This Snowmobile Completely Shocked the Snowmobile World, the Mighty FIRECAT!

[@705perdue3]

One of the best looking sleds ever in my opinion

[@2WheelKam]

What’s cool about the firecat is that it worked on the flats as well as the mountains. It handled the turns without ski lift and didn’t trench in the mountains and you could side hill it. Crazy good

[@deepswmeredrum]

The fire cat goes anywhere haha, my 600 crosses water like a cat, wont sink, just goes right over the top, climbs mountains, and trees if needed, and loves the flats haha

[@mino4258]

As a proud owner of a 1999 ZR 700 I can attest that was a beast. We added twin Black Magic pipes and the matching clutch kit. That sled ran with anything after that. I was so upset when my dad sold it as it was the first brand new sled he ever bought. 2 years ago I found it a few hours away for sale and we bought her back. That's the sled that got me into riding as a kid and I'm glad she's back home!

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

It sounds like you have a great story with your sled and you're very lucky to have found her again!

[@garysmith8455]

Thanks for showing some love on TWO fine examples in your presentation. Proud owner of a 2004 F7 EFI 'Night Fire' spring special order from my dealer back in 2003.. Got the hat, jacket, cast model and matching cover. Sorry to say, It has not seen the snow since 2008 and been in my attached garage stored ever since. It is still like new with only 800 miles on the OD. Still has the original carbide skags. LOL. I ordered it with no options to weigh it down = no reverse etc. Short 128 " track. There were recalls, and I had all of them done back in the day. Thanks again! 👍

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

That’s an awesome story and a great example of why people love these machines!

[@garysmith8455]

@@OldSchoolArcticCats Thank you Rocky!

[@jeffnicks2128]

Still have my 04 ext 9800 miles and it’s still as fast as the day I bought it. Great video

[@camaro69green31]

Awesome Video!!! Well done. My first Firecat was a brand new 2004 F6 EXT 144 and it was insanely fast for a 600. I constantly put a beating on 700's and 800's and that is the honest truth. My brother bought a brand new 05 F7 chaincase version and it was faster than my 600 of course but barely. The F6 was an animal. Sold it with 7000+ km's on it. Never ever caused me a single problem. Wicked awesome sleds for so many reasons.

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

Thanks for the comment and supporting the channel. The Firecats are awesome machines..

[@Yz4Life]

Excellent video guys! Love the fire cats it’s nice to see them still getting some recognition

[@KTSLAY]

I had a 99 ZR 600. First sled i ever owned. They were really ahead of the curve on their chassis design.

[@zx9green791]

My brother had a 2004 F6 and it was super fast!

[@joesun913]

Great vid! 2003 has to be the most influential year in snowmobile history with the models you listed! F7 was awesome, but the REV changed snowmobile design forever. My favorite Cat of all time is the 2010 M8. It took Cat 7 years to build an 800 that would beat the 2003 700. That 800 combined with that chassis and track was the sled to beat.

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

I agree with you, those were some amazing years for snowmobiling!

[@Nicky_Pin_It]

Yep loves the Last gen of the M8's.They were way ahead of anything else on snow at the time

[@Nyquist_Outdoors]

I wish Arctic Cat was as cool today as it was back in those days. Seems like Polaris and Skidoo are light years ahead by now

[@kc2giw]

I had a red f7. One of the best looking sleds ever made.

[@rtaskidoo14]

first one lets go! i may be a doo guy but ima sucker for the firecats i grew up riding with them such fast sleds!

[@Speters94]

Awesome videos!! Now let’s see the race between your 99 t-cat and that 04 f7!!! 😎

[@KingstonChickens]

These were great sleds. They rode great and with a Boss seat and handle bar riser they were even more dialed in. I had an f6 for a few years and loved it.

[@RobGADV]

The M7 did the same thing in the mountain segment. I had one, it was amazing. I recently picked up a mint 2011 M8 SnoPro Limited for a great price..... I look forward to riding it once we have enough snow.

[@Trooperx86]

The Rev is the snowmobile that shocked the industry that year. Me being an Arctic Cat fan was super underwhelmed by this sled.

[@jayarnold8883]

F7 would outperform every new 700 , 800 and in 2003 . Faster than the RX1 too.I proved it hundreds of times that winter. Thanks for some great memories !

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

I'm glad to be bringing back some good memories!

[@kodiakyamaha8688]

Just bought a 2004 f6 sno pro..can't wait for some snow!😊

[@darin224]

Awesome video! Love how u have the firecats beside the fire! Well done! I love the limited editions (Please do a video on those!) I still have an 05 f7 red joker and 04 f6 silver fighter pilot, Regret selling our 05 f7 retro, I'll never forgive the wife for that decision lol Keep up the great content!

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

Thanks for the support of the channel! I appreciate the comment! The Firecats with the themed designs are really cool!

[@clintbruderer2278]

The limited editions were really cool!

[@chieflake]

Still running my old girl. Not as comfortable as the new sleds but she still flies.

[@bradeybishop8051]

I love mine have an f5 and an f7 in the yard right now

[@grantdubridge7995]

My brother had the 1994 ZR700. That damn thing just walked away from my Mach1. And he was never passed on the trail. It had a great suspension also with rebuildable gas shocks. There was a bunch 140 hp sleds out before the F7, including the 700 Triple SkiDoo.

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

I had a 1994 Zr 700 it was an awesome sled! They were surprisingly fast. Seems like the older sleds are holding their value or even increasing in value because new sleds are so expensive.

[@joecog8949]

@@OldSchoolArcticCats I'm getting tags tomorrow for my 2001 Cat 600 and the 1998 700 skidoo. The 700 rockets past my Cat. Have to go to the UP to find snow.

[@kolewiebensohn]

My neighbor has a 03 F7 Sno Pro that is the black one with the orange flames, what an absolute unit. That thing will keep up with my 13 procross xf800 sno pro in any conditions with the 128in track! Those firecats are honestly my favorite sled made, they mix modern ergonomics and a semi-rider forward chassis while feeling low and connected to the ground. When people think of Arctic cats, they think firecats or Gen 1 zr's.

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

I love hearing people's thoughts on the Firecat!

[@bergerone3]

A few years back I had a mint 2003 F7 SnoPro EFI and it was an animal. I also had a 2019 ZR6000 SnoPro, and the firecat was so much more fun. Light, nimble and powerful. I definitely regret letting it go, they are getting hard to find.

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

It took me 21 years to finally ride one let alone own one. They are hard to find. Especially a nice one with a good hood and seat.

[@jeremyhall9444]

I love your passion for these old sleds, I understand your passion with artic cat, myself, I'm a ski doo fan especially the old mach 1 mach z and formula plus, my dad loved running against those cats lol, especially the thunder cat lol, love your videos buddy

[@jeremyhall9444]

On another note, this is my love for ski doo coming out, 02 mxz 700 would eat those fire cats up, I've seen it happen numerous times lol

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

I appreciate you supporting the channel! Thanks for your comment! People that snowmobile are some of the most brand loyal people! That’s what made the snowmobiling so great back in the day was the competition.

[@jeremyhall9444]

@@OldSchoolArcticCats I miss it everyday, I grew up with the old muscle sleds, my dad had his 93 formula plus, my uncle had 97 Polaris xcr 700, beast of of sled! I started out with the ol Yamaha phaser, good times

[@joelaichner3025]

Nice looking machine ,

[@bobc8694]

The lay down engine was seen first in the 440 race sled. And intake and exhaust on the same side, but sea- doo water crafts seen that same style engine back in 1996 xp 800.. so the fire cat engine wasn't the first one out there with a lay down engine with intake and exhaust on the same side... but it is definitely an awesome little power plant that you can get a lot more power out of, and the bottom end will take it ....Bob

[@garysmith8455]

I think the point was, first laydown in a snowmoblie, not a watercraft. 😉

[@bobc8694]

@garysmith8455 gotta ya, the 440 snow cross sled was still the first one in a snowmobile. Not the F-7.

[@garysmith8455]

@@bobc8694 Ok, let me clarify still further. The first CONSUMER trail sled, NOT a pro race circuit sled. How 'bout that then? 🙂

[@bobc8694]

@garysmith8455 how about the race sled could be bought from any dealership back then !!! Sorry to upset you, and that you have a problem admitting when you're wrong!!! So stop dancing around the truth, you wrong!!!!

[@tittan1500]

Best looking sleds

[@danielpomeroy]

The Polaris may have had an obselete trailing arm front suspension but the XC 500/ 600/ and especially the 700cc Liberty twins were tough to beat.

[@glenmallory9982]

Always like the trail version the Sabercat.

[@EYECOMEINPEACE]

Nice vid. Wouldn't mind picking an F7 for ripping around the lake. (Sold my procross turbo cats and 16 viper 4 strokes 2 years ago) . What are the best/reliable years I should for on the F7s ?

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

I personally think the 04-06 are really solid machines. Thanks for watching!

[@EYECOMEINPEACE]

@@OldSchoolArcticCats right on thanks for the fast reply. Subscribed. 👍

[@Yz4Life]

2003 is really the 1 year you want to avoid unless you are planning to drag race the sled or just it solely for top speed purposes, the first year f7’s were prone to burning up the motor in the midrange because of a flaw in the ecu mapping, they were also around 20 pounds lighter than the 04-06 fire cats due to the chassis not being reinforced enough, the tunnels would crack underneath the seat and the bulkhead would crack as well. Best year imo for the fire cats is the last year (06) because they got the fuel injection mapping dialed right in and the stock clutching was better than previous years. Ideally you’ll want a Sno Pro edition firecat because they had a bit taller of a lug on the track and fox suspension which was miles better than the standard suspension that came on them. Good luck man they are amazing sleds

[@EYECOMEINPEACE]

@Yz4Life amazing info. Thanks so much. I'll keep my eyes peeled for an 06. ....(And maybe a winder to replace my 2016 viper xtx lol )

[@mino4258]

You want speed try and find a 03 carb Firecat. They were the last year for the standard chain case before the switched to the Diamond/ACT drive system. Any of the F7's were pretty solid tbh. Also if you ride at night make sure you tilt one headlight to the sky and the other to the ground cuz if not you won't be able to see in front of you at all. I tied all 4 bulbs on at once with high beam and it was still tough to see lol

[@joshgessinger4509]

Had a new 03 F7 sno pro totaled it. Bought new 04 sno pro hill cross and SX raced it put 2500 miles in 04 was my favorite sled of all time maybe. My father had 03 rev 800 I would beat him drag racing every time. My father traded in on a sabercat 600 I would spank my buddies Polaris 800XC on it lol!! Idk just great sleds wish I still owned my 04. The only thing about the firecat it was tippier than the ZR chassis. But once u learned how to steer with the throttle u could really make them carve the turns. The 03 had dyno numbers up towards 150hp but my 04 just worked better all around than my 03.

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

Thanks for the comment Josh! I appreciate you watching & supporting the channel! I love hearing stories like the one you shared!

[@matthewdavidmunson]

Awesome video id love to watch more vintage snowmobile videos. Also if you could explain how arctic cat went from being the dominating manufacture to fighting for last place with Yamaha.

[@glenmallory9982]

Bad management that stopped pushing innovation, and market pressures…..my two cents.

[@EricMacNichol]

There was an F6 Firecat too

[@dennisnedry5287]

Still have an unmolested 2002 zr 440

[@quyle9483]

No way man. I miss my molested zr440 sno pro it was haggard and real jalopy looking but fun as he'll and I did everything with it.

[@jamescarter2708]

I owned a 2003 F7 Team arctic Colors. NOTHING touched it. Two breathers in the air compartment.

[@ducon86]

What a nice video, this guy know what is talking about!

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

Thanks for the comment and for watching!

[@fisherman5845]

I remember back in 91 when they came out 4k for a brand new sled I was riding a panther 440 that I got for $100

[@evandrewmartinez1]

I just had a 90 panther and a 92 panther deluxe come into the shop. Sweet little sleds

[@billslabich6543]

Why was this previously blocked? Northwoods snowmobiling

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

We needed to edit a minor part of the video. Thanks for being patient with us.

[@matthewyakabuski9620]

Your 90s history of cat is somewhat flawed . I drag raced stock cats in the 90s . The ZR chassis was debut in 93 . As a 440 and a 580 . The chassis was a copy of Kirt Hubert’s . Open snow cross sled . Revolutionary chassis . Extremely adjustable suspension . With fox shocks you could disassemble and change the calving . My 580 was 1 of 20 in Canada . 105 hp . Unfortunately not enough power against the bombi . As far as I’m aware I’m the only one to make a major drag race final with one . The 700 twin engine made 118 hp was not a piston port . Was a. Base reed induction . The wildcat had 2 earlier chassis . The 650 wildcat was the start of the engine . The 700 ruled the drag strip especially on grass . The engine was known as a torque monster . And improved when put in the ZR chassis . 96 mine went 5.38 at 82 mph 500 feet on grass . There was also a triple 600 . In 95 . That was more competitive at the drags than the 580 . Brian Sturgeon won formula 3 with one at eagle river 95 . Epic great race . The bombi was so favoured . They would not take bets on it losing . But the big 700 base reed twin . Wildcat and ZR remains one of the best engines In cat history . Sturgeon ruled A stock on the oval with one . And multiple of us ruled the drag strip . Especially shorter 500 feet on grass . 660 feet on ice some of the best bombi could run well . Especially Billy bickford . The fire cat was the next evolution in chassis after the ZR . Thanks for the vid well done . Brought back good memories .

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

Thanks for the insight. I remember that their reeds were mounted under the cylinder but I still thought it was considered piston port induction because the reeds were not between the carburetor & cylinder. Sounds like you have a lot of experience with the old 90s cats. I appreciate the comment.

[@matthewyakabuski9620]

@@OldSchoolArcticCats another thing about the old school 90 s stuff . Was the interchangeable nature of parts . Take a 800 or 900 triple cylinder . Swap the cylinders and pistons and heads . Use 650 cylinders 325 cc each =975 cc triple use 700 parts = 1050cc both very popular on the trail performance and the drag strip . Back in the day largest classes of drag racing 1000cc plus allowed 5 percent overbore . ( to clean damaged cylinders ) 1000 plus 5 percent = 1050 . Out west you guys are about mountains and powder . Here in the east . Ontario: Quebec And upper states . It’s about lake racing . Groomed. Fast winding hard pack trails . Lowered sleds . Sharp studes carbides and horsepower . Ice oval racing and drag racing . The F7 was also a bad ass drag sled especially stock on grass and improved stock . With stock chassis and modified stock engine . Bad ass corner carving lift the inside ski turning trail sled . And a bullet . With that narrow friction free track at 1000 ft radar runs . We came very close . On a tuned friends f7 to 130 mph on ice 1000 feet radar . Stock 128 and change

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

Wow. That is really cool! I just bought these firecats. I have never rode a firecat or been around them much until now. These firecats are no joke. They are very quick and seem to have long legs. I have a couple Thundercats I can’t wait to race them against each other and do some comparisons. Thanks again for the insight!

[@pauliewalnuts240]

​@@matthewyakabuski9620 your comments look like a bot because of the inaccurate period usage. Perhaps you have a disability & use speech to text & if you do, im sorry. Your knowledge gives you credibility but ai is getting awfully smart, too.

[@austinwahl2945]

still ride my 06 f6 would beat my fathers 03 rev 800 even when he got vforce reeds to keep up with me. wish i had the 700 though. still keeps up with a short track on some newer sleds but this thing handles like a dream fast trail riding. i rode a few of the newer sleds (not just arctic cat) and man I hate them, I mean they are great for rougher trails. These ride pretty decent but you have to ride fast on top of the bumps and it isn't as bad. I just love being low but you do take a bit of a beating. and to add I think they are awesome looking as well

[@careypalmquist6118]

Has anyone seen the Arctic Cat F7 insane wheelie catwalk video of the guy who put M7 gearing in his Firecat? Looks like a blast !!

[@daleclarke2849]

Cat has always trailed behind!! That’s why there broke now !!!

[@madsenmotorsports9950]

Arctic cat didn’t build any engines. Suzuki did

[@CCH-R]

Arctic cat designed every aspect of the engine. Then Suzuki built it. Cat did the work

[@peteharder6325]

RIP Artic cat

[@alancall5113]

I had one fast as hell🎉🎉🎉

[@pauliewalnuts240]

Always thought snowmobiles were cool, especially when it was the last sanctuary of the big bore 2 stroke. Twin & triple cylinder 2 stroke engines were no longer produced for bikes or quads, but snowmobiles kept the torch lit. Its just unfortunate because i dont live in an area that gets snow heavily enough to justify buying a snowmobile.

[@grantdubridge7995]

Old School, I still can't afford it.

[@Artic.fam5]

I have 2 , trouble free .

[@mikeheizmann6804]

My F7 04’ would keep up pretty close to a ZR900. Not sure the year

[@justsomeone6835]

F 7 is fast because it’s light and that skinny track help that sled big time Yes i know it’s fast

[@ryancavey1792]

Thats a sick hat where do I find one?!

[@ajbertelson9871]

1st gen zr700 had twin pipes

[@tygoulding2547]

And they’re fun 👍 I ride one.

[@xXJBrutalXx]

i was shocked at how fast the chassis cracked on those things.

[@kevincutway]

RMK , ROCKY MOUNTAIN KING ?? what's that got to do with trail performance ?

[@BullittOutdoors]

Re-upload?

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

Yes 🤦‍♂️.

[@ericm1430]

The last time id ever consider buying an Arctic Cat, still haven't changed my mind. taking a new 850 doo or Polaris all day over their 858.

[@ethanrislov3454]

You obviously havn't rode one. Have an open mind and give one a shot they do turbo shit being na, but its not just that the chassis uses the power more effectively they are way more nimble than a doo or polaris. You find yourself having to ride more neutral because your inputs on the sled are amplified.

[@wyattshaffer2257]

Currently, looking for a gas tank for my 2008 😂

[@blandishblaze]

Until that dude with the Mach z showed up!

[@Yz4Life]

Lol yea then the firecat rider goes home and grabs his T cat and the Mach z rider scurries away like a scared rabbit

[@aaronw6706]

@@Yz4LifeYea, cat had to do 1000cc because the ZRT couldn’t run with anything that had Mach on the hood or the SRX.

[@Yz4Life]

@@aaronw6706 yes, pre 2003, post 2003 and now skidoo, and Polaris can’t keep up with cat CC for CC. A Polaris or skidoo 700 would have no chance in hell keeping up with a F7. Hell, even with the CTECH2 motor in 2016, cat made the same horsepower from a 800cc motor than the other brands 850cc’s. and on top of that the Laydown motors were more ergonomic with a lower center of gravity, lighter, and just a more modern and efficient design.

[@mross302]

It wasn't a piston port, it had reed's on it, it was a hybrid between a reed and a piston port. An idea the grabbed from rotax on the can am 370 motor lol.

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

You put it perfectly it was a hybrid of both..

[@troymcdonald2329]

Zr 700 were not piston port inducted. I own 2

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

Thanks for the info! I didn’t know that.

[@glenmallory9982]

Case Reed??? Hey is been 20 years since I was close to one???

[@tygoulding2547]

They are a case reed. I have one and also have a wildcat. The zr has noticeably more power because of the jug porting on the zr.

[@gratefultrucker7781]

580s were tho.

[@bryanginder5903]

2003- F5 and F7,. 2004- F5, F6, F7

[@dongfloppin22]

I sure hope you didn't vote for Kamala Harris

[@fredpierson7488]

All the polaris blow hards say they're the crappiest sled out there

[@davidevenson2242]

The bulkheads are

[@TroyHanson-ch6nm]

I bought a brand new 2003 rev 800ho in 2003 rode it like1200 miles decided i wanted to try a firecat f7 got one rode it for literally 30 minutes and sold it the next day thing was like driving a milk truck handled like azz i was not impressed got a brand new rev 800 in 2004 and never rode cat again. That f7 was not no where near as fast as my rev 800s

[@Yz4Life]

Something must have been wrong with the cat then. There is not a chance in hell that a stock rev800 was faster than a stock firecat.. don’t believe just look around online a little bit and you’ll see.

[@deanomatic5129]

Put down the crack pipe

[@billhenry7833]

Holy cow. The way this was presented is too boring.

[@rickseverson9528]

Every manufacturer copied the Rev

[@Icutmetal]

Every manufacturer copies another at some point and in the case of the Rev, it was too good not to copy.

[@hooligangeneral300]

Old garbage.

[@briansullivan.1341]

ski doo is better

[@bobbymichelin540]

that rev chassis is still one of my favorites to ride, loves single ski carving

[@briansullivan.1341]

@bobbymichelin540 when it came out it was revolutionary. Changed the game

[@thomasgraham9719]

Ahhhh the rev wannabe 😂

[@reesewilliamson3346]

Rev killer*

[@aaronw6706]

⁠@@reesewilliamson3346Arctic cat is almost out of business and Ski-doo has 60% market share leapfrogging cat to first place. The Firecat lives in the shadow of the REV. Just finally today cat has woke up to reality with the 858 which is already behind.

[@tylerbaldwin1633]

@@aaronw6706 brp had layoffs too plus they are selling off their entire marine division but seadoo, arctic cat, Polaris and brp are all losing money and cant sell units like they used to. Plus arctic cat never took taxpayers money in a government bailout but guess who did.. Brp! hahahaha

[@davidevenson2242]

Too bad the chassis was trash, all and I mean all of them broke.

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

Did Arctic Cat do a safety recall on the chassis?

[@davidevenson2242]

@@OldSchoolArcticCats they came out with a fix it kit. Extra bits for the bulkhead to strengthen them up. So yea kinda

[@OldSchoolArcticCats]

@@davidevenson2242 how do I know if my firecats have the fix it kit?

[@MaxMock-c2c]

@@OldSchoolArcticCatsyou can see the corner of the brace under the seat where the tunnel bends up. The braces are small L shaped brackets that rivet on under the seat and the side of the tunnel bends

[@davidevenson2242]

@OldSchoolArcticCats look under your primary clutch there's a spot in the front bottom of the bulkhead very narrow it breaks there.

[@notagain8661]

So sad that Arctic Cat is shutting down. Didn't Textron try and sell it off instead of just shutting it down? 🙁

[@danielpomeroy]

Arctic Cat fell victim to several factors that may doom them. Poor snow conditions, especially in the Midwest, failure to keep up with innovation that skiddoo & Polaris provided and other factors. It's a shame though. A. C. always came up with new ideas to keep them competitive.

[@menotyou7762]

artiecrap has always been trailing ski doo and copying others designs, the F7 was fast when running right but not a strong sled by any means. By end of 2025 artie crap might even be history, the brand isn't doing well and honestly poo's and Doos are so much better.

[@garysmith8455]

Now there is a 'bash' for us Cat guys. Things have not changed in the 45 years I have been riding. It's the Chevy vs. Ford vs. Mopar thing. Oh, wait, Mopar is out. It's Corvette ZR-1 and Ford Mustang ONLY now for true ICE muscle. 😁

[@danielbunk8611]

The only time ski doo ever came out with something before Yamaha or cat was when the rider forward concept was introduced in 03. Otherwise, Polaris and ski doo have always been behind Yamaha and cat as far as innovation goes.