2 stroke guys -need input!

[Bigrock33]

Since I have been a 4 stroke guy for a few years now, I am not very familiar with what is going on with the 2 stroke sleds. My adult son still likes the 2 strokes and was able to ride a stock '09 Cat M8 HCR when he was in Montana a week ago. He loved it. He is coming off a very modded '02 Mtn Max and is ready to buy a new sled. He has decided between a Cat M8 or a Dragon 8. For some reason, he is not considering the Doo's. He has asked my thoughts and I have no idea, so am asking you guys for some real, honest advice/evaluations. I have heard that reliability is a factor on both, don't know if it is true. His MM has been very reliable and he has it down significantly in weight as he likes to carve, sidehill, technical boondocking and some moderate jumps/drops. Doesn't do any big air or any big, steep climbs. He would be interested in more HP, either a turbo or?? It appears that there are some good Cat and Poo guys around for servicing, etc, so he should be good either way in that regard. Thanks for the input.

 

[Sunridge Sledhead]

Yo Larry!
I just happen to own one of each and have ridden them stock, pipes, highly modded, and turbos. Here's my assessment...
Fit, finish and reliability....Polaris
Best chassis for the way I like to ride.....Cat
Takes best to mods.....Cat
Best stock sled.....Polaris
Easiest to adapt to a turbo.....Cat

My favorite sled of all time....M7 Race Gas Turbo

Note: I have spent a lot more time riding the M Chassis...4 years, compared to 2 on the Raw IQ chassis. I like them both, however, if I were to buy a new sled right now it would be an M8. (But, I have not spent much time on an M1000)

 

[storage guy]

my .02 is go with the cat.

 

[Bigrock33]

thanks Kim - any reliability issues with the '09 Cats?

 

[Sunridge Sledhead]

They are lighter and better than ever from what I can tell!

 

[phatty]

i had a 700 dragon turbo last year, and am riding the m8 hcr this year.

In todays world, all sleds have issues. The deciding factor for me in choosing between the two sleds would be the closest good dealer. if driving an hour or two to a dealer isnt a big deal then your down to personal ride preference.

I honestly dont think you can go wrong with either of these sleds. Though with the polaris you will need to get some better boards installed first thing.

i love my hcr! The price will be right on it at the end of the year if he wants to pick up a used one!

 

[Kevco]

Larry you know there are plenty guys that would let him throw a leg on one or the other, Im just about 180' off of Kims opinion. I love the IQ cg it fits me well and my 6 has tons of mods that work well...Sadly I have no input on the turbo issue. In a nut shell I would say the cg on the poo is between the cat and doo, with the doo being the tallest and cat shortest. But like the saying goes pick your favorite color and buy it, I dont think there is a bad sled out there.

 

[built4dtuff]

i had a 700 dragon turbo last year, and am riding the m8 hcr this year.

In todays world, all sleds have issues. The deciding factor for me in choosing between the two sleds would be the closest good dealer. if driving an hour or two to a dealer isnt a big deal then your down to personal ride preference.

I honestly dont think you can go wrong with either of these sleds. Though with the polaris you will need to get some better boards installed first thing.

i love my hcr! The price will be right on it at the end of the year if he wants to pick up a used one!

Nail on the head with the dealer. I can't stand to ride the doo's but if my dealer ever changed to Doo's so would I!!

 

[Sunridge Sledhead]

Can't go wrong with Tri-City! They've taken great care of me, and I love my Dragon! Not knocking it at all. I've just got a lot more ride time on an M.

I know nothing about the Doo....I'd try one, but no dealer close to me, and I won't drive forever to work with one.

 

[Boondockn]

Kev,
Hopefully all the body parts have healed accordingly! I think what you meant to say in the words of Karl "letter carrier" Malone is, that your 360 degrees off of what kim said.

I have to agree with the dealer being close. Here in htown our cat dealer just closed his doors unfortunately. Ironically I just got a recall letter on the ol M1000 which means I'm going to have to take the sled down the canyon to cutlers. Never worked with them, I know they are great but what an inconvienance. That is if I can even get in the rotation down there (freak throw your weight around for me). Looks like next year might be a Polaris year for me. Thats about all I got.

I really cant believe Pres Obama hasnt contacted chuck norris to fix the economy.......It would only take one round house kick.

 

[Bigrock33]

i
i love my hcr! The price will be right on it at the end of the year if he wants to pick up a used one!

He may be very, very interested in that.

 

[Sunridge Sledhead]

I really cant believe Pres Obama hasnt contacted chuck norris to fix the economy.......It would only take one round house kick.

That's classic right there!!! LMAO!!!

 

[Bigrock33]

Any other guys who have rode these sleds? All input greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[hatchers]

Im a doo guy, first year on a non-doo......so heres my take

The M is best mtn sled period, i thought i would never day this but its true...super easy to sidehill and carves like butter, the engine has tons of room for HP mods. The 09 track is a keeper!

The Dragons i have rode seem to have power steering....and some better boards will make the foot stance feel better then any sled....flat and wide

 

[DragonFreak]

i have a 07 D7 and i love it. I rode the m chassis yesterday and it is pretty sweet. they are both great i agree on the dealer thing. I just like the smooth power of the Dragon