[SBA800]

While we saw some huge news from Arctic Cat last year with the introduction of two brand-new platforms -- the ProCross and ProClimb chassis -- this year the green team continued to build on those backbones, adding a few new models and refining their lineup. Building on the yearly success of Arctic's Race Team, the new Race-Replica (RR) in the ProCross chassis gives the consumer a real race sled. The RR comes with either the 1100 Turbo or 800 Twin, both featuring Fox Float EVOL X ski shocks, the RMC race brake system, reinforced running boards, and the race version of the Slide-Action rear suspension with Fox Zero X shocks. This sled is calibrated with the same specs as the cross-country Sno Pro sled. It comes in the same "Two-Face" paint as the race model introduced last fall, but of course, you can get the all green or all white if you want to be more subdued. The F800 is available in the LXR, Sno Pro, and Sno Pro LTD packages with basically the same features as last year. One new feature is a Ripsaw with 2.86 pitch on the Sno Pro, and the Ripsaw II 1-inch lug on the LXR. The LTD comes in white or black this season. Other standard colours are Cat Green and Black. F1100 and F1100 Turbo are found in the same LXR, Sno Pro and Sno Pro LTD models, and also get the track update to the Ripsaw II track with 2.86-inch pitch. Colours are Black, Green, Orange or White (LTD). The 1100 Turbo Sno Pro also gets a 5.5-inch handlebar riser. In the Crossover segment, the XF 800, 1100, and 1100 Turbo remain the same as last season. They're built on the new ProCross chassis and are available in LXR, Sno Pro, and Sno Pro LTD packages. New for 2013 is Arctic Cat's XF Cross Tour. This model has the option of three mills: 800 two-stroke, 1100 Turbo, or 1100 (non-turbo) 4-stroke. Housed in the XF chassis, they include a mountain ski and mountain handlebar, mid-height windshield, heavy-duty rear bumper, rear storage bag and rack, front sport bumper, and mirrors. The XF800 and 1100 Turbo High Country are based on the XF model with changes for the back country boondocker. New features include a Power-Claw track, more vertical steering post, taller mountain seat, wider skis, and telescoping handlebar riser. Ski stance is adjustable for width. The rest of Cat's lineup remains unchanged with the loads-of-fun Sno Pro 500 returning. The F5 and F570 come in the Twin Spar chassis, as does the Bearcat and Touring lineup. The Bearcat is among the elite utility sleds out there. And when it comes to touring comfort, it's tough to beat Arctic Cat's TZ1, especially with the turbo.

Now while we all know they are fairly decent machines, we all should know last year (2012) sleds were just a huge nightmare. Recall after recall, TSB's (technical service bulletin) galore, dealers not getting machines that their customers ordered etc. So this is me hoping that Cat fans are NOT dissapointed with the same problems in 2013.