Pretty Dissapointed In The 06 Lineup - Snowmobile World : Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

bluelightning426 · 03-17-2005, 07:59 PM

Anyone else feel the same way? I was hopin for something bigger to compete with the mach. Instead all they do is change the efi to try and meet emissions. I was gonna buy a new sled next year but i guess i'm holding off till 07.

CORY9 · 03-17-2005, 08:18 PM

Think Cat is doing what Polaris did last year, take a deep breath and hold off then come out with lots of new choices. Time will tell.

bripaintball · 03-17-2005, 08:26 PM

i agree cory9 the line up insnt impressive at all but there probably just seeing how what the have out now will sell to determine what series to keep a what to trash. i was looking forward too it was a big let down...

ZR Sled Head · 03-17-2005, 09:27 PM

IMHO it's a smart move to slow down............we don't need 50 new sleds every year, I'd rather they work out the issues / refine their current offerings. Of course bringing back the ZR-800 would also make perfect sense.
Make mine a black 800 cce carb with carbon fibre susp parts coupled with Ohlins shocks............now yer talking new and improved!!

TallCool1 · 03-17-2005, 10:41 PM

Well guys, as a long-time Cat rider (20+ yrs now) and being ready to buy a perf 4-stroker now (in the Xfire would be up my alley), I was at first discouraged with Cat and their lack of fresh air in the '06 lineup. But then I settled down and looked at all the info available and figured they're doing all of us a favor.

First of all, no one's going to take delivery of these new sleds anytime soon, right? So Cat has all summer to address people's concerns (reverse, 4-stroker, etc.) and get them right when the first sleds roll out to the dealers in the fall. So just because these things aren't being offered right now, doesn't mean they won't be available by time the next season's snow flies.

Second, and most proving of the above in my eyes, is the fact of no spring promos. Maybe Cat is actually using it's head here and not wanting to #### a lot of us off by encouraging us to order these BNG sleds, only to have the things people really want become available in Dec or so, after folks have taken delivery of their snochecked sleds. I think we would be more pissed off about that than anything. As boring as this seems right now to some of us who really wanted to see some new stuff from Cat, I think they are doing the right thing, and we will see some new stuff announced once the snow flies. I mean really, why else would a sled maker not encourage spring time orders?!?!?! There has to be a reason, they wouldn't risk losing all those orders to the competitors for nothing, would they?

Third, and final, maybe they've learned from the Firecat issues and the ZR900 DD issues. Hopefully they've got this new stuff (reverse, 4-stroker, etc) in testing right now, and will continue to work on them in the summer so it will be ready for the masses come next winter.

I never really understood or participated in the snocheck programs. Why would I want to order a sled that I haven't ridden or seen on the snow??

CAT, are you listening???? Don't let all of us down!!!! Or I for one will be moving over to team Blue.

84EVR · 03-18-2005, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by JIM FRITCH@Mar 17 2005, 11:03 PM
Well guys, as a long-time Cat rider (20+ yrs now) and being ready to buy a perf 4-stroker now (in the Xfire would be up my alley), I was at first discouraged with Cat and their lack of fresh air in the '06 lineup. But then I settled down and looked at all the info available and figured they're doing all of us a favor.

First of all, no one's going to take delivery of these new sleds anytime soon, right? So Cat has all summer to address people's concerns (reverse, 4-stroker, etc.) and get them right when the first sleds roll out to the dealers in the fall. So just because these things aren't being offered right now, doesn't mean they won't be available by time the next season's snow flies.

Second, and most proving of the above in my eyes, is the fact of no spring promos. Maybe Cat is actually using it's head here and not wanting to #### a lot of us off by encouraging us to order these BNG sleds, only to have the things people really want become available in Dec or so, after folks have taken delivery of their snochecked sleds. I think we would be more pissed off about that than anything. As boring as this seems right now to some of us who really wanted to see some new stuff from Cat, I think they are doing the right thing, and we will see some new stuff announced once the snow flies. I mean really, why else would a sled maker not encourage spring time orders?!?!?! There has to be a reason, they wouldn't risk losing all those orders to the competitors for nothing, would they?

Third, and final, maybe they've learned from the Firecat issues and the ZR900 DD issues. Hopefully they've got this new stuff (reverse, 4-stroker, etc) in testing right now, and will continue to work on them in the summer so it will be ready for the masses come next winter.

I never really understood or participated in the snocheck programs. Why would I want to order a sled that I haven't ridden or seen on the snow??

CAT, are you listening???? Don't let all of us down!!!! Or I for one will be moving over to team Blue.

[snapback]411935[/snapback]

Jim,
I was just going to post something very similar this morning.
I happened to be reading Arctic Pride that I got in the mail last night.
They actually hint to what you have said. They also have come out with some MORE Industry firsts. Small ones. But pretty cool.
Like.... Heated Seats.... A 3 led light on the front of a helmet for map reading or what ever. Backlit controls on handlebars. Cat Com Communication system, this is also built in to the new helmet too.

Hey Cat! One more thing to add. I think all sleds should come standard with a Compass.

My Brother in law has been into Cats a long time also. He said they have something brewing with no spring snocheck etc. We can only wait and see.

Beerman · 03-18-2005, 07:55 AM

I too thought it was a bit anti-climactic, but we as consumers are expecting a bit much from all of the manufacturers. We have seen more inovation in the last 3 years than in the previous 10. We're spoiled a bit by expecting something completely new every season.

labudda · 03-18-2005, 09:04 AM

I think they took the"if it aint broke don't fix it" approach. From what I have been hearing Cat has been doing a good job in keeping their riders happy. Doo is losing people mainly cuz of compression and bad relations. Of course there is always that one story of the guy who was wronged horribly but, not everyone can be happy.

Everyone likes the Yammis right now but look at the price tag? Are you willing for Cat to make every thing you desire if you are going to spend more on it then on the truck that hauls it? They have something up there sleeve, we will have to wait until fall like Jim said.

Brother D · 03-18-2005, 10:40 AM

Seeing cat's lineup was just like being at the point of sneezing, and then all of a sudden loosing it! D@mn I hate that!!

I was seriously disappointed in the fact that they didn't come out with a midsize sled for the rider that's too big for a Z120 and too small for a Z 370.

Bombardier came out with a 300cc fan cooled single called the "Freestyle." They are going to take the market for young riders.

As far as the larger models go- I just can't afford some of these things! This is getting ridiculous!

D

84EVR · 03-18-2005, 11:31 AM

I wonder if Cat will add to my list of "Cat's Industry Firsts" above. I wonder if they are going to be the first to Introduce there NEW lineup in the fall. Seeing as how they don't have the spring order program. I really didn't even see them touting any special financing or 2 yr warrenty or clothing like they usually do.