Is it safe to buy a ZRT 800 1998? Stuck, 4000 miles, $3650 can . It's mint condition but I don't know about common problem on these machine. Is it hard on fuel? Safe motor? Clutch? Suspension?

Thanks

'98 was a great year to the trips. That is also the first year they went with the TSL which is nice for trail riding. I know of some common problems on the '96s and '97s but haven't heard anything bad about the '98s. Enjoy the sled!! :thumbsup:

Doesn't that one also have the flat side carbs??

:withstupid: Correct, which your thumb will appreciate!haha My '97 was a thumb breaker after a few miles!

What problems did you hear about on the '97's?

The stators are know to have a short life span, cracked motor mounts, the safety feature to keep the carbs from freezing open would cause stutter problems a WOT and the kill switches had problems. You can bypass the safety switch though and they had a recall for it I believe.
That's all I can think of off the top of my head.

Coolant line under engine rubbed and would wear through, some had troublesome water pumps.

Hey avrecords, if your worried about gas mileage do not buy and arctic cat, I ride a 600 twin that is a gas guzzler, but if you like performance and not worried too much about gas mileage Cats the way to go.. those zrt 800's are rockets----- rick

stators,coolant hose,waterpump seals,check the impluse line on the flatside carbs. have a good one.

if you take off pipes to paint them look inside of exhaust manifold check out piston, i've seen at least 3 800's that have seized the connectin rods due to the needle bearing breakin, not to say that they are all like that, but it's what i've seen,

Originally posted by SNOWFREAK@Oct 27 2002, 01:04 AM
Hey avrecords, if your worried about gas mileage do not buy and arctic cat, I ride a 600 twin that is a gas guzzler, but if you like performance and not worried too much about gas mileage Cats the way to go.. those zrt 800's are rockets----- rick
yeah i agree gas isn't too good on my '99 ZRT 800 most when ya open it up down roads, but i'd never buy anything else but a cat ;) so the gas mileage doesn't bother me

I had a 1997 and it ran great. Gas mileage was pretty good to for a big trip. I did have some problems with the waterpump seal and the carb switches.

That price sounds pretty good based on what I've seen around here. Is he negociable?

By the way, the 1998 model still had round side carbs. Flatsides started with the 1999 model.

Thanks to all!!!

I did buy it! I'm a new proud Cat owner! Now I just need SNOW to try this baby!

Congrats on the new ride!! :thumbsup: You'll have to post some pics of her once you get some. ;)

Congrats avrecords well come to the family ;) :) oh and yeah for those wondering the '99 was the first year of flat slides cause i remember that when i bought mine.

Originally posted by greenman1980@Oct 28 2002, 11:14 AM
for those wondering the '99 was the first year of flat slides cause i remember that when i bought mine.
I was thinking flat slides came out same time as the TSL, guess not. :hallo3:

Congrats and enjoy the sled. Now that it's used, you can choose some good mods and really wake it up...doesn't take much w/that sled. One of the first things I would do since you have time b-4 the snow hits, is go through all the bearings...especially the jackshaft.

Originally posted by JIM FRITCH@Oct 28 2002, 02:11 PM
Congrats and enjoy the sled. Now that it's used, you can choose some good mods and really wake it up...doesn't take much w/that sled. One of the first things I would do since you have time b-4 the snow hits, is go through all the bearings...especially the jackshaft.
I agree 100% with ya FRITCH ;) very good idea to do. I usually buy new cause ya never know what someone else did to their machine before ya bought it. sometimes new isn't the best either. but you'll love your sled and good luck to ya avrecords ;)