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Editor's note: After all of the recent discussions of stock sled weight amongst Western riders, we decided to conduct our own controlled experiment to find out exactly what these machines weighed. Below is a chart outlining the variables that we controlled to arrive at our final weight numbers. Following the chart is an explanation of the process that we took to ensure a level playing field. All of the gas tanks were dry so you can add 6.25 lbs. per gallon of fuel capacity to the numbers to determine what each machine would weigh with a full tank. | Arctic Cat M1000 | Arctic Cat M8 Sno Pro | Arctic Cat M8 Standard | Arctic Cat M6 | Polaris Dragon 700 | Polaris RMK 600 | Ski-Doo Summit 800 X-RS | Ski-Doo Summit 800 Adrenaline | Ski-Doo Summit 600 | Yamaha Apex Mt. | Yamaha Phazer Mt. |
| Track | 162 in. | 153 in. | 153 in. | 153 in. | 155 in. | 155 in. | 151 in. | 151 in. | 144 in. | 162 in. | 144 in. |
| Fuel Cell/gal. | Dry/11g | Dry/11g | Dry/11g | Dry/11g | Dry/11.5g | Dry/12g | Dry/10.6g | Dry/10.6g | Dry/10.6g | Dry/10g | Dry/8.1g |
| Engine Coolant | 4 quarts | 4 quarts | 4 quarts | 4 quarts | 6.7 quarts | 6.3 quarts | 4.9 quarts | 4.9 quarts | 4.87 quarts | 6.76 quarts | 3.8 quarts |
| Engine Oil/Crankcase Oil | 1 quart | 1 quart | 1 quart | 1 quart | 1 quart | 1 quart | 1 quart | 1 quart | 1 quart | 3.2 quarts | 2.6 quarts |
| Weight | 534 | 494 | 500 | 499 | 500 | 494 | 489 | 504 | 494 | 632 | 543 |
After studying the chart above there are several areas that need to be explained in further detail. First, we determined the engine/crankcase oil for the 4-stroke Yamaha sleds to be a constant; this fluid level is at full capacity for the Apex and Phazer. If you would like to take the added weight of this oil into account for the Apex and Phazer - remove 2.2 and 2.6 quarts of oil respectively for the Apex and Phazer so that there is hypothetically the same 1 quart of oil as is in the other machines. Each quart weighs 1.9 lbs. and would reduce the Apex weight by 4.1 lbs. and the Phazer by 4.94 lbs.
Second, some of the sleds' engine coolant capacities are different, by as much as 2 quarts or more. We decided to keep our sleds full-up. However, the variance can be calculated down to an equal weight across the board consistent with exactly 4 quarts of coolant (1 gallon) per sled. Simply subtract the weight of the additional coolant in the sleds that have more than 4 quarts of oil in them by 2.3 lbs. per quart.
Next, gear lube - chain case oil - was not figured into the weight differences as it would not change the weights more than a pound. Weight from chain case oil is a constant - not consumed in operation - like engine coolant and engine oil in a 4-stroke motor.
Another notable aspect is that the 800 Summit X-RS is a shorter length track than its main 800cc rival, the M8 Sno Pro, but the Summit's wider 16-inch x 151-inch track has more surface area than the M8's 15-inch wide x 153-inch track. The difference in surface area is 121 square inches - favoring the Summit - AND the Summit's track is lighter.
One should also take note that between standard models in the 600, 700 and 800cc machines there is only a 15 lb. weight difference. In addition, the M6, RMK 600 and Summit 600 are VERY similar in weight. We were excited to see that the Arctic standard M8 is only 1 lb. heavier than the M6, and the Polaris Dragon is only 6 lbs. heavier than the 600 RMK - due to a heavier crankshaft and EFI wiring. The Ski-Doo Summit Adrenaline 800 is 10 lbs. heavier than its 600 counterpart.
The true competition on the snow pits is the M8 Sno Pro vs. 800 Summit X-RS. These sleds are within pounds of each other, the Summit X-RS being lighter by 5 lbs. Cat's M sleds gained weight in '07 over the '06 by using a heavier off-the-shelf track, and placing a electro-mechanical reverse on its sleds. The M8, unlike the Summit X-RS, has EFI and uses more wiring due to its four spark plug ignition system. In spite of the "added" stuff, reverse and a heavy track, the M8 Sno Pro is only 5 lbs. heavier than the X-RS 800 Summit, which went on a serious diet from the '06 Summit Highmark X. However, the standard model Summit Adrenaline 800 151-incher is heavier than the standard M8 by 4 lbs.
Chris Ruske is the Summit's chief R&D man for Ski-Doo's Summit program in Grand Lake, Colo. He set out to build the lightest high-horsepower 800 on the market, and he did.
AmSnow's mountain team gives him a big thumbs up here. We also believe many X-RS owners will test their Summit not only against the M8 Sno Pro, but against the M1000 too, so we wanted to give them an idea what they will be up against.
As far as Polaris is concerned, we believe the RMK development team is serious about the business of weight loss too. If you ride the Dragon after slopping around in the mountains on a 900 RMK, the Dragon feels mind-blowingly stealthy and light. Polaris is dedicated to being the king in lightweight horsepower and the Dragon is a great step to getting there.
Yamaha is all 4-stroke, and by nature, these motors are heavier. But, do not count them out from the diet craze. The Phazer is a glimpse into the future, and with more R&D time on lightweight components than any other manufacturer, they are working towards getting the heavy 4-strokes slimmer. Just look at their dedication to Cross-Country racing and the resurgence of their Snocross program!
At the end of the day, we realized that we were splitting hairs. Ask yourself: How much do you weigh compared to the driver on the competing sled? If you are 20 lbs. heavier than your friend, then it doesn't matter if you have the lightest sled! Perhaps you should compliment your sled's weight loss program by going on one yourself. Each of these mountain sleds are light, and they are all comparable in weight.
Thanks to Bobby Barney, Bill Knighton, Jared Burt and Rexburg Motor Sports, Rexburg, Idaho (208-356-4000), for providing, sleds, scales, personnel and time.