2010 Arctic Cat F8 LXR Review

We really enjoyed Arctic Cat’s latest F8 luxury sport model. It’s not just because Arctic Cat’s F8 LXR enjoys extreme power in its revised 800cc 2-stroke powerplant for 2010. We definitely consider a power peak north of 160 horsepower at 8,000 revs worth noting. And its 100-plus pounds feet of torque that the Suzuki-built, Cat-spec’d twin pumps out from 7,500 rpm on is definitely an attention grabber. But, what truly impresses us most of all about the F8 LXR power is precisely how docile it is for everyday trail riding. It’s like getting a special bonus every time you hit the trails.

What we like is the fact that after you’ve taken possession of your 2010 F8 LXR and mashed the throttle to the bars a few time to see what the sled has, you’ll find comfort in knowing — and you will know right away — that no one is going to mess with you. You can amble on down the trail and watch the hot shots with their spiky 800s run on by. Or, you can tickle the injectors on this trail Cat and let them eat your snow dust. You have the knowledge and the calm that comes from riding one of the most trailable and potent sleds of the year.

Innocent In Looks Only

In years gone by, a car enthusiast friend of ours once ordered up a cheapo-looking Chevrolet Biscayne sedan. Under its hood sat the latest big-block Chevrolet mill going. It was a staid looking car, quiet and innocent with only a hint of a big-bore rumble at idle. If he wanted, he could smoke the Goodyears bare when the light turned green. Or, he could ease off like a matron heading for the market. Truth is, he went through a lot of tires.

You won’t go through a lot of tracks, but you will spit some serious snow dust with this Cat. It looks innocent in its luxury sports garb, but we found this latest big twin trail Cat to be exactly what we would want in a trail sled. It moves out quickly like the turbocharged 4-stroke Arctic Cat. But being a fuel injected twin, it weighs substantially less as it doesn’t need all that rigmarole attendant with turbocharging and 4-stroke engine design. The torque and power come in smoothly to give the F8 LXR a controlled feeling similar to what you get with Cat’s F6 600cc twin.

For whatever reasons, snowmobile engineers insist on giving their big bore, high horsepower sport sleds way too much throttle pull resistance compared to a 600cc engine. The latest Cat 800 twin defies that trend and offers a very easy pull from ease in to full wide open throttle. We approve.

In past seasons if given the opportunity to own an Arctic Cat luxury trail sport, we’d have gone with the F6 and the more manageable 600cc twin. Not this year. Give us the 800 twin. It can be modulated as easily as the 600, but easing the throttle flipper closer to the handlebar gives us the extra oomph of a truly mean 800.

A Well Done Redo

To get this docile to wild performance, Cat’s engineers totally redid its 800 twin. It may look like the old twin on the outside, but internals and ancillaries are new. The Y-pipe is new, featuring an oval shape designed to provide improvements in emissions as well as power. The computer module is new, reflecting the need to increase power while cleaning up the engine’s combustion burn. The revisions apply to improving the fuel-air mix and how it gets atomized to reflect cleaner, more efficient power. Give these engineers credit, they added performance to the snow with a cleaner exiting exhaust to the environment. Heck, they even managed to pull 4.3 pounds out of the motor by going to a lighter crankshaft, which provides quicker revving for even better throttle response!

With this effort under the hood comes less effort when riding on the trail. The drive system pulls efficiently and its low down mounting aids on-trail performance. The latest Arctic Cats have been trail tuned to cut corners as tight as anything short of a full–on racing sled. Part of the new for 2010 handling package comes from lighter plastic skis with a stiffer and deeper keel that bites into the snow better.

Revised for 2010

While the basic configuration of the F8 remains similar to the redesign that came with the Z1, there are some key changes for 2010.

The rear of the tunnel is new and features a more durable heat exchanger. The taillight now has a brighter, easier to see in snow dust LED design. While that’s not new to snowmobiling, it is for Arctic Cat and helps shed the ounces while increasing on-trail visibility. There’s a new snow flap and the LXR comes with its own LXR-specific tunnel bag for added storage. That’s additional storage sitting behind Cat’s latest seat design that includes a zippered pouch integrated into the rear of the seat.

Of course, the LXR is the “loaded” premium version of the 800cc “F-series.” That means the Twin Spar chassis can be custom-fitted to virtually all snowmobilers by simply adjusting the handlebars, the footrests and seating position.

We appreciate the versatility for the LXR model as it blends the best of the Sno Pro and base models into a fully functional everyday trail luxury ride. Custom fitting the sled to your riding style is just one plus. We also enjoy the fact that the 800cc twin fires up via key starting, although we have pull-started this twin and found it easy enough to get running, primarily thanks to Cat’s nifty fuel injection system.

Ride Comfort

The LXR comes equipped with the latest slide-action rear suspension with a full 13.5 inches of travel controlled via Fox Zero Pro shocks. The Cat pioneered double wishbone front suspension offers up to 9.5-inches of travel and features Fox shocks and a sway bar for control.

Expect the LXR to offer such nice to have features as push button reverse, a digital/analog gauge and a stylishly efficient windshield.

But like we said, what makes the Arctic Cat F8 LXR a true winner for 2010 is the potent, yet easily modulated 160-hp motor lying under the hood. If you want to laze along for a few miles, the F8 LXR readily accepts that. When your ego needs to be let out a bit, then you push in the throttle flipper and smoke the straights. Back off again. Repeat.

This F8 brings a serious edge to luxury sport riding. Cat got this one all right!

2010 Arctic Cat F8 LXR Specs
Engine	Arctic/Suzuki 794cc, two-stroke, liquid-cooled, twin; 46mm throttle body, batteryless electronic fuel injection
Horsepower	160-plus
Drive	Arctic Diamond Drive
Front Suspension	Arctic AWS VII A-arm suspension; Fox Zero Pro shocks; 9.5-inches of travel
Rear Suspension	Arctic Slide-Action parallel rail slide with Fox Zero Pro shocks; up to 13.5-inches of travel
Length	118.0 in
Width	47.25 in
Ski Stance	43.0
Track	15 x 128 x 1.0
Fuel Capacity	12.6 US Gal
MSRP	US$11,199 (C$13,699)

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