2017 Mountain Cat vs 2018 Mountain Cat

Frostbite · Nov 3, 2017

2017 Mountain Cat vs 2018 Sno Pro Early Release

I went on a 2018 Mountain Cat demo ride last spring and maybe it was just poorly clutched but, for some reason, I wasn't that impressed with the 2018 MC.

The power delivery was very linear (almost four stroke like) without any kind of HIT like I have become accustom to with the Suzuki engine.

The weight felt more more concentrated and centered (like a four stroke) but it also seemed to feel considerably heavier compared to my 2015 with with the TKI mountain Cat kit and a SLP single pipe kit.

Some of it may have been that the sled was a 162" and I am used to a 153" but, I couldn't help thinking that maybe a 2017 Mountain Cat (the last year of the tried and true Suzuki engine) might have felt better.

I was thinking that since the 2017 Mountain Cat is the last year for the Suzuki and it has many of the upgrades for the 2018 that it might end up being some kind of collectors edition for Cat fans because it's the last and the best Proclimb Cat ever built.

Did I miss something? Am I way off base with these impressions?

summ8rmk · Nov 3, 2017

Suspension setup from the factory is horrible! 85psi skis, 35psi front shock , 165psi rear shock.

When i unloaded my 18MC, i lifted the ski to put on dollies and couldn't believe how heavy it felt. I immediately went to my 14 and lifted the ski. At least 40lbs difference lifting the ski to put on dollies.
Dropped skis to 60psi, pumped up the front to 55psi and dropped rear to 150psi. Much better in the garage.

I think MDS weights will bring back some of that snap ur missing from the Zuke.

Mountain Cat

kiliki · Nov 3, 2017

the grippers on your sled V the stockers are a huge downer...

Frostbite · Nov 3, 2017

Summ8rmk, yes I suppose some of the heavy feeling could have come from the shock setup but, I thought the 18 is supposed to 15 lbs lighter than the 17? It felt much heavier to me. I did feel more stout and rigid than my 15 meaning it didn't seem to have the body flex I have become accustom too. I notice this feeling while riding ProRMKs too.

I don't mean to be disrespectful of your sled Summ8rmk. I'm sure the 18's will be great sleds once the owners and the aftermarket get the time required to figure out ways to optimize the shocks, clutching, engine performance. I have high hopes they will end up being great sleds.

I haven't ridden one but,I still think a 2017 MC might be one of the more memorable sleds when we look back 20 or 30 years from now.

sno*jet · Nov 3, 2017

i love your comments frostbite!
but we rode the 18 162, just as it was coming out of break in, next to my 17MC 162. I would trade for the 18. not a huge diff, but an upgrade. the weight of the early release no matter how much people want to believe it, wasnt lighter than the 17MC. the 18MC is tho. 162s do feel heavier/less playful than 153s.

-17MC collectors edition

MountainCat1 · Nov 3, 2017

kiliki said:
the grippers on your sled V the stockers are a huge downer...

Huh? I thought everyone loved the Grippers on the Pro-Climb; Was getting ready to change mine out for the Grippers. I am open to better ideas.

Heypal · Nov 3, 2017

MountainCat1 said:
Huh? I thought everyone loved the Grippers on the Pro-Climb; Was getting ready to change mine out for the Grippers. I am open to better ideas.

I think that is what he meant that the stockers on the 18 are inferior to the grippers on his existing sled.

kiliki · Nov 3, 2017

Yes when you get on the 18 with the stock skis you first realize how much of the ride impression is the stock skis suck. The drop and role makes them better but feel more planted

tenacious84 · Nov 5, 2017

the early release you rode last spring was a sno pro, not a mountain cat.

Frostbite · Nov 5, 2017

Really, I hadn't even noticed.

The demo ride was touted as a "2018 Mountain Cat" demo.

Maybe it because we were demoing the Cat in the mountains? :face-icon-small-ton

MountainCat1 · Nov 5, 2017

Which Cat?

tenacious84 said:
the early release you rode last spring was a sno pro, not a mountain cat.

The only differences are the shock packages & graphics, maybe front bumper & tunnel bag???:juggle:

Frostbite · Nov 5, 2017

The question is: was there a lengthened chain case on the sled we demoed.

That's what makes all the difference in the world to me. If it didn't that would explain a lot in why it felt the way it did to me.

kidwoo · Nov 5, 2017

MountainCat1 said:
The only differences are the shock packages & graphics, maybe front bumper & tunnel bag???:juggle:

Nah it was the lack of LED headlight that was the difference.

Everyone knows incandescent bulbs are like knocking 100cc off your motor.

Frosty: if your demo was grey, that was an ER snopro. Still with the dropped case.

tenacious84 · Nov 5, 2017

all i'm saying is calling things by the incorrect names leads to a ton of confusion and mis-information on online forums. especially when other readers don't take the time to read the whole thread and only read a title. i'm sure there are plenty of people looking at your title and assuming you've already ridden a production '18 mountain cat, which you haven't.

sno*jet · Nov 6, 2017

^hes got a point, subtract 15 pounds from our rider impression.

WyoBoy1000 · Nov 6, 2017

The 18 is much better, wouldn't waste time with a 17.
Prob just setup

89sandman · Nov 6, 2017

WyoBoy1000 said:
The 18 is much better, wouldn't waste time with a 17.
Prob just setup

Same will be said about the 18 when the 19 comes out :face-icon-small-sho

CO 2.0 · Nov 6, 2017

I doubt it. The 19 will probably have the same motor, clutching, body panels, etc. I don't see them re-tooling much to make it anywhere near the same jump as from a 17 to 18

Frostbite · Nov 6, 2017

Understood. At least it had the dropped chain case.

I changed the title of the post but, it doesn't seem to change on the lead page.....hum????

89sandman · Nov 7, 2017

CO 2.0 said:
I doubt it. The 19 will probably have the same motor, clutching, body panels, etc. I don't see them re-tooling much to make it anywhere near the same jump as from a 17 to 18

You never know with the new owners having such DEEP pockets they might want to make a statement. I myself would think they will just improve upon this chassis, but it's the same every year, last year sled is crap gotta have a new one! With a shrinking customer base don't know why any company would want to get into the sled business...

2017 Mountain Cat vs 2018 Mountain Cat

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