COMPARISON / BIG BORE SHOOTOUT
Arctic Cat ZR 858 Sno Pro 129 Polaris Patriot 9R Indy XCR 136 Ski-Doo MXZ Adrenaline with Blizzard Package 850 E-TEC 137
2025 Arctic Cat ZR 858 Sno Pro 129
Engine : 858cc liquid-cooled , semi-direct injected two-stroke twin Bore X stroke : 85 x 75.6 Fuel : 91 octane Chassis : Catalyst L x W x H ( inches ): 118 x 48-49 x 47 Ski stance ( inches ): 41.5-42.5 adjustable Listed dry weight : N / A Front suspension , travel , shocks , skis : AWS 42 , 8.2 inches , AC5S shocks , Trail Skis Rear suspension , travel , shocks ( F / R ): Slide-Action , 13.5 inches , AC5S shocks Track : 15- by 129- by 1.25-inch RipSaw Fuel capacity : 10.4 gallons MSRP : $ 16,499
Another rider wrote , “ I don ’ t know what it is about Arctic Cats , but their handlebar still seems to swing in such a wide arc . But otherwise I love the Catalyst ergonomics . I really like where I sit on the machine and how easy it is to move around on when running hard through corners . She ’ s a cold beast , though – the wind really sweeps around the small body panels and gets directly to the rider .” This model came with an undersized , simplistic round gauge that Cat introduced on 2024 Catalysts instead of the big G8 touchscreen display . The composite running boards are neat looking , but once rolling down the trail they don ’ t add or subtract from the riding experience .
The Ski-Doo REV Gen5 chassis received its usual high marks from our test team for how well sculpted and high-quality feeling it is .
“ BRP ’ s attention to detail when it comes to building a professional-looking , purposeful cockpit is second to none ,” one test rider noted .
Now that the ProCross-based Cat has left the class , the rider on the Blizzard sits the most “ into ” the chassis when in the saddle .
“ The seat is the softest and most comfortable among this group , which I know many riders will love but I ’ m thinking the most aggressive riders will prefer the firmer , most connected feel of the Polaris or Cat seat ,” one rider noted .
When zooming trails and moving about the chassis , most of our team liked the open footwells ( with one grumpy old holdout who occasionally still throws a foot out into space ), but
14 / JANUARY 2025 / SNOWGOER . COM