Mother Nature is playing me this season and that is making me little impatient to ride the first kilometers of the season. As announced a few weeks ago, I am going to pilot the Arctic Cat XF 800 CrossTour in the frame of long-term trials for SledMagazine.com. When the beast was delivered at my dealer’s in Rimouski, Junior Mécanique Plus, we had a wonderful surprise.
The Minnesota manufacturer was supposed to send me the XF 1100 4-stroke Turbo CrossTour. But there was the package, with a 800 H.O. 2-stroke engine. I felt very lucky to test the 1100 turbo; yet I must say that I was not disappointed at all to return to the 800 H.O. In 2011, I tested the CrossFire LTD and I have been satisfied with the 800 H.O. engine. This said, I am eagerly waiting for my first ride on this great machine.
A striking look
Let’s be clear: the 2012 new platform has completely changed the look of every Arctic Cat snowmobile model. In 2013, the finish has been refined. The black/orange nice combination with some white graphics enhances the style of the XF CrossTour. The overall look is also improved by the black painted tunnel and a few orange parts. The side panels are easily accessible and functional, with a finish worthy of Arctic Cat reputation.
Features
When I receive a new snowmobile, I often wonder why the manufacturer did not include some basic options, available though in the accessories and parts catalogs and so necessary for longer rides. Well, Arctic Cat has read my mind this year with the XF 800 CrossTour. First of all, let’s talk about the rear cargo rack. I don’t know how many times I prayed that my bags remained tied up or how many times I hoped that my bungees were stretched correctly. The cargo rack provides great support and attachment points, which puts my mind at ease. This is a great idea !
Also, the XF 800 CrossTour is equipped with a rear storage bag perfectly fit for the seat and cargo rack. This way, I can reach a bottle of water or a pair of gloves without having to open my luggage during a ride.
Another interesting accessory on the XF 800 CrossTour is the handlebar bag. It is useful to store a wallet, cell phone, trail map, flashlight, and any other small gadget snowmobilers like to bring along without having to keep it in their pockets.
Mixing utility with pleasure, the XF 800 CrossTour is in the crossover category, thus designed for great off-trail performance. This versatility is quite an advantage and Arctic Cat added a front sport bumper that will surely be used during my off-trail rips.
Riding position and comfort
I like to give it all I’ve got when I pilot and the ProCross chassis offers a very comfortable riding position for longer rides, yet very pleasant when I ride hard off-trail. Thanks to the tilted mountain handlebar and deluxe digital/analog gauge, steering while glancing at the indicators is much easier.
I also like the windshield with integrated mirrors; it will be very useful in coldest days when the pilot’s comfort depends on his protection against wind. I am sure that I will appreciate this option soon.
Suspension
The XF 800 CrossTour is equipped at front with the Arctic Race Suspension with Fox Zero Pro (Internal Floating Piston) shocks and sway bar. At rear, we have the FasTrack Rear Suspension with tri-hub rear axle system, Fox Float 2 rear-arm shock and Fox Zero Pro (IFP) front-arm shock. This is a very efficient combination to get through successive bumps or even to ride hard in sharp curves. I can tell you that after my tests at the Snow Shoot in Montana last March, I was very impressed by the performance of the XF 800 CrossTour suspension system.
The best is yet to come !
To conclude, I think that I am going to live an exceptional snowmobile season riding the XF 800 CrossTour. I will be able to tell you more as soon as Mother Nature fulfills my wishes with tons of snow. Please read my next articles to be published in the long-term trial section of the wed magazine SledMagazine.com.
You are also invited to read in our 2013 Buyer’s Guide the specifications and comments compiled at the Snow Shoot last March about the XF 800 H.O. CrossTour and about many other Arctic Cat models.
Have a great season !
