In two days Arctic Cat will take the wraps off its 2019 model line of snowmobiles.
Some Arctic Cat fans will be shock-and-awed.
Others will visit their dealer to lay down some cash.
And some will be disappointed. It happens every year.
It’s understandable: Each of us has an idea in our minds what the next Arctic Cat snowmobile needs to offer US. We have high expectations. And if Cat doesn’t deliver, we’re disappointed.
So I want this post to be a place where YOU can tell Arctic Cat EXACTLY what you want on the next (or future) model line.
Here’s my aim-for-the-moon wish list:
1. A new gauge display that’s about the size of an iPad Mini (about a 9-in. screen size). Maybe it’s just a space in which I can attach an iPad Mini. This gauge can display the usual functions that current gauges offer, but it can also display some new stuff, perhaps via Bluetooth from my smartphone. What new stuff?
– The trails I’m riding, including my exact spot on the trail, similar to the Ride Command app.
– A pre-configured route, including where I’m at along the route.
– Compass
– Elevation
– Facebook and Instagram. (Just kidding)
2. Knock 50 pounds off of the ZRs.
I’d REALLY love to see what a 100-pound lighter ZR would feel like, but for now I’ll shoot a little lower and ask for 50 pounds. I don’t know exactly what this looks like or how it’s accomplished. Probably it’s part design and part materials. For sure it’s more expensive.
3. Make ’em more narrow (or at least feel more narrow).
– At 5′ 8″, I’m not about to enter the NBA. The current seat/tunnel/tank area feels fine when I’m just cruising. But it’s a bit too wide when I channel my inner Bobby Flame. Remember the Firecat? I do, and I loved their narrowness.
4. Make a traditional mountain sled that’s as flickable and confidence inspiring as the SVX 450 snowbike.
– I ride in the mountains once or twice a year. When I do, I want to be able to thread through trees with absolute precision, rip a sidehill like McClure and Kincaid, and put the sled exactly where I want every time I want to do it. I felt that way when I rode the SVX 450 last winter.
5. Double the lighting output.
– My eyes are worse in low-light and dark conditions now compared to five years ago (which is to say nothing about what it was like 20 years ago!). The LED headlight that Cat introduced a couple years ago is a BIG improvement over the halogen system, but I still think I would be happy with double the light output of LED system.
6. Let me adjust the suspension (for conditions and how feisty I’m feeling) while I’m riding. Nuff said.
7. Make a CVT system that never needs adjustment and that always delivers optimum performance.
Wait…Arctic Cat already did that with the Rapid Response II and Rapid Reaction drive/driven clutches. Thank you Arctic Cat!
Those are mine, what are yours?