AmSnow.com is now SnoWest.com
Early fall 2006, we ranked Cat's M8 as
AmSnow's "best" mountain sled, with Polaris' 700 Dragon as runner up and Ski-Doo's Summit 800 X-RS as third. But no more than one point separated the three. These three sleds are, on any given day, the best. Our rankings came after much debate among Matt Allred (Western Editor), Kevin Allred (test rider) and Jake Allred (photographer and test rider).
Motor Sports (RMS), of Rexburg, Idaho, and Mountain Magic Sports, of Preston, Idaho, provided the rides, except for the media sleds
AmSnow had in its stall. These sleds represent the OEM's latest mountain offerings, be that a new chassis, new motor, revitalized chassis or standard bread and butter machines. The M-Cats were prepped by Mountain Magic Sports, with the Summits, RMKs and Yamaha prepped by the service staff at RMS.
M1000 on topIt may not have been as popular a seller as the M8 during the spring buy program, but the M1000 has fast become a respected lightweight big-bore (lightest in its class, that is). It did have its primary clutching growing pains though, but once the four-tower primary was dialed in with heavy springs, the big-twin motor really cooked.
The 153-inch SnoPro packaged 1000 M-Cat, which weighs about 530 lbs., is not hard on the arms and upper torso. Though not as light as the M8, it's still agile. We recognize more effort is required to work the 1000, but that it becomes a never-mind when the motor's power lightens the load; power-to-weight is essential. The 1000's power-to-weight ratio is about 3.21; Cat estimates power at 165 horses.
This sled is in the same motor-class as the RT Summit 1000, but is considerably lighter. Did we stack it up against an RT Summit 1000 on the same day? No. But we've had our fair share of time on both.
The M1000 barrels through the powder, trees and ravines with a feathery feel. I've changed my springtime position and place the M1000 as the ultimate powder sled for 2007, swapping out the X-RS Summit 800. The M-1000's horsepower is king.
Two eight ballsThere are two 8s that square off weekend after weekend, the Summit X-RS and the M8. These sleds have similar blueprints for '07: new motors in improved chassis. In '07, a new 800R monoblock motor was plopped into the lightened REV chassis; Ski-Doo is stopping at nothing to be on top in the mountains. With 150+ hp pounding from the motor's two cylinders, the Summit was popular with the Spring-buy crowd, and more Summits were purchased than any other mountain sled for 2007.
The M8 is not an overgrown M7, but an M-Cat with a new laydown motor that spits out 143.7 hp
(Dyno Test, p. 18), has electromechanical reverse and is bolted into an improved M-chassis. Yes, it churns a 2.25-inch Camoplast Challenger track, which is not a lightweight mountain track like the Summit's or RMK Dragon's, but it works well. The M8 SnoPro is titanium equipped - shocks, clutch spring - which cuts weight.
The Summit 800 X-RS and M8 are skilled mountain whackers. Yet, old school riders have a harder time migrating to the Summit's centralized-mass and handlebar feel than they do jumping on an M-Cat. This is hard to define, but the Summit's over-the-drivers centralized-mass gives some riders too much of a forward feel. The handlebar throw is trail- and racer-tuned. Yet, I'm not at all bothered by it. All a Summit requires is seat time from its rider. The Summit is the top-selling mountain sled because it works, but it's unique.
The M8 SnoPro 153, weighing in at 494 lbs., was zippy and filled with "zoom, zoom." But it has the big guns for the haul up the high-angled ascents. The M8 motor is a laydown motor, meaning it pulls its air charge in the motor's front, and exhausts fuel on the same side. The M8 uses Batteryless Electronic Fuel Injection mated to 46 mm throttle bodies. One to two pulls, and life sparks as the motor's DNA hums to life.
When riding the M8, it's simple to transition from seat to upright and back. Its narrow sculpted seat and its running boards allow the rider to hitch up and slalom through the powder.
The M8's nemesis is the Summit X-RS, weighing in at 489 lbs. The Summit's R motor slams out 155.7 hp
(Dyno Test, AmSnow Feb. '07) and its power-to-weight ratio is 3.14, better than the M8's 3.43. Amenities such as high-end HPG clicker shocks up front with titanium coil-over springs, a polycarbonate hood, a clear fuel cell, 440 X-racer bar and hooks and hillclimb calibrated rear skid, give the sled a low weight and racer feel.
After riding the two, we still argue over which is the best 8. Kevin leans toward the M8 because he feels the "fun factor" is somewhat diminished in the Summit because its handlebars swing down from 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock positions toward the fuel cell. This keeps the bars away from the windshield, but makes sidehilling and turning out from a highmark more difficult than on an M-Cat or RMK. I do not find this to always be the case.
If the only thing we find wrong with the Summit is handlebar rotation, and with the M8, its heavy track, then there is not much wrong with either of these sleds. Fun factor, though, convinces the three of us to place the M8 slightly ahead of the Summit.
Dragon RMK 700The Dragon RMK 700, weighing in at 500 lbs., is strong and sassy. As a 700, it pulls up a smidgen short when pulling the long haul up the steep powder. The new 700cc Cleanfire H.O. uses four injectors to atomize the fuel and oxygen, throttle response is quick and horses from the 700 are around 140. If this had contained an 800 in its belly, the Dragon most likely would have been our powder sled of the year.
This IQ-based RMK with an all-new motor and chassis is cut to the bare bones, hacking 25 lbs. from the '06 RMK. Gone is the front radiator, replaced by a tunnel-integrated heat exchanger. Walker Evans patent- pending front air shocks and a Walker Evans HPG IFP rear shock give the Polaris a controlled ride.
Appreciated improvements include a fixed handlebar, wide running boards and an instrument cluster that features a single-faced gauge that reports engine and speed vitals.
Coming out of the hole against the Summit 8 and M8, the Dragon holds its own until a long deep chute tests hp and torque. Yet, in the trees and ravines, there is no real difference between the three.
Keeping the Dragon on its side in a controlled ascent, or sashaying through the powder, is so easy, it's almost laughable. However, the sidehiller skis are not aggressive enough for this chassis, and we felt the boards did not dump enough snow through their perforations.
The 900 IQ RMK was a major oops for Polaris. But the past is the past. Though the 700's bore is small for Polaris' largest mountain sled, it can deliver all you need, and most of what you want. It'll be fun to test the new 800 next season.
Phazer Mountain LiteThe Phazer Mountain Lite is an entry level, radical looking, powder sled that delivers niceties and a low price. Its 500cc 4-stroke, fuel-injected twin spins an all-new 144-inch long by 14-inch wide track with 2-inch paddles. Yamaha advertises that the twin cylinder whips out 80 hp. It comes standard with electric start and reverse, rear travel measures 15.5 inches, with 8.5 inches from the double A-arm front end, and it weighs in at 543 lbs.
With a Gen-X and Yamaha ATV look, it's minimalist up front with no belly for flotation, which oft times causes the powder to ball up in front of it, rather than letting the sled float atop it.
As mentioned, we can't endorse this sled as a big mountain stomper, because it's not. Yet it IS a nice powder player. Phazer certainly will climb an ascent, but figure on taking your time, for it will not blow up the hill like an Apex. At 80 horses, Phazer is not designed to assault mountains, but to be a playful powder hound.
The sled's weight can be a drawback. It weighs roughly the same as Cat's M1000, which means its power-to-weight ratio at 6.78 is sub-par. It's also not meant to hammer along the whoops in the trail like a Dragon or Summit.
The Phazer Mountain Lite is perfect for the beginner, and curious explorer. For the budget-minded, it's worth serious consideration.
Six appeal?The M6, 600 RMK and Summit 600 are underappreciated by the boondocking public. With between 120-125 horses jumping from these motors, the 600 class tests skill with middle-class horsepower.
Polaris' new Raw 600 RMK 155 is all business, and we found it to be a serious contender for the day's open powder.
The M6 and the 600 RMK are similar, transmitting a like feel through the handlebars and seat. The 600 RMK is easy to flick and toss; riders can carve a ribbon effortlessly by simply standing, slightly dropping the corresponding shoulder, lifting the opposite foot and leaning into a turn.
The Summit 600 is the shortest of the two with a track length of only 144 inches, but its track is 1 inch wider than its brethren which gives it a surface area similar to a 153-inch track. The Summit 600 is as light as the 600 RMK, weighing in at 494 lbs. Like its competitors, the Summit is all about fun and it wants to run with the 800s.
We place the 600 RMK as our fave 600 due to its superb chassis, 2.4-inch paddle track with 155 inches of length and superb ergos. The M6 hauls behind it with the Summit in third. To be crystal clear, there is only a 5-lb. difference between the sleds. If the 600 RMK was 100%, then the M6 is 99.98% and the Summit 600 is 99.97%.
Don't get hung up on a first, second and third attitude. Any one of these sixes can serve up a satisfying ride in the mountains. It mostly depends on personal preference and riding style.
Note: All weights based on AmSnow-verified tests. (See Cool News, AmSnow Feb. '07.)Kevin's takeThis year's mountain sleds are no doubt competitive. There's not a bad sled in the bunch, and I'm not just saying that to be "politically correct."
That said, I have my own personal preferences. In years past, weight has been a focus and currently in the 2-stroke models there are only some 15 lbs. difference between the 600cc sleds and the 800cc sleds. Horsepower ratings are also similar per CC, all sleds have reverse and they have a variety of track lengths and widths.
We evaluated the brand new '07 models and decided to throw in the M6 and 600 Summit along with the new 600 RMK to round out the group. The entire 600 class is good, but my pick is Polaris' 600 RMK. I like the new chassis and how it works in the deep powder and on the steep slopes. The 600 H.O. motor tops it off and is the main reason I gave the nod to Polaris. The 700 Dragon has the same great chassis as the 600 RMK, but has more power, obviously due to its larger motor, and it has upgraded shocks (Walker Evans), and electronic fuel injection. My first choice for tracks is the 2.4, 155-incher.
In the 800cc class, the two new sleds are the Arctic Cat M8 and the Ski Doo X-RS Summit. Looking at power-to-weight, it's all about the Summit X-RS; you can't argue with its success. The X-RS flys out of the hole, pulls hard and climbs well, and I can go on and on about the motor's technology.
The M8, like the Summit, has a new motor in an enhanced mountain chassis. This year's M-chassis has an improved rear suspension and has reverse, which makes this sled a keeper. The M8 is just incredibly easy to toss around too!
As for the Phazer, every time I get on this sled I end up wiping out any preconceived notions I've had about an 80-hp sled. I am impressed with where this machine will go. I'm not saying it will run with the big boys, but for what it's designed for, it's right there - 76 mph on a hard pack trail is not bad at all.
My wish list of improvements for these sleds includes: a tighter turning radius for the Cats, for both the Cats and RMKs, larger diameter slots on the running boards so snow can more easily be stomped through, the handlebars should be pulled back on the Ski-Doo Summit and the Phazer could use more rebound control in the rear skid.
Last spring we were asked to make a best choice pick and the
AmSnow mountain team split 3 ways on this with my pick going to the M1000, as I like horsepower, especially without excessive weight. For me this sled is the "real deal." Local dyno shops have it at 167 hp.
The weight is noticeable, approximately 30 lbs. heavier than the 800s, but I can deal with it for the added ponies.
After riding all the production models, I still make the same call, even though it is a tough one since these sleds are all so good. I'll stick with the M1000 as my overall best of the best for model year '07.
Next year promises to be interesting too, with Polaris' new 800 and Ski-Doo's much lighter Summit.
- Kevin Allred