Arctic Cat unveiled its 2016 snocross and cross-country race sleds at Hay Days this past weekend, each getting a host of updates.
New exhaust system… new brakes… new track… new cool stuff!
UPDATED: The new, italicized copy below on both sleds was added on Tues. 9-15-15.
2016 Arctic Cat ZR 6000 R XC Updates
• New Team Rapid Response Drive Clutch for improved durability and increased performance
-Offers improved durability, increased performance and greater consistency than the previous clutch. When asked why this wasn’t also added to the SX race sled, the answer boiled down to there not being enough time to get the calibration nailed down in time for production. I took that to mean this new clutch will be on next year’s race sled.
• Revised driven clutch belt tensioner bolt for improved durability
• Borg Warner Chain and Sprockets for reduced stretch, lower friction, and increased strength
• New ECM map for improved durability and performance
-There is new fuel and oil mapping throughout the complete range of operating conditions that addressed the few gremlins that cropped up on a few occasions last season.
• New Piston for improved durability
• New exhaust system with lightweight resonator, and improved mounting, reducing weight by 7 lbs and reducing exhaust capping
-This is an entirely new exhaust muffler/resonator. Not only is it a whopping 7 lbs. lighter, it’s also slightly quieter!
• New exhaust temp sensor for improved durability
• Revised chain case mounting and fasteners
• Brake Pads friction material has changed back to T-124 for
increased pad life
• New rail for additional mounting holes for front arm shock
(ice racing)
• New style retaining nuts in rear suspension for improved torque
retention
• Revised Rear shock valving for improved handling and increased rebound control
• New Lightweight Torque Sensing link arm for improved durability
• Fully Clipped Cobra Track for improved ice racing performance
• New upper intake material reducing weight and increased
durability, including the addition of a secondary intake screen for added protection
• New steering support for reduced weight and moved location of the tether
• Revised PTO Engine plate assembly and mount orientation for improved durability and reduced engine movement
• Improved oil line routing from oil tank to engine to work around new exhaust system
• New lightweight/high strength handlebar for reduced weight
• New handlebar grips for improved rider ergos, increased heater efficiency, and increased durability
• New bottom brake disc protector for improved brake cooling
Below are the specs for the new cross-country racer:
2016 Arctic Cat ZR 6000 R SX Updates
• ProCross Chassis Design with Race Features
– Improved rear spar tunnel mounting brackets
– Reinforced foot pocket
– Optional X-32 brake mounting features added
• New 2.52” Pitch 129”x15”x1.75” SX track with 20% more effective lugs with optimized weight for improved traction and performance
– This track is an all-new design and manufactured by Camso (Camoplast). The 2.52-in. pitch (instead of 2.86-in.) creates 51 bars instead of 45 which, in combination with the new lug shape/placement, results in 20% more lug surface contacting the snow.
• 2.52” Pitch 9 tooth Track Drive shaft assembly, required for
new track
• Race Proven Brake Caliper and Pads for improved wear and increased stopping power
– New brake pads with increased backer thickness for improved durability
– New Lightweight Stainless 2-pc brake disc for improved stopping power and reduced warping
– The 2-piece, 5-lug rotor features a forged steel inner hub. The reason for going stainless is that it has a better coefficient of friction than steel, thus offers improved stopping power.
– The optional X-32 brake kit features a four-piston caliper (instead of two) that was developed through Hayes, who had done testing with select Team Arctic racers the past couple seasons, as well as Moto GP motorcycle racers. This kit also includes a new half-inch master cylinder. The result of the kit is even more stopping power and enhanced reaction, allowing the rider to more easily manipulate the sled’s attitude in the air. No price yet on this kit.
• FOX 1.5 ZERO C Center Track Shock with wide range hand adjustable compression
– Revised Calibration for improved handling
• New Rear Arm Adjust “Hole Shot” device for improved starting line traction andperformance
– This trick little device is mounted on the rear torque arm of the skidframe. It has two positions, each of which locks the rear arm in such a way that it compresses the arm, which in turn takes weight off the skis. As soon as the suspension meets the first obstacle, the device de-activates (via a built-in return spring) and the suspension returns to full travel. The difference between the two positions is how far down the rear arm compresses.
• Borg Warner Chain and Sprockets for reduced stretch, lower friction, and increased strength
• New rear suspension rail cap for improved durability
• New Lightweight Torque Sensing link arm for improved durability
• New style retaining nuts in rear suspension for improved torque retention
• New steering support for reduced weight
• Revised driven clutch belt tensioner bolt for improved durability
• Revised PTO Engine plate assembly and mount orientation for improved durability and reduced engine movement
• Vent lines on carburetor have been removed
• New resonator outlet seal to prevent snow packing in belly pan
• New exhaust temp sensor for improved durability
• New bottom brake disc protector for improved brake cooling
• Addition of L/H spar pad for engine snubbing
• Revised chain case mounting and fasteners
Below are the specs for the new SX Racer:
typo on the first breakdown. should say XC not SX.
Great work as always on keeping us informed 🙂
Nice! Love the XC sled! Good luck to the competition…..
Interesting that the SX version retains the Arctic primary…why not the new TEAM primary I wonder? With a host of updates, the R XC looks like it will still be the one to beat on race day.
Thanks for the catch, G Rod. Fixed.
Thanks for the 1st hand pics/report on the new weapons for Team Arctic racers (and a few lucky trail guys too !)
Nice looking sleds. Hope all AC racers can take them to the checkered flags in 1st place.
When would the XC version be available?
Saw the sleds – very nice. On race sleds and consumer sleds for that matter – it’s weak to avoid publishing sled weights.
Interesting that both Cat’s and Ski Doo’s snocrossers have hole shot devices on the rear skid. Wonder who’s going to draw first blood and file the lawsuit for patent infraction.
I want to know more about the snowbike
I missed how much the zr6000 xc weighed? Anyone know?
The XC is looking and sounding very nicely built…boy what I wouldn’t give to rip one of them through a ditch-banger XC race!