2014 SNOWTRAX Real World Sled of The Year!

For the 2014 season, the hard riding crew of snowmobile enthusiasts at SNOWTRAX bestowed the coveted SOFTY on Arctic Cat’s impressive El Tigre 6000.
#arcticcat #snowmobile #snowtraxtv
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[@700Dragon1]

All great sleds, just pick which one you like! Not because someone told you it was sled of the year. But because it fits you! That's all that counts!

[@camaro69green31]

As far as readability goes.... Cats own built C-Tech 600 has been proven to be built proof. Just like the older Zukes 600, 700, 800 lay down twins. Owned lots of them. Solid mills. Never let me down.

[@heatmoon]

The announcer and I must have both grown up with leaf springs and maybe even boogie wheels. Like my John Deere 500, or Yamaha Ss440. When I first got on and rode a Prowler, I could not believe it. Ride quality is nearly everything and makes all those other things better and easier. One tho g that is hardcover right today is steering response..

[@emf2211]

Finally some one realizes that polaris' s 800 isn't reliable

[@donovanbulmer2041]

Amen.

[@b.pur9981]

I would ride an Arctic Cat way before I would a Polaris

[@clarknawrocki3851]

But artic cat is reliable that s FUNNY

[@anthonyg6221]

@@clarknawrocki3851 25 years of riding and my cats have always gotten me home. Only did a Polaris ever leave me stranded with a blown motor. I think that settles it. Cat is where its at 😊😊

[@GunsmithUSA]

love the show, if you didn't like the non adjustable Yamaha shocks, then why didn't you test a model trim that had them?

[@YOSHI450R]

I have not enjoyed an arctic cat once in my life i grew on indys an mxzs and had a viper 700 triple that i absolutely loved. If i had to have one sled it wouldnt be any of these four. The yami apex is my number 1 choice followed by the renegade backcountry x and the switchback assault 800. Im a doo diehard but the apex is the best all around sled in my opinion its comfy reliable plenty of power and it blocks the wind unlike most new sleds the design is getting old but in my opinion for a do everything sled it would be my first choice. But at least with polaris i get the employee family discount so it's hard to ride anything else when everything is 30-40%off

[@Executiveinvestments-]

I have both an Apex and a brand new F1100 turbo cat. The new chassis cat is no joke. Worlds ahead of the Apex. Yami, ski doo and polaris need to play catch up.

[@anthonyg6221]

As of 11/3/23, almost a decade after this video was released, 118,000 views w/ only 317 likes. That's about the same ratio of guys who would like to own a new sleds compared to the ones who can actually afford one.

[@1Hergie]

So after I watched this I was curious on how the Polaris Switchback made the top four but the Ski-doo Renegade X didn't? Reason I ask this is the Renegade won the "Real world Sled of the year" last year edging out the same Switchback that took second this year, even though both the 2014 versions of these sleds are the same as the 2013 versions. Not arguing with you # 1 choice just confused how the Renegade didn't even get in the top 4 since the Switchback did? Love the Show though and enjoy it very much.

[@gzuzfrk]

I would think the 900 ACE motor would be the best bet for a Real World sled. Surprised that something with that motor wasn't in the running.

[@bedlambikes]

Precisely why I just bought one!

[@morralljordanblake]

Maybe it's because it only has 90 hp.

[@halfnelson6777]

Yamaha makes 80 hp with just 500 cc 4 stroke, and it's more reliable. That's why 900 ace is not in that list

[@SuperLabonte43]

Put some SLP SLT skis on the skidoo and the front-end problem pretty much goes away. No darting and I could crank down ski pressure and the steering was still lighter than stock settings.

[@TheSwePi]

What only short trax? Why not a crossover or a mountain machin in here?

[@KTMrider-bn4vq]

TheSwePi they ride a lot of trails

[@donovanbulmer2041]

Cat deserved it. Even though my Lynx was nicknamed "The Shitty Kitty" by my Doo-Fanatic friends.

[@halfnelson6777]

Lol, Lynx and Ski Doo is the same, just different name

[@DapperFellowGent]

Hal F Arctic Cat Lynx, not the brand Lynx

[@halfnelson6777]

DapperFellowGent Ah, didn't know there was an Artic Cat called Lynx. Lynx the brand and Ski doo are the same though (Rotax engine, both BRP owned)

[@DapperFellowGent]

The chassis are slightly different on them, and the Lynx has a better suspension since it's designed around the Scandinavian winters, from my understanding.

[@georgesafford8663]

Would be nice if they could say Yamaha right. Like nails on a chalkboard. Of course a Canadian channel is going to be Ski-Doo bias.

[@bryceschiffman7879]

Engine reliability and Cat comes out on top???

[@donovanbulmer2041]

shocking, eh? my Firecat is a finicky old bitch. That's Suzuki for you.

[@mattz8984]

+Donovan Bulmer Suzuki is great we have a Suzuki that we had since 08 and it hasn't broke down once and I drive it hard

[@mattguimond3832]

+Donovan Bulmer the ctec 2 600 is built by arctic cat, not Suzuki

[@jackedsports4114]

Arctic cat gets a bad rep for reliability. I've owned new and old ones for 40 years and never been left on the trail.

[@camaro69green31]

Bought a new 04 firecat 600 efi ext 144. Put 7100 kms on it and never had a single issue with it. It was fast and powerful..... out performed most 800's. Wish I still had it.

[@wesleygary1988]

Everyone talking bad about cats but we all know the rest suck

[@csteelerx1]

The c-tex has yamaha written all over it

[@donovanbulmer2041]

You're half-right. It was Engineered by Yammie but Clone-Built by Cat.

[@91Wildcat700]

The viper chassis had Arctic Cat written all over it.

[@donovanbulmer2041]

I wish Yamaha could build as good of a 2-Stroke as Cat could though. The C-Tec2 600 and 800 are in the top 5 best motors ever put in a sled.

[@91Wildcat700]

Donovan Bulmer thee new arctic built mills are stellar from what Iv'e heard

[@halfnelson6777]

Donovan Bulmer 2 stroke will soon be history. Just look at the motocross. Everyone rides 4 stroke now

[@RiderforLyfe]

All ski doo has to do is get some power steering and it'll be perfect.

[@halfnelson6777]

Maybe get it from Yamaha ;-)

[@morralljordanblake]

Hal F Like how Yamaha took the Arctic Cat chassis for the Vipers.

[@bryceschiffman7879]

u ride a heavy ass yamaha dont u?

[@sunshinedreaver6492]

i dont know how you guys pick a arctic cat in the top 2 and arctic cat copy's yamahas looks and engine and ect

[@86dieselman]

It's Arctic Cat's snowmobile. They didn't copy it from Yamaha. Yamaha buys it from Arctic Cat and puts their engine in it.

[@crayfish6430]

Bruh

[@ahill7866]

Considering I own/ride a 2014 ski doo MX-Z XRS 800R, I watched this video and I completely disagree with your opinion. Not that I am any better rider as you, in fact I'm sure I'm not, and that's my point. This sled has hands down and made me a much better rider then I ever was. I had no trouble keeping up or even passing riders with a lot more experience then me, and they were on these very same Polaris and Arctic Cats. and I credit it all to the ride and comfort, while they maybe strong in 1 aspect they were weak in another. ski doo build a sled that was almsot perfect in all areas. Just saying!!

[@Executiveinvestments-]

Well seems to me you are bias. You have a ski doo so you of course say its the best. Try another sled and then say the doo is the best. I own a ski doo MXZ, yami apex and a cat F1100 turbo. The cat hands down is light years ahead of the others. Not even worth comparing them.

[@ahill7866]

For the record I have tried "Other" sleds and that's why I bought a ski-doo. After seeing and hearing first hand about all the problems Arctic Cat has had in the last few years, they are the LAST sled I would consider. Just 2 weeks ago, up by where we ride, a guy with a brand new Arctic cat with about 20 miles on it could not get it to come out of reverse? Not a great selling point and being my sled is now 2 years old and I'm still Luv'n it I say I bought the right sled. And to your point of being bias, well yeah, thats' why I bought a ski-doo. Simply the best hands down and the sales number support that. Maybe you need to try and new ski-doo, then ride your Arctic Cat and see the fit and finish compared to the AC? Not even in the same league if you ask me. Sure AC are fast, but are they reliable?? No way!! Just look at the recalls they have on both the 2014 AND 2015. Again, nothing but trouble if you ask me

[@WilliamStewart1]

ahill7866 Are you new to the snowmobiling scene? When it comes to reliability, skidoo is bottom of the barrel. They change stuff too much and don't stay with a platform long enough to perfect it. Look at all the annoying issues skidoo has, the engine problems, the clutching problems, electrical gremlins etc. Yes they are sweet sleds, and yes they have the best fit and finish with cool innovations, but you pay a hefty premium for them compared to Cats. Cats are simpler, do the important stuff right, and stay with a platform long enough to get them nailed down. To put it into perspective, I paid 13,800 for my 2018 Mountain cat, a riding buddy of mine just bought a 2018 Freeride 154 at the same time, there was a $4200 difference between them (this is in Canada). I have since bought CFR bars, adjustable riser, speedwerx control kit, and a new bumper and tunnel bag. He's still $3000 in the red over me. That's half way to a supercharger kit, just saying.

[@anthonyg6221]

​@@WilliamStewart1 And here I am riding 1990s cats that I paid

[@richardmaaske7483]

Arctic cat should start Floating their Secondary Clutch again . I have a 1991 Arctic cat Wildcat 700. and a 1995 ZRT 800 Snowmobiles. The Secondary Clutches , floated a little . So it would follow ,the Primary Clutch better. The Drive Belt would be in a more straight line . All the time . It help to keep the Clutches and Belt . Running a little cooler. When you set the alignment , for the Clutches and Belt. That is set for when the Clutches are shifted out all the way .or in high gear. And the Engine RPM,s Are at the highest. But when starting out , and in the middle ranges. The Drive Belt will be running at a angle. Not perfectly Straight. That makes more friction, between the Clutches and Belt . That is some of the , problem that make the Drive Belt blow..I have my Secondary Clutches ,. float or more sideways, on the jack shIft . At about .065. I never had a belt blow .And I have had the Snowmobiles since they were new. You can buy a kit, that will help ,you change the secondary clutch system. on the jack shaft. So it will be able to float ,some what.

[@anthonyg6221]

I agree with you. I buy mostly 440 fan cooled cats from the early / mid 90s. I typically remove most/all of the shims on the secondary so the secondary has plenty of room to float side to side, and I never, ever, spend anytime even checking secondary alignment. I've only blown 1 belt in 20+ years of riding and I think it was original to the machine - like 30 years old and just plain dried out LOL. Granted I'm only pushing 45-50HP too.

[@hodopoo]

the c-tec 6000 did very little for me.i rode my friend back to back fro my other friend polaris 600. the polaris seemed faster.

[@60oldmen]

i will take polaris anytime over the cat, u cant kill these engine,but this year i traded for a Yamaha SR VIPER-MTX,love the power and sound of that 4 stroker.

[@clarknawrocki3851]

I own a 600 switch back and won t buy a artic cat because they break down more than any other snowmobile

[@sunshinedreaver6492]

you guys are too picky about sleds man

[@KnightSRB]

SKIIII DOOOOO!!!!!

[@b.pur9981]

I live in the Ottawa area and you have to drive far to find an Arctic "CRAP" dealer.. hands down the majority ride Doo's. There is NOOOO WAY a Renegade is not in the top 4 or even top on the list!!!! Around here you can stop at any restaurant or watering hole and EASILY find more Renegades than absolutely anything else. I've believed for a long time that Ol Lukie Lester has something bigtime going on with Polaris and now AC.... EVERYBODY LISTEN TO ME!!!!!! If this El Tigre is the "REAL WORLD" sled of the year then I'm living in a bad dream world and DON'T WAKE ME if it means I ever have to tame a CAT.... Did AC pay you to chose this when you covered the "contest give away"? You'll never see Doo giving a sled away because people and lots of them are willing to pay huge money to have the privilege to experience one.....sheesh... AC a feal world sled, I think you need to run a virus protection form our spreadsheet program.

[@camaro69green31]

You truly are stunned!!! LOL Thanks for the laugh however. Your fantasy world doesn't compare to what REAL people do for a living.... compare real snowmobiles in real world conditions.

[@b.pur9981]

@@camaro69green31 bahahaha. Your replying to a comment I made 6 years ago. That says it all champ.

[@camaro69green31]

@@b.pur9981 No Champ..... the fact that no one replied to your comment in six years is the real issue..... apparently it was not an intelligent comment??