Why the 2002 Arctic Cat 660 4 Stroke Still Matters
The 2002 arctic cat 660 4 stroke hit the snow at the same time when the market was just starting to peek over the fence in four-stroke technology. Back then, if you weren't burning oil plus smelling like a two-stroke lawnmower right after a day for the trails, people looked at you a small funny. This sled was part of that early wave that promised the quieter, cleaner, and more reliable method to ride, even if it meant offering up some of the snappy, lightweight feel we all were all used to.
Looking back, it's easy in order to see this device as a leading. It wasn't constructed for the guy looking to set property speed records or even jump over a house; its initial creation intended for the long-distance easy riding bike who wanted in order to take pleasure in the scenery without a ringing in their ears. If you find one of these types of in a barn or on a classifieds site today, you're looking from a piece associated with history that, surprisingly, still holds the own for a specific type of riders.
The Cardiovascular from the Beast: That will Suzuki Engine
When people talk about the 2002 arctic cat 660 4 stroke , the conversation always starts and ends with all the motor. Arctic Cat didn't try to reinvent the wheel here; they went in order to Suzuki and grabbed a 660cc, three-cylinder, fuel-injected automotive-style motor. This wasn't the high-strung racing flower. It had been essentially the "K-car" engine from Japan adapted intended for the snow.
Because it had been based on a car engine, the longevity is just simple stupid. While your buddies on two-strokes were crossing their own fingers that they will wouldn't cold-seize or even melt a piston at 5, 000 miles, the 660 owners were just starting out. It's not uncommon to see these things with 10, 000 or also 15, 000 kilometers for the original best end. It's a "buy it once and forget about it" kind of electric motor.
The energy delivery is linear and smooth. A person don't get that will sudden "hit" on the pipe such as an old ZR 600 or eight hundred. Instead, you get a steady pull from the instant you thumb the throttle. It's estimated, that is exactly what you want when you're navigating a good, wooded trail or simply cruising at 50 mph across a frozen lake.
The Sound of Silence (Well, Almost)
One of the biggest promoting points of the particular 2002 arctic cat 660 4 stroke back in the time was how peaceful it was. When you've ever spent eight hours on a screaming two-stroke, you understand that "hum" you are feeling in your mind for three hours after you quit. This sled transformed that. It purrs. At idle, you can actually possess a conversation with somebody standing next to you without yelling.
This produced it a huge strike with touring motorcyclists and folks residing in areas with noise restrictions. This also meant you weren't the "annoying neighbor" when you began up at six: 00 AM in order to go out for the sunrise ride. The particular lack of stoß was another large plus. Four-stroke triples are naturally very balanced, so your own hands and feet didn't feel like they will were vibrating off the machine after the hundred miles associated with hard riding.
Coping with the Pounds
Let's end up being real to get a second: the 2002 arctic cat 660 4 stroke is not a lighting machine. Four-stroke motors are heavy, specifically those early automotive-based ones. Adding the radiator, more coolant, and all the plumbing required for a 4-stroke meant that this sled carried a lot of its weight right more than the skis.
You really feel that weight when the particular trails get "whooped out. " If you're hitting huge bumps at higher speeds, you're heading to get the limits of the front side suspension faster than you would upon a lighter 2-stroke. It also means that if you obtain this thing stuck in deep natural powder, you better have got a couple of strong friends or a winching program. It's not a mountain sled, also it doesn't pretend to become. It's a trail-going sofa, and as long as you treat it that way, the is manageable.
To help with the handling, a lot of owners over the years have experimented with various ski setups and more aggressive carbides. Because the front end is so heavy, it actually bites in to the corners pretty well, provided you have got the proper setup to keep it through "pushing" through the particular turns.
Gasoline Economy and Range
Back within 2002, gas costs weren't quite exactly what they are today, but efficiency was still a large deal for these doing long-distance visiting. The 2002 arctic cat 660 4 stroke had been a fuel-sipping wonder compared to its contemporaries. While the particular big 800cc twin babies were guzzling gasoline and expensive injection oil, the 660 was just chugging along, getting considerably better mileage.
The best part? No even more carrying jugs of oil or worrying about whether the particular gas station in the middle of nowhere has the high-quality synthetic a person need. You simply pump regular gasoline and go. Over a long weekend break trip, the savings in gas and oil mount up, but the real benefit is the serenity of mind. You aren't constantly staring at the fuel measure wondering if you'll make it to the next town.
Maintenance: The Good and the Bad
Maintaining a 2002 arctic cat 660 4 stroke is the bit of a mixed bag. On one hand, you don't have to worry about energy valves getting carboned up or top-end rebuilds every few seasons. On the particular other hand, it's a more complicated beast than the simple two-stroke.
You have to do oil adjustments, which involves more than just pouring a container into a water tank. You've got a filter to offer with and a drain plug that will isn't always within the easiest spot. However, once that's done, you're good for the whole season.
The particular EFI (Electronic Energy Injection) system on these was actually quite robust. This generally starts right up, even in the particular bitter cold, with out the "three-pull-and-a-prayer" ritual required by old carbureted sleds. Simply turn the key, allow fuel water pump prime, and it also fire right up. That reliability is the huge reason these sleds have a loyal following within the used market.
Who Is usually This Sled Intended for Today?
In case you're looking with regard to a 2002 arctic cat 660 4 stroke nowadays, you're likely in one of two camps. Either you desire a super dependable "buddy sled" regarding guests to ride, or you want a low-cost, comfortable cruiser for yourself. It's an excellent choice regarding ice fishing, too, since it can tow line great sled with out overheating or fouling plugs at reduced speeds.
It's also a great "beginner" sled for someone who isn't fascinated in the high-performance side of the particular sport. It's predictable, it's not heading to jump out from under you if you accidentally blip the throttle, and it's comfortable enough for a full day associated with riding.
Final Thoughts on a Path Legend
The 2002 arctic cat 660 4 stroke wasn't attempting to function as the best kid at school. This was the sensible one that showed up on time, do its homework, plus never got in to trouble. It proved that four-stroke technology a new place within snowmobiling, paving the particular way for the particular turbocharged monsters and high-revving triples we all see today.
While it might feel a bit "vintage" compared to a modern-day chassis, there's a certain charm towards the 660. It's a reminder of a time when the industry began to care about things such as emissions, noise, plus long-term durability. In case you can pick one that's been well-cared for, don't be afraid of the miles. That Suzuki engine is most likely just obtaining heated up, and it'll likely still be humming along lengthy after the newer, flashy sleds are already retired.
Occasionally, you don't require the fastest or maybe the lightest machine for the mountain. Sometimes, you just want a sled that starts each time, keeps your ears from calling, and lets you take pleasure in the ride. That's exactly what this particular Arctic Cat provides, even two decades later.