I see Arctic Cat is trickling out some more details.  Arctic Insider had some new info a couple of weeks ago, but this article talks about the same stuff and goes into more detail:

Exclusive Insight on Catalyst Design from Arctic Cat Engineering

Just this week, the latest Snow Tech magazine had a nice writeup on it, as well.

Does anyone have more info?

If the stars stay aligned and I can ride one in the near future, what would you like to know?

 

Edited January 6, 20232 yr by p51mstg

Did you ride a riot off trail? Wondering if it gets up on top of the snow similar to an assault ?

7 hours ago, Cat45 said:

Did you ride a riot off trail? Wondering if it gets up on top of the snow similar to an assault ?

I didn’t get to ride it off trail and am sorry I can’t answer that.  For the regular Riot, the ski stance is 3” less than the ProCross-based model, and is significantly lighter.

Edited January 24, 20232 yr by p51mstg

https://www.facebook.com/groups/832855321418501/?ref=share&mibextid=NSMWBT

that FB group is weird... worrying about warranties and gauges this week.... 

The snow mags were having a blast (riot?) on the new Catalyst yesterday with Roger Skime.  As a Minnesotan, I’m always worried about being too optimistic, but not after reading their comments.  Good job to Cat for impressing virtually everyone who has ridden it, so far.

 

 

By the way, on the thumbnail - sleds in the background, under cover - Cat didn’t tell us what they were and never took the covers off.  We didn’t see everything they have for 2024, and we didn’t see any prototypes they may be testing.

 

Edited January 25, 20232 yr by p51mstg

18 minutes ago, p51mstg said:

The snow mags were having a blast (riot?) on the new Catalyst yesterday with Roger Skime.  As a Minnesotan, I’m always worried about being too optimistic, but not after reading their comments.  Good job to Cat for impressing virtually everyone who has ridden it, so far.

 

 

By the way, on the thumbnail - sleds in the background, under cover - Cat didn’t tell us what they were and never took the covers off.  We didn’t see everything they have for 2024, and we didn’t see any prototypes they may be testing.

 

Watched the full vid as requested!

 

I'm really excited to throw a leg over one of these.

Kale confirmed on his face book page that there will be a zr 129 available .

https://snowgoer.com/latest-news/first-impressions-riding-the-arctic-cat-catalyst-chassis/31318/

 

Lots of high praise so far.
Glad to hear this stuff, no more hype, just real world impressions.
Cat may have something here.

https://snowgoer.com/latest-news/first-impressions-riding-the-arctic-cat-catalyst-chassis/31318/

 

Lots of high praise so far.
Glad to hear this stuff, no more hype, just real world impressions.
Cat may have something here.

Not sure why that double posted.

12 hours ago, wrinkly balls said:

Kale confirmed on his face book page that there will be a zr 129 available .

I’m glad someone said it.  The 129 ZR will be a great sled.

https://www.arcticinsider.com/first-ride-on-2024-arctic-cat-catalyst-models/

jealous... 

tell us more about the gauge 

well done @p51mstg

 

Edited January 27, 20232 yr by Crnr2Crnr

high praise...
 

 

Snow Tech had a great writeup:

https://www.snowtechmagazine.com/2024-arctic-cat-catalyst-first-ride/?fbclid=IwAR3GAn5u7hVr0f_XEwKFArfBmzZpdKxOSVhemrHdt9ZOW5vPguUJXHDE2wc

 

 

Edited January 27, 20232 yr by p51mstg

On 1/25/2023 at 12:38 PM, stinkipinki said:

Not sure why that double posted.

Because it was such a good comment!  😎

 

And so it begins....

7 hours ago, stinkipinki said:

 

The game has been changed.  Congrats to the engineers . Nice job cat!!!!!

The Snowtrax video has 25,000 views in less then a day.

Edited January 28, 20232 yr by stinkipinki

11 minutes ago, stinkipinki said:

The Snowtrax video has 25,000 views in less then a day.

Is that all?  Dumstad has been watching it non-stop since they posted it.

 

On 1/25/2023 at 10:53 PM, p51mstg said:

I’m glad someone said it.  The 129 ZR will be a great sled.

were you able to ride a 129... or are those still in the pipeline?

is it safe to assume the 129 RXC without e-start will be the 'race' version?

On 1/26/2023 at 8:14 PM, Jerr2Star said:

https://www.arcticinsider.com/first-ride-on-2024-arctic-cat-catalyst-models/

damn that's sweet the way the side panels and hood comes off.  Now, will all that plastic hold up?

3 hours ago, Crnr2Crnr said:

 

were you able to ride a 129... or are those still in the pipeline?

is it safe to assume the 129 RXC without e-start will be the 'race' version?

I was able to ride a 129 ZR, but it wasn’t an RXC.  I would assume the same as you, but all of our sleds had electric start.

 

Here's a summary written up by snowest Forum member boondocker97:

"Just listened to the hour and twenty minute long SW podcast on spotify. Here are the main points:

Tested all 154 length tracks. Some 3" lug and one 2.6" lug. 3" was the definite choice in the deep snow they were in. 2.6" trenched a little more.

SW staff does not like the current Alpha Ascender. Like at all compared to a Polaris or Ski-Doo. Catalyst feels nothing like the current platform. It's lighter, more balanced, predictable, and the Alpha skid in this new chassis doesn't feel like the Alpha in the current chassis. They had one current 800 Alpha and no one wanted to ride it after being on the Catalyst.

Does not feel like a Cat. Feels like something completely different. Feels like the most naturally adapted mountain platform of any brand. Cat staff emphasized that mountain was given the priority when developing the platform.

Chassis feels shorter and smaller.

Everything is packaged about as tight as it can get.

Reduction of parts throughout. Even smaller, trimmer wiring harness.

Weight.

They believe the 10% weight reduction.

Sleds they tested all had ES and they can't believe they didn't notice the extra weight from it. No different tank or seat for ES models, but rest of ES system is largely the same as past Cat models.

There is no "breakover point" in handling. It's an even feeling rolling from one side to another and easy to compensate or make changes.

Back end never washed out.

Belt drive.

3 gear ratios available that use same belt.

Eccentric tension adjustment on the top shaft.

Steering system.

Old system uses 6-7 parts from handlebars to skis.

New system uses 3-4

New mountain steering post has a U-joint in it to get it vertical.

Steering is easier and progressive.

Aluminum accessory running boards that were on the white/blue sled iced up. Composite boards did not ice up.

600 Engine

It rips.

125hp class.

In the Catalyst chassis it goes as good as an 800 in another chassis. They would rather buy a 600 Catalyst than an 800 Ascender.

Will be no larger motor in this chassis for 2024. Cat simply does not have it ready, supply chain, manpower, etc.

They are excited for when the larger engine comes.

Limits on how many snowmobiles can be built.

Cat is going to try to price it around current 600 prices.

Everything was better than expected"

Edited February 2, 20232 yr by Jerr2Star
Additional info