TOP-3 representatives of the Arctic Cat snowmobile model range (Arctic Cat)

The Arctic Cat Bearcat Z1 XT snowmobile is a true all-purpose machine that is ideal for fishing and hunting, as well as for regular outdoor activities with friends. This snowmobile is produced by a well-known American manufacturer, whose products have proven themselves well in the Russian market. This is due to the fact that all machines have a very affordable price, as well as fairly high performance characteristics and design features.

The Arctic Cat Bearcat Z1 XT uses a modern articulated rear suspension, which allows you to customize the snowmobile to specific operating conditions, which is undoubtedly a big plus.

It is worth noting that the entire Bearcat series of snowmobiles uses the AWS™ VII front suspension. And for good reason, since it has a peculiar design consisting of A-shaped arms. This has a positive effect on the controllability of the vehicle when turning, and this design also has a fairly large margin of safety, due to which the service life of the snowmobile has been significantly increased in comparison with other models.

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To ensure that the snowmobile does not fail during rather harsh operating conditions, the manufacturer has endowed the vehicle with a Twin Spar™ chassis, which consists of two frame-spars made of aluminum. When connected, they have a triangular appearance with steering calipers and tunnel side members. Instead of the usual bolts and nuts, everything here is connected with self-tapping rivets, thanks to which the rigidity and strength of this chassis was also achieved.

Once behind the wheel of the Arctic Cat Z1 snowmobile, the modern instrument panel, which also has a “Deluxe” digital-analog display, almost immediately catches your eye. This display includes a speedometer, tachometer, odometer, tripmeter (24-hour trip meter), powertrain hour meter, and a pair of hazard and reversing light indicators.

For additional ease of use, the manufacturer has added an electric starter to the snowmobile, which, by the way, is typical for almost the entire series. Also, in case of failure of the electric starter, an emergency start was provided. It is worth noting that the engine starts quite easily even at the lowest temperatures, both using an electric starter and using an emergency start.

Initially, the snowmobile is designed for two people, however, if necessary, you can literally remove the passenger seat in a matter of seconds. This will not only increase the area of ​​the cargo platform, but also use the removed seat as a comfortable chair, which is often observed among fishermen. The rail system provides this opportunity.

The coupling device in this model has been strengthened, thanks to which the car can be used as a tractor for towing any cargo. This also allows you to pull other equipment out of the snow, which is a very useful feature when traveling with a group. The front and rear bumpers have also been reinforced, making the sled's suspension pretty well protected from branches, stumps and more. There is no need to install them optionally, since bumpers are included as standard.

As optional equipment, the manufacturer offers a luggage rack, a windshield with a fairly high height, 300 mm ski flares, an additional passenger seat, a frame for installing various lighting equipment, a special beacon, snow removal equipment, winch equipment, heated power unit, heated seats, lateral stabilizer , and the engine radiator.

Battery for Arctic Cat Z1

Specifications

Dimensional data:

• The structural length of the snowmobile is 3480 millimeters.
• The width of the body is 1270 millimeters.
• The smallest ski track width is 1016 millimeters.
• The largest ski track width is 1118 millimeters.
• The width of the skis is 205 millimeters.
• The width of the ski flares is 300 millimeters.

Suspension:

• Front suspension type - AWS VII with dual hydraulic shock absorbers.
• The rear suspension model is Articulating Rear Suspension.
• Rear suspension type: articulated with adjustable torsion springs.
• The diameter of the rear shock absorbers is 50 millimeters.
• Rear link type - Torque Sensing Link.
• The front suspension travel is 216 millimeters.
• Rear suspension travel is 330 millimeters.

Propulsion:

• The propulsion type is caterpillar with front-mounted drive sprockets.
• Number of caterpillars - 1.
• The type of tension mechanism is screw.
• Type of caterpillar track: rubber-fabric, reinforced.
• The total length of the track is 3912 millimeters.
• The track width is 508 millimeters.
• The height of the lugs is 35 millimeters.

Transmission:

• Model of installed transmission - Arctic
• The type of transmission installed is CVT.
• CVT gears - low (L), high (H), reverse, neutral.

Brakes:

• Brake type: disc.
• Brake drive type: hydraulic.

Operating parameters:

• Start type of the power unit - manual/electric starter.
• Power system type - EFI.
• The number of power system diffusers is 2.
• The diameter of the power system diffusers is 48 millimeters.
• The type of ignition system is completely transistor.
• Lubrication system type - dry sump.
• The structural weight of the snowmobile is 332 kilograms.
• The maximum mass of towed cargo is no more than 650 kilograms.
• The capacity of the main fuel tank is 64.4 liters.
• Number of places - 2.
• Exhaust system type: with exhaust pipe and muffler.

Basic equipment:

• Electric starter - available.
• Reverse gear - available.
• Heated steering grips and throttle trigger are available.
• Windshield - available.
• Passenger backrest available.
• Rear tow bar - available.
• Speedometer - available.
• Odometer - available.
• Reinforced front bumper - available.
• Rear reinforced bumper - available.

Lighting technology:

• Headlight type: halogen, 55/60.
• Taillight type: LED.

Engine

Arctic Cat Z1 uses a two-cylinder, four-stroke, gasoline engine with a liquid cooling system. Thanks to this, operation of the equipment is also possible at warm ambient temperatures. The diameter of each cylinder is 98 millimeters. The total working volume of the two cylinders is 1056 cubic meters. The piston stroke is 70 millimeters. The rated output power, upon reaching 8500 crankshaft revolutions per minute, is 90.47 kilowatts or 123 horsepower, which is really quite a high figure.

Variator belt for Arctic Cat Z1

Price

The price of the new Arctic Cat Z1 model starts from 520 thousand rubles and up to 750 thousand Russian rubles. The price, as a rule, varies depending on the year of manufacture of the snowmobile, additional equipment, version (basic or modified), and on the configuration.

A used model will cost from 350 thousand rubles to 610 thousand Russian rubles. The price is also influenced by factors such as the year of production, the version (basic or modified), the number of operating hours, the number of kilometers traveled and the general technical condition of the snowmobile.

Track for Arctic Cat Z1

Magnum 500 brand tracks are perfect for Arctic Cat Z1 . The symmetrical profile of these tracks has excellent traction qualities both when moving through the forest and when moving on hard crust. When driving on loose and shallow snow, the MAGNUM 500 tracks demonstrate excellent driving characteristics and provide an unforgettable riding experience.

• The nature of the engagement is lantern;
• Number of steps - 62;
• Caterpillar weight - no more than 34 kg;
• Length - 3968 mm;
• Width - 500 mm;
• Thickness - 6 mm;
• Pitch - 64 mm;
• The height of the lug is 32 mm.

Owner reviews

• We bought this last season, just for family rides and tours. trips. We only drove ~500 km, so I don’t pretend to be objective. But from impressions: Pros: Powerful - it somehow outlasted the Viking 540 and the old Expedition, and rode without problems. It crawls uphill confidently. We accelerated to 100 - no problem. Convenient/comfortable. The glass is not high, but it is enough to cover your head so that the wind does not interfere. Although, if you wish, you can buy higher glass. Cons: Heavy. When fully fueled, the snowmobile weighs more than 400 kg, and it handles well if you sit on it alone. Reverse gear - must be used carefully; it gets buried easily in the powder. I haven’t come across spark plugs yet, but if you have to change them (especially somewhere in the forest) you’ll have to disassemble the engine floor. Overall, I'm very pleased with the car.
• I have a 2009 model. As for taxiing, it steers just perfectly. It is quite predictable on slopes; the weight only interferes with high-speed maneuvers at small radii. There is no great need to open up, and there is no point - the weight affects it, this is a fact. Putting it on one ski is not a problem; we make a counter-turn and maintain balance. Regarding getting stuck and pulling it out - I haven’t been dragging it by hand for 2 seasons - I installed a stationary winch. One of the serious disadvantages is that the track is wider than a regular snowmobile track, which is why it does not go over many bridges.
• I rode it for a season, 2500 kilometers. Definitely its large weight is its only drawback in the mountains, but this is a matter of habit. It even has plenty of power. As a utilitarian device, it fulfills its function 100%. The car is reliable, comfortable, and there were no problems with it at all during the season. It started up easily in the morning at -37 degrees, when the two-tactics were steaming nearby (unbelievable - but true). In the first half of winter, when the snow is loose, I advise you to use extenders on your skis, the muzzle is heavy, take it off from February. It rushes like a tank, and the sledge with an average weight of 350 kilograms almost doesn’t feel it. You can overwhelm him, at first it didn’t work, but then I learned without any problems. The power is quite enough to climb mountains where the legendary VK540 and AC570xt simply cannot climb. I'm very pleased with the car.

Test drive Arctic CatBearcat 570, Arctic CatBearcat 570XT, Arctic CatBearcat Z1 XT

Just five years ago, utilitarian snowmobiles looked more like ordinary sleds with a motor attached to them. Riding them was uncomfortable, sad and scary. They were difficult and reluctant to control. When designing the new utilitarian Bearcat family of snowmobiles, Arctic Cat engineers took a different look at the question of what a “workhorse” should be. As a result, the cars saw the light of day in terms of technical parameters, classic utilitarian vehicles, and in terms of comfort and control, they were as close as possible to tourist vehicles.

Here's the lineup of Arctic Cat's utility sled family: Bearcat 570, Bearcat 570XT, and Bearcat Z1 XT. The cars are radically different from their predecessors. When designing, the designers took a conceptually new step for utilitarian devices - snowmobiles should not only be powerful and reliable, but also have comfort as close as possible to the tourist level. In accordance with this concept, the Bearcat family was placed on the new Twin Spar platform, which, one might say, “freed the hands” of the designers. It was possible to install new engines, create a high, ergonomic seating position (which drivers of utilitarian “snowballs” previously twisted behind the wheel could only dream of), ensure intelligible handling and build into the design of all devices an impressive potential for installing various options and additional equipment.

Together with the Twin Spar platform, the ACT Diamond Direct Drive transmission appeared on snowmobiles, which migrated from mountain bikes and sports models, where it worked well. The ACT Diamond Drive does not have an intermediate shaft with a chain reduction. Fewer parts – higher reliability. And in addition, losses when transmitting torque from the engine to the track are significantly reduced. Before installing ACT Diamond on utility snowmobiles, the transmission was modernized and lightened by 3.5 kg. In models BC 570 and BC 570XT for 2009, the reverse drive is mechanical, and on cars of the 2010 model year, reverse is activated by pressing one button.

The front suspension is the seventh generation AWS II. Assembled on A-arms, it handles all the bumps with a comfortable softness and clarity, more typical of touring cars. The Slide-Rail rear suspension with Articulating heel drop and wide track clearly qualifies Arctic Cat utility vehicles as "Wide Track." The only thing is that the rear track with a “breaking heel” is present only on the Bearcat model with the “XT” prefix.

The regular BC 570 paid for its more than attractive price tag with a not very wide track (38 cm), a small fuel tank (41 l) and a short list of options. In terms of cross-country ability, the BC 570 is objectively inferior to its fellow BC 570XT with a 51 cm wide track. However, in the 2009–2010 models, the BC 570’s track was lengthened from 365 to 383 cm, which increased its “survivability” in loose powder.

The BC 570XT has the same engine as the BC 570 - 2-stroke, air-cooled, with a displacement of 565 cm3 and a pair of VM34 carburetors. In terms of technical characteristics and arsenal of options, the BC 570XT is closer to the top model BC Z1 XT, equipped with a 1056 cc engine. The exterior of the BC 570XT is an exact copy of the BC Z1 XT. The only thing missing in the standard configuration of the “500th” XT is side rear view mirrors.

From additional options compared to the BC Z1 XT, the “middle brother” does not have heated seats and passenger grips, an additional radiator, a remote engine start system and a radio communicator. If you “load” the BC Z1 XT with all the listed equipment, then, perhaps, you can no longer classify it as a utilitarian “workhorse”. Not a GT, of course, but definitely a simple tourist.

In terms of handling, all Bearcats leave smooth, positive emotions. They are not afraid of deep snow and are ready to build routes that bypass prepared trails. They “draw” turns with enviable stability - this is due to the low center of gravity of the Twin Spar platform and the completely non-utilitarian design of the front suspension. The power of the engines (even in the 500 cc version) is enough both for removing firewood and heavy loot from the forest, and for a family trip with the breeze. And the journey, I note, will take place with decent comfort.

Text: Automobiles Magazine