Catalyst Platform Includes Progressive Steering System…
Related: Arctic Cat What’s New for 2025
Photo by Arctic Cat
Introduction
By Michel Garneau
The trail and crossover versions of the new for 2025 Catalyst platform come equipped with an innovative progressive steering system. Arctic Cat introduced the awkwardly called “ratio steering” to consumers in 2024. Now this system plays an integral role in the new Catalyst platform.
After checking out my Arctic Cat What’s New For 2025 post, some riders questioned my not mentioning the progressive steering system. The answer is simple: this system wasn’t new for 2025! However, since detailed information about this system and its actual operation remains hard to come by, here’s my exclusive report…
The Backstory
Arctic Cat engineers were clear from the outset that one of the key objectives guiding the design of the Catalyst platform was to reduce the driving effort. However, doing so is not only a function of vehicle weight (or lightness). Hence, the decision to include the progressive steering system developed on the manufacturer’s racing sleds several years ago.
Centered Steering Column
That meant incorporating a centered steering column, now a cornerstone of the Catalyst chassis. The revised location of the various major components inside the engine compartment made this simpler, more direct configuration possible. In turn, this allowed the introduction of a clever yet simple new mechanism. It diminishes effort required at initial turn-in, thereby reducing fatigue. As the handlebar continues turning away from center, the steering ratio changes, causing the required input effort to rise.
Meanwhile, the steering column and the wishbone (attached to the tie rods) in the progressive steering system use two separate pivot points. The steering column does not interact directly with the tie rods, but rather does so indirectly via the wishbone. This occurs by means of a groove in the column-mounted arm and a sliding mechanism attached to the wishbone.
How It Works
Maximum mechanical leverage between the steering column and the wishbone at the start of a turn.
At the start of a turn (photo above), the mechanical leverage between the steering column and the wishbone is at its maximum. Thus, the effort is also at its lowest point, while the driver has to turn the handlebars more. As the steering column turns more and moves away from its centered position – in tighter turns, for example (photo below), the mechanical leverage with the wishbone decreases. This increases the effort required at the handlebars and speeds up the movement of the skis. Simple and ingenious!
Mechanical leverage between the steering column and the wishbone decreases as turn progresses.
Combined with the new-for-2025 features of the Arctic Cat Catalyst platform, the progressive steering system delivers very impressive results. Want more tech? Check out my reports for Yamaha and Lynx.
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The tips and advice in this blog are the opinions of the author, may not work in every situation and are intended only for the convenience and interest of the reader, who has the personal responsibility to confirm the validity, accuracy and relevancy of this information prior to putting it to their own use.