2025 Arctic Cat ZR 858 CATALYST with ATAC Detailed Overview

[@johnwatson3016]

Bye far the BEST LOOKING

[@jlo13800]

Yep I’m hearing about a supercharged 2 stroke 858! Yep that’s what a Detroit diesel 2 stroke is!

[@Brent6437]

Cat has always had the sharpest looking sleds. Best colors also

[@ayaleq]

You got that right brotha!

[@Brent6437]

@@ayaleq 👍

[@rolstonlarge2808]

In 1998 I bought a 1997 EXT 580 DLX EFI I had it for years and I loved it, the motor had just over 8200 miles on it & was never touched.

[@Brent6437]

@@rolstonlarge2808 in 1995 I bought a 700Zr. We raced alot and my dad had one too. Nothing In it’s same CC class could touch it. Heck even bigger sleds couldn’t run with it. It was a rock solid sled. I bought a 2003 900 Zr later. You want to talk about quick. 105 in less than 600 feet.

[@snowtrax]

I've always been amazed by how different Cat can make green and black look year to year and still make it look awesome.

[@pliskie6]

You guys continue to produce the best videos. Thanks for all the reviews, looking forward to the head to head comparisons.

[@snowtrax]

Thank you so much!! 👊💥🎉

[@rolstonlarge2808]

I like the new Catalyst design especially with the 858 stroker motor, but I'm 71 years old, I'm retired, I'd never be able to afford one of those machines unless I won a lottery, that's a fact, I like watching your snow trax show or your videos on you tube so thankyou very much.

[@snowtrax]

Thank you!!

[@bigchaloopa]

Has turned into a rich man's sport. Unfortunately the quality hasn't kept up.

[@VincesDIYs]

Wait a few years and get a used one at half price. Let someone else take the depreciation.

[@outfitr9703]

Yup 20k for a sled, $72. for a gallon of oil, $1000. clothes, ...oh and a pickup and trailer.

[@bigchaloopa]

@@outfitr9703 I totally agree. I thought the OEMs were focusing on the youth to keep this sport alive 🤔. No one in their late Teens, 20s or even 30s has fun money these expenses toys. I guess the sport has maybe 10 years left. It's been dwindling except for China virus stint.

[@Charles53412]

I rode the Alpha with the GS5 front shocks and didn't experience any of those issues you found, when I rode it. I agree, the Garmin G8 is Awesome! Garmin mostly leads the field in technology. The Majority of all planes are equipped with Garmin Electronics of some sort. I personally like the Garmin G3000 for flying!

[@jimeverden2244]

Good looking sled! Sounds like they got the motor down. It's a shame the suspension didn't get s better grade. That said, the competition is welcome.

[@billdodson6541]

Coming from a ski doo guy, if I was buying a brand new sled like I did in ‘21, I would pick up this sled over my ‘21 xrs 850 that I love and are going to be buried with someday. That 858 is just nasty and awesome!!

[@camaro69green31]

Great review as usual. Cat has a nasty little sled with this Catalyst. 600 or 858...... Love it!!

[@maxdout6262]

Another informative review. I pre-ordered that exact sled and got to ride it in NH last weekend. I loved it. The ATAC shocks on soft make the skid very compliant. It could be better, but I think that is minor compared to all the other engineering advancements and its great looks.

[@welderteach]

I do see some discrepancies with opinions of a lot of reviewers but either way more choices are always better

[@ericridgerock9083]

I think it’s the best looking sled too

[@wiitmann205]

He's completely WRONG on the rear suspension review. I have a 22 Polaris XCR Matrix. The rear suspension on that thing is absolutely AWFUL. I have a 600 catalyst RXC that eats bumps on its worst day compared to my Polaris. These guys are usually pretty accurate, but I'm here to say He's completely wrong on the rear suspension. There's plenty of articles out there that also talk about how good the slide action suspension is for Cat.

[@fasterdura1772]

I agree with you. Their rear skid is good. Better with genuine name shocks tho

[@brandont8114]

I also agree with you. Never understood their hate towards this skid. They do drive all the sleds, so I'm assuming they are feeling things we don't? My buddy has two different Polaris's with the newer skids. He has a Rush Pro and Switchback. I rode both those machines just as hard as they do on snowtrax considering they weren't my machines. It wasn't anything amazing. Gauge clusters were awesome. I was happy to jump back on my slide action. I won't even switch sleds for fun anymore unless it's a sled I have never tried, still haven't rode a newer Doo. I would of this winter if it would of snowed. Would of been the mountain/crossover skid but whatever. Back in the 90s early 20s, my family was Doo only. Now it's a mix of sleds. I like it that way.

[@wiitmann205]

@@brandont8114 on the Polaris I have to stand through bumps. The Catalyst I sit right down. Very similar to you I would not get off the Cat, and switch. The difference was night and day

[@joeyholthusen6495]

Trail your on reminds me of one by Williams in Northern Minnesota not too far from the Canadian border.

[@snowtrax]

We were actually able to find some snow in West Yellowstone. I think MN got about as much snow as we got in Ontario this season. Pretty sad season this year for trail riders.

[@joeyholthusen6495]

We didn't get much

[@richaxford9798]

Sledding use to be affordable 😂,im glad i bought my yamaha's. They have been more than reliable enough for me to laugh every time my friends sleds break down

[@stud3737]

Will the shootout be next winter or this winter?😅

[@nate390]

If the 858 is like the 600 Catalyst, I think the ride quality comes down mostly to the shock calibrations. My RXC is exceptionally stiff, even on all shocks on setting 1. I would expect a production race sled to be on the stiff side, but I'm 250+ lbs with gear on, so if its stiff for me its definitely way too stiff for someone 160 lbs. I believe it's in the valving because the Catalyst RXC and Procross 600 RR run the same spring rates, minus the tender spring on the center shock. I don't mind the stiff suspension but it's certainly not for everyone and I think Cat should work on softer calibrations for more compliance on their non race sled trims. Also regarding your comments on the steering, its 100% Cat's skis, I've always run aftermarket skis but the Catalyst ships with 4" single carbides and they are a joke. Curve XS skis with a 6" single carbide made my Catalyst handle perfectly, no matter the conditions.

[@JoeWeitz]

Does it have low end torque/grunt. Or just mid and high end grunt?

[@paulparker3770]

What’s the top speed on that bad boy I’ve got the 600 ZR 2024 and I can only get 90mph from it kinda disappointed lol😂

[@raethomson2204]

It’s a great sled but to be honest I prefer snappy throttle response. Instead of linear.

[@24jhedin]

Will you be reviewing the new Riot 858??

[@snowtrax]

Might be an in-season review. Snow conditions were pretty slim for off-trail.

[@24jhedin]

@@snowtrax that doesn't help my snow check decision! 🤣🤣

[@burnzillablue]

Sled of the year! The rear suspension is just fine, and the skis? Cmon SnowTrax. Polaris chassis is 9 years old, Doo going on 8. This front end is superior, as well as the belt drive in a trail sled, making chaincase outdated. Also, this is a first year model. First year Polaris and SkiDoo 850's sucked, the 840 needed a complete overhaul and Doo's ETEC needed tweaks for 18.

[@CDX7]

Rear suspension is fine, but its not the RMotion or Pro-CC. Handling is fine, but it's tippy on hardpack and pushes in the slush, that's not a Matryx or probably the revised Doo RAS-RX. ATAC is fine, but it isn't smart shocks or dynamix. The engine is sounding good, but it won't have the efficiency of the ETEC, and is years behind the Patriot 850 to prove reliability. AC isn't exactly known for overall reliability of its first year sleds. There's no chance it competes with Doo on build quality, accessories, etc. The Garmin seems to be the only standout thing. I give it to AC for innovating and at least trying to compete, but it's not actually competitive unless it was significantly cheaper... which it absolutely is not. You don't get sled of the year just because it's new.

[@mavericksportoff-road8094]

⁠​⁠@@CDX7you lost me at the cat being years behind the patriot 850 to prove reliability. I wouldn’t exactly call the Polaris 850 reliable.

[@miclinda256]

Agree! In Sweden they Come with free sparkplugs and a tow line 😂

[@burnzillablue]

Polaris has the most tippy sleds, they still lift the inside ski on transitions. Polaris has recalled every sled theyve made the last 7 years. The first few years of thier 850 has lots of issues, and they still do. The ETEC is a throwaway motor after 5K miles, 850 sleds plummet in value after 4-5K miles and you see blown ETEC 850's everywhere. This stroked 858 has more TQ across the board. Doo has good build quality, but its a frond end heavy sled with average performance and reliability, and they near 600 lbs wet, 550 for just the 850 N/A. I like my 850 Doo but my 998 is 10 times more reliable.@@CDX7

[@burnzillablue]

The Suzuki and Yamaha engines used in Cat's for many years are 10X times the engine anything Polaris or Ski-Doo has ever made. Doo and Poo's Turbo 2 strokes tap out at 230-240HP, the 998 can run 300HP for 10K miles and they still run good. @@miclinda256

[@maurymoynihan5245]

Never mention the 129 on any sleds anymore??? Not all of us like longtracks..lol.

[@snowtrax]

He just had the 137 he was working with. Photo side rode the 129 all week long.

[@maurymoynihan5245]

@@snowtrax thx... Would like to hear that comparison, all the 129's head to head. Thankyou.. You guys do good work!

[@dougpullman3699]

I ordered the 129 but I hear no reviews on it at all.

[@tomaxxxx536]

looks like it is pushing through corners really hard

[@ZLZEBUB]

His comment about suspension shows he is just a reporter and not an actual sledder or he would know how good it really is

[@Rob-cl5vx]

nice looking sled, but I will stay with Polaris.

[@MatthewTeixeira-u4p]

Wait few years g

[@brentbeiler7051]

Bad to the bone!!

[@MatthewTeixeira-u4p]

Get used one lower price

[@mitchadey]

I bet 20 years ago you would have never imagined that you would refer to a snowmobile's pixels!

[@adamlee4252]

What i got from this was " suspension sucks engine is good, display not made by arctic cat is awsome, no storage"

[@snowtrax]

Summarized!

[@giligan6534]

can’t wait to see the shootout !! also curious if you will compare oil and gas usage between the 3. I find my patriot 850 uses more gas then the etec. oil is prob not a big diff. love your vids! keep ‘em coming

[@kwmiked]

Have it tuned, makes it a decent deference. It's with in a half gal vs 850etc and sled runs so much better vs Polaris tune

[@BairdBoysAdventures]

So you're saying give your buddies dog trackers if they dont ride the Catalyst to keep track of them.

[@miclinda256]

Should work😊

[@mikeh4053]

AJ, this is what you need to do. do a video of rmotion, pro cc, and a slide action. go through them and show people the skids, and how they work. the majority of the people just regurgitate what you say over and over, but have no clue. slide action wins many races... i think its fine for the layman. when you show the polaris and cat skid side by side. not gonna be that different.

[@joeyholthusen6495]

BTW talking back and forth between GPS we were doing 15 years ago plus, on my last deployment in Afghanistan

[@JoeWeitz]

I live in Idaho and sled in the mountains. I don’t ride trail sleds but I’ve come to appreciate your reviews they are informative and honest. Unfortunately we in the mountain segment have snowest which is biased, dishonest & lack IQ. I do understand you have sponsors to keep happy but don’t compromise your integrity. (Polariswest). Here’s just one example, I listened to snowest’s podcast review of the 858 all 5 grown ass men stated they couldn’t start the 858 in one pull & it was just too difficult for them. It didn’t look like you had any trouble in one pull. Looking forward to your next review.

[@Nelson_Service]

Was thinking the exact same thing 👍🏻

[@rnl9520]

Cool sled. I am sure its big $$$. I hope these manufacturers wake up and realize that current prices are absolutely ridiculous. $20k sleds that you can only use 2.5 months in a year (or Zero months this year in the Midwest) are out of reach for the core of the snowmobile market.

[@sledduck]

You guys are the best! Thank you for your honest reviews.

[@snowtrax]

Appreciate that!! 🙏

[@deanurbanek6577]

Sounds like it needs c&a skis right off the bat.

[@briang2034]

Bring it! AWSOME SLED!

[@erikmoore7402]

Nice. Glad to see it. I have a sneaking suspicion it took two pulls to start. Lol

[@Chummy653]

I’ve dumped so much money into this sport since I was a kid just to get a few rides in a year here in Ontario, I’ve now given up hope in the winter’s here. I picked up a new xrs 850 and didn’t get a single ride in this year… paid 20k to look at it, got 6 sleds old & new sitting in the shop I call em my fancy paper weights. Unfortunately travelling to different provinces isn’t much of an option for me so I’m screwed…😂

[@FZ583]

The gauge is really nice but they gotta move that antenna, it's in the way, wiggling while you ride, intergrade it into the plastics like auto's.

[@lucascady4992]

Maybe I'm just Old, or a better Rider, I never needed my shocks to adjust too me, I would adjust my riding position to the trail Conditions?! 😂

[@JaneBarnes-rq3lv]

How much for a windshield. Ridiculously cold

[@Brent6437]

My 866cc ZR was so solid of a engine. 111 pounds of Torque at 7200 rpms made it a torque monster. But you need to get it to hook up.

[@ponycarfan]

I found the light steering a bigger asset on the 858, because you can react quicker. While I don't have a way to compare with competing skids, I agree the current rear suspension is getting outdated. Overall, I think the Catalyst is an outstanding sled. I agree on the G8 - it's very well done, as we'd expect from Garmin.

[@kollinspencer847]

Nice jd spitfire!

[@marvlenzner8474]

Tremendously well done, I'm like a kid in a candy store waiting for my 25 Riot 858 atac g8, very awesome video

[@Timcanniff311]

Awesome looking machine totally want one

[@SteveS-d1b]

Nice to see Arctic Cat back in the game. This sled is a good jump in design and technology for AC. Would love to see a shootout with mountain sleds.

[@snowtrax]

I would bet Snowest or MFR will do a mountain shootout with all these sleds for sure.

[@kevinlentsch58]

Go watch Muskoka Freerider and see the Catalyst breakdown in literally 5 minutes!!

[@sledaddicz]

Great video AJ! I appreciate your insight. That new G8 is really nice and we are huge Garmin fans. The best thing about Garmin's is that no matter what, in all situations, a Garmin always works. Cheers, Jesse

[@mikeh4053]

this sled is more than a gauge.

[@sledaddicz]

@@mikeh4053 forsure it is! But given that I haven't ridden one the biggest thing that stands out to me is the G8

[@mikeh4053]

@@sledaddicz it tough to take any of this serious. the majority of this video is about a gauge. the star of the show is the 858. it goes to show snowmobilers are trailer princesses these days wearing skidoo underwear.

[@MrSnowman427]

Sled looks Awesome!!

[@pro4501]

Thank you for all the time and effort you put into producing world class videos. It sounds like you feel that a ski change might be necessary. Do you have any recommendations on a different set of skis to try?

[@michaelhabada3493]

Sadly here in Wisco it's almost impossible to justify any new sled especially at the cost now. Love this new car though.

[@canucktheory3271]

I really wonder if the Garmin gauge will be able to retrofitted to the last gen sleds like my sidewinder. That would be awesome.

[@justsomeone6835]

Nice sled it was definitely needed for cat and also props for mentioning the mediocre rear suspension definitely needs attention

[@snowg4953]

My 05 firecat for 15 years was 100% reliable. I beat the crap out of that sled and it took it all. Pulled skidoos to safety more than a few times. My 2020 riot 600 has also been extremely reliable knock on wood. I've pulled ski doos and polaris off the trails never a cat. Im all for reliability and arctic cat has always delivered.

[@joshgessinger4509]

U say cat needs a new rear suspension and they probably do. I ride doos and cats back to back and the cat does ride a little harsher not a lot though. The hard seat does it no favors either because ur feeling what suspensions feeding back even more. Dad made his own seat the ride after was much better but still a little stiff. I believe the slid action could be better with softer valving. Another trick with slide action is having ur coupling blocks on softest setting or most transfer setting . Gives a plusher ride really noticeable and pops skies up better lol!! My father and i both big guys im 6’3 270 pounds and i can take catalyst threw the worst trail wide open on soft setting. Same goes for the front feel its valved a little stiff. Well I know it is been riding since i was 5 im now 45. Raced cats for 15 years SX and pro XC with many wins and championships did all mechanical work including suspension. The catalyst feels like a XC race sled. In my experience thats to stiff for most trail riders. Across whooped out trails i love the suspension way it is takes anything i can throw at it but should be on hard settings not soft when doing it. The push sucks with stock runners but easy fix with some 6 inch double runners or a straight 9 inch carbide. Good review Thank You

[@Mainecat21]

How was the top end? Pull hard into the triple digits?

[@ponycarfan]

Yes, well above 100, according to Dave McClure in an interview in January. It was a snowest podcast episode.

[@SuperBigdanno]

So what I got out of the video is that the engine sounds great, the rear skid is outdated and the ski's cause lift in the corners. I think something was said about the new fangled gauge but I fell a sleep through that part. Only gauge needed are Tach, speedo with odometer, a fuel and temp gauge. Yup Im old fashioned but Im willing to bet most people will play with the fancy gauge a bit ( look what I got )for the first season and then will have to read the manual in 3 years when they remember it has features.

[@kwmiked]

About time someone put out a video on this sled, to bad it was a RXC

[@shannonjarvis8766]

Would love to have that display on my sled! Amazing!

[@clarknawrocki9718]

The computer is destroying snowmobiles

[@n90982]

Sounds like a set of C & A skis would help it out, made a heck of a difference on my sled

[@matt0725]

I love snowtrax and I root for arctic cat, but spending 5 mins of an 11 min video discussing dog collar tracking and tilt sensors doesn't do it for me.

[@Brent6437]

If it has push on the corners you need to put 9” carbide runners on the ski’s

[@sleddheadxp800r]

There are no 800s anymore

[@PrestigeWorldWidePWW]

Buy a snowboard.

[@PrestigeWorldWidePWW]

Lame

[@billmammone5404]

Excellent honest review , glad you liked it , can’t wait to get my ‘25 RXC with the 858 and the Garmin G8 hopefully it’ll be everything I hope it’d be.

[@jjkcollins]

Ok people, why are there so many complete opposite opinions on this sled. The guys from snowwest say that the throttle response is soft on the start and comes on in the mid to top end so to me, that's not linear. Also they say it feels heavy in the front telling me it's not nimble, so what is it? Some say it corners like no other and here your saying it can only corner good it certain snow conditions si I guess arctic will never hold a candle to poo or doo 😅.

[@miclinda256]

Agree! Take it for a ride, and see what it can do. I have !…… and its as good as the pooos and dooos

[@jjkcollins]

I drove a polaris 800 last week for the first time and was linere but I didn't like I got on my 2019 high country and I love how has that midrange power ban reminds of the old dirt bike s where the power comes on.

[@snowtrax]

Snowest was reviewing the M 858 with mtn clutching, 35-37 inch front end with mtn skis, 165 ALPHA one rear skid. Any reference to cornering is completely different vs the ZR and the clutch engagement will be different as well.

[@CCH-R]

I test rode one. No questions the cat is amazing. It handles amazing just by adding new carbides And the sled feels super light. Mind blowing how easy it is to ride this sled super hard.

[@jimmywoller7320]

Snowest needs to chill. These are prototypes that they rode… clutching, ECU tune, and gearing are all still being tested/finalized

[@NITROUSnBIASPLYS]

So it's still a #3 sled, way to go 🐈 lol

[@burnzillablue]

Its better then anything Polaris or Ski-Doo have.

[@jimeverden2244]

​@@burnzillablue I dunno about that but the competition is long overdue.

[@jdxjim]

It has a way to go to match the DOO and POL--- And they both have more upgrades for 2025. Cat still 2 years behind the competition and with shrinking market--can they even survive. I say maybe 2 more years--and if another bad winter in 2025--they will be gone.

[@wko78ms]

I'm assuming you rode them all back to back?

[@aaronmcfee506]

Dude if you look at the financial arctic cat has been making excellent margin and filling their capacity to produce them so.....

[@kylepothast8305]

Your a clown😂😂 if they would be gone in 2 years they wouldn't have released the chassis! They are behind I will not deny that, but as far as I'm concerned I will much rather take a motor and sled that doesn't reek havoc with recalls and continuous parts and clutches going out. AC is hands down most reliable

[@wko78ms]

@@kylepothast8305 yeah that's why you get ac, give up 5hp for a bullet proof sled.

[@123789timothy]

@@wko78ms Riding is somewhat irrelevant. I want cat to succeed because competition drives innovation but he does have a point. Why would I buy a sled from Cat when one from Ski-doo or Polaris have proven platforms that have been refined and have large enhancements over them. Arctic Cat is just releasing a 850 class engine in their sleds while the other 2 are now introducing turbos across their whole lineup. Look at the mountain sleds. Why would anyone buy a Cat when you can get a turbo 850. You can pull bigger lugs on a longer track and at higher elevations, it's a no brainer. It would make sense if the sleds were cheaper but as it stands on their websites the 858 Cats are the same price as their top or near top of the line competators. mountain trail and crossover. I know I would rather take a I boost or turbo R sled for the money.