Don’t adjust your machine, yes, we are talking about the new 2021 Arctic Cat Snowmobiles models! Although the 2020 season has not yet started for us in most regions of Quebec, we were invited to the launch of the 2021 line of Arctic Cat. We were invited to the presentation of the new line at the Togwatee Hotel in Wyoming at 5:00 pm on December 18th.
Wyoming is one of the American states that has kept its superb rustic look over the years, the huge ranches and green spaces offer a cachet that cannot be found anywhere else. Free-roaming horses, bison and moose are part of the daily scenery of the region’s inhabitants, which for us seems almost unreal…
After several hours in planes and airports, a nice guy from the region brings us to our hotel. Certainly a hunter, this one explains us the various types of game of the area and makes us observe several species on the way, he had the informed eye…
We finally arrived at our hotel. It is a simple continuation of the relaxing scenery of the road, which plunges us into another world… Superb place only in logs, warm, with welcoming and smiling people. Stress just doesn’t seem to exist…
Presentation of the 2021 range
Invited to another pavilion of the hotel complex by the Arctic Cat people, we were awaited with beverages and snacks. Brian Dick, media relations, began with a presentation of the various engineers and specialists who were accompanying him, and then got down to business.
Two big news are going to make the headlines for this year: a new Blast mid-range, and the addition of a Riot X model with Alpha One suspension.
2021 Blast
Could we call this a logical follow-up to the ZR200? At least, it fills the gap between a full-size snowmobile and the ZR200 versions. The Blast models are more compact snowmobiles, which can ensure a transition for our younger riders before they get to a full-size snowmobile, or even satisfy the needs of someone new to the sport. For the first season, Arctic Cat is launching three models of its newcomer that touch three different segments. A Blast ZR version for the trails, the Blast LT in the crossover category and an M version for the mountains.
Motorization of the Blast
All three models are equipped with a brand new engine, a two-stroke, single-cylinder 400 CC with 65 horsepower. Some may say that it’s an 800 cut in half, and they’re not completely wrong, it has pretty much the same components: electronic fuel injection on top of the piston when it’s in bottom dead center, a reed valve intake valve, and an exhaust valve controlled electronically by a three-stage servo motor. Engineers added counterbalancers at the crankshaft to reduce vibration.
Clutch
Our friends at CVTech/AAB in Quebec are the suppliers of the clutches for the new line of the American company, called the CVTech Trailbloc clutch and the CVTech Invance Driven clutch. This is the same concept of blocks and weights that the company has been using for many years, simple, reliable and efficient.
Blast ZR
Designed for the trail, it is the smallest of the three models. The track is 121 inches by 14 inches wide and has 1 inch studs. The rear suspension, called “Slide Rail”, offers 10.7 inches of travel. It’s fairly conventional in style, with a coil spring in the middle that’s adjustable for preload, and two rear springs that are also adjustable with two blocks in three different positions. The ZR is equipped with a low 4-inch windshield, an electric starter, an electronic reverse gear and a digital dial. Its tunnel, like its sisters, is made of one piece. To compare with its full-size sister, the ZR 6000, the Blast ZR is 10 inches shorter, 4 inches narrower and 10 inches lower.
Blast LT
The LT version meets the needs of the enthusiast looking for more flotation and work capacity. It is equipped with a long track measuring 146 inches by 15 inches wide with 1.6 inch high lugs. The Extra-Action suspension with 12.5 inches of travel, used on the full-size models for the past few years, is also included. The rear section is articulated to facilitate reversing, among other things. Electronic reverse, starter and 15.5-inch high windshield are standard. The LT model also has a rear luggage rack for extra storage space. Compared to its full-size counterpart, the Norsman X 8000, the Blast LT is 4 inches shorter, 1.5 inches less wide and slightly less tall by 1.5 inches.
Blast M
Arctic Cat is also pushing its new entry-level model in the mountain version. And no compromises are made: Alpha monorail suspension, 146X 15 Challenger track with 2-inch crampon and G2 ProClimb – 7 mountain skis. Compared to a 154-inch M Hardcore Alpha One, the Blast is 4 inches shorter, about 1.5 inches wider and 11.5 inches lower.
RIOT X
The company decided to bring more versatility to the RIOT line by introducing the Alpha One monorail suspension on the X models! The Riot X is getting a more mountainous vocation for 2021! AMS Arctic Mountain front suspension, FOX ZERO QS3 shock absorber suspension, G2 PROCLIMB mountain ski with a 39.5 to 41.5 inch adjustment range. In the rear, the Monorail Alpha One suspension with FOX 1.5 ZERO QS3 Coil-Over shock absorber in the middle position and in QSL (lockable) version in the rear position.
Day 2
After a lot of theory, a test day was waiting for us. About -12 degrees Celsius, a lot of snow, in short, the almost perfect day to ride the prototypes. You’ll understand that the Arctic Cat people warned us about calibrations and adjustments, because the tests are not yet completed on these models before they go into production. With only a few models available, we had to focus on a few, Riot and Riot X, and the Blasts lineup filled our day.
Let’s start with the Blast range, the biggest question is of course the power… Arctic Cat mentions 65 horsepower, however we mustn’t forget that we were at an altitude of about 6000 feet, which means a loss of power between 20 and 25%. The question: Is this enough? The answer is yes, you won’t get any thrills with this engine, but it will get anyone from point A to point B. On the 121-inch version, we saw top speeds above 100 km/h quite easily, which certainly means a few more kilometers per hour at sea level. For someone new to the sport, or for someone who doesn’t want more performance, the Blast will do a great job. And as you may have noticed earlier in this text, this snowmobile is a bit smaller than a full size snowmobile, however, the difference is not huge, a relatively normal size adult is very comfortable on the snowmobile, it feels smaller, but not uncomfortable.
On the slightly more negative side now, it’s the vibration. It is almost impossible with a single cylinder to not have vibration, even with counterbalancers on the crankshaft. So like any good one cylinder, you’re going to feel a little bit of vibration in the grips and running boards at low rpm. The second point we specified to the folks at Arctic Cat is in the ski rails. During our tests, the snowmobiles were equipped with single rails, which leads to a lot of swaying in harder conditions. We suggested the use of double offset heddles used by the company on many occasions. It is important to keep in mind that for a beginner, it is very insecure to have a snowmobile that jumps into the tracks of the one in front.
RIOT X
A very interesting concept that we were eager to try, since the 50/50 market has been booming in Quebec for a few years. How does the Alpha One suspension perform with a 146 inch track and full width skis? Well, I must admit that I was very surprised, its behavior on the trail is very acceptable, the shorter track combined with a 39.5 to 41.5 inch ski wheelbase still offers good stability on the trail. For those who had the chance to try an Alpha One in the past, it is an excellent powder snowmobile, but in the trail, it is extremely sloped and not at all designed for this type of use. On the other hand, in the Riot X version, it is possible to take the curves at a good speed and remain stable. The front part keeps the frame in line more efficiently than with a 36″ ski spacing. In powder, however, it remains in the hybrid category, with a ski spread of over 39 inches, initiating maneuvers in deep snow requires more effort. You need a much more pronounced counterweight and you have to stay on your toes, because the snowmobile wants to bring you back on its skis. There is definitely a gradation in behavior between the Riot and the Riot X. It’s hard to quantify the percentages, but if the Riot is a 50/50, we could easily say that the X version is around 65% off-piste versus 35% on-piste. We should certainly see some of these in Quebec…
After a big day of testing, photos and videos, our hosts were waiting for us for a small happy hour and a good dinner. It’s the opportunity to exchange with the design and engineering people about our tests, to give our comments and to have good discussions about the products and the industry in general!
And what could be better than a good confrontation with our American friends at the pool table with a good drink to end the evening! Magical…
A special thanks to Donna Beadle, Arctic Cat Media Relations, who hosted us and made sure we had a great stay. It was very much appreciated!!! And Thank you also for the invitation to Arctic Cat!!!
