Short Term Test: Arctic Cat Thundercat ZR 9000 2018
By Christine Cloutier and Dave Leblanc
The Thundercat ZR 9000 offers a powerful 998cc turbocharged four-stroke engine that made its debut in 2017. This one is manufactured by Yamaha, which makes it a reliable and well-designed engine. Despite the 3-cylinder's weight, the vehicle stands out for its handling and incredible agility.
Its drive clutch the Team Rapid Response II enhances the driving experience. Indeed, it offers a smooth and progressive acceleration in normal driving, while developing its full potential at high speed. The FOX QS3 shock absorbers, with which it is equipped, are also one of the differentiating elements that give its agility. In addition to being powerful, they are adjustable in 3 positions using simple ratchets.
The Arctic Cat Thundercat ZR 9000 is a hybrid snowmobile, suitable for trail enthusiasts who sometimes like to go off-trail. During our test, it showed that it could respond well off the trails. However, like any other 4-stroke snowmobile of this type, it can become heavier to handle in countersteering for a less physically enduring person.
Although various dynamometer tests have shown that it exceeds 200 HP, it remains easily maneuverable in curves and holds perfectly the road without excessive effort.
However, we would have appreciated a slightly higher sitting position for a better ergonomics.
The Thundercat is equipped with a 15-inch Ripsaw II track, 137 inches long and 1.25 inches high. In order to transfer all driving forces to the ground as much as possible during acceleration, we would opt for the addition of a studded track. This would help to brake more quickly when a turn occurs. This snowmobile is doing so well that we don't always realize how fast we are going!
We like its heated seat which comes as standard. We also like its digital dashboard which is easily configurable and includes a wide range of information for different readings. Finally, we particularly appreciate its new generation of LED lights and the new side panels much easier to handle than predecessors.
We really want to say thank you to RPM Rive-Sud for this test. After 500 km, we are simply enchanted by this snowmobile!
We would like to thank Mr. Jean-François Ferland, Sales Manager, at RPM Rive-Sud for the short-term test of the snowmobile.
