Arctic Cat

[lunkerslayer]

That's crazy how the economy is to shut down a busnines
https://www.valleynewslive.com/2024/12/19/arctic-cat-cease-operations-thief-river-falls-st-cloud/

 

[bravo]

Big conglomerate Textron bought AC I think hoping to use their off-road division to win some government contracts. Zero interesting design and they fell behind Polaris and BRP. All sleds now says are over-engineered and prices reflect it. Couple that with less snow and the writing is on the wall. Sad because I grew up on green fan cooled sleds.

 

[Kurtr]

I really want to get on one of Polaris new turbo sleds and point it up the mountain. They look like they pull hard

 

[NDbowman]

Arctic Cat's 1st bad move was when they went away from Susuki engines and started making their own in house. The worst thing that happened to them was when they got bought by Textron. They completely neutered the Arctic Cat atv. They ruined the brand in the atv line anyways. I four of their atvs from 99 to 2014 and would still have one if they were made like back in the 2000s.

 

[Ruttin]

I just can't see Textron putting that much R&D into the Catalyst chassis and new motors to completely pull the plug. Rumor mill has John Deere coming back to the snowmobile scene. Oh and I bled green. Be damn sad if they were no longer in production.

 

[7mmMag]

I just can't see Textron putting that much R&D into the Catalyst chassis and new motors to completely pull the plug. Rumor mill has John Deere coming back to the snowmobile scene. Oh and I bled green. Be damn sad if they were no longer in production.

I couldn't imagine how much a John Deere snowmobile would cost.

 

[Zogman]

John Deere green on a snowmobile or UTV would be the ugliest ever! JMHO

 

[lunkerslayer]

Back in the day John deere made one of the best, it had engines that were nearly bulletproof with the mercury liquid cooled as well as other mercury motors and they also came with reverse on some models. Some other manufacturers like Rupp and mercury also used the same motors
When arctic cat came out in the 90s with the Thundercat 1000 it was a screamer

 

[Obi-Wan]

John Deere green on a snowmobile or UTV would be the ugliest ever! JMHO

 

[lunkerslayer]

1980 john deere spitfire 340 air cooled

 

[ndlongshot]

KTM into bankruptcy as well.

 

[Allen]

Back in the 70s and 80s, John Deere were some of the best and most common sleds in the area. The "fire" series of Trailfire, Spitfire, Liquifire and I'm sure a couple other names were awesome sleds. The older John Deere 300-800 series were quite decent as well.

The old Minot to Regina race was quite the proving ground for a lot of different sleds and riders.

 

[johnr]

John Deere green on a snowmobile or UTV would be the ugliest ever! JMHO

agreed, its bad enough seeing those gay tractors all over the country.

 

[ndlongshot]

JD getting beat up pretty bad over their proprietary claims of leasing equipment they sell and never handing over ownership. Only "licensing". Not to mention all of their data mining from producers machines.

 

[LBrandt]

My back still hurts from them late 60's to 80's Artic Cats. when to tec school in Thief River Falls from 72 to 74 and worked nights bartending. Got to know a lot of the Artic Cat Racing team, now they had sleds that would move. LB

 

[5575]

Yea sad sad deal.
Step dad had a 71 800 king kat growing up, thought it was the coolest thing ever back then with the cylinders sticking out the hood!

 

[huntemup]

In 1972 I had a Arctic Cat Cheeta with the leopard seat. Had a 19 hp Sachs engine in it. Thing went forever. Lots of miles after school rabbit and fox hunting

 

[snow2]

That's crazy how the economy is to shut down a busnines
https://www.valleynewslive.com/2024/12/19/arctic-cat-cease-operations-thief-river-falls-st-cloud/

This shut down has been building for the last few years,motor sport dealers here in mn pulled artic cat utv 's from stores,not sure about snow machines? Better options available.

 

[SupressYourself]

This is indeed sad. I love my 02 ZR 600. 2 Stroke smoke is one of the finest smells known to man.

 

[Zogman]

Had a 1970 Arctic Cat Panther with 399 Hirth.
1972 Arctic Cat Puma with a 399 Kawasaki
Very good Sleds.