Arctic Cat M8

Arctic Cat is one of only a few snowmobile manufacturers around and it is testament to the snowmobile manufacturer. Arctic Cat Manufacturers snowmobiles in all categories from Mountain Snowmobiles, Performance Snowmobiles, Touring Snowmobiles, Trail Snowmobiles, Utility Snowmobiles and Youth Snowmobiles.

Arctic Cat is braced to get a change of leadership as present boss Christopher Tworney is planning on retiring at the end of the year. Claude Jordan has been named by Arctic Cat as the new president and chief executive officer and will be poised to succeed Christopher Tworney at the start of the New Year.

In 2011 Arctic Cat will take its M series and continue its yearly process of revamping it and modifying its underpinnings. The Arctic Cat M8 has been around for 6 years now and still continues to set the standard that other snowmobiles aim to achieve. Manufacturers like Ski-Doo and Polaris have to step it up and have finally come out with some decent competition for the Arctic Cat M8, but at the end of the day the M8 is still the one to beat.

The 2011 Arctic Cat M8 is scheduled to be released in three different models: Standard, Sno Pro and HCR. There are also two lengths for the Standard and Sno Pro with both available in either 153 or 162 inches. The Hill Climb Racer (HCR) is only available in the 153 inch trim.

All Arctic M8’s come with the superior 800cc high output Cat engine, lightweight seat, electronic reverse, Power Claw track and Fox Float Rear Skid. The new generation Arctic Cat M8 features lighter components to allow it to remain ahead of its competition as snowmobile riders these days are on the look out for lighter stronger materials. The 2011 M8 has a much lighter tunnel with a bob tail and the philosophy of using lighter materials translates to less weightier components at the front and rear suspension, electronic reverse, reduced rotating mass and telescopic handlebars.

Taking into account the urgent need for a single-purpose lighter mountain snowmobile, Arctic Cat changed its design philosophy in 2009 and in a category ruled by weight, Arctic Cat were able to reduce the weight of the M8 by 22 pounds. The power to weight ratio of the Arctic Cat M8 is the best in its 800 class model mountain snowmobile and the Suzuki high output motor comes as standard equipment on all models.

The 800 cc engine is a two-stroke, Twin cylinder with battery less electronic fuel injection (EFI). It is capable of adjusting fuel flow depending on barometric pressure, throttle position and altitude. It has an 85mm bore with a stroke of 70mm. Also the throttle bodies, which dump fuel charge into the cylinder are big bore and measure 46mm.

The engine uses Arctic Cat’s power valves which are electronically controlled and it has an Exhaust Pipe Temperature Sensor (EPTS), which helps to inform the driver of an abnormal increase in temperature. The engine has four spark plugs that are ignited in the chugs and provide the fuel-oxygen mixture a perfect ignition to create the required cylinder head pressure inside the cylinder. The induction nature of the motor allows the reed petals of the engine to smoothly swirl the air inside the motor.

The Arctic Cat M8 is super fun to ride and allow awesome ride for boondocking, tree running and ravine bashing. The engine is very powerful and the light-weight body provides increased acceleration. The Arctic Cat looks to continue being the snowmobile to beat in the year 2011 in terms of power although it loses some ground on its competitors in terms of styling and looks.

2010 Arctic Cat M8 Specs

Engine : Arctic/Suzuki 794cc, liquid-cooled, twin, 2stroke; electronic fuel injection ;46mm throttle body,

Horsepower : 160

Drive : Roller cam secondary ACT drive system and Arctic rpm-sensing drive

Front Suspension : Fox Float Air shocks; 9.2-inches of travel; Arctic AWS VI A-arm suspension;

Rear Suspension : Fox Zero Pro on front arm; ACT M Series slide rail;  Fox Float on rear arm; up to 19 in on 162 inch track

Length : 132.0 in

Width : 46.0 in

Ski Stance : 39 in to 41.0 in adjustable

Track : 162 x 2.25 to 15 x 153

Weight : N/A

Fuel Capacity : 11.4 US Gal

MSRP : US$11,999.00 (M8 Sno Pro LTD)