2021 Arctic Cat RIOT X 8000 Alpha One Walk Around and First Impressions

[@str8jacket07]

Just....damn...stunning sled

[@DEVUNK88]

my favorite color scheme on any sled...ever

[@courtneyhoffman7755]

love it the orange and black and blue just does it and its looks really mean

[@chaseanderson1289]

Best looking sled/color combo for any manufacturer in ‘21... that sled just pops

[@joemaendel3063]

Yeah I’m really liking you guys are Diggin cats lately

[@keithvoyles1167]

They only like Cats when they review them solo. When comparing them with the competition it's a different review and they place them in 3rd everytime.

[@charlespalmer5807]

@@keithvoyles1167 ,. I don't watch videos on comparisons anymore because of things like unconscious bias, which is a real thing...human nature,. Leaned a lot about it in psychology... See it all over internet

[@AdolfTrudeau]

@@keithvoyles1167 have you rode either of the other brands, got a hunch you haven't from this comment....

[@matthewdrehobl2835]

Thanks for the sneak peek vidio. Cant wait to see more Cat videos

[@michaelhoobler7520]

Like that color combo !!!sled is sick looks like a lot bbn of fun to play around with that short tunel😁

[@charlespalmer5807]

Nice job...and nice job AC. GREAT SLED AND GREAT LOOKING SLED

[@WowzerJoseph]

I do a fair amount of off trail but also do trail ride too, would love to see you guys do a really solid review of the alpha riot x on the trail.

[@snowtrax]

This is covered in Luke's full test ride. Stay tuned...

[@SuperPsychoDave]

@@snowtrax I hope it gets out within a month, that is before Snowmageddon ends 😃

[@guyincognito1431]

I only rode the 2021 riot x on trail for like 5 kms but what I observed was the alpha was better than expected but the lug creates problems in the corners. I'd call it at 70 off 30 on sled due mostly to the track. Off trail though it's the best sled I've ever been on by a large margin. It makes the regular riot seem very boring off trail.

[@SkeldZ06]

Curious how these handle on packed surfaces and whether you think it's a good idea for Cat to deploy this setup for anything besides pure mountain use?

[@SuperPsychoDave]

The front bumper, tunnel bag and handlebar bags are the optional pro-kit.

[@davidshea4505]

Thanks for the comments explaining what you liked and disliked without being biased.

[@DEVUNK88]

in other words the sled is a real Riot to ride eh

[@DEVUNK88]

I wonder if someon will creat a way to have a windsheil on the trail and have it stow away while your in the trees

[@10rBrah]

I feel like it wouldnt be very hard

[@charlespalmerii4299]

just love the color scheme... love the idea too , Alpha , little wider, single beam and at 146 this on paper sounds like a great Idea .. Hope I get a chance to try one out ... thanks for the review!

[@snowtrax]

This will probably be one of the first tests of the season.

[@Rehmer94]

Thanks for the heads up on the brake. My 13 sucks, I'll be retrofitting.

[@staticstang]

When’s the full review? I wanna see it in action!

[@michaelforish255]

Definitely need to see a full review

[@ashtonsar9635]

I rode the same sled. I am a ski doo guy. I really enjoyed the sled. Never rode it alot on trail but did ride a little on trail. Personally I thought it would be more tippy but I was very surprised i thought it handled as good on trail as a ski doo summit xm chasis. That was my thinking but then again i never road it that much on trail as the xms. But the riot is a monster and hooks up very hard and is a comfortable sled.

[@tjbradbury]

Kind of bummed with my 2020 Riot X purchase now. Great sled though I think the Alpha skid is definitely going to interest a lot of buyers.

[@snowtrax]

2020 Riot X is still a great sled!

[@807tv5]

They need to figure out a better heat exchanger design. The amount of snow/ice buildup on tunnels is ridiculous. Once it freezes, it destroys the lugs on the track.

[@nate390]

In 8000 miles I haven't had this issue with my XF or ZR, but it might be because of the shorter lug tracks? An easy fix would be to spray the sides of the tunnel with Fluid Film so snow doesn't stick to it.

[@807tv5]

@@nate390 It doesn't happen all the time, but when the temperatures are below -10 degrees Celsius it does a lot. I use my sled for ice fishing at remote lakes (2018 xf 800 141). I need to carry a rubber mallet with me at all times to beat of the ice/slush. If I let it freeze during the day while I'm fishing, the frozen ice just destroys the 2.25" lugs.

[@gregmulfort9577]

Looking forward to the test ride. I use a 19 high country and thought the 20 riot X was a step backward for off trail but the 21 is looking good. Important to note, the the skid/track isn't the only difference. The 21 is on the ascender platform and it gets the narrow boards, narrow side panels, the dropped chaincase. I thought the front end was more narrow than the previous, I thought it was the 38" but could be wrong. Thought I saw no estart? But I see it has the estart seat and tank so not entirely sure, maybe it comes with the qs3/led light package like they did with the high countrys. I don't even like calling this genre of sled 'crossover'. To me they are dedicated off trail sleds for people that don't live in the mountains. Boondockers. Sure, they can go down the trail, but so do the mountain sleds. I wouldn't have one of these with the intention of riding trail with it for enjoyment. They're too dedicated for off trail to work good on trail. Just how I like it. Have a dedicated trail sled (or two) if you want to do trail days.

[@mikespooner63]

So if you have a chance to buy the riot x but not the riot would u still buy it for pretty much trail use?? Just wondering..

[@lusurama5080]

What’s supposed to be difference between the Riot/Riot X and the XF Cross-/High Country?

[@austanhall]

I think the alpha is helping artic cat close the distance with skidoo and polaris

[@leftyeh6495]

If only they could get the front end narrowed up so it leans over. It feels like a total disconnect in firm snow when the track folds and the skis want to stay planted.

[@johnrafferty5266]

Is there a test ride

[@jaredthisdelle5617]

Ya that's right

[@peterlindsay2869]

I absolutely love the colors. But not sure I’m a big fan of the alpha skid. I think the Alpha skid should be an option.

[@davidgoodman2099]

Have you tried one yet? A test ride would probably change your mind.

[@gentilejoshsaved1646]

Great looking sled. Does yammy offer a version?

[@snowtrax]

Predicting there'll be an 800 XTX for 2022.

[@jamiestroeder2507]

would you think this would be a good 70/30 crossover? I like to ride my sleds hard Ditch banging, boondocking and jumping would the riot x be good sled for my kind of riding ?

[@brentleofreiburger]

This is much more of an 90/10 crossover. From what I've seen from my buddy this last year it's the perfect boondocker. We don't have many trails where we live so this seems like the ultimate machine if you only use trails to get to the backcountry

[@glockracer5482]

How does it compare to a 154" Sno Pro?

[@Azzi61]

They forget to put the front right hood decal on?

[@quincee3376]

Cool video.

[@staticstang]

That’s a sexy sled!

[@big_whiskey1387]

I am being nice 😁 I love this channel thank you for all you do 💙

[@Frolofsn]

Does it still got the 153” tunnel or is that changed for 2021? :)

[@SuperPsychoDave]

146 tunnel

[@Frolofsn]

David Wännström Snyggt!

[@JoeTeer]

Every Riot (and Riot X) made is built on the 146 crossaction.

[@snowtrax]

For 2021, the RIOT has the Cross Action and the RIOT X has the Single Beam Alpha One rear suspension.

[@SuperPsychoDave]

@@JoeTeer did you just get in here to write in the comment section without even watching the video? Besides that you are incorrect, both the Riot and Riot X had tunnels for a 153" track even though the track was a 146". For 2021 the Riot retains the 153" tunnel but Riot X finally gets a 146" tunnel.

[@adamm2837]

I wish the new ZRs looked like this RIOT X does, that has to be the hottest looking Cat IMO in quite sometime!

[@csgiclan6383]

Looks sharp

[@johnstjean1422]

To bad Yamaha doesn’t have a version of this. I would like to try one

[@felixbergfors]

Test ride any yamaha thej have 2 stroke sled now whit mono rail

[@drew3406]

Paint it blue and it would be the exact same thing.

[@dallaswiens126]

Then try it, arctic cat builds Yamaha's sleds anyway

[@johnstjean1422]

Dallas Wiens I wouldn’t buy a arctic cat I had too any back experience with the arctic cat dealer shittest service I’ve ever seen in my life and every parts are always back order. My arctic cat f8 sno pro rr 2013 is the last arctic cat I will ever own

[@johnstjean1422]

There answer sled with a speedwerx kit. I just don’t want to get my parts in the spring when it was order in October for gearing.... 4 week for sleder the list goes on

[@AllajchaSibir]

I want one, but can't afford it (well, I can but don't want to). They want $16k for it here in europe.

[@streetfire1]

great walkaround Luke great color for Arctic Cat this years but I prefer Ski Doo

[@Nicolas-oo4ke]

Hey

[@jaredthisdelle5617]

Here

[@nsa6790]

Remember the 40 inch wide stance on cat is good but the 40 inch stance on the backcountry works like trash..... excuse me but what?

[@Colonel_C-man]

Carter Spratlin he said they both don't handle very well on trail, but both the bc and riot X are offtrail biased crossovers.

[@nsa6790]

Connor Giese True but I don’t understand the praise they give at the beginning compared to the dissing the doo gets. I know they are both off trail biased so stance really shouldn’t matter but what can I say 🤷‍♂️

[@Colonel_C-man]

Carter Spratlin my only guess is the difference in where the rider is located on the sled, sitting on a skidoo, your body is farther forward than on a cat, so maybe that plays into it. I haven't ridden either one, so the only thing I can do is watch videos like these guys put out and take from it what I can, and try to filter out the inaccuracies if there are any. Which is hard, because like I said, I haven't ridden either one

[@nsa6790]

Connor Giese true but you’d think that being farther toward on the doo would lead to more ski pressure and less tipping. I’ve personally rode doos all my life and my current sled is a 19 bcxrs and honestly I love the way it handles. Never have ridden a cat and never plan to I like to trust the vehicle I’m on that it’s not going to fail and result in my death

[@dallaswiens126]

Arctic cat front end is the most planted front end in the business that's why it works on a cat this is coming from a guy riding Polaris

[@jamescantlin1072]

Good luck keeping The chassie together where it's riveted Had replaced mine 2 or 3 times every year so get rid of it will never own another cat or Yamaha with that chassie again

[@rw7271]

Wow that Yamaha , I mean Arctic Cat is awesome ! 😂

[@410notch]

There is nothing Yamaha about that sled

[@stevepouliot6906]

Doo baby!!

[@djcarkhuff]

You guys should just forego these first impressions videos for a regular review. At least in the latter, you don't have to scramble to try and think of anything nice to say about the Cats

[@pavmentsurfer13]

there was no scrambling at all. I have lots of good things to say about this sled.... and I absolutely meant every one of them.

[@jaredthisdelle5617]

Highlight this on trail is boring groomed trails r nothing full pin on a track you have a guided path in front of you no challenge in that go full pin threw the bush flying of massive drops and big ass wheelie s threw deep snow carving hill side ya skill ....

[@spyder3777]

Ok super star, take a video of yourself riding on a groomed trail running "full pin" and lets see how boring it is. Remember no letting off on the throttle, no need, you'll be fine.

[@boburban9705]

Arctic crap.. had many and never again