During our riding congress, I had the opportunity to spend one day in Monts Valin and to pilot our Big Cat.
I will not present a deep analysis, but my appreciation after one day.
To put some of my comments in context, please note that it was about -10 °C during the day, with moderate but steady winds. Trail conditions were good and as there was not a lot of traffic, surface has remained good all day long.
First contact
Personally, I prefer the Touring machines rather than the Mountain machines, for example. And I am satisfied by the Pantera 7000 Limited. Rather straight rider positioning, clear legs, and raised handlebar at the perfect height.
The seat has been very comfortable all day long. The passenger positioning is also very good. The heated seat control is very simple and efficient. And like the heated thumb and grips, the settings are perfect.
Our Pantera is equipped with small side cases and a luggage compartment integrated to the rear end of the snowmobile. This rear compartment is very useful and well manufactured. However, sometimes it is touchy to put back the cover correctly and the retaining clips are sometimes hard to operate with gloves on. I am not sure that I put back the cover completely each time and it happened that my camera bag was covered with snow inside the compartment.
The side cases are of a good size, but the size of the cover opening makes it hard to use. Even if the sliding shutters seem to be fragile, they worked perfectly all day long.
Motorization is incredibly supple. The triple 4-stroke engine of 1049 cc delivers its power smoothly. Accelerations are very satisfying in a Touring type of riding. It speeds up quite easily when required and does not show any trouble to work hard. A few times, we had to get back in motion after a stop on a hill, sometimes rather abrupt. It starts smoothly and firmly. Even when track grip was limited by powder snow, it was easy to adjust the power delivery in order to get a perfect start.
Handling, suspension and steering on trail
I must say that I have a soft spot for the Arctic Cat suspensions. Without going into detail, I can say that at rear as well as at front, travel is very sufficient and shock is always perfect. Even when conditions were not so good on some parts of the trails, the machine never lost its suppleness or comfort. You can say what you want, but a Touring type of suspension that is well calibrated makes me happy.
However, skis could provide better trail handling, mostly when entering curves. Initial bite is insufficient. Once in the curve though, they allow the machine to follow the route. They could perform better during acceleration in curve when the inner ski quickly loses its minimal bite. I must remember here that there have been no special settings done on this snowmobile and that it should probably be quite easy to make some improvements. Overall, once inside the curve and as long as you do not accelerate too quickly in turn, the trail handling is good. But mostly, it remains comfortable in all situations.
This performance is the result of a certain compromise. The ProTour 6 skis are said to be able to perform in all situations. So, they are imperfect in most of the situations. In powder snow, they provide some floatation and on groomed trail, they offer some trail handling.
Overall, a very well balanced snowmobile, so easy to handle and comfortable that it is almost relaxing.
Cockpit and protection against wind
The gauge is complete and nicely displayed. It is totally digital and easy to read, which other manufacturers should notice. Also, it is quite easy and simple to operate it (no need to go through 6 levels of menus with dozens of switches…). The handlebar is just at the right place, controls are correctly located and easy to operate.
The windshield is tall, extra tall. But so adequately designed. It never obstructs your vision and it really deflects wind. We could wish for an adjustable windshield that would be more convenient for pilots of different sizes. Personally, everything is of the right size. It was not too cold, not too warm during this ride and at moments, in covered area and at low speed, I would have liked a less efficient windshield that would help my glasses get rid of moisture.
Why is it this way ?
During the day, I faced some moments when I wondered : « Why is it this way ? »
This snowmobile is equipped with an auxiliary tank at rear and its fuel cap is inside the luggage compartment. When we arrived at Ferme 5 étoiles for lunch, some of us went for fuel supply before lunch. My fuel indicator had not changed since I left in the morning, even after 100 kilometers.., but I went to fill it up anyway.
I did not think about the auxiliary tank. I filled up the main reservoir, which fuel cap is located where we expect it to be at front. I could only add a few liters inside the tank and I went for lunch with the group.
However, right after getting back on trail, the fuel level began to decline… at a normal pace, could we say. It is only when we went back to Auberge du km 31 early in the evening that one of my colleagues suggested that I should also fill up the rear tank. What a great idea !
From our departure in the morning, I had consumed the fuel from the rear tank, which explains that at lunch time, I could only add a few liters in the main tank. However, after lunch, as the rear tank was empty (without my knowledge ), I consumed the fuel from the main reservoir.
Both tanks are connected but the gauge shows only the fuel level of the front tank. So, as fuel is consumed, the rear tank empties into the front tank. Then, the indicator does not change as long as the fuel from the rear tank is not totally consumed (16,3 liters). The main reservoir capacity is 40,5 liters. You would be right to say that I added plenty of gas that night !
Easy, once you know it. But still you can wonder : « Why is it this way ? »
Personally, I would rather have two gauges, or one gauge that would display the real level of fuel left in both tanks.
To finish my story, you have to note that the fuel cap of the rear tank is located inside the luggage compartment and I see two problems to this situation. First, you must almost empty the compartment before filling up the tank, mostly if the backrest is set backward (see below about the backrest). Second, if there is any incident, mostly if you did not safely empty the compartment, fuel could overflow in the luggage compartment (also read below about the luggage compartment).
This said, thanks to these two fuel tanks, the Pantera 7000 Limited offers a very interesting fuel mileage. And you become quickly acquainted with the management of the fuel level. It could be simpler, but overall, it is useful !
I also wondered about the backrest. Keep in mind that we often switch snowmobiles quickly… and that sometimes, we do not have enough time to read the owners manual before riding a snowmobile. So, I did not find how to change the backrest position. When you look at its assembly, it is obvious that the backrest is articulating and that it can be tilted forward, but I never found how to do it. And since it happened many times in the past that I accidently broke switches and mechanisms, I now have a tendancy to be more careful…
Just an icon or quick instructions near the attachments would be an improvement.
So smart !
Sometimes, devices on snowmobiles work well, just because it is well designed. Just like here with the thumb and hand warmer controls. One switch each, with only three settings. Up for the lowest level, down for the warmest level and center (neutral) for Off function. Simple, easy to operate and formidably efficient. With mittens, gloves or bare hands, it is easy. No need to glance at the grips. No need to have a light on the gauge, no need to select over and over to reduce intensity by one level, no need to use mental math to remember that you are on setting 4 of 6, or else.
The other features that made me say « So smart ! », are the mirrors !
Located high on the windshield sides, they are perfectly in your field of vision without blocking your view.
And guess what ? No need to twist around or raise your elbows to see behind your back in the mirrors.
In the same line of thoughts, we find the reverse control. Just a switch, easy to operate, on the right block of the handlebar. It cannot be operated by mistake because it is below the surface of the control block. Simple, efficient and easy to use.
Conclusion at the end of the day
Other than the fuel management between both tanks and the gauge, and the operation of the backrest, everything works instinctively and very well.
The Arctic Cat Pantera 7000 Limited is a Touring snowmobile that is well designed and works very well.
Did I mention that it is comfortable and easy to handle ?
