FWIW, I believe there is a factory hop up kit for the Evo to remove the governor and take it up to 65 HP. And I imagine that the Neo ECU can be hacked or MXZ Sport ECU can be installed moving the Neo up to 80+ HP.

 

Pipe is different on the Neo engines (per the engineers).

 

You missed one...I would prefer a 93 hp MXZ 600 Sport for a WHOPPING $450.00 more than a Blast...Then if it was purchased for a kid, I would rig a throttle stop on it so it didnt exceed 50 mph...Then in 5 years down the road when you go to sell, it will have a value that far exceeds those other KIDDIE sleds...I did the finance math for you too...The MXZ is $22.00 a mo more using a 36 month term for both sleds using only the MSRP price...

 

You missed one...I would prefer a 93 hp MXZ 600 Sport for a WHOPPING $450.00 more than a Blast...Then if it was purchased for a kid, I would rig a throttle stop on it so it didnt exceed 50 mph...Then in 5 years down the road when you go to sell, it will have a value that far exceeds those other KIDDIE sleds...I did the finance math for you too...The MXZ is $22.00 a mo more using a 36 month term for both sleds using only the MSRP price...

Fixed it. But too bad the MXZ Sport doesn't come with a lower power smart key like other Ski-Doo models.

2022 Arctic Cat Blast ZR 4000

• MSRP = $8,255 USD
• Weight = 475 lbs dry (from Snowmobile.com)
• Engine = 65 HP 397cc 2T Liquid Cooled Single
• Track = 121" X 14" X 1" Lug

2023 Indy Evo

• MSRP = $ 7,399 USD
• Weight = 445 lbs dry
• Engine = 50? HP 550cc 2T Fan Cooled Twin
• Track = 121" X 15" X 0.91" Lug

2023 Ski-Doo Neo

• MSRP = $ 6,399 USD
• Weight = 411 lbs dry
• Engine = 40 HP 600cc 2T Liquid Cooled Twin
• Track = 120" X 14" X 1" Lug

2023 Ski-Doo Neo

• MSRP = $ 7,199 USD
• Weight = 426 lbs dry
• Engine = 55 HP 600cc 2T Liquid Cooled Twin
• Track = 120" X 15" X 1.25" Lug

2023 Ski-Doo MXZ Sport

• MSRP = $ 8,999 USD
• Weight = 435 lbs dry
• Engine = 93 HP 600cc 2T Liquid Cooled Twin
• Track = 120" X 15" X 1.25" Lug

 

is have to have a look at them (neo) I already know what the poo and b-last are. I’d like to see the suspension /shocks etc. if they are equal to or better than others than I kinda like the neo 600. If not. Then I guess I’d look at other options. Yup

 

Worth watching in its entirety:

 

I like the neo +. All except the single shock skid.

 

How do the sizes compare? I assume anyone looking at a Blast / Evo / Neo is "small".

The MXZ Sport is a full-size MXZ, not a kid's sled.

 

I saw both Neo's at a show 2 weeks ago...Pull the stickers off and park them next to an mxz and i bet even a world class sledder like yourself couldnt tell the difference...They are that close in size...

 

I think they're all different animals. I'd be tempted by one of the neos for my kids if the were available this fall. I'm assuming they are sold out. I like the blast also but just too much money in my view. Those are all sold out too, so what do I know.

 

Im pretty sure the evo chassis is a full size sled.Its an indy chassis with lower seat ,bars ,and suspension from what I remember from the original advertising.
So basically a lowered down 550 indy.

 

I test drove the Blast when it first came out and it was pretty neat. The power definitely felt less than a 550 fan cooled 2-stroke twin, it felt more like the Z370 we had but maybe better acceleration but the same top speed. Also, the hand and thumb warmers were either on (and scalding hot) or off with no low setting. Rumor has it that the 2023 Blast warmers will have a high AND low setting.

Anyway, the Blast can probably compete head to head with the Neo+ if it had comparable pricing.

 

2023 Venoms have high-low hand- and thumbwarmer adjusters. As for the power, I have tried all the variants and the power is surprisingly spunky in the lows and mids. Clutch engagement is also incredibly smooth on all of them. The biggest downside to all versions is the cheapo hydraulic shocks with no preload adjustment. That aside, they are surprisingly fun to ride (less so when things get bumpy)

 

These are good sleds for the industry and the sport. Kinda of like the vintage days when the Yamaha Enticer, Arctic Cat Jag, John Deere Spitfire, and when Ski Doo finally added the Citation…Mirage for Moto Ski…instead of the Elan.
These were low cost but each had unique feature. Tons of these were sold, having new riders…both young not young.
Hope it pays dividends down the road.

 

Blast is 400 LBS!!!!

 

Thats dry weight...When you fill the 11.7 gallon gas tank FULL your adding almost 80+ pounds to your number...

 

At least Doo is keeping the full size chassis and motor and just dialing it back with the ECU. These 2/3 size sleds are too niche a market and proof of that is multiple seasons on the EVO and Blast and we see none on the trails. Most Poo buyers just went for the smaller Indy's and skipped the EVO and most everyone else skipped the Blast because it is just such a poor value for the dollar compared to an EVO or the previous MXZ Sport models.

Cat should have learned from the Z370 and Z570 days when they had fucking crates of them sitting in dealer parking lots unassembled. The brand new 4 year old still sitting in the crate Z370 I bought for my daughter for $3700 was proof of that. Now the Blast is just $2K more than it should be for what you get on it and even first time buyers could figure that out fast.

I don't buy that fact that little people need little starter sleds. They don't, they just want cheap and new with a warranty even it means you get a 50HP 600 instead of a 130HP 600. The chassis should still be full size.

 

At least Doo is keeping the full size chassis and motor and just dialing it back with the ECU. These 2/3 size sleds are too niche a market and proof of that is multiple seasons on the EVO and Blast and we see none on the trails. Most Poo buyers just went for the smaller Indy's and skipped the EVO and most everyone else skipped the Blast because it is just such a poor value for the dollar compared to an EVO or the previous MXZ Sport models.

Cat should have learned from the Z370 and Z570 days when they had fucking crates of them sitting in dealer parking lots unassembled. The brand new 4 year old still sitting in the crate Z370 I bought for my daughter for $3700 was proof of that. Now the Blast is just $2K more than it should be for what you get on it and even first time buyers could figure that out fast.

I don't buy that fact that little people need little starter sleds. They don't, they just want cheap and new with a warranty even it means you get a 50HP 600 instead of a 130HP 600. The chassis should still be full size.

It's principally via the PIPE, not the ECU (as has been stated repeatedly in this thread and came directly from Doo engineers)

 

Pipe, ECU does not matter. The strategy for an entry level sled is the right one by making it a full size chassis and pick your HP - 40 - 55 - 80 - because the Sport model was and still is an entry level sled at its HP and price point.

 

Largely agree, but facts matter (this isn't supertrax, lol)

 

Have seen EVOs on the trail. At first glance they don’t seem much smaller. After looking at them for a bit, they are somewhat. Have not seen a Blast.
It also depends on who is buying it and for what purpose. Many of us learned riding around in back yards, nearby fields etc….then our parents let us venture out further and the smaller sleds of that era were perfectly fine for that…thinking back to late 70’s/early 80’s Enticers and Jags etc…
Thinking this is the market it trying to capture and have a sled that can graduate with the rider to longer rides, then they are ready for a larger sled, and perhaps this one gets handed down to a younger sibling.
Is there a market for four brands of this type of sled? No idea, but think it a positive step bringing more riders, who hopefully learn responsible riding, to our sport.