2009 Arctic Cat F570 Review

When it comes to value snowmobiles, Arctic Cat’s 2009 F570 fan-cooled twin should be at the top. At US$6,499 the F570 is not the least expensive full-sized snowmobile, that honor falls to Polaris’ basic 550 IQ Shift. The air-cooled Arctic Cat powerplant will be about equal to every other fan-cooled budget sled. But when it comes to best overall value based on competency, trail capabilities, ride and handling, the 2009 F570 leads the value parade.

What makes this 2009 fan-cooled a real trail sled value comes from the sum of its parts. The F570 shares the same Twin Spar design as the top-dollar Turbo Z1. We’ll admit that it’s taken us a bit to fully appreciate the Twin Spar design in comparison to other ride-forward designs on the market. Maybe it was because Arctic Cat was a little late to the rider-forward movement or maybe we just wanted to see how the Cat design evolved, but whatever the reason, we get Arctic Cat’s move. Of course, it helps that Arctic Cat engineering revamped the handling to make the 2009 series of Twin Spar sleds some of the best handling trail sleds you can swing a leg across.

Notch one for the F570. Twin Spar and Cat’s ride-forward engineering makes this budget sled the best in class for overall ride and handling. The seat is comfy. There’s ample room to move your fanny back or forward. The running boards and seat height let you stretch out for a long, boring run down a rails-to-trails corridor route or you can move up to race through a series of tight corners. The handlebar position is excellent and lets you pop up to handle unexpected whoops.

Let’s not forget to mention that Arctic Cat has the best handlebars in the sled business. Cat’s engineering crew got this right quite a while ago. Not only are they positioned at a good height, the bends in the right and left hand bars are ideal for all kinds of terrain. Please, please, please will the rest of you sled makers copy this design. Yes, most high-performance sleds have some definition of curved or “hooked” handlebar ends, but too many low-priced to moderate-priced sleds still come with what we feel are inadequate straight bars. Yamaha comes close to Arctic Cat with its handlebar design, but even Yamaha could stand to carry the design through the entire line. Anyway, Arctic Cat engineering gets it and it adds a plus to their sleds.

The Twin Spar concept for 2009 underwent a bit of a change, as did aspects of Arctic Cat handling. Although the basic chassis design stays the same, the running board angle was decreased by a seemingly minor 2.5 degrees. While it doesn’t seem like a big deal, when combined with the change in front spindle angle of 1.5 degrees, use of a taller front spindle and moving the rear suspension arm mount back 2.6 inches, you get a much improved handling and riding snowmobile. Who would have thought that such minor sounding changes would make such a major difference? Not us & until we test rode the new set up. Wow! Does this sport Cat rip the trails! The skis bite with the ferocity of & er, well, a ticked off cat!

Even the low-priced F570 comes with Cat’s best-in-the-industry handlebar set. Push-button reverse is standard, too

Even the budget-conscious rider can enjoy Arctic Cat’s race-bred slide-action rear suspension.

Minor refinements to the AWS-VIII front suspension make the 2009 F570 an exceptional handling snowmobile.

Don’t be fooled by the 2009 Arctic Cats. While they may look similar to last year’s models, they come with an all-new on-trail personality. If you like to clip the turns and power around them, the F570 will let you. The skis hold firm so you shouldn’t be fighting the “push” you got from the 2008 version. Cat’s race-bred “slide-action” rear suspension works to keep the front end planted.

According to Arctic Cat engineering types, the new slide-action is a result of incorporating a U-shaped front suspension arm that eliminates the binding action prevalent on the previous design. This freer movement adds a sliding action of about a half-inch. That’s what works to keep the skis planted instead of popping.

Since the F570 uses a lower horsepower motor than its liquid-cooled brethren, Cat’s engineers didn’t feel that the coupling block action in the rear suspension was necessary. If you ride hard enough to notice it’s missing, you can always have your dealer install the coupling pieces. Our guess? You’ll be happy with the stock set up.

The Suzuki-built 565cc fan-cooled twin is quite adequate in the F570 and similarly powered to the competition. It is a proven design with dual Mikuni 34mm carburetors and a two-into-one tuned exhaust. Clutching is Cat’s own reliable primary drive with ACT driven. Initial engagement is smooth as is power delivery up to top end.

When comparing prices of the fan-cooled sport sleds, be sure to remember that the 2009 F570 comes with reverse and electric start included. Electric start is optional on the Ski-Doo and base Polaris. The base Yamaha Phazer offers standard electric start, but reverse is a dealer-installed option. That all makes the 2009 F570 look pretty good.

Styling looks good as well. Only available in Cat’s bright green with black and white, the F570 may be an acquired taste for some, but we like it. The seating position puts you in command. Because this is a basic model, you don’t get Cat’s quick-adjust handlebars or the multi-adjustable seat. Don’t worry. The ergonomics are exceptional. You are in a very good control position to see and react to the trail ahead. The top notch Arctic Cat hydraulic brake helps overcome your occasional over-exuberant dive into a turn. You will find the F570 to be an extremely pleasant snowmobile whether you are out for a casual evening ride or an aggressive charge down a ditch line.

Although it is a budget-priced model, the F570 comes with digital/analog tach and speedometer, dual stage odometer, electric gas gauge, low oil warning light and the expected high/low thumb and hand warmers.

Of all the budget-priced fan-cooled snowmobiles for 2009, the Arctic Cat F570 averages out best. The Polaris 550 or Ski-Doo MXZ 550 may be quicker, faster or lighter, but remember that they don’t have electric start standard. All of the fan-cooled sport twins will be a great deal of fun, but we think that with the changes Arctic Cat has made to handling and with the extra standard features built into its base price, the F570 is one all-around terrific value. This is a base starter sled that you can keep in your Arctic Cat fleet for many years. It’s sporty, handles great and is equally well suited to long touring days.

Test rider Doug Erickson puts the 2009 F570 through its paces at our Colorado test session.

Arctic Cat 570 Specs
Engine	Suzuki/Arctic Cat 565cc 2stroke, twin cylinder; fan-cooled; dual VM34mm carbs
Horsepower	N/A
Drive	Arctic Cat ACT drive
Front Suspension	Arctic Cat AWS-Vii 9.5-in maximum travel; hydraulic tube shocks with coil-over-spring
Rear Suspension	Arctic Cat Slide-Action 13.5-in of maximum travel; hydraulic shocks
Length	118.0 in.
Width	46.25 in.
Ski Stance	43.0 in.
Track	15 x 128 x 1.0
Fuel Tank	10.8 US Gal.
MSRP	$6,499

Related Reading:
Arctic Cat Z1 Turbo Review
2009 Ski-Doo MXZ 550X Review
2009 Polaris IQ Shift Review