
I have looked at getting one of the 1ms with a 151 but the problem i find is that they have no system for altitude change. I ride alot of terrain that varies between 4000 feet up to around 9500 feet so i would need something with an HAC system or something similar (like efi) which im not sure the 2003s have

No efi for 03', by 04 the 1M 900 had EFI and by 05 they put the EFI on the kings too. Acouple hundred bucks will buy you a automatic altitude compensator for the carbs. I put power jets on mine to save jetting changes.

vdo1948 · Sep 29, 2010

Most of the guys running 1ms who have gone to the Holtman ATACC swear by them and never have to change a thing in the carbs once set up. They're about $250.

griffin · Sep 29, 2010

really appreciate the info guiys. im really thinking the 162 king cat right now (the guys out west here dont really specify the difference between the 1m and the king cats) however i would need something with efi. did all the 1m models from 2004 and up have efi? thanks again

Idcatman3 · Sep 29, 2010

In '04, All King Cats were carbed, and the regular 900 1M came either way. In '05, King Cats came either way, and they dropped the regular 1M. In '06 the King Cat was only EFI.

snowdingo · Sep 29, 2010

No EFI on the 2003 900 (just the 800 and 600 in 2003). If you can find a 900 with EFI, do so. You won't regret it. There are a TON of these machines around, so wait to find on with the EFI and track you want.

If you think you'll prefer the 151 track, 2004 was the only year you could get a 151 with EFI.

griffin · Sep 29, 2010

sounds good guys. what is the difference between the 1m and the kingcat? many adds i see such as this one http://calgary.kijiji.ca/c-cars-veh...wmobiles-2004-king-cat-M-1-W0QQAdIdZ232982153 where the sled says both king cat and 1m. sort of hard for me to see the difference.

Idcatman3 · Sep 29, 2010

The King Cat is a 1M chassis, but it has titanium springs in the clutches and suspension (if it's stock.) It's also a 3" pitch 162 track, rather that the various lengths of 2.52" pitch.

Rixster · Sep 29, 2010

ccpowder said:
Not sure where you guys are boondocking, but here in Utah, the longer the better!! If you do the 159", the Polaris 2.4" Series IV track is awesome, I am running one right now and I would put it up against a Powder Claw any day...

Let me know when your ready.

Rixster · Sep 29, 2010

Find a 04 mountain cat 900 EFI 159 if you can or a 06 king cat or a 05 king EFI. The fuel injected 900s run like crazy !!! Get a EFI through a can on it with the stock pipe and ride the hell out of it. I boondock my 162s all day long. OF course that is in deep fluffy utah powder.

griffin · Sep 29, 2010

i really appreciate the info guys, any thoughts on how a 2005 and up m7 would compare? there are several around my area for sale that seem to be in good condition. what are your thoughts? thanks

snowdingo · Sep 30, 2010

In my opinion there is no comparison between the older 1M sleds and the M-series! The 1Ms are solid, reliable platforms and the 900 motors are awesome...but the M machines are simply a much better platform for mountain riding. They respond better, float in powder better, are more comfortable, lighter, everything. The ONLY thing you are not getting is the 900 motor.

Of course, everyone has their opinion, this is just mine. A few years ago when I sold my 2003 900 151 I moved up to a 2005 M7 162. I loved the torque of that 900, but honestly there was absolutely nothing from the older platform that I missed.

ccpowder · Sep 30, 2010

Rixster said:
Let me know when your ready.

I'm game, just leave that happy button alone!!

griffin · Sep 30, 2010

snowdingo said:
In my opinion there is no comparison between the older 1M sleds and the M-series! The 1Ms are solid, reliable platforms and the 900 motors are awesome...but the M machines are simply a much better platform for mountain riding. They respond better, float in powder better, are more comfortable, lighter, everything. The ONLY thing you are not getting is the 900 motor.

Of course, everyone has their opinion, this is just mine. A few years ago when I sold my 2003 900 151 I moved up to a 2005 M7 162. I loved the torque of that 900, but honestly there was absolutely nothing from the older platform that I missed.

thats something i have been hearing a lot. power wise how badly does the m7 lack compared to the 900? and as far as boondocking goes did you find the 162 to be too much? thanks

ccpowder · Sep 30, 2010

Its all about setup. Forward steering post and proper setup makes the 1M chassis work great!! The only thing I don't like is how wide the 1M is, when boondocking and carving in powder. This is one advantage the M has....

Arctic cat NEWBIE info/advice

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