Ping Pong
02/08/2005, 11h20
Maximum Sled Review: 2006 Arctic Cat Sabercat 500 EFI LX
EFI Added to the Small Displacement Motor
07/12/2005
SLED REVIEWS
Shane Zeppelin
One thing that can’t be denied is the fact that TRF boys and girls sure do like their things stylish. Cat has been known to add flair to their products and sometimes with no holds barred. You can chastise them all you want, but they won’t care. They’ll just keep doing their own thing. It’s no different with the ’06 Sabercat 500 EFI LX.
Target Market
The Sabercat 500 EFI LX is a stress-free sled in that with the batteryless EFI motor, it starts easy, there are no jets to change, runs smooth, is warm to ride (behind the bigger wind screen), offers rear view mirrors and plenty of gear space. The rider who likes longer distance cruises and likes to run trails and ditches without concern for winning races would feel at home on this model. It is a sled for the experienced snowmobiler who isn’t concerned with big-bore power and likes a few bells and whistles to go with it.
Technical Highlights
Dressed in high-gloss black (my personal favorite) this sled looks meaner than the tame animal it is. For the die-hard green bloods, it comes in traditional Artic Cat green and for those wanting a little flair, the red fits nicely.Graphics are semi-bold swooshes with a silver trim.
Beauty is only skin deep so under the hood lay Cat’s 500 twin motor fitted with a single throttle-body batteryless EFI. This engine is a small powerhouse that’s capable of sufficient trail speeds and acceleration, giving the Sabercat very predicable power and control. Add to this the new remote electric start and you have a sled that’s warmed and ready to go before you get your helmet on.
The Arctic Cat Team doesn’t hold back when it comes to suspension, either. The front AWS VI is the same double-wishbone geometry as found on the Firecats and uses adjustable preload springs and sway-bar, but holds back on the high-end shocks by using the more trailable and tame IFP gas shocks. Adding to the front-end control are lightweight UHMW plastic skis with dual offset carbides.The FasTrack Long Travel rear skid handles most bumps and drifts with ease and is equipped with IFP gas shocks as well.
Arctic Cat did it right with the windshield on the Sabercat. It’s stylish yet keeps the rider protected from the rushing cold air when crossing an open field or lake.Mirrors are attached directly to it and while we were skeptical at first, they really do work well and are relatively shake-free.The only complaint we’ve had with them is that if you do need to do routine maintenance under the sled and have to tip it on its side, you’ll have to be very careful of the mirrors as they will touch the ground and could cause undue stress on the windshield.
Other highlights include Cat’s now well-known analog/digital gauge, easy-to-follow hand and thumb warmer switches, four-bulb halogen headlights and removable rear storage trunk with plenty of room for water, snacks, extra gloves and more.
Rider Comments
Test Rider Steve Franta
What I liked about this sled:
“Excellent sled to go from the transition between beginner to the next level.”
What I disliked about the sled:
“I thought the seat was too soft and the handlebars were too low.”
Would I recommend this sled?
“Yes and no. I think you’d have to be an Arctic Cat fan to really enjoy this sled. I don’t think there’s enough to be worth changing brands over.”
Test Rider Wade West
What I liked about this sled:
“I really like Cat’s EFI system. It makes simple work of snowmobiling.”
What I disliked about the sled:
“I’m finding the seating position is not as comfortable as the competitive models. I’d like to see the seat height go up to the same level as the Crossfire.”
Would I recommend this sled?
“Yeah. Usually I would be wary of a new engine package, but Cat’s been on the EFI program for so long, it’s not much of a concern. This is a great model for those who don’t want to worry about starting up or have a heavy-feeling throttle pull.”
Test Rider Randy Nemitz
What I liked about this sled:
"This is a great little trail sled, I love the EFI and the easy starting. The power is pretty good and the ride and handling wont give you any unexpected surprises just comfort. The storage is way over the top, You could bring the house if you wanted to. This is just a great little package that will get you out on the trails for many miles of enjoyment.”
What I disliked about the sled:
”Looking at this sleds cool 4-bulb headlight system would make you think that you will see into the next county while riding at night. That’s not the case here. I thought this sled needed a lot more power in the lighting department.
Would I recommend this sled?
”If you’re a diehard Cat person, this could be nice little cruiser for you or someone who is trying out this sport for the first time.”
Test Rider Shane Zeppelin
“I like the bold look of the black color as it seems to hide the intake cover more and I like rear storage capacity. I also like the wind protection of this sled, but when it comes to seating position, the higher seat and higher handlebars of the forward-rider position sleds is more comfortable for me. The motor has adequate power for someone who likes a tame engine, but I like a little more engine.I would recommend the Sabercat 500 EFI LX for the Arctic Cat rider who is looking for a small, easy to use and tame trail sled.”
EFI Added to the Small Displacement Motor
07/12/2005
SLED REVIEWS
Shane Zeppelin
One thing that can’t be denied is the fact that TRF boys and girls sure do like their things stylish. Cat has been known to add flair to their products and sometimes with no holds barred. You can chastise them all you want, but they won’t care. They’ll just keep doing their own thing. It’s no different with the ’06 Sabercat 500 EFI LX.
Target Market
The Sabercat 500 EFI LX is a stress-free sled in that with the batteryless EFI motor, it starts easy, there are no jets to change, runs smooth, is warm to ride (behind the bigger wind screen), offers rear view mirrors and plenty of gear space. The rider who likes longer distance cruises and likes to run trails and ditches without concern for winning races would feel at home on this model. It is a sled for the experienced snowmobiler who isn’t concerned with big-bore power and likes a few bells and whistles to go with it.
Technical Highlights
Dressed in high-gloss black (my personal favorite) this sled looks meaner than the tame animal it is. For the die-hard green bloods, it comes in traditional Artic Cat green and for those wanting a little flair, the red fits nicely.Graphics are semi-bold swooshes with a silver trim.
Beauty is only skin deep so under the hood lay Cat’s 500 twin motor fitted with a single throttle-body batteryless EFI. This engine is a small powerhouse that’s capable of sufficient trail speeds and acceleration, giving the Sabercat very predicable power and control. Add to this the new remote electric start and you have a sled that’s warmed and ready to go before you get your helmet on.
The Arctic Cat Team doesn’t hold back when it comes to suspension, either. The front AWS VI is the same double-wishbone geometry as found on the Firecats and uses adjustable preload springs and sway-bar, but holds back on the high-end shocks by using the more trailable and tame IFP gas shocks. Adding to the front-end control are lightweight UHMW plastic skis with dual offset carbides.The FasTrack Long Travel rear skid handles most bumps and drifts with ease and is equipped with IFP gas shocks as well.
Arctic Cat did it right with the windshield on the Sabercat. It’s stylish yet keeps the rider protected from the rushing cold air when crossing an open field or lake.Mirrors are attached directly to it and while we were skeptical at first, they really do work well and are relatively shake-free.The only complaint we’ve had with them is that if you do need to do routine maintenance under the sled and have to tip it on its side, you’ll have to be very careful of the mirrors as they will touch the ground and could cause undue stress on the windshield.
Other highlights include Cat’s now well-known analog/digital gauge, easy-to-follow hand and thumb warmer switches, four-bulb halogen headlights and removable rear storage trunk with plenty of room for water, snacks, extra gloves and more.
Rider Comments
Test Rider Steve Franta
What I liked about this sled:
“Excellent sled to go from the transition between beginner to the next level.”
What I disliked about the sled:
“I thought the seat was too soft and the handlebars were too low.”
Would I recommend this sled?
“Yes and no. I think you’d have to be an Arctic Cat fan to really enjoy this sled. I don’t think there’s enough to be worth changing brands over.”
Test Rider Wade West
What I liked about this sled:
“I really like Cat’s EFI system. It makes simple work of snowmobiling.”
What I disliked about the sled:
“I’m finding the seating position is not as comfortable as the competitive models. I’d like to see the seat height go up to the same level as the Crossfire.”
Would I recommend this sled?
“Yeah. Usually I would be wary of a new engine package, but Cat’s been on the EFI program for so long, it’s not much of a concern. This is a great model for those who don’t want to worry about starting up or have a heavy-feeling throttle pull.”
Test Rider Randy Nemitz
What I liked about this sled:
"This is a great little trail sled, I love the EFI and the easy starting. The power is pretty good and the ride and handling wont give you any unexpected surprises just comfort. The storage is way over the top, You could bring the house if you wanted to. This is just a great little package that will get you out on the trails for many miles of enjoyment.”
What I disliked about the sled:
”Looking at this sleds cool 4-bulb headlight system would make you think that you will see into the next county while riding at night. That’s not the case here. I thought this sled needed a lot more power in the lighting department.
Would I recommend this sled?
”If you’re a diehard Cat person, this could be nice little cruiser for you or someone who is trying out this sport for the first time.”
Test Rider Shane Zeppelin
“I like the bold look of the black color as it seems to hide the intake cover more and I like rear storage capacity. I also like the wind protection of this sled, but when it comes to seating position, the higher seat and higher handlebars of the forward-rider position sleds is more comfortable for me. The motor has adequate power for someone who likes a tame engine, but I like a little more engine.I would recommend the Sabercat 500 EFI LX for the Arctic Cat rider who is looking for a small, easy to use and tame trail sled.”