AIRBLUE
New member
Question Gentlemen
2003 Viper700 VS 2003 F7 Snowpro 700
I am finding F7's for a couple of hundred less - which is a better all around sled? I do jump and ditchbang alot due to MX background. Please be objective I do have two Yamahas in the garage and am looking for something more high performance.
AIRBLUE

2003 Viper700 VS 2003 F7 Snowpro 700
I am finding F7's for a couple of hundred less - which is a better all around sled? I do jump and ditchbang alot due to MX background. Please be objective I do have two Yamahas in the garage and am looking for something more high performance.
AIRBLUE

The f7 does have plenty of power but I have had a f series sled.They have many problems.I have owned every brand of sled and cat is the only brand I will never buy again.
AIRBLUE
New member
Thanks Pro
I did read alot of feedback on the 03 F7 and most were pretty good.
Seems the Viper has had some issues as well from monitoring this site. I would like to stay blue - and on the trails and not in the shop.
AIRBLUE
I did read alot of feedback on the 03 F7 and most were pretty good.
Seems the Viper has had some issues as well from monitoring this site. I would like to stay blue - and on the trails and not in the shop.
AIRBLUE
1 bad bolt
New member
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- 39
+1 on what pro116 said i had a 03 f-series now own a pipped viper and dont have any complaints, my cousin has a 03 f-7 and other one has a zrt 800 and when we drag race its all who gets the best hole shot takes it
AIRBLUE
New member
Bad Bolt
What about a suspension comparison between the two??? Which is better?
What about a suspension comparison between the two??? Which is better?
yahadriver23
New member
F-series has a better all around suspension... no doubt, especaily if you get the snow pro. Pretty sure they come with a fox floats up front and have a massive 1.375" track which is good in powder but crap for top end. Power wise with a stock viper woudln't be able to keep up to an f-7. The stock track and suspension on a viper just doesn't hook up as well and is down about 15hp from the firecat
The f-cat also will weigh a bit less... however i would never say that the viper has more issues then an firecat, never!
Firecats, and arctic cats in general wont have as smooth of an engine as a yamaha tripple, nor will it be as reliable, or get as good of gas and oil. I know a f-7 who has been in the shop 12 different times this year, each for a different reason NO JOKE.
For jumping and everything, i would have to say go with the cat if your set on one, (if you want a snowcrosser go Ski-Doo in my mind im not a cat fan) but there is a reason they dont hold there resale as well as a yamaha...
My cat esperience 2 sleds, 4 blown engines, all work down by the dealer who i know is a good mechanic i have known him forever......my .02
Also the first year f-series is something to stay away from, which is think is the 03'. I know all my friends who have firecats who got them in teh first year had major major issues within even the first 10 miles!
The f-cat also will weigh a bit less... however i would never say that the viper has more issues then an firecat, never!
Firecats, and arctic cats in general wont have as smooth of an engine as a yamaha tripple, nor will it be as reliable, or get as good of gas and oil. I know a f-7 who has been in the shop 12 different times this year, each for a different reason NO JOKE.
For jumping and everything, i would have to say go with the cat if your set on one, (if you want a snowcrosser go Ski-Doo in my mind im not a cat fan) but there is a reason they dont hold there resale as well as a yamaha...
My cat esperience 2 sleds, 4 blown engines, all work down by the dealer who i know is a good mechanic i have known him forever......my .02
Also the first year f-series is something to stay away from, which is think is the 03'. I know all my friends who have firecats who got them in teh first year had major major issues within even the first 10 miles!
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shortstop20
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I'd go for a Pro-X, REV, or F7 over a Viper for ditchbanging and jumping. Unless you want to spend some more cash to put a Expert X in the Viper and some Ohlin's shocks on the front. You can get Pro-X 700's pretty cheap, not as much HP as the F7, but the chassis is tough as nails. 

Concept Carbon
New member
yeah if your not geting a viper my vote is for a rev 600sdi or 800sdi.
firecats should come with extra bolts and a bottle of locktite. when buying, do the open hood twist test on the f cat. stand on it, watch the frame and rock it side to side with the bars. then go wowwww.
1 bad bolt
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stock for stock i would say a cat has a better suspenion but i have a xpert x suspension and works front shocks in mine so i think it evens the the 2 sleds out, but all i can say about my experince about my f-7 was it was in the garage apart more then being ridden and it only had 700 miles on it
AIRBLUE
New member
Thanks for the great feedback - all.
No F7 for me.

No F7 for me.

Viper_Jim
New member
I have five buddies who I ride with on a regular basis who all own F-cats, two of them are Sno-pros, each of those cats have their own personalities, I haven't seen any major issues with them. You can't compare them to a Yamaha in terms of quality, nothing can, the F-cats are rockets on the trails and can take a big time pounding, especially the sno-pros. I've drove several of them now and I like it but I would never own one. IMO they are probably the best ditch banger on the market and they go for dirt cheap-used, they don't hold their value. The problem I have is that I own a Viper, every other engine sounds like a ticking time bomb when your used to the sound of a yamaha triple.
AIRBLUE
New member
After much research last cople of days I have decided to get a
2003/2004 SKI DOO MXZ (X) REV 800
http://www.sledmass.com/classifieds/new pic.JPG
Hate to go to Doo but after riding one yesterday it just feels so much like my KTM dirt bike that I got to do it
Wish Yamaha had something with their great engine that rode like the REV chassis.
I still have the Vmax 2up so not totally abandoning the ship
2003/2004 SKI DOO MXZ (X) REV 800
http://www.sledmass.com/classifieds/new pic.JPG
Hate to go to Doo but after riding one yesterday it just feels so much like my KTM dirt bike that I got to do it
Wish Yamaha had something with their great engine that rode like the REV chassis.I still have the Vmax 2up so not totally abandoning the ship
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yahadriver23
New member
Beware of your rings! if they havn't had the update you are doomed....
wilsviper
New member
The 04 Viper S has better shocks and rear suspension for ditch banging over 02 and 03's.Got off my 02 and on a friends 04,world of difference.
yamaholic22
Active member
Called an Apex RTX bro! Ride awesome and can jump well too, with the yamaha engine durability to boot!
AIRBLUE said:After much research last cople of days I have decided to get a
2003/2004 SKI DOO MXZ (X) REV 800
http://www.sledmass.com/classifieds/new pic.JPG
Hate to go to Doo but after riding one yesterday it just feels so much like my KTM dirt bike that I got to do itWish Yamaha had something with their great engine that rode like the REV chassis.
I still have the Vmax 2up so not totally abandoning the ship
yahadriver23
New member
How you like ur attack?
Millinocket Rocket
New member
wilsviper said:The 04 Viper S has better shocks and rear suspension for ditch banging over 02 and 03's.Got off my 02 and on a friends 04,world of difference.
i tried my buddies S too-- i think the seat is the BIG difference. feels like riding on a cloud compared to my 02 seat!

