Ziemann

Don't knock it til ya try it......

This was one of my Franken-sleds back in the day. The 900 was and will forever be one of my favorite engines.

This kind of racing?

For someone like me or probably @ZR6000RR/ Jim, I suspect the belt drive will work fine. I'm skeptical still about longevity, but think it'll work well. Like anything else, we'll learn quickly what the service life is for the belts, and replace it preventatively like any other belt. I don't think it'll be a big deal. Stutter bumps cause some harmonics and rhythmic vibrations that seem to destroy sleds. Something has to give somewhere. If a person can grenade a chain case in those conditions, they sure as hell can grenade a cogged belt. I've heard enough feedback from people using the belt drives on high HP motors to feel comfortable with it for my usage. I'm fat and feel every joint in my body, so my racing days are unquestionably over. I can't beat the hell out of a sled like I used to, and will probably never push the belt system to its limits. The biggest weakness will simply be due to neglect and lack of maintenance- just like anything. So, I have no doubt that it'll work for me and probably most folks.

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Oddly enough- you're not wrong about that. I think you can make a strong argument that they all have done a pretty poor job.

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I understand the definition of loyalty perfectly. For some reason you assume that I'm not a loyal Cat customer. I'm not sure where you got that idea. My garage and trailers are all Cat except for one sled: A VR-1 (which has been a great product). As a few people here on FS can attest, my Cat experiences range from the race track to my local trails. You know damn well that Cat's market share plummeted when they lost their core customers like me. Only a moron would marginalize 30 years of purchasing history, and 30+ new Cats, and think that's not the epitome of loyalty. Reality Check: Cat didn't get to the cellar because they were doing a great job. What Cat has left are green Kool-aide drinkers like you that have "Sucker" tattooed on your forehead-- that will buy anything Cat in robotic fashion. They don't give a shit about you. You'll buy anything they sell and be happy about it. For the rest of us, they will have to re-earn that business. That's what's going to be required for them to gain market share. I'm surprised that Cat released anything new at all, because mindless robots like you will buy a Cat regardless.

Frankly- From a credibility standpoint, I'd value @favoritos feedback on the Catalyst more than anyone else. He has always been a straight shooter and is very insightful. I look forward to some pics once @favoritos takes delivery. I am also curious on the various accessories- tunnel bags, etc.....

And here's the thing they don't get. Many of us are stating that we would give Cat a fair shot at earning our business in the future if they can get their shit together.

Oh- and those cracked fuel tank necks were a great time. But- everything was perfect......

Holy Shit- Thank you, @Bontz

Cat didn't get to where they are at now because of their stellar releases. And to be in denial of that only undermines your credibility. No one reads that post and takes you seriously- except Jim. Shit- you don't even remember the '10 SnoPro 500's that would load up and foul? '07 Twin Spar handling woes, adjustable seat and handlebar issues? '98 ZR600's grenading? OMG- seriously stop before you lose all credibility.

I could be wrong, but I doubt that there are many on this site that have purchased more new Cat's than I have. Maybe a few, but dunno..... Cat squandered their most loyal customers, for a multitude of reasons. Then @mnstang thinks we should all be blind to a legacy of Cat failure (that almost drove them in to the ground), and just blindly drink the green Kool-aid of the latest Me Too sled. As I have said many times, I ALWAYS bought Cat's latest and greatest tech- and regretted it many times. I feel like a battered spouse. There are only so many times that a manufacturer can literally screw you before you move on to greener pastures. The best Cat's I ever owned were NEVER first year Cats. First year Cats are generally shit. And I took a bath on several of them. I will not even consider Cat until you Guinea pigs work out the bugs for a year or two. THEN, I'll evaluate what they have to offer, and see if it best meets my needs.

Sorry, I couldn't resist......

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I don't think so. I think @krom is simply being open, honest, and telling it as he sees it from a dealer perspective. He's about the only one that seems to have a realistic view.

Bingo. Cat has everyone's attention, and they NEED rides like this to bring sales home and build credibility.

To build credibility, they REALLY need to get this engine & chassis out there for open test rides. If it is the real thing, they have a narrow window of opportunity to capitalize on the current euphoria that has captured everyone's attention. They need to do it soon before Cat once again becomes irrelevant.

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@stinkipinki Yup- perfect description of how Cat arrived at the "Me Too" sled. Once the new car smell wears off of the 858, and Polaris and Ski-Doo eclipse the 858 with new iron, Cat will once again be irrelevant. It'll be like buying last year's cell phone. Sure, it works- but no one thinks it's cool. On a side note- I went to Brainerd for the grass drags for 48 hours, and this thread grew by 12 pages.... Y'all need to get a life. :-P

If you're in the neighborhood this weekend, Jim- I'll be at the Brainerd Grass Drags. Hell, I'll buy ya a beer.