Catalyst M 858 review (part 1) - The SnoWest Show

The SnoWest test crew of Justin Stevens, Rhett Clark, Bruce Kerbs and Broc Genta join Ryan Harris to review our first three days on the 2025 Arctic Cat M 858 sleds.

[@arcticcatrider16]

Weird a show sponsored by polaris doesn't like an Arctic cat product

[@joeygrav]

Hard to watch this channel anymore.

[@guggler]

The new f150 just doesn't do what the new Silverado does. Sponsored by gm. Get your new Silverado today.

[@miclinda256]

If you wants to be taken seriously , you must be independent !!! Think….volkswagen reviews Mercedes 🤔😅

[@jeffbrown8974]

The gargled Arctic cats balls before they tested it, then when they tested it they remembered Polaris sponsors their show😂

[@Ironmountain81]

You gotta give it to polaris, they have brought on some big faces to the game as sponsored riders/ambassadors and that sells sleds.people will justify there $20k+ sleds being down all season.fuel pump issues,clutches falling of,a arms falling apart,chain cases blowing,motor completely trashed and they will still scream from the mountain tops of how great poo and/or doo is.cat has dropped the ball with sponsorship/ambassadors.

[@peterjacobs6290]

Clearly an unbiased review $$$$$$😂😂😂

[@erikmoore7402]

So you don't think other people will eventually agree when they get their hands on it? What do you ride by chance?

[@shanegerwing9241]

Not that anyone wants to start thinking about modifications to a new $20k sled, but it seems many will! I ordered a M858 MC154 QS3 ES. I swap out a Lithium Battery , loose 7lbs, loose another 13-15lbs in a Speedwerx L2 silencer, hopefully loose about 1.5 lbs rotating mass with Ti clutch components, Speedwerx clutching, I'm sure that bottom end will wake right up. I love my Ctec800 Speedwerx Stage 2, it's an absolute ripper from bottom, mid, and top! If I could just transfer that power/response/reliability to the newer/lighter Catalyst chassis I'd be super happy!

[@CF_BACKCOUNTRY]

I ordered the exact same sled and plan on the same modifications,

[@jeffbrown8974]

Totally agree

[@1984TarpeN]

I have the MC 146 on order. Lightweight can and Clutch kit to start with. maby the electric start goes in the trash can :D

[@barryconnors-m6s]

I was always a doo guy but I hope cat gets it dialed in cause man it would be so sad to lose another brand

[@jeffb9306]

Agreed

[@devonlethbridge]

I wonder did Cat allow people to choose between the single rail Alpha skid or a traditional 2 rail setup? I know that is holding many people away from Cat who doesn't want to wrench.

[@jeffb9306]

They should not be sponsored by Polaris, Cat or Doo if they are doing reviews. Talk about conflict of interest. And I am not even a CAT guy....

[@rawpoptart2046]

Who cares just ride your shit. It’s fun to just talk about sleds.

[@RideTheSeason97]

“Polaris presents” lol get outta here

[@go-on-two]

This was another strange review, seemed like nobody was willing to really step up and talk about the handling because they didn't want to bash any more after how they all didn't like the engine and clutching, but they did allude to the fact it didn't feel as light as the 600 and then went on to say its the best Mountain sled AC has ever put out...Something is not right here, not sure if Poo threatened to pull funding or not!!! But it did seem somewhat political, with very uncertain comments.

[@caseynelson6870]

Saddened about the bottom end. The polaris 850 bottom end is soft compared to the 800. If the 858 is even worse, i don't want it. Hopefully, they can clutch it and get the bottom end equal to the 800's.

[@simengreen2671]

The two pull start is probably just a prototype thing, I pull twice in the morning, to wake the fuel system or something on my 800, one pull the rest of the day. And all the talk about sloppy bottom end, its not a production sled, so much can change.. Did you ride the sno pro? How was the AC5S shocks?

[@erikmoore7402]

It sounds like an honest review to me. strange talk about stroker motors not having as much low end seemed a bit odd.

[@erikmoore7402]

Start at the 8 minute mark if you want to save a bit of time.

[@specializ20]

Thank you

[@JoeWeitz]

Had to go back and listen to last years 600 Catalyst podcast and these guys gushed with excitement and seem to love the Catalyst, that podcast was sponsored by Pure Adrenaline Motorsports. After listening to the 858 podcast its basically a POS which just so happens to be sponsored by Polaris. HUH! I cant be the only one that's not surprised by this. When you start the podcast off with Polaris as a sponsor then go into detail that you guys are cat guys (or were are at some point), it still doesn't give you any credibility. Don't bite the hand that feeds ya. Conflict of interest much. I hope Muskoka gets a new 858 he'll put it to the test. It may turn out that the 858 is a bucket of bolts but at least we'll get to see it in action. His channel is the new snowmobile media...snowest can the way of the dinosaurs.

[@coreykonkin5917]

I noticed that as well! They completely praised the 600 Catalyst last year. This year its sponsored by Polaris and they didn't have much positives and barely mentioned how the lighter 858 handled or rode.

[@erikmoore7402]

The etec has a longer stroke than both of them.

[@jamesmartens6985]

Geez Louise.... was the word from the polaris sponsor, hey guys just spend 40 minutes talking about the lazy bottom end and nothing else. Almost nothing about the actual chassis or the gauge or the ergo.

[@lebarondpingsouhaitable]

True that. Litterally found one thing they can bash and looped on it for 40mins.

[@BFish671]

Very strange pod cast and discussion. Mood seemed off, information seemed restricted. Couldn’t get off the engine topic after asking the public what to talk about. Chassis and shocks woulda been nice to listen about. Also it’s not a secret that cats been working on stuff as the sleds were very doggy in the video’s shared at the beginning. The 146 model that Mav has been riding is a great example, it is not the same sled anymore.

[@TerraAlpsRacing]

Saying the 858 is soft on the bottom end compared to the others is because the 858 is a production engine built more for emissions. The 9r polaris is built for throttle response for the hill climb racers to have an advantage getting around the flags, course riding. As polaris has more funds going to specialty sleds and classes. TerraAlps Racing will have a performance package to build quick throttle response and acceleration like the polaris and doos. Coming from engine component, ecm tune and a muffler.

[@erikmoore7402]

Makes you wonder if that's steel spider will be changed in the future.

[@Haggen_shredzz]

Great review🔥

[@jeffb9306]

Not sure why you would compare 858 to 9R. Just did a quick build comparison between 9r and 858 ATAC, 155, 3inch, no electric start. $3155 more for 9R. Summit Expert X Turbo with shot is $694 more than 9R for comparison.

[@sheldonewing1663]

Base model 9r to 858 is only $600 Canadian maple leafs apart. That's a 155 pro

[@jeffb9306]

They were comparing base model 9R to base model Cat? @@sheldonewing1663

[@jeffb9306]

When I did a build on a 9R 155 Pro, 3 inch, no fancy gauge or shocks,no elec start $20, 156. Cat 858, base model 154, 3 inch, $15, 799. @@sheldonewing1663

[@comradeeverclear4063]

Because Cat themselves were making the comparison.

[@tannerbeckman5396]

​@sheldonewing1663 the most basic 9r you can get (155 pro 2.75") starts at $19,300 usd, the base 858 Cat is $15,800usd. That's a little more than $600....

[@vintagearcticcatsnowmobile1339]

Disappointing you guys are riding prototypes that change before production, but are blasting the new 858 sled, and finally 19-minutes you state there are prototypes and typically change for production. You come across as very poorly organized and unprepared.

[@TheKfilter]

They are trying to save people from spring checking on all the hype but also give AC some time to fix it

[@joeygrav]

They need to stick to the magazine world lol trying to give an unbiased review of a new sled while being sponsored by polaris

[@gregmulfort9577]

​@@kolinsmith3199 Because most of the demo spots don't have snow.

[@gregmulfort9577]

@@kolinsmith3199 They had the demo ride at the ERX park in Minnesota weeks ago. You're only speculating about the other demos with no factual information. I got the ziptie recall a month ago. It's literally putting a ziptie in the brake hose and you can do it yourself and they send you a $25 amex card for doing it. If that's your big criticism, they're doing pretty good. You're just an angry internet troll. My m600 catalyst has been awesome, love it.

[@none3105]

@@gregmulfort9577 speculating? They’re at the Osborne bridge in Island Park with Full truck and trailer building their route days before they canceled it hence why we were all there… we’re talking about mountain sleds nobody gives two shits about anything back east hence why it’s not even mentioned in this podcast hence why the event that scheduled for tomorrow out west where this podcast is talking about is also canceled without any sort of formal notice as well but sure it’s because of “lack of snow”. Great job on the zip tie repair of your 600cc snowmobile lol.

[@brandonmichaelis2752]

Cat will get the clutching dialed and wake these up. If not, the aftermarket will. I ordered a 154" Black. Super stoked!

[@snopro406]

Great job on the reviews from everyone. It is my opinion, Polaris has set the bar with the 9R snap regardless of cc. And anything 800cc and up NA currently is going to be (frustrating) automatically a unethical compare. And that affects the expectation levels of performance of this sled/motor package immensely. Great job to all 3 company’s building these things

[@jschenk7915]

They beat the 858 up for most of the podcast, then say ohh it’s the prototype, ???

[@ACatKrom]

IMO the reason everyone compares it to the 9R is that they are the latest from each manu, and the 9 has been out for years.

[@joshgarner805]

Power wise sounds pretty disappointing. Hopefully they can dial it in over the summer. I had very high hopes for this new engine. They had plenty of time to get this right.

[@comradeeverclear4063]

You should have expected Cat to fuck up again

[@cooperhaley5607]

I rode an 858 and 600 catalyst side by side this past weekend, 600 definitely felt like it wound up faster, 858 bottom end felt decent especially compared to my Suzuki 800 I think it could be a clutching issue, it almost felt like a broken primary spring and engaged very low could also have to do with break in depending on how aggressive the fueling is the one I was on had 80ish miles

[@jacobboswell9325]

I'm hoping for the slow revving to be a clutching and fuel map issue for now, we will only see when the full production sleds are out. Muskoka Freerider ordered a m858 so I'm excited to see how it does. It also sucks that cat brought e-start sleds to snow shoot, doesn't give a good first impression having 22 lbs extra of weight.

[@mikeh4053]

So you say you read the comments. Lets get some things straight. This is not journalism like i said in my other post. Sure you might have some articles in a snowest magazine that are opinion pieces, or some feel good writing about snowmobiling. ok great. I'm sure mag subs are going down down for years. You are more social media than maybe you would like to admit. if it was journalism, there would be a standard that is followed. These interviews are just the bro's hanging in the room, trying to find anyway to get someone to look them. Journalism might of worked if there was more than 3 sled manufacturers. We are in the death spiral here folks. I'll learn on social media that snowest will be closing it doors soon. Holding on from old money from gens before is my only guess why it is still here.

[@lemoneleven2179]

how much money do you have to spend on the monorail for it survive a simple trail ride up the mountain?

[@jacobboswell9325]

$0

[@CF_BACKCOUNTRY]

After the rail update in 20 the monorails have been holding up just as good as a twin rail.

[@coreykonkin]

I’m on my original rail of my 2019 Alpha one. I’ve hit many stumps and rocks early season as well as landing hard in a wheelie many times. I fukin suck at jumping and always land skis in the air hahaha.

[@charlesmcdonald5465]

How many clutches do polaris guys have to buy? Can’t hide ugly of a doo-doo. Truth is everyone is a cat hater

[@BrettMcNary]

Cost me $3 for a extra bolt…..

[@217DiamondFF]

Unless something has changed, cat clutching leaves a huge amount on the table. I will add MDS clutching before I ever ride my 858.

[@mikeh4053]

i can ride any of these sleds anywhere. if you need all these little things in your advantage, better increase your riding capabilities. there isn't any "journalism" left in snowmobiling. second you take a sponsor, any validity is gone. watch luke thomas, an MMA Journalist. a real journalist.

[@austinhalvorson7944]

It’s kinda interesting that every is saying that they were thinking it’d be comparable to the 9r but that’s like comparing a 440 to a 500 it’s two different ball parks. Another thing too is they are riding these sleds in break in still where tuning is way off they are drinking oil and rings won’t be set so ya it’ll be “boggy”. Yes I do agree with their statement that you have to be on the throttle more I’m diehard cat guy and I will agree with that I run my cats hard and I’ve found the harder and meaner you are they handle and perform way better.

[@terryattewell5842]

Polaris has the most recalls of all the manufactures with sleds and ATV's.....mic drop!

[@BrettMcNary]

Why is this pod all about "power" comparison of the 9r? This is a redesigned chassis....I want a handling comparison. Impossible for this pod to not be biased when it's sponsored by Arctic Cats direct competitor

[@JAKDRZR]

Because they were as in cat was claiming the same hp and the 9r

[@comradeeverclear4063]

Those claims came right from Cat 😂 And SnoWest is sponsored by all 3 manufacturers. You can't claim bias when they have a Cat rider and a former Cat employee on the Pod. 😂😂😂

[@DennisAtBarbierDotCom]

Everyone, gather round and listen to our unbiased review of the new Arctic Cat 858 - brought to you by Polaris Industries.

[@Rideflylaugh]

Thank you for the honest review! Sooooo much hype! A bit of a joke all the cat guys said it would be a turbo killer.... but that's what we expect from them and makes it fun! Happy they have a new platform, it's good for the industry. It will get better...and when they offer a twin rail, it will be competitive with the other 850's.

[@BrettMcNary]

that poo/doo hawg runs deep down your throat

[@blairtarsi9557]

The honest review? Done by a page sponsored by polaris😂 keep dreaming.

[@specializ20]

These comments are on blast.

[@aaronmcfee506]

Where the machines past break in stage. My 600 took approx 250 miles to break in