Got a chance to ride a F-7. only 5 miles. I still prefer my ZR chassis. All you F-7 owners out there, does it take some time to get used to. I don't want to dump $8000 plus for a sled that is only a little faster to not like the ride.(i have a 01ZR800LE). I raced a bunch last weekend, and I was in the middle. won some lost some. Overall, them Damn Firecats scream out of the whole. any input would help. Thanks.

Its all in the setup.

A properly setup and dialed in F/C will walk all over the ZR in almost every condition.

I disagree with that, yes it does take some time to get use to the firecat chassis, the only time i feel that the firecat is better on the trail is when the conditions get real rough and you need to come off the seat, if you like to keep your butt planted on the seat the ZR is better. The 2 sleds are real close, really comes down to the rider and preference in riding style. I like to ride standing and the firecat is much more comfortable for this type of riding, if you like to keep your butt planted though I would imagine you'd perfer the ZR.

I havent seen OR ridden a fire cat that will corner as flat as my ZR. It will eat the bumps much better and accelerate faster with the proper stud set up but the inside ski lift is enough to drive someone looney.

Your entitled to do that.

I had a 01 zr 800 le I now have a 03 f7 I loved my zr I have about 500 miles this year on the F7 I no longer love the zr hey turtlehead radar run in fox lake ill at famous freddies bring out the zr and see how she runs!!!!! more info at polarbaresraderrun

Like I said, setup is everything. My F7 has no more ski lift than my ZR's. I have both an F7 and 2 ZR's. The F7 walks away from the ZR's every time.

I know everybody keeps talking about ski lift this and ski lift that........... So please read this again.......

IF PROPERLY SETUP THE F-CHASSIS WILL NOT HAVE SKI LIFT!

I'm not trying to be a jerk here, but I think some of you guys need to spend more time setting up your sled, you will be much happier if you do.

When i first got my wifes saber cat the sled had wicked ski lift pushed in the corners was all over the trail now she turns on a dime no more push and rides like a dream i willsay one thing the f chassis does require more rider input though but i think on hard corners maybe because of the slighly longer track i would give tight corner handling to the zr by a hair. LIKE JAY SAID ITS ALL IN THE SETUP IT TOOK MY THREE TRIPS TO SET THE SABER UP THE WAY IT IS.

I went from a ZL to an f7 to my current zr1000 and the ZR chassis handles better and is nicer in the bumps.

The f7 goes nice down a smooth trail, but once it hits the BIG sharp bumps..it wants to hop 4 feet in the air, losing control and slowing you down.

I'm faster on the ZR in my opinoin, but like both sleds at different times.

Last night I rode my moms 02 ZR 600 EFI (My old Sled) Because I am putting the ods Clutch kit in my 04 F6 Sno Pro and I will never ride the Old chassis again.

definately agree with that. M zr just feels so much lighter then my buds f5 that i can easily whoop him through the trails. When we switch, he beats me. It's preference i know but i love the light feeling and floating instead of sharp bumps that i felt i was gettin on the f-cat. Just my .02

I went from a ZL 700 to the F-7. The F-7 outperforms the ZL in speed and handeling. There is no comparison. I have a ZR 500 for my girlfriend, and I try that out every once in a while, along with my brothers ZR 600. After a few minutes on the ZR, I can't wait to get back on the F-7. Not just the speed, but the overall sled. Wether it is in the twisties, or the bumps, or the lakes, the Firecat just goes way past the ZR. For all you Zr riders, instead of passing quick judgement on the F-cats, ride one for a day, and you will want one. But, as Jay said, make sure it is propperly set up.

riding a zr now after geting used to the firecat is like riding a log.

What is your setup then??? I would like to know if it's that good. Tx

JJB, I will be at Freddies on sunday. I have a silver Ford Excursion with a 27 ft black Cargo Mate trailer. We will be there by 9am to get some tuning in. See you there. R :beerchug: ay.

well heres my view.... own a zr rode 4 diff f cat's. rear suspension on the f cat is much softer, soaks up the bumps. the zr front end sticks to the snow like no other sled though. but i think with some work and getting used to, the f cats would handle just as good. feels like the damn things wanna roll right over on sharp turns.

My old zr cornered in the twisties better (period). But after getting used to my F5 I prefer the overall ride of th F5. Getting back on a zr does feel like stepping back in time.

I rode a f7 sno pro this past weekend and really like it. I like how i could stand on it very easily. It conored like crap though. It had no inside ski, it would lift both skis off the groud whenever i would get back on the throttle through the cornor. When i was off the throttle if felt like it would cornor flatter than my 99zl. The guy that owned likes the sled like that and I am sure it can be dialed in not to do that. After riding it I think a fcat may be my next sled.

For a ZR to handle as good or better than an F-Chassis sled, it needs to be a recent ZR...IE, with the current ski stance...otherwise, the ZRs are tippy too...and have sick ski lift.

The F-Cat, I have owened an 03 STD and now an 04 SnoPro...in the only size that counts...F7 and they still feel tippy...even after being dialed in...this is because the narrow track is more likely to roll a little when going through loose snow or ruts...the sled is not so much tipping over as it is just showing more body roll. If you ride a Firecat like you are trying to get it pregnant it does handle unbelievably...but...

The beauty of the ZR is that you can stay sitting down with your feet either up in the tunnel or on the running board and ride it like an animal without wrestling with it...especially the 04 ZR 900 that, even thought the weight is only 10 or so lbs less than the 03s and earlier, feels so nimble.

Also, on the trails...my buddy Sabercatf7 rides like a nut...and through the twisties he's quicker than me on the sno pro when I am on either my ZR or my F7, but when we hit a straight away...there is no match for 110+ lbs/ft of torque and 151+ horsepower on a sled you can ride hard with ease....see ya later Firecat!!~ :beerchug:

I have 2 ZR's and a F-7, I love the difference between the sleds -The F7 requires more leaning (which I dont mind at all) I like them all. Lifting the inside ski makes the sled easier to steer and it still tracks like its on rails. The F must stand for fun because it puts fun back into sledding. Most ZR's can make anyone look like Tucker Hibbert. they are that good...........tigger

My setup is what works for me. I'm not trying to be funny either, what works for me, may not work for you, it has alot to do with riding style and personal preferences. Also, the setup between and Sno Pro version and standard may be different.

Currently, I have mine set as follows:

Front springs - loose as possible, while keeping tension on the retainers
Front skid spring - same as above
Rear skid spring - setting 1
coupling blocks - setting 3
Front limiters - longest setting (I know alot of people who take these up)

That's it, and it works for me. I'm completely happy with the setup, but like I said, that just me.