mountain midseason report
Amsnow
Our mountain crew was spoiled this year with the Cat M1000 Sno Pro and M8 Sno Pro. We first rode prototypes of these machines in February of 2006, and we asked if the fuel mapping was at final spec. A couple months later we were given the opportunity to test the pre-production machines again with improved fuel mapping as well. Now, after countless in-season hours on our production versions, we believe Cat has pretty much perfected the mapping and more.
The M8 and the M1000 have new motors, received much needed suspension upgrades and reverse, which added about 11 lbs. At first we questioned this decision because it added more weight, but after using reverse in tight situations we are glad to have it and use it much more than we ever thought we would.
Both sleds also have a larger diameter starter that gives them an easier pull than even the old M6 - you can tell a difference on cold mornings. The handlebar grips also are now attached with a mechanical fastener on the end of the grip, which prevents them from coming off when you least expect it on a nasty side hill.
The only glitch we experienced so far happened during a below zero cold spell, we had a piece of ice in the M8's fuel pump, which prevented it from starting. We reversed the polarity on the pump allowing it to back out and it has not happened since.
Clutching on the M8 was no doubt on the light side with 68-gram weights for 6,000 to 9,000 feet so we switched them out and are now running 75-gram weights. It feels a bit on the heavy side, although it holds the rpms well and the M8 has a lot harder pull all the way through the throttle than the M7. We have been impressed too by how well it keeps up to the bigger cc motors.
The M1000 is our king of the hill this year. We love how hard this thing pulls, and it keeps going. In order to hold maximum rpm and not over-rev the engine, Arctic's engineers put in a four-roller clutch with cam arms. The big motor still needs 68 to 70 gram weights to keep it in the power band, and our local dyno people, Starting Line Products in Idaho Falls, have tested it at 167 hp. That hp combined with the M chassis makes this our mountain favorite. The 29 lb. jump in weight from the M8 to the thousand is worth it!
Our first M-series sled was a 2005 M7 that stayed with us for 2½ seasons. The second, a 2006 M7, is still with us. Over the long term, these have been reliable and durable sleds. As of this writing we've had no motor, clutching, chassis or electrical problems. In fact, the ONLY complaint we have had is the handgrip coming loose once in a while.
We test the heck out of these rides too - from hitting the trails at 80+ mph, to hill climbing and boondocking in the thickest of trees. We have done it all on these sleds. Spend 3 days with Chris Burandt, Bret Rasmussen and the Sledneck boys, and you will find yourself doing things with these sleds that you never thought possible. Arctic Cat Ms have proven to be fun, long-lasting snowmobiles.
Since we have taken delivery of our 2007 snowmobiles from Mountain Magic Sports in Preston, Idaho, the sleds have not gone back to the dealership and that's a testament to their endurance.