A first time off-trail riding with the Arctic Cat M8000 HardCore 2019
When you go snowmobiling, there are almost infinite possibilities of fabulous landscapes to discover. There are some of these landscapes that are not accessible by trails, but by off-trail! That’s why we’re going to the Monts-Valin to try out the 2019 super Arctic Cat HardCore M8000 153. It is also where I had my first experience in this beautiful world of powder snow and unmarked trails!
The first thing I noticed is how good the design of the cockpit is; a narrow cabin, a seat with perfectly designed dimensions and ideal handlebar height, not too high and not too low.
With the lightweight Ascender platform, playing in the deep snow becomes easy, even for me who had never been off-trail riding before. It offers a lowered drive shaft position of 1.125 inches, which gives a better approach angle to the sprocket and considerably improves their floatability and maneuverability of the snowmobile. There are 1” narrower steps for improved mountainside riding and a 3” narrower body design, which is a significant improvement over the old ProClimb® body.
What has surprised me the most it's on the trail, to get to the snow paradise, it’s the excellent handling of this cat! For a snowmobile that is not designed for trails, you can still have fun!
As for the engine, it’s the reliable C-TEC2, which always offers outstanding performance. With its Arctic Mountain Drive clutch system which reduces the starting gear by 12.5%, providing a smoother and more sustained engagement.
But now! I will share with you my vision of the snowmobile as a beginner in the world of deep snow. Not everyone as the talent of Boily and Burandt! I can tell you that during my time in the Monts-Valin region, I discovered new things, especially muscles that I didn’t know existed!
With effortless and intuitive handling, the Arctic Cat allows you to perform amazing tricks like a professional. Predictable, handy and precise, the HardCore offers great capabilities to anyone who wishes to beginners as well the most advanced.
What helps a lot is the ease of use of the FOX 1.5 ZERO QS3 shock absorbers, a real charm when it comes time to make the adjustments. Not to mention the 3-inch lugs that saved the day more than once!
This Arctic Cat allowed me to see magnificent landscapes and above all, made me discover another aspect of snowmobiling! I can tell you that for a first experience, I loved it.
A big thanks to the Motoplex group for allowing me to try this great snowmobile and thank you for their support. Stay tuned, an article on the new D.E.L. light bar exclusive to Arctic Cat will be coming soon! An essential addition to your Mountain Cat, in my opinion!
