Hey there! I am new to this site and have truly enjoyed reading everyone's comments in the past few days. There is one thing that I have noticed that seems to be a consistent trend among the majority: more people on this website ride the Arctic Cat Firecat than any other sled. I am wondering why this is? I will tell you that I ride Polaris and have had great luck with them. I am looking at a new sled and have really only looked at the Fusion 900 (now that all the problems are fixed). I was in my local snowmobile dealership last night and thought I would look at the Arctic Cat Firecat F7 for comparison. A glaring question I have is: what if a Firecat blows a plug after you have been riding for a little while? With the pipe running right over the cylinders, it would be very difficult to change the plugs without getting burned. The other reason I wonder why so many people buy Firecats is because (to my knowledge and please correct me if I am wrong) most Firecats, if not all, do not come with reverse. My sled has reverse and it makes it so much easier to get off the trailer. I am just looking for information on this topic, not to start a debate as to why Arctic Cat is better. Thanks for the input.

dont know about how plug changeing is but my sleds have never fouled a plug with the efi. The cat engines are very good on not craping out spark plugs. As far as reverse I have never had reverse and an do not really care to have either. Just my prefrences.

I've never fouled a plug with my efi, either, but I do carry a socket wrench and long extension in my trunk in case I ever have to change one. I have reverse on my F6 and chose not to buy a new Crossfire this year due to lack of reverse. You can get a reverse on the Firecats with a chaincase, not the ACT drive models.

You can get a SabreCat or the Firecat R,, those have reverse,, just not the DiamondDrive. Guess I'm used to sleds with NO reverse over the 37 years I've been sledding, so it's a non-issue with me anyways.
I agree with GregB.,, can't say that I've ever fouled plugs on any of my 3 F-Cats. If burnt hands are a concern on plug changing, get a swivel sparkplug socket and use an 8" extension, you will clear the pipe without burnt hands or melted gloves. snap

Yes, you can get reverse. No, most of us don't. Compact engine compartment? You should see mine with twin pipes!

I'm a hardcore Doo guy but I bought a 05' F7 EFI STD last night.........

Why, becuase for a comparable Doo to the F7 your going to spend $7500.00 and I just bought my F7 last night OTD for $6380.00 OTD :div20:

Also it will be easier to sell my used F7 for $5k this march that it will be to sell a comparable REV for $6500.00

Congrats on your return from the Dark Side Drifter! lol
6380? Sounds like you visited the boys at Nelson's!

#1) This site started as Firecat.info it I remember correctly. That's why there are so many Firecat owners here. Rob, the site owner, has been trying to get the site to be more generic for a couple years now.

#2) Getting to the plugs is a little tough but with the right tools, it's really not that bad. I've NEVER fouled a plug in almost 3000 miles but I did pull the plugs on the trail once to read them and didn't get burned in the process.

#3) As others have said, reverse is available if you really want it.

That I did :div20: Pick it up tonight :fluffy:

Drifter....Drifter.....Drifter.......

What is the rental rate? I would like to rent it for a week! :beerchug:

There are plugs on a Firecat?

You can buy it for $5200.00 March 1...........

I'll have to see about a rental deal for you......

How about your trailer? Catman tells me to hold onto it.....is that cool with you?

Got my F7 when my XC blew up and only the cat dealer would give me $2000 on trade for it. Doo dealer wouldn't give me a dime. No regrets!

Never fouled a plug and don't want reverse.

Who needs reverse? Lean turn and thottle down :div20:

Nice OTD Price Standard and Carb?

I also wondered about changing plugs on a hot motor but after 4500 miles on my F5 carb I never had to, I hope I don't on my F7 EFI.

I also looked at different brands and found the same cost adder as you did. I really looked hard at the Apex GT but at 10300 OTD and only a 1 year warranty I settled for a leftover '05 F7 EFI at 6800 OTD and 3year warranty. Not really fair to compare a '06 and '05 but my wallet liked it.

in this case= majority rules!

I own two firecats and never had a blown plug on either of them ever....and when it comes to why choose a firecat?...well price for one...performance for another and when it comes to reverse ive never felt the need to have it on either of my firecats...they are so light i can swing the ass end around with ease if need be...go ride a firecat and then maybe you'll understand

I don't get it.Maybe I am lazy,but I will never buy a sled w/out reverse.Why break your back lifting?Also gives you an option if your stuck.Not to mention what a pain in the ass to drag em off the trailer. :banghead:

Reverse is good for parking lot's and backing off trailers. I've had it and it won't get you unstuck, although it may get you more stuck :doh: A sled that is stuck is stuck and trying to get a sled unstuck w/reveerse would be a waste of time

Firecat's are light as hell - you can lift the rear up with one arm and put the stand under with the other
Drive on/off trailer or tilt and there is no problem, maybe if you have a utility trailer with no front door...
I think you guys ARE just old and lazy j/k
I really can't believe we're talking about REVERSE and EASE OF CHANGING PLUGS! I think we all need a nice long break from work to go put some miles on.

They're not heavy. It doesn't break my back. To get off the trailer, tilt it up and live the back end and it comes sliding off at me. I don't even have to pull.

I'm sure my attitude will change when I get older, but for now I don't mind the lifting.

Comes sliding off at me?Yikes!! j/k.I guess its preference.Me,I like climbing on pushing a button squeezing the throttle and backing off my trailer.Whats that saying..... work smart?I understand not everyone can afford a newer sled with all the bells and whistles,but I don't understand guys that pay 8-10 grand(I may be off $ wise but u get my point)and don't get reverse??Maybe I'm missing something.Weight issue?I'm not bashin,just my 2 cents

Not so much that we cant afford the bells and whistles, but would rather not have them due to the extra complexity and weight. However, I would like to have the RER option on my next sled. Comparing your Classic to a Firecat or MXZ is like comparing a Cadillac Deville to a Corvette. Both cost about the same $$ but have two different customers in mind. To each is own, I guess I would rather have a sled that handles well and is light.

As far as the plug issue, it would suck if you were replacing them 2 times a ride but for the one time a year they are removed it is a non issue to me.

Exactly :div20:

I may be wrong but I don't think Polaris perc adds much weight.I don't know about other brands.Got one on my Dragon to.Came standard

ditto here :div20:

Yup. I admit it; I am old and lazy! I get a good enough work-out flying down the trails and corning in the twisties without manhandling a sled when I blow by and miss an exit. Of course I was riding an 800+lb pantera. I know my sabercat is much easier to lift but why bother. Besides at my age I like to save a little energy so when I get home I can give my wife a proper....

I guess it gets back to the old adage about the young bull and the old bull.

I do understand all of your "old guys' perspectives" It's just that most of us don't care.
and lordbuttdragger - you make 3 very good points there :div20:

I said the same thing just a few years ago so watch what you say, I'm not that much older than you and my sled only weighs what 10 lbs more.

Now I push the button to start and to back up, it even beeps when it backs up....kinda like your last date eh jjk?

Sorry man couldn't resist.

Maybe so, but she was beeping all night if you know what i'm sayin... :smilielol: :smilielol: :smilielol:
just kidding, no ghetto booty's for me

Firecats are just fun sleds! At least I think so, light weight with 'junk in the trunk' that can be used when needed. I don't know about everyone else, but I really like the 13 1/2 inch track.

As for reverse, no need for it if you have a ramp on the front of the trailer. And if you don't try anything stupid out on the trails you shouldn't have a reason to use it other then in parking lots, but thats just me. And as for spark plug issues, never had one go on me yet.

-Goodboy

I picked up my 03 F7 in Nov 2002 and loved it ever since. No problems at all. 4440 miles and it still rips like it's band new. Also I never fouled a plug. :banana:

Polaris actually pays Ski-Doo to use it's style of reverse which is nothing more than the engine running backwards...which means 0 extra weight. The Helix in the Secondary will look a little different, but functions the same and does not give up any performance.
-SkidooMan

THERE FUN!!!

i've been riding arctic cat since 2000. i've had a zl 580 and a zr 900. the zr riding style and handling at high speed is great. my buddy bought an 05 firecat 500. fast sled had a wicked powerband for a 500, but rode like shit. center of gravity is two high, and is way to lite. everyone is on to this rider forward style and lite weight sleds. i don't get it. the day arctic cat gets rid of the zr chasis, is the day i'll switch brands.

Center of gravity is too high? :frech32: You do realize the F chassis engine is like 3 inches lower in the sled right? And the basic design thoery of the sled in low COG and lightweight. Don't worry the ZR chassis will be around for a while maybe not in a performance model though