• Don't miss out on all the fun! Register on our forums to post and have added features! Membership levels include a FREE membership tier.

Will you buy a first year sled without a demo ride?

What are your requirements for ordering/buying an Alpha Cat?

  • I will only order/buy one if I have ridden one

    Votes: 65 30.4%
  • I will order/buy one if I have heard positive reviews from someone I know or trust

    Votes: 71 33.2%
  • I trust Rob Kincaid and David McClure

    Votes: 15 7.0%
  • I have no problem buying a sled that myself and no one else has ridden

    Votes: 63 29.4%

  • Total voters
    214

M8onEdge

Well-known member
Premium Member
Dec 24, 2011
341
272
63
Rigby, Idaho
took er a little far there. not my criteria, just a fun aspect. proclimbs had a bad rep from the mountain riders elite. like 95% polaris and doo out in my honey holes. none of my friends would even look at one. i read up, asked dumb questions here, and saw all their main issues were addressed, even some of the weight. when they dropped the case and narrowed the boards i was sold. i like showing up with a sled that has the lowest expectations and then hangs with the best of em.
just a fun little slice of life i enjoy but ill prolly get another thumbs down for this,
welcome to the cat section sheeple :face-icon-small-coo

I get what you're saying. The proclimb was criticized since 2012 but having owned them all I actually preferred it from '14 on for a number of reasons and didn't seem to have any issues hanging with anyone I rode with. Perception doesn't always match reality. I'm glad cat is getting a fair shake these days. The company has stood by me in a couple warranty situations that they didn't need to and I remember that.
 
7
Mar 7, 2017
177
26
28
34
West Bend, WI
I get what you're saying. The proclimb was criticized since 2012 but having owned them all I actually preferred it from '14 on for a number of reasons and didn't seem to have any issues hanging with anyone I rode with. Perception doesn't always match reality. I'm glad cat is getting a fair shake these days. The company has stood by me in a couple warranty situations that they didn't need to and I remember that.

Same scenario with Cat standing by their product from my experience. Great company
 

w2bridin

Well-known member
Lifetime Membership
Jan 26, 2008
488
95
28
nd
Yes I would it's not a whole new machine. It's just a rear suspension. I have never had a demo ride before buying any of my cats.
 
Last edited:

89sandman

Well-known member
Lifetime Membership
Oct 16, 2004
4,897
2,072
113
southern oregon
took er a little far there. not my criteria, just a fun aspect. proclimbs had a bad rep from the mountain riders elite. like 95% polaris and doo out in my honey holes. none of my friends would even look at one. i read up, asked dumb questions here, and saw all their main issues were addressed, even some of the weight. when they dropped the case and narrowed the boards i was sold. i like showing up with a sled that has the lowest expectations and then hangs with the best of em.
just a fun little slice of life i enjoy but ill prolly get another thumbs down for this,
welcome to the cat section sheeple :face-icon-small-coo

Same here. Don't like following the crowd. Would rather be on the one nobody wants and let a little skill prove them all wrong ;)
 

madmax

Well-known member
Lifetime Membership
Nov 26, 2007
4,482
3,134
113
Salt lake city
I swore that I would not snow check an alpha without a demo ride. That went out the window today. Snow check done. Too many amazing reports from guys I trust who were lucky enough to ride it.
 

Big10inch

Well-known member
Lifetime Membership
Premium Member
Mar 11, 2018
926
888
93
I would like a ride before buying myself. I am NOT a fan of the wobble built into the SkiDoo skid, and this, while different, is a seemingly similar goal.


Fortunately I do not feel the need to be first on the snow with new tech. I am happy to wait a season or two to see how it pans out. I am still not convinced the new emissions motors are as solid as my zuke. Time will tell. Likewise I am not convinced the new skid is going to be the bees knees either.
 

Big10inch

Well-known member
Lifetime Membership
Premium Member
Mar 11, 2018
926
888
93
Well.... My buddy just went out and bought an Alpha 165 so I had my demo ride last week. I didn't find it too tippy at all. You could see how much less effort it took my buddy all day on that sled, very impressive. I may have to buy one next year just to keep up!
 
Premium Features