CAN-AM SPYDER RT - Cycle Torque

QUAD feature
Play horse
TesT & phoTos By Chris piCkeTT
ARCTIC Cat’s 1000cc recreational
aTV boasts the biggest and most
powerful engine in its class. if you
want to experience the power for an
adrenaline hit, no problem, it will
blur the scenery quick smart. But if
you need to mend the odd fence or
two, or feed the cows, the Thundercat
has you covered there as well.
Powertrain and suspension
As the engine component of this ATV
is at the forefront of its promotional
literature we might as well start there.
A 951cc liquid-cooled and fuel injected
V-twin engine powers the Thundercat
H2. Arctic Cat doesn’t quote any power
figures but there is plenty on tap, that’s
for sure. At idle it feels very lumpy,
like it’s raring to go. Revs build quickly
as you give the thumb throttle a quick
hit. Instantly you are aware this will be
an exciting ride.
Transferring power to the ground is
the Duramatic automatic transmission,
which uses a centrifugal clutch and
primary and belt-driven clutches to
harness the grunt. Arctic Cat says the
constant engagement extends belt
life and also makes for better engine
braking. There’s also a rear differential
spike load damper which allows the
transmission to deliver maximum
power to the tyres without driveline
wear. In essence this is a clutch
work or play.
Arctic Cat’s Thundercat
is happy doing either.
system which slips if you have a
sharp increase in torque from a heavy
landing or impact, which in turn helps
protect the drive-line from damage.
A switch on the right handlebar
allows you to select between
2WD/4WD/differential lock. High
and low ranges are also available via
an easily accessible hand lever just in
front of the rider’s left knee.
250mm of suspension travel (preload
adjustable) will soak up most hits, and
275mm of ground clearance will let you
get over most obstacles. For 2010 Arctic
Cat has lengthened the wheelbase by
50mm in an attempt to harness the
power of the Thundercat.
on the farm
The thing we like about the
Thundercat is its ability to work and
play hard. This thing gets up and
boogies, make no mistake about that.
If you want to ride like a larrikin the
Thundercat will let you carve up the
paddock or jump logs like no-one’s
business. But if you need to carry hay
or drag a trailer full of fence posts
through the mud the Thundercat can
accommodate you too.
In 2WD the big cat is a ball of
fun. Tail out action is pretty much
instantaneous. If you start hitting
rocks and erosion banks at speed
the Thundercat starts to show the
workhorse in its design. In other words
the ATV is aimed more so at the farmer
who likes a bit of fun rather than the
sporting ATV rider. Arctic Cat actually
has a competition ATV called the
Mudpro. It looks very similar to the
Thundercat but does have a couple of
styling touches to let you know which
one’s which.
In 4WD mode you can go most
places. Our test farm had been deluged
by rain and was very wet in places.
Even muddy uphill sections were
dispatched with ease in 4WD, while
2WD struggled at times, especially
with the power at hand. Get throttle
happy and the rear wheels would spin
easily. One method of countering this
was to be very on/off the throttle to
get traction. But it didn’t matter really,
just flick the 4WD switch and presto,
instant traction. Although we didn’t
really need it we did lock the diff to
see what the difference was. On one
particularly slippery section – one we
wouldn’t normally tackle in such wet
weather – the diff lock got us up where
you would normally struggle.
If you want sideways action you’ll
need to keep it in 2WD. One downside
with 4WD is a larger turning circle but
it’s horses for courses; sometimes you
38 - APRIL 2010 Rear rack is huge, and there’s a similar one at the front. Engine is tucked away.
APRIL 2010 - 39