09 D8 or Not???

[iowarmk]

I am looking to trade off my 08 rmk 600 for a 09 D8. My question though...is all the trouble I have been reading with the d8. Should I trade or wait....I really like the polaris sled...and I want to step up to more power...but I hate to trade, spend more money and end up with alot of costly problems. The D8 I am looking at has had the update done. Or..should I just spend money on my little 6 and enjoy it?

Thanks for any opionions!

 

[suitcase]

The D8 is a good sled, yes there has been some problems lately but it is a very small few. There are a hand full of bad storys, but there is 1000's of good ones. All brands have there problems, Poo's problems just happens to be most popular right now. I have two and would go buy a new one right now if I needed it.

 

[iowarmk]

Thanks for the advice....I agree...you get more of the stories about the bad one and not the good ones.

So...here is where I am at....three years into the mountain thing....on a 600...so spend the money and step up to the d8 or mod out my 600? IE...timbersled suspension, controller, pipe, reeds...ect..

I guess my question is...is it really worth the money to go to the 800 or just spend money on tricking out my 600? I am 5' 9" 180...not a real big guy...but want to enjoy the steep and deep.

Thoughts??????

 

[R44guy]

Upgate or Upgrade?

Iowarmk, I just picked up a 09 D8 and bought it new for $8999 plus tax with the two year engine warranty and all the updates were done all ready by the selling dealer. Reading the all of the threads on the forum here it looks like there are still some problems with lean conditions in the latest flash map programming update from polaris.

It looks like every one who has spent the money on a power commander 5 or something comparable has not had the burn down issues from the fuel injection map lean condition after the install? So I am ordering one tomorrow besides it also makes more power so it is a win win but it still cost more money. Unfortunately it looks like there are still voltage regulator issues that cause other burn downs with the ecu.

I think there are some great upgrades for your current sled but it just isnt the same as having a 800. I have a 08 RMK 700 with a BD Pumpgas Turbo set up with minicooler and it works great but it has some draw backs depending on what kind of riding your doing or where your at? If your out boondocking around some trees in the powder or on a side hill it is not usable or controlable power at times! There is either a light lag with out enough power or there is too much IMO.

I could of saved $100 of off my new sled to get it with out the engine warranty but it is too big of a risk not to get the 2nd year warranty if you read about all of the failures. Good luck with your decision I know it is not a easy one. Either way it will cost you some dough.

 

[harrysmith500]

my 09 D8 has only given me the following.

Extreme performance.
Ultimate handling
many women
absolute thrill of having so much power!

buy the d8, you'll love it

 

[AndrettiDog]

I'm with harrysmith. My D8 has done the same except get me women. I absolutely love the sled, but i have put a little money into it. My first advice is to not buy into what you read too much on the 4M. I agree that some people have had issues with their D8's. But the update has somewhat fixed the problem, but left a lot of people with rich sleds. The PCV seems to be a must and has made my sled run great.

Any 600 is more reliable than any of the 800's. There seems to be a threshhold at the 700 to 800 motors where reliability becomes an issue. It really depends on if you think you need the 800. I had the D7 and it went everywhere the 800 went, just not as easily. I highly recommend the D7 or the 600. You have to tinker with sleds to make any sled run good. If you are less of a tinker, maybe you should look at the 600 or 700.

 

[skibreeze]

I've been riding my 600 because my 800 has been down for the last month with no idea when the rest of the parts will be in so they can test it, to find out that it will need more parts. I'm guessing 2 months total when it is said and done. I'd say that you are out of your mind to buy an 8 with the crap that is going on. I'm starting to lose track of all the parts that have been replaced on mine and it is repeating itself. It's had 9 pistons, 3 monoblocks, 2 voltage regulators, 2 ECU's, 2 injectors, and that's not all. 2,000 whopping miles on it.
BTW, my 6 has been able to go almost anywhere the rest of the 8's in our group have gone.

At least the 600 runs, actually, it flys!

 

[suitcase]

Would have to agree with bug, the 700 is a real strong sled with little issues. They produce real good power and performace with little after market toys. It really depends on how much you need, There is a small diff. between the 700 with pipe and reeds and air box, compared to the stock
800. My dad has the 08 D7 with the pipe, reeds, and air box, runs very nice. There is a small jump when you compare it to the 08 D8. He has around 3300 on it with no problems other than rider error. On the other hand there is a good jump between the 700 and the 600, my mother rides the 600 and hands down I would go with the 7 over the 6.

Just my two penny's

 

[harrysmith500]

I've been riding my 600 because my 800 has been down for the last month with no idea when the rest of the parts will be in so they can test it, to find out that it will need more parts. I'm guessing 2 months total when it is said and done. I'd say that you are out of your mind to buy an 8 with the crap that is going on. I'm starting to lose track of all the parts that have been replaced on mine and it is repeating itself. It's had 9 pistons, 3 monoblocks, 2 voltage regulators, 2 ECU's, 2 injectors, and that's not all. 2,000 whopping miles on it.
BTW, my 6 has been able to go almost anywhere the rest of the 8's in our group have gone.

At least the 600 runs, actually, it flys!

sounds like you need to claim the lemon law... that doesn't seem right

 

[440dart]

man if i was you turbo your sled if you can fab it up yourself and you dont mind missing some chrome peices



$1000 for garret 2860 turbo same turbo used in kits
$350 for fuel controller dapending on fuel controler mite need a fuel regulator
$200ish for clutching
$200 for materials

then put the $1000 you saved from doing it yourself into buying a timbersled rear skid. you might actually find it better useing a evo3 turbo its a little bit smaller better for boondocking and you can pick one up for $350ish spool faster than 2860 garret turbo

 

[DragonSlayer1]

d8

If I bought a polaris again I would go with the 700

 

[PalousePoo]

My two cents is get a 800 with a warranty. If you mod the 600 and spend alot doing it, you'll get penny's back on the $ you spend on those parts. A low mialage 700 would be a good compromise and prob. make you pretty happy too.

 

[IceCap]

You can put all kinds of money into that 600 and it still will not perform like an 800.
You mention you like the steep and deep..... So I would go with a 800 163" vent it well,
Don't pipe it .... Put a PCV on it. Dail the clutching and don't look back.

 

[2XM3]

new rmk 700...holtz front and rear suspention,pipe and can,lightweight hood, powder pros,gear and clutch..bullitproof sled and will go anywhere a stock 800 dragon will go and just as easyand some places a stocker wont... (jk,its really up to the rider)

 

[440dart]

turbo the 600 and i will trade you my 08 700

 

[zr600]

Have you considered a 660 or 685 big bore. Call carls cycle up and talk to chris in the performance department.

 

[Ron]

Add me to the trouble free D8's-2008 and then the 2009.

 

[jim9006]

Another problem free '09 D8 owner here.. Absolutely the best handleing and most linear power band snowmobile I've ever ridden.. I can see why those with problem sleds are putting so much effort into keeping them.

 

[Dave4441]

No problems with my 08 D8. Spent 2 days this weekend on 2010 update and love the machine. Come off a 07 600 Switchback and still getting comfortable on it, but love the machine. No stumble, ridden at both 2000 and 4300 feet.

Does anyone have any experience with soft walker evens shocks. I am 265 lbs and sled is real washy on slow turns. Would rechargeing shocks help this problem?

 

[440dart]

i still vote turbo