I think all the manufacturers are pricing people out of the sport. I mean every year they go up thousands. I don’t know how anyone can buy one every year
Couldn’t agree more it’s gotten out of hand! I have no idea how they can correct it but definitely keeping to overproduce and reck the re sale value is not helping any of us.
Its not just snowmobiles, its literally everything that's become too expensive. Were living in times of big monopolies and that is the end of story. The thing we should be talking about is how to break them up.
It's not just snowmobiling and recreational... it's nearly every industry. Agriculture equipment is out of whack with poor prices and ungodly expensive equipment... which in turn affects the rest of the population, which comes full circle back to snowmobiles and recreational. When people's pocket books can't pencil out expenses, a lot of things take a back seat.
If you want to be a better channel, do more research before commenting. Washington, Oregon have been having some of the best early season conditions in years. I just rode two days ago in 3' of powder with another 2-3' base in the Sierras. You also mentioned Ski-doo and Polaris guages without realizing that Arctic Cat's G8 guage by Garmin is hands down, the nicest, most impressive guage out there, not even close.
They’re marketing teams are doing amazing work, guys buy into the hype. Im probably an outlier but I still have my G4, it owes me nothing. I wrench on it myself almost every week but im in the sport with a few hundred dollars a year. If you can’t afford a brandnew sled every year just maintain your current sled. Yea a turbo or a big bore would be nice but the chassis haven’t changed much for the last 4-5years. My 2 cent
The second year of a chassis isn’t necessarily a complete drop off because some wait a year to make sure all first year issues are taken care of. Year 3 is your dip year
Your comment about bare stock truck. I bought a couple in the 90s. I modified it way cheaper than the dealer options. Radio, tires rims etc. Not a bad philosophy
Snowmobiling has definitely become a hobby for the higher income people. When I was a kid in the 80's everyone had a snowmobile, now there's hardly any kids with sleds. Low snow and high prices are the biggest cause of this. Another problem is people seem to think if they don't have the top of the line sled they aren't going to have any performance. The fact is a bottom level 600 still has tremendous performance vs just a few years ago. Not everyone can afford a bmw m5 just like not everyone is entitled to be able to afford a boost, 9r or doo 850 turbos.
Yep. I have 1 2008 and 3 2009 Ski-Doo Summits. All were bought used at different times with ~1500 miles on them. All had small repairs needed when I got them, but I'm still into them and a used 4-position trailer for less than $9K. Yes they need some work occasionally, but all snowmobiles do. My family enjoys them immensely. My boys will each get one of these when they move out of the house, and when the last one goes I'll buy a new one for myself.
Imo the single biggest issue is used sled values or even the ability to sell them at all. They sold so many machines over covid so there's a glut of used stuff on the market that u can't give away. So you're losing like 15k on your 2 year old sled that you've had out 6 times. I was considering getting the 858 but the dealer just kinda laughed when I asked him about trade value
I think the economy is pricing people out, everything is getting expensive. Its hard to justify dropping $ on a toy when snow has been spotty over last couple years when people are hurting. The base model 858 has an MSRP of just under 16k USD. By most reports even the base model shocks are pretty decent on the Cat. So you can still get a decent entry level sled that has all the other goodies of the flagship sled minus the G8 and higher end shocks for reasonable. I understand why they did the 600 last year but don’t get why its there for this year. By all accounts its not saving you weight and not saving that much $ over a base model 858. I have only played with my G8 gauge in the garage so far but I think its way ahead of the polaris. Havent messed with the doo gauge.
I think a lot of people like the feeling of a 600 they claim it revs faster and is easier to ride for some people. That is what a lot of people claim at least. I don't have one. I agree things are soooooo expensive!
Arctic Cat was building the Yamaha Chassis so of course their Production Volume will be down in 2026.. I assume the 2025 sleds have already been built.
Ski-doo makes a snowmobile for absolutely every niche of the market! And this makes it very difficult to for Arctic Cat and even Polaris to maintain a profitable market share. I bought an Expedition Extreme 850 a couple of years ago and when I crossed shopped other the other brands I was truly stunned about how much more selection Skidoo has in their line up.
I rode for 30 years got tired of playing the no snow game got tired of having to spend 1200 to ride per weekend going north aint cheap i am southern Minnesota most years are barley ridable here. Sold my last sled 2 winters ago was thinking about getting back in but from what i see looks like another bunk year again overall. Got a friend who works at a Polaris dealer in Minneapolis they are not doing well atm
Just bought a new Ski Doo 4 stroke and now have to sell one of my Arctic Cat's. The 2002 ZL550 has given 2 decades of repair free pleasure and it's warm to drive. The 2018 ZR8000 constantly got warranty recall issues ( is at the dealer now; two weeks) and it's cold to drive. Can't wait to get it home to sell it. Never another Cat. Most of my sleds have been Polaris but gave up in 2006 when they started using biodegradable pistons. So it's up to Ski Doo to keep me sledding.
I owned a 2002 ZL 550 and had a couple of Cougar 550 L/Cs before that. They were only 80 HP engines, but absolutely bulletproof simple piston port engines with dual VM38 carbs. They would run and run with little maintenance.
I use to buy a new sled every year or every two years at most. I started buying new in 95 until the 2010's. The prices just got crazy every year and today they are insane... I bought Cat too and think they make great sleds.. The entire industry is destroying itself. I have seen it at the dealer level in the early 2000's. They screwed over dealers and closed them without a care..It's sad but I don't see the industry getting better anytime soon. My dealer in upstate NY use to snocheck 150 new sleds a year and sell another 200 used sleds. Now a dealer near me is lucky to snow check 12 sleds a year and nothing used.
I’m 30. When I was a kid in Michigan, every kid my age had a carbed 440 or something that would ride around on. Now I don’t even know kids in my area that would have a sled, and the winters have been so inconsistent I don’t know where or when they would ride them. It’s terribly sad, the end of an era. Now everyone just rides side by sides.
I remember riding way back in the late 80s and early 90s you could buy a belt for 30$ now the same belt is 150$ plus you could buy runners wear bars for 20$ oil was 1$ quart helmets good one 75$ jackets were like 75$ tops now same jacket is 500$ all day. The sport has killed itself in a way. I refuse to buy new all that efi garbage no way electronics an snow/moisture is not good later. Having all those sensors feeding off each other in stupid carbs work fine less crap to deal with later having to take a sled to a dealer for all work is dumb. 1 sensor goes bad way out in the North 40 you are done
Today, Textron announced they are pursuing "strategic alternatives" for their powersports business. Generally speaking, "strategic alternatives" in the corporate world 95% of the time means it's for sale.
What current model snowmobile compares to the 90's snowmobiles like an XLT and then compare the costs. Its not as bad as you think, the problem is we all want the top of the line machines.
I bought a new 2024 Catalyst Riot 600 1.75 that my dealer had leftover. I used to buy a new sled every other year or so, but now it's like every 7 or 8 years. The other issue, at least where I live in the Black Hills, SD (baby mountains) they only stock a few crossover sleds, and those sell out right away while dozens and dozens of mountain sleds just sit. It's assumed that everyone has the time and money to travel out west all winter long, but very few do.
I live in the North Dakota red river valley literally the flattest land on planet earth yet when you go to a dealership 90 percent of the sleds are mountain sleds, you have to drive at least 15 hours 1 direction to see a mountain from here
i was gonna ask a question but it was to long for instagram lol, but i found a way to revise it to be shorter lol. would you rather, 30k stocker, or 15k sled with 15k in mods
I bought my 22’ Hardcore for like 16k out the door in MN. Now the local dealer is selling brand new M8000s for 10k and they can’t get rid of them. Used sleds aren’t moving at giveaway prices either! I’m not buying new anymore. I’ll just buy a year old sled with 200 miles on it next year for 8k less from a private party and skip paying all the bullshit dealer fees and taxes.
You can't force people to be financially responsible. Just like the auto industry - some of the first vehicles to roll of the line are the top-of-the-line models. And they sell. Nobody is FORCING you to buy a boost or a turbo R.
All 3 of these guys know exactly what’s going on. I cant see a good outcome if these prices don’t come down. We have to remember how many bailouts BRP skidoo have been gone through. I don’t even own a skidoo and I’m paying taxes because we got an idiot for a prime minister that gave the bailout.
@RogerThat94 My cabin is in curtis in the U.P...50/50 amazing on trail. Haven't played alot off yet but just playing in the 4 foot of powder we had over Thanksgiving it didn't struggle very playful front end pulls up with ease over my old 19 assault 144 800 ...so far this is a huge upgrade
Lots of cats here in nw wi. but the last 5 years trail's have only been open a had full of times. And when you ad the price of a new sled it's out of the question!
I bought my 2017 xlt f350 with a sticker price of 68,000 and 10 grand off in 2018 Looking for a suv for the wife , new ranger lariat is 63,000 sticker price, you cant convince me to buy any ranger for the price of a 1 ton diesel. Insane prices for everything these days.
I find that hard to believe that Yamaha was funding it all. Arctic cat is owned by textron and they are as big if not bigger than Yamaha. I don’t think textron wants Yamaha. They didn’t seam to exited about it when they purchased Arctic cat.
My mom bought my dad a brand new 440 everest in 1979 for under 900$ thats equivalent to $3500 in todays money. Its no different than trucks and everything. The cost of new stuff has skytocketed way fast than inflation. Grmated theyre far more capable so there is more value, but i know guys that were dumping 30+k into mod sleds in the 90's as well and todays factory sleds would destroy those machines. As far as entry level sleds, imo thats the used market. Why woukd you go buy an expensive new entry level sled for 15+k when you can buy a top of the line, low mile sled thats 2 or three years old for the same or less
With Kids nowadays always on their phone or games , they got no interest. And sleds so high priced , its very sad . As for Arctic Cat , Textron is ruining the Cat name . Like Cat or not we need all the manufacturers in the business . It sure didnt help no snow in Minnesota last year .
Did you guys somehow miss Muskoka's day 1 on his 25' Expert? He went out with 9 Polaris riders and basically just sat and filmed. I mean yea he was riding with Keith Curtis who - in my opinion is the best rider out there - but what was the common denominator? Polaris. Show me a BRP rider doing that shit. I'll wait...
Yamaha has gone the cheaper route with their 2 stroke dirtbikes. They are an old but proven design. No bells and whistles but it's a good Ole 2 stroke and you know what you are getting. Well, KTM just went bankrupt and they are the one pushing the limits and they sell way more new bikes. Maybe you are onto something
Ya cat built Yamahas and im sure that helped out cat building new sleds. But thats not whats been pulling cat along more like cat was carrying yamaha along. Cats had the best 4 stroke snowmobiles for many years now. The Yamaha motor been great for cat but the Suzuki 1100 turbo that was introduced in 2009 with 180 HP charging the industry forever. I raced cat here in the NE since 2024-2017. SX and pro XC many wins and championships in my cats. Cat dominated XC for 2 decades now polaris just came to the party last couple years. I wouldn’t say Cat was or way behind doo or Polaris. In the midwest the only sled that 4:36 could win a XC race was a cat except the past few years. Cats engines have the best track record in the industry for HP and reliability. Its a fact look at all cats engines since 1990 i cant think of one plagued with problems. I can think of many from cat and doo though. Same goes for updates and shit Polaris always has a bunch doo has there share to. Not saying cat doesn’t haven’t bought new since 2017 my last racer. Iv been riding since i was 5 im now 45. Mechanic engine builder was a pro snowmobile racer. Love my cats been tough as nails for me iv broke very little parts. My father has new doos and 2024 catalysts. I ride his doos great sleds really enjoy riding them. But cant say there better than cats some ways they are some ways there not. Really dont think the catalyst is that much better than the pro cross trail riding anyway off trail probably lot better but idk. The seat is a way to hard on the new catalyst for long days in the saddle. The suspension valved to stiff feels like my XC race sled and thats way to stiff for average trail riders. Cat has made the fastest snowmobile forever now since the 650 wildcat anyway lol!!
Don’t forget the Canadian 🇨🇦market. These sleds are about 30% more expensive up here plus all the taxes. Sleds are way over priced . It’s a rich person sport now.too much tech has killed the sport I’m an old guy . They have gone from off road tractor to now they are lik3 a corvette
The shocking thing to me is many want Arctic Cat to fail. I don't understand why people want a brand to fail. Going down to a duopoly doesn't help snowmobiling. Prices will go up and innovation will stop. BRP is going to get killed with Trump's 25% tarrifs. However, the Canadian government will always bail them out. Polaris is in tough shape too. In fact, they might be worse off than Arctic because they don't have a huge conglomerate like Textron backing them. I bought a new Catalyst Riot 600 and it's an excellent crossover.
@brentcook24 Absolutely. I hope Arctic Cat can continue to get 4 stroke engines from Yamaha because that is definitely an advantage for them in the trail market. Those 998 turbos are still fast AF! Too much for me! Arctic Cat really needs a dual rail mountain sled, too. I don't think they should get rid of the monorail Alpha because it definitely has a market, but so many people say it's terrible to ride. Not sure because I just trail and boondock on a crossover 146.
Russia was one of the biggest buyers of Yamaha snowmobiles, Arctic Cat built Yamaha, since Bidenomics put sanctions on Russia and they can’t buy them I think that just put to much pressure on an already fragile market especially since the 23 flop of no snow, I’m from North Dakota and went to college in thief river falls drove buy the plant every day, you would think since the manufacturer is less than an hour away there would be Arctic cat dealers on every corner, Fargo cat went out of business last year , the grand forks cat dealer left years ago , one car sales place sells cat now obviously that was a bad idea to do now , I think its going to be a little scary yet but if Trump lifts the sanctions on Russia the world’s economy will get better
Why'd you change the channel name? "BC" threw me off. Everybody I know pronounces it "Ar-Tic Cat" ... simpler than trying to sound the C in Arctic and doesn't sound stupid like "Ark-Ti-Cat" the way some say it. I started with a 2003 Doo "Rev" and HATED it. Went to the new M7 the next year and have been a Cat guy ever since. Got a Khaos last year because the Cat lost the plot for ProClimb and Ascender with all the extra weight, so they weren't an option. And I couldn't find a nice used M8. Picked up the Catalyst and am struggling with it, but that's not the sled's fault... it's my out of shape-ness and lack of skill. It'll be fun when I figure things out. My Catalyst was $21k on Snow Check. It's the blue one and also got electric start. Then added $1500 in accessories. My butt is still sore.
All the sled co's knew an industry cliff fall was coming & projected 10 years,that was 13 years ago. The royalties the brands pay each other,the snowbike spike & quick fall & many didn't go back to sleds,the lowering of testosterone across the nation,the"blue screen" media addiction,new sleds piled up waiting for warranty repairs,low snow,to expensive to keep the nxt generation involved,single helicopter mother's feminizing boys ha,dealers not wanting trade ins ugh & more economy reasons. And yes we do not need a screen on our power toys.
The catalyst is the best mountain chassis on the market. Don’t regret that purchase at all. Even got my buddy off a Doo turbo to buy one and he wouldn’t go back.
Will be once the get rid of that single rail its complete trash ive seen so maby bent pound out tracks ladt a year all tge bracing breaks but hey its a personal choice i seen tons of alphas for parts 2 3 year old mountain sleds
Yea the market is done. They do t offer what i want or anything close in value. I don't want any tech on it at all. Your phone can handle everything that useless dash will ever tell you. No incentive to provide something reliable in the market. Good luck
I think all the manufacturers are pricing people out of the sport. I mean every year they go up thousands. I don’t know how anyone can buy one every year
Couldn’t agree more it’s gotten out of hand! I have no idea how they can correct it but definitely keeping to overproduce and reck the re sale value is not helping any of us.
that and the lack of snow last 4 yrs in the northeast! wouldn’t want to be a dealer that’s for sure 😢
Totally 10 years ago when you get a top of line sled for 12-14k and you could work 10-20 ot shifts a year to cover the cost of that. 30k ? Comon
Way way way over priced all of them.people are not gonna spend that much money on a mabie sport weather relaint.
Absolutely. The average family can't get into the sports. My only hobby is snowmobiling . Low snow has a lot of die hards rethinking.
Its not just snowmobiles, its literally everything that's become too expensive. Were living in times of big monopolies and that is the end of story. The thing we should be talking about is how to break them up.
The entire industrybis pricing us out of the sport, a gallon of oil $75; a belt going on $250, $1200+ for a monosuit, goggles, the list goes on.
True. Time to go back to the ole Carhartt mono suits, buy a greasy triple and rip like its 1999
It's not just snowmobiling and recreational... it's nearly every industry. Agriculture equipment is out of whack with poor prices and ungodly expensive equipment... which in turn affects the rest of the population, which comes full circle back to snowmobiles and recreational.
When people's pocket books can't pencil out expenses, a lot of things take a back seat.
Amen the ag market is a huge with this as well
I could not have imagined a snowmobile costing more than the first truck I bought. The world has gone completely insane.
If you want to be a better channel, do more research before commenting. Washington, Oregon have been having some of the best early season conditions in years. I just rode two days ago in 3' of powder with another 2-3' base in the Sierras. You also mentioned Ski-doo and Polaris guages without realizing that Arctic Cat's G8 guage by Garmin is hands down, the nicest, most impressive guage out there, not even close.
Like always I love the content. Definitely better on the sound quality this time. Cant wait for the video in the mountain on thursday!!!!
They’re marketing teams are doing amazing work, guys buy into the hype. Im probably an outlier but I still have my G4, it owes me nothing. I wrench on it myself almost every week but im in the sport with a few hundred dollars a year. If you can’t afford a brandnew sled every year just maintain your current sled. Yea a turbo or a big bore would be nice but the chassis haven’t changed much for the last 4-5years. My 2 cent
I agree the marketing teams are doing great! That is what a lot of people do it's a smart move!
Ski doo sport models were a smart idea!!
The second year of a chassis isn’t necessarily a complete drop off because some wait a year to make sure all first year issues are taken care of. Year 3 is your dip year
Your comment about bare stock truck. I bought a couple in the 90s. I modified it way cheaper than the dealer options. Radio, tires rims etc. Not a bad philosophy
Snowmobiling has definitely become a hobby for the higher income people. When I was a kid in the 80's everyone had a snowmobile, now there's hardly any kids with sleds. Low snow and high prices are the biggest cause of this. Another problem is people seem to think if they don't have the top of the line sled they aren't going to have any performance. The fact is a bottom level 600 still has tremendous performance vs just a few years ago. Not everyone can afford a bmw m5 just like not everyone is entitled to be able to afford a boost, 9r or doo 850 turbos.
I agree 100% not everyone needs the top of the line, you just need something to get out and have fun
Yep. I have 1 2008 and 3 2009 Ski-Doo Summits. All were bought used at different times with ~1500 miles on them. All had small repairs needed when I got them, but I'm still into them and a used 4-position trailer for less than $9K. Yes they need some work occasionally, but all snowmobiles do. My family enjoys them immensely.
My boys will each get one of these when they move out of the house, and when the last one goes I'll buy a new one for myself.
@@brentcook24 I see Textron just suspended 25 production indefinitely.. pretty sad if they are done.
Imo the single biggest issue is used sled values or even the ability to sell them at all. They sold so many machines over covid so there's a glut of used stuff on the market that u can't give away. So you're losing like 15k on your 2 year old sled that you've had out 6 times. I was considering getting the 858 but the dealer just kinda laughed when I asked him about trade value
Ya the used market is why I didn't get a new one this year as well. Just didn't make sense for me.
I think the economy is pricing people out, everything is getting expensive. Its hard to justify dropping $ on a toy when snow has been spotty over last couple years when people are hurting.
The base model 858 has an MSRP of just under 16k USD. By most reports even the base model shocks are pretty decent on the Cat. So you can still get a decent entry level sled that has all the other goodies of the flagship sled minus the G8 and higher end shocks for reasonable.
I understand why they did the 600 last year but don’t get why its there for this year. By all accounts its not saving you weight and not saving that much $ over a base model 858.
I have only played with my G8 gauge in the garage so far but I think its way ahead of the polaris. Havent messed with the doo gauge.
I think a lot of people like the feeling of a 600 they claim it revs faster and is easier to ride for some people. That is what a lot of people claim at least. I don't have one. I agree things are soooooo expensive!
its simple,50% of market doesn't live where there is snow to ride 6 months a year. people aren't buying $20k sled to ride a few weekends a year.
I agree
Arctic Cat was building the Yamaha Chassis so of course their Production Volume will be down in 2026.. I assume the 2025 sleds have already been built.
Ski-doo makes a snowmobile for absolutely every niche of the market! And this makes it very difficult to for Arctic Cat and even Polaris to maintain a profitable market share. I bought an Expedition Extreme 850 a couple of years ago and when I crossed shopped other the other brands I was truly stunned about how much more selection Skidoo has in their line up.
I rode for 30 years got tired of playing the no snow game got tired of having to spend 1200 to ride per weekend going north aint cheap i am southern Minnesota most years are barley ridable here. Sold my last sled 2 winters ago was thinking about getting back in but from what i see looks like another bunk year again overall. Got a friend who works at a Polaris dealer in Minneapolis they are not doing well atm
Just bought a new Ski Doo 4 stroke and now have to sell one of my Arctic Cat's. The 2002 ZL550 has given 2 decades of repair free pleasure and it's warm to drive. The 2018 ZR8000 constantly got warranty recall issues ( is at the dealer now; two weeks) and it's cold to drive. Can't wait to get it home to sell it. Never another Cat. Most of my sleds have been Polaris but gave up in 2006 when they started using biodegradable pistons. So it's up to Ski Doo to keep me sledding.
Ski doo makes the best sleds in the industry hands down. Iv owned a few up of them an never had issues.
They all have their problems when buying a new sled but some have more than others for sure.
I owned a 2002 ZL 550 and had a couple of Cougar 550 L/Cs before that. They were only 80 HP engines, but absolutely bulletproof simple piston port engines with dual VM38 carbs. They would run and run with little maintenance.
I use to buy a new sled every year or every two years at most. I started buying new in 95 until the 2010's. The prices just got crazy every year and today they are insane...
I bought Cat too and think they make great sleds.. The entire industry is destroying itself. I have seen it at the dealer level in the early 2000's. They screwed over dealers and closed them without a care..It's sad but I don't see the industry getting better anytime soon.
My dealer in upstate NY use to snocheck 150 new sleds a year and sell another 200 used sleds. Now a dealer near me is lucky to snow check 12 sleds a year and nothing used.
Ya there are certainly problems. Out here at least there are a lot of expensive sleds sold!
I’m 30. When I was a kid in Michigan, every kid my age had a carbed 440 or something that would ride around on. Now I don’t even know kids in my area that would have a sled, and the winters have been so inconsistent I don’t know where or when they would ride them. It’s terribly sad, the end of an era. Now everyone just rides side by sides.
I remember riding way back in the late 80s and early 90s you could buy a belt for 30$ now the same belt is 150$ plus you could buy runners wear bars for 20$ oil was 1$ quart helmets good one 75$ jackets were like 75$ tops now same jacket is 500$ all day. The sport has killed itself in a way. I refuse to buy new all that efi garbage no way electronics an snow/moisture is not good later. Having all those sensors feeding off each other in stupid carbs work fine less crap to deal with later having to take a sled to a dealer for all work is dumb. 1 sensor goes bad way out in the North 40 you are done
Im sticking with 2002 mxz 700 I was going to get a newer sled but I ended up getting a yamaha raptor 700 I get more use out of it.
Makes sense
Today, Textron announced they are pursuing "strategic alternatives" for their powersports business. Generally speaking, "strategic alternatives" in the corporate world 95% of the time means it's for sale.
It's just too expensive get into the sport period now. Your looking at 8-12k for a good used sled, and 20k + on a new one
That's why I stick with 2002 mxz 700 I really don't seen the need for new sled. The only only thing I wish I had was EFI.
I agree
Ya if you don't have a decent newer sled to sell every 3-4 years it's alot to get into it
What current model snowmobile compares to the 90's snowmobiles like an XLT and then compare the costs. Its not as bad as you think, the problem is we all want the top of the line machines.
I bought a new 2024 Catalyst Riot 600 1.75 that my dealer had leftover. I used to buy a new sled every other year or so, but now it's like every 7 or 8 years. The other issue, at least where I live in the Black Hills, SD (baby mountains) they only stock a few crossover sleds, and those sell out right away while dozens and dozens of mountain sleds just sit. It's assumed that everyone has the time and money to travel out west all winter long, but very few do.
I live in the North Dakota red river valley literally the flattest land on planet earth yet when you go to a dealership 90 percent of the sleds are mountain sleds, you have to drive at least 15 hours 1 direction to see a mountain from here
i was gonna ask a question but it was to long for instagram lol, but i found a way to revise it to be shorter lol. would you rather, 30k stocker, or 15k sled with 15k in mods
Good question we will answer that in the next one! Thank you
Recalls was also a huge thing for buying a certain brand
I bought my 22’ Hardcore for like 16k out the door in MN. Now the local dealer is selling brand new M8000s for 10k and they can’t get rid of them. Used sleds aren’t moving at giveaway prices either! I’m not buying new anymore. I’ll just buy a year old sled with 200 miles on it next year for 8k less from a private party and skip paying all the bullshit dealer fees and taxes.
You can't force people to be financially responsible. Just like the auto industry - some of the first vehicles to roll of the line are the top-of-the-line models. And they sell. Nobody is FORCING you to buy a boost or a turbo R.
All 3 of these guys know exactly what’s going on. I cant see a good outcome if these prices don’t come down. We have to remember how many bailouts BRP skidoo have been gone through. I don’t even own a skidoo and I’m paying taxes because we got an idiot for a prime minister that gave the bailout.
100% just bought a 24 Switchback 850 146 ..saved 6k over a 2025
What kind of terrain do you ride. I want to throw a leg over the switchback but feel like I need a 155
Why would you buy a Polaris there just like a condom one time use Ha ha ha ha ha ha
@RogerThat94 My cabin is in curtis in the U.P...50/50 amazing on trail. Haven't played alot off yet but just playing in the 4 foot of powder we had over Thanksgiving it didn't struggle very playful front end pulls up with ease over my old 19 assault 144 800 ...so far this is a huge upgrade
doing my part, up grade what you can afford
Just like vehicles, prices are too high.
Artie Cat, nope, its Arctic Cat.
I'm done watching this podcast
Thanks anthony
Lots of cats here in nw wi. but the last 5 years trail's have only been open a had full of times. And when you ad the price of a new sled it's out of the question!
I bought my 2017 xlt f350 with a sticker price of 68,000 and 10 grand off in 2018
Looking for a suv for the wife , new ranger lariat is 63,000 sticker price, you cant convince me to buy any ranger for the price of a 1 ton diesel. Insane prices for everything these days.
To much for throw away sleds was sold as family sport thats how it started its gone now
I find that hard to believe that Yamaha was funding it all. Arctic cat is owned by textron and they are as big if not bigger than Yamaha. I don’t think textron wants Yamaha. They didn’t seam to exited about it when they purchased Arctic cat.
The stuff you are spewing about Arctic Cat isn’t exactly true. I’m a dealer, we can still get parts and sleds.
My mom bought my dad a brand new 440 everest in 1979 for under 900$ thats equivalent to $3500 in todays money. Its no different than trucks and everything. The cost of new stuff has skytocketed way fast than inflation. Grmated theyre far more capable so there is more value, but i know guys that were dumping 30+k into mod sleds in the 90's as well and todays factory sleds would destroy those machines. As far as entry level sleds, imo thats the used market. Why woukd you go buy an expensive new entry level sled for 15+k when you can buy a top of the line, low mile sled thats 2 or three years old for the same or less
Everything is crazy right now. Ya the used market can make more sense, I agree.
With Kids nowadays always on their phone or games , they got no interest.
And sleds so high priced , its very sad . As for Arctic Cat , Textron is ruining the Cat name .
Like Cat or not we need all the manufacturers in the business .
It sure didnt help no snow in Minnesota last year .
The problem started along time ago when idiots pay $ 1000s of dollars for a penny or a sports ball card worth a nickel
Did you guys somehow miss Muskoka's day 1 on his 25' Expert? He went out with 9 Polaris riders and basically just sat and filmed. I mean yea he was riding with Keith Curtis who - in my opinion is the best rider out there - but what was the common denominator? Polaris. Show me a BRP rider doing that shit. I'll wait...
Guaranteed that most, if not all those guys did not pay for those sleds.
Yamaha has gone the cheaper route with their 2 stroke dirtbikes. They are an old but proven design. No bells and whistles but it's a good Ole 2 stroke and you know what you are getting. Well, KTM just went bankrupt and they are the one pushing the limits and they sell way more new bikes. Maybe you are onto something
It is an interesting argument because there are pros and cons of going each direction!
Ya cat built Yamahas and im sure that helped out cat building new sleds. But thats not whats been pulling cat along more like cat was carrying yamaha along.
Cats had the best 4 stroke snowmobiles for many years now. The Yamaha motor been great for cat but the Suzuki 1100 turbo that was introduced in 2009 with 180 HP charging the industry forever. I raced cat here in the NE since 2024-2017. SX and pro XC many wins and championships in my cats. Cat dominated XC for 2 decades now polaris just came to the party last couple years. I wouldn’t say Cat was or way behind doo or Polaris. In the midwest the only sled that 4:36 could win a XC race was a cat except the past few years. Cats engines have the best track record in the industry for HP and reliability. Its a fact look at all cats engines since 1990 i cant think of one plagued with problems. I can think of many from cat and doo though. Same goes for updates and shit Polaris always has a bunch doo has there share to. Not saying cat doesn’t haven’t bought new since 2017 my last racer. Iv been riding since i was 5 im now 45. Mechanic engine builder was a pro snowmobile racer. Love my cats been tough as nails for me iv broke very little parts. My father has new doos and 2024 catalysts. I ride his doos great sleds really enjoy riding them. But cant say there better than cats some ways they are some ways there not. Really dont think the catalyst is that much better than the pro cross trail riding anyway off trail probably lot better but idk. The seat is a way to hard on the new catalyst for long days in the saddle. The suspension valved to stiff feels like my XC race sled and thats way to stiff for average trail riders.
Cat has made the fastest snowmobile forever now since the 650 wildcat anyway lol!!
Great lakes look like they are getting early snow
😂😂😂 pricing ....out out this world 😢
Don’t forget the Canadian 🇨🇦market. These sleds are about 30% more expensive up here plus all the taxes. Sleds are way over priced . It’s a rich person sport now.too much tech has killed the sport I’m an old guy . They have gone from off road tractor to now they are lik3 a corvette
The shocking thing to me is many want Arctic Cat to fail. I don't understand why people want a brand to fail. Going down to a duopoly doesn't help snowmobiling. Prices will go up and innovation will stop. BRP is going to get killed with Trump's 25% tarrifs. However, the Canadian government will always bail them out. Polaris is in tough shape too. In fact, they might be worse off than Arctic because they don't have a huge conglomerate like Textron backing them. I bought a new Catalyst Riot 600 and it's an excellent crossover.
Ya I don't understand why anyone would want a company to fail it is a ripple effect that is not good.
@brentcook24 Absolutely. I hope Arctic Cat can continue to get 4 stroke engines from Yamaha because that is definitely an advantage for them in the trail market. Those 998 turbos are still fast AF! Too much for me! Arctic Cat really needs a dual rail mountain sled, too. I don't think they should get rid of the monorail Alpha because it definitely has a market, but so many people say it's terrible to ride. Not sure because I just trail and boondock on a crossover 146.
Inflation is a big factor! Just go food shopping, or go buy a new pickup. Government policies have sucked our spending money right out of us.
Russia was one of the biggest buyers of Yamaha snowmobiles, Arctic Cat built Yamaha, since Bidenomics put sanctions on Russia and they can’t buy them I think that just put to much pressure on an already fragile market especially since the 23 flop of no snow, I’m from North Dakota and went to college in thief river falls drove buy the plant every day, you would think since the manufacturer is less than an hour away there would be Arctic cat dealers on every corner, Fargo cat went out of business last year , the grand forks cat dealer left years ago , one car sales place sells cat now obviously that was a bad idea to do now , I think its going to be a little scary yet but if Trump lifts the sanctions on Russia the world’s economy will get better
Great information thank you! Yes let’s hope things turn around!!!
Why'd you change the channel name? "BC" threw me off. Everybody I know pronounces it "Ar-Tic Cat" ... simpler than trying to sound the C in Arctic and doesn't sound stupid like "Ark-Ti-Cat" the way some say it. I started with a 2003 Doo "Rev" and HATED it. Went to the new M7 the next year and have been a Cat guy ever since. Got a Khaos last year because the Cat lost the plot for ProClimb and Ascender with all the extra weight, so they weren't an option. And I couldn't find a nice used M8. Picked up the Catalyst and am struggling with it, but that's not the sled's fault... it's my out of shape-ness and lack of skill. It'll be fun when I figure things out. My Catalyst was $21k on Snow Check. It's the blue one and also got electric start. Then added $1500 in accessories. My butt is still sore.
AK rides alot of cats
Bullshit ! Maybe back in the day all i see is doos and poos
All the sled co's knew an industry cliff fall was coming & projected 10 years,that was 13 years ago. The royalties the brands pay each other,the snowbike spike & quick fall & many didn't go back to sleds,the lowering of testosterone across the nation,the"blue screen" media addiction,new sleds piled up waiting for warranty repairs,low snow,to expensive to keep the nxt generation involved,single helicopter mother's feminizing boys ha,dealers not wanting trade ins ugh & more economy reasons. And yes we do not need a screen on our power toys.
The catalyst is the best mountain chassis on the market. Don’t regret that purchase at all. Even got my buddy off a Doo turbo to buy one and he wouldn’t go back.
Will be once the get rid of that single rail its complete trash ive seen so maby bent pound out tracks ladt a year all tge bracing breaks but hey its a personal choice i seen tons of alphas for parts 2 3 year old mountain sleds
@ love mine, I’ve bent plenty of dual rail skids too lol.
Yup, twin rails never break. Thats why nobody makes braces or aftermarket rails for them.
The 600 catalyst proved it's a weapon watch and see
We are talking 858 when it comes to being proven
@brentcook24 858 will be a weapon
Yea the market is done. They do t offer what i want or anything close in value. I don't want any tech on it at all. Your phone can handle everything that useless dash will ever tell you. No incentive to provide something reliable in the market. Good luck
you guys know nothing....sleds are paid for when they hit the dealer....Cat is all done
Thanks man, point is they are still having money problems even with their new product out...