Thundercat (snowmobile)

Last updated

Thundercat is the name of a series of snowmobiles produced by Arctic Cat from 1993 - 2002, and subsequently from 2017 to present. When used, Thundercat denotes the most powerful model of snowmobile in Arctic Cats Line-up.

Contents

Thundercat 900 (1993-1997)

The Thundercat series was introduced in 1993, as Arctic Cats entry into the Musclesled category. [1] These sleds feature extremely powerful engines placed in chassis derived from racing models. The first-gen featured a Suzuki-produced, counterbalanced case-reed triple cylinder 2-stoke 900cc engine, which produced 161.5 horsepower. The engines came stock with triple tuned pipes, 38mm VM Roundslide Mikuni Carburetors and forged pistons. This shared similarities with smaller displacement contemporaries, the Arctic Cat ZRT 800, Polaris XCR 800, and the Skidoo Mach Z 800. The sled also featured a Wilwood hydraulic Disc brake. Attaining a confirmed trap speed of 113mph while ridden by Jim Dimmerman, the 1993 sled set a then-current world speed record. [2] These initial models were built on the AWS3 chassis, which had been introduced by Arctic Cat for select 1992 models. In 1996, the 900 was upgraded to the AWS4 chassis.

Thundercat 1000 (1998-2002)

In 1998, in an effort to maintain dominance in the Musclesled category, the Thundercat displacement was increased to the 999cc. [3] They continued to use a Suzuki-produced, counterbalanced case-reed triple cylinder engine, but now had an output of 172hp. The machine was also notable for using many weight-cutting measures, such as plastic skis, aluminum spindles, and aluminum-stamped rails. These measures made the sled lighter than many other manufacturers 800cc-class snowmobiles of the same year. In 1999, the model was revamped with the AWS5 chassis. In 2000, the carburetors were changed to TM Flatslides & 3-D ignition , TPS controlled timing curve. In 2002, reverse and Electric start were added.


As of 2016, when the NSSR last posted updated speed records, the 1998 Thundercat had held the stock 1000cc speed record for 18 years, with Paddy Olsen riding one to 120.893MPH [4]

ZR 9000 Thundercat (2017-present)

Announced in 2016, Arctic Cat reintroduced the Thundercat nameplate on their most powerful snowmobile of the 2017 line-up, after a 15 year gap. This iteration features a Yamaha-produced 998cc 4-stroke, DOHC engine with Turbo-charger, capable of excess of 200hp. [5] The machine features the auto-tensioning Team Rapid Response II Drive clutch, [6] a digital dash [7] and Fox Zero QS3 shock absorbers. In a 2017 Review, Denis Lavoie praised the smooth power delivery, lighting and trail-manners of the Thundercat, while criticizing the reverse gear operation and handlebar mounted display-dial placement. [8]

Other use of the Thundercat Moniker

Arctic Cat utilized the Thundercat name within their ATV line, to denote the largest displacement models from 2007 until 2010.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Snowmobile</span> Land vehicle designed for travel on snow

A snowmobile, also known as a snowmachine, motor sled, motor sledge, skimobile, or snow scooter, is a motorized vehicle designed for winter travel and recreation on snow.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bombardier Recreational Products</span> Canadian manufacturer of recreational vehicles

BRP Inc. is a Canadian manufacturer of snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, side by sides, motorcycles, and personal watercraft. It was founded in 2003, when the Recreational Products Division of Bombardier Inc. was spun off and sold to a group of investors consisting of Bain Capital, the Bombardier-Beaudoin family and the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec. Bombardier Inc., was founded in 1942 as L'Auto-Neige Bombardier Limitée by Joseph-Armand Bombardier at Valcourt in the Eastern Townships, Quebec.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kawasaki Ninja ZX-7R</span> Type of motorcycle

The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-7R was a 750cc motorcycle in the Ninja sport bike series from the Japanese manufacturer Kawasaki produced from 1989 until 2003

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Talbot-Lago</span> Automobile manufacturer (1920–1959)

Talbot-Lago was a French automobile manufacturer based in Suresnes, Hauts de Seine, outside Paris. The company was owned and managed by Antonio Lago, an Italian engineer that acquired rights to the Talbot brand name after the demise of Darracq London's subsidiary Automobiles Talbot France in 1936.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Honda CBR900RR</span> Sport bike

The Honda CBR900RR, or FireBlade in some countries, is a 900 cc (55 cu in) sport bike, part of the CBR series introduced in 1992 by Honda. It was the first of a series of large-displacement Honda models to carry the RR suffix. The development of the first generation CBR900RR was led by Tadao Baba.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ferrari 365 GT4 2+2, 400 and 412</span> Motor vehicle

The Ferrari 365 GT4 2+2, Ferrari 400 and Ferrari 412 are front-engined V12 2+2 grand tourers made by Italian manufacturer Ferrari between 1972 and 1989. The three cars are closely related, using the same body, chassis and engine evolved over time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suzuki G engine</span> Reciprocating internal combustion engine

The Suzuki G engine is a series of three- and four-cylinder internal combustion engines manufactured by Suzuki Motor Corporation for various automobiles, primarily based on the GM M platform, as well as many small trucks such as the Suzuki Samurai and Suzuki Vitara and their derivatives.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nissan S20 engine</span> Reciprocating internal combustion engine

The Nissan S20 engine 2.0 L (1,989 cc) was a straight-6 four-valve DOHC internal combustion engine produced by Nissan from 1969 to 1973, originally designed by engineers of the former Prince. It was the first mass-produced Japanese engine with more than two valves per cylinder.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arctic Cat</span> Subsidiary of Textron

Arctic Cat is an American brand of snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles manufactured in Thief River Falls, Minnesota. The company was formed in 1960 and is now part of Textron Inc. Arctic Cat designs, engineers, manufactures, and markets all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles and related parts, garments, and accessories. Arctic Cat will cease production at the Thief River Falls and St. Cloud, Minnesota indefinitely after the 2025 model year is produced.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Radical Sportscars</span> British car manufacturer

Radical Motorsport Limited, also known as Radical Sportscars, is a British manufacturer and constructor of racing cars. The company was founded in January 1997 by amateur drivers and engineers Mick Hyde and Phil Abbott, who built open cockpit sportscars which could be registered for road use and run on a track without modification. Radical produce a mix of purpose built race cars as well as road legal sports cars in varying specifications. Their most popular car is the Radical SR3.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suzuki GSX-R750</span> Sports motorcycle

The Suzuki GSX-R750 is a sports motorcycle made by Suzuki since 1984. It was introduced at the Cologne Motorcycle Show in October 1984 as a motorcycle of the GSX-R series for the 1985 model year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suzuki GSX-R1000</span> Sports motorcycle

The Suzuki GSX-R1000 is a sports motorcycle made by Suzuki. It was introduced in 2001 to replace the GSX-R1100 and is powered by a liquid-cooled 999 cc (61.0 cu in) Transverse four-cylinder, four-stroke engine although originally 988 cc (60.3 cu in) from 2001 to 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suzuki GS500</span> Type of motorcycle

The Suzuki GS500 is an entry-level motorcycle manufactured and marketed by the Suzuki Motor Corporation. Suzuki produced the GS500 and GS500E from 1989 on and the fully faired model, GS500F from 2004 on. The GS500 is currently being produced and sold in South America. The GS500 has been described in the motorcycle literature as a best buy and an excellent first bike, with adequate if not exciting power for more experienced riders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ducati Supersport</span> Italian air-cooled 4 stroke desmodromic 2-valve 90° L-twin motorcycle

The Ducati Supersport and SS are a series of air-cooled four stroke desmodromic 2-valve 90° L-twin motorcycles made by Ducati since 1988. A limited edition Supersport called the SuperLight was sold in 1992. The name harked back to the round case 1973 Ducati 750 Super Sport, and the 1975 square case 750 and 900 Super Sport. The appellation 'SS' was applied only to the later belt drive (Pantah) based models.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yamaha WR450F</span> Type of motorcycle

The Yamaha WR450F is an off-road motorcycle made by Yamaha Motor Company. It currently has a 450 cc (27 cu in) liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine. First offered in 1998 at 400cc, it shared many components and design concepts with the YZ400F motocross model. It is basically the racing YZ450F detuned slightly for more controllable power, with a headlight and lighting coil, softer suspension, a kickstand, lower noise specifications, larger radiators and lower emissions. The WR in the name indicates a wide-ratio gear box common to most enduro or trail bikes and stands in contrast to the close-ratio gearbox essential to a motocross racer. Over the years the WR has benefited from the advances made in the YZ motocross version gaining displacement and advancements such as an aluminum frame and improved suspension. Over much of its life the weight of the WR450F has remained fairly constant ranging from 244 to 249 pounds dry weight.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suzuki GT series</span> Range of 1970s Japanese motorcycles

The GT series is a series of two-stroke chain drive motorcycles manufactured and marketed by Suzuki for model years 1972–1977, with a range of engine capacities and cylinder counts. Certain markets received the GT380 until model year 1980.

The Suzuki LT250R was a sport/racing ATV manufactured between 1985 and 1992. It combined a lightweight fully suspended frame with a 249cc liquid cooled two stroke engine.

The Polaris RMK is a series of snowmobiles made by Polaris Industries. All RMK models are powered by two-stroke engines. The RMK was introduced in the 1996 model year by Polaris to compete in the mountain market. The acronym originally stood for "Rocky Mountain King". The RMK name is still in use today, has been used on many chassis and engine variations, and is primarily used to indicate the snowmobile is designed for mountain or deep-snow use.

The Maserati 8CL is an open-wheel Grand Prix motor racing car, designed, developed and built by Italian manufacturer Maserati, from 1940 through 1946. Only two models were produced.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maserati 8CTF</span> Open-wheel Grand Prix motor racing car

The Maserati 8CTF is an open-wheel Grand Prix motor racing car, designed, developed and built by Italian manufacturer Maserati, from 1938 to 1939. To date, it remains the only Italian-made car to win the Indianapolis 500.

References

  1. ↑ "Thundercat an Instant Classic". snowgoer.com. 2012.
  2. ↑ "Dimmerman Talks about the Mighty Thundercat". www.arcticinsider.com. 2016.
  3. ↑ "Motorsport Magazine Archives - 1998 ARCTIC CAT® Snowmobiles". www.motorsports-network.com. 1998.
  4. ↑ "NSSR Records". racenssr.com. 2016.
  5. ↑ "2017 Arctic Cat ZR9000". www.snowmobile.com. 2016.
  6. ↑ "New Arctic Cat Model". www.snowtechmagainse.com. 2017.
  7. ↑ "Short Term Test: Arctic Cat ZR9000 Thundercat". sledmagainse.com. 2017.
  8. ↑ "Review of the Arctic Cat ZR9000 Thundercat trial". sledmagazine.com. 2017.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.