Ok, here goes.................
First off, the snow conditions were very packed in the morning, by the end of our riding, we found some deeper snow, but it was packed (Like the snow you find here in Minnesota in late March). When we started riding the temp was probably 25 or so. By the end it was probably something like 35. Beautiful sunny skies........
Before I get into my review, I want to thank Owen's son Cord (Chief four stroke engineer) for getting us this sled to ride and driving it down from Thief River Falls on his day off, so some schlubs could take it for a test drive. I appreciate all you did to make this happen.......
I rode this sled four times for a total of about 20 minutes or so.............
One thging I noticed in the parking lot with the sled still on the trailer and the hood off was a black plastic piece over the primary. I was told there is a small fan on the outer edge of the primary designed to blow air on the belt. Never saw that before. New for this year I guess. THe primary did not change from last year.
First off, the sound. When you turn it on, you get a cool, muted four stroke sound. This sled is pretty quiet from idle to WFO. Frankly I like that. It definitely is not confused with a two stroke motor sound in any way.
I got on this sled and grabbed the bars. I think for my self the bars are a bit low, and will probably be raising them about 2-4". I am 6'3". I dont think the bars will be too low for the majority of riders though. didn't seem any higher or lower than other sleds I rode that day (2010 M* Sno Pro, 1994 Yamaha (Hillys kids sled- yea this one was off the radar low) Ovation, 2010 Summit, 2008 Crossfire).
The boards were plenty wide and seemed very sturdy with no sagging as a few of us got on one side of the sled on the boards. You feet had alot of room to move around on the boards.
The seat felt a little too cushy for my liking, but was told that the production sled will have a stiffer seat.
Keep in mind as I tell you this,,,,,,,,,,,,, This sled is an engineering TEST sled. There are varying components on this thing at various levels of the proving process.
Take off: This sled was unlike any sled I have ever ridden in my life. The power was very linear,,,,,,, meaning that it pulled hard right from the start and kept pulling hard up to very high speeds, I am guessing around 90 or so. Frankly I did not want to keep going faster as the lake conditions were anywhere from smooth ice, to hard pack. If you didn't watch it, you could get sideways in a hurry.
The power was very deceiving. You felt it, but didn't hear it. All my life I have been riding two stroke sleds that get drammatically louder at WFO. The 4 stroke turbo didn't do that, so it sort of fools you. In fact it fooled me to the point where I initially thought the sled was underpowered. I got offf the turbo, jumped on a 2010 M8 and immediately thought the M8 was much faster. I told a few others that as well. I just thought it was not as quick as the two stroke M8
Well, we lined up a couple of sleds for several old fashioned drag races. I expected the M8 to blow it away for the first couple hundred feet. It did not, it was almost dead even (with the turbo slightly ahead ) and then the turbo pulled away handily after around 50 or so very handily.
Until you ride one, you will not understand what I mean by the term "A different feeling to the power it puts out". The Yamaha turbo guys are probably smiling at this statement, and chime in if you can describe the pull better than I.
The M8 had a more responsive throttle than the turbo. It felt more nimble in getting initial power to the track. Not to say the turbo is lacking in that department,,,,,,,,,,,, again the power comes on very differently.
There is zero engine braking. Thought that might be an issue, but Cord told me they solved that way back on the T660 several years ago.
Ride Feel:
I have never ridden a sled that feels so stable and is so able to swallow bumps like this chassis does. It tracks very predictably, and gives you the feeling of confidence, and extreme stability.
I was told Cat is testing a narrower ski stance. It might not be ready for the normal production run for 2012, but will definitely be offered in the accessory catalog, maybe this year yet. So it sounds like you might be able to order up a different ski stance next year? Who knows.......
I was also told that Cat is working on the vertical steering, though it probably wont make it to this years sled, but maybe offered as an accessory a bit later. The sled turned with very minimal effort. Apparently some guys think that vertical steering is mandatory now, I don't subscribe to that, but heck,,,,,,,,,,,,, each to his own.
Leg position sitting down was great. It felt very comfortable. Standing up and pulling WFO, was comfortable as well, although I would like those bars higher.
Weight and sidehill-ability
Well the snow conditions were not condusive to leaning this thing over and carving. Even so, you really did not feel the weight of this sled. I could pullit up on one ski just as easily as the 2010 M8. The weight seemed very centered on this sled. In the deeper snow when you let off it did not dive down, it seemed like any two stroke in that department.
The weight is there, we all know it, but for some reason, I did not feel the weight on the sled. Hilly told me that it felt like a really well mannered M1000, and actually felt lighter in the front than his M1000.
Overall Impressions
I was a bit surprised and happily so about this sled overall. The engine pulls hard all the way through the RPM's, was not used to that at all.
One guy in our crew after riding the turbo, is staying on his M8 next year. It did not fit his style of riding.
The guys who were thinking of sno-checking this new turbo, are even more enthusiastic about this new chassis, and I am too.
I think Cat is going to do pretty well with this chassis.
PS: I took a few videos of the days events, even caught video of J-Sun showing off trying to carve with his dads M8 in marginal snow, and him flying off the otherside of the seat. It is hilarious, but dont know how to upload it anywhere. If anyone can help in that department PM me and I can maybe email it on Monday so you can post it up...........
I have a dozen other pictures, but after looking back at them, they are not adding anything to what is already in print, or what has been already been posted, so I will leave them out.......
I hope this has been helpful and wish you all could have been there today to take a turn at this thing. It was great fun!
