2006 Arctic Cat M5 opinions

[yellowlabs]

Hello--I'm a brand new member......a buddy of mine wrecked my wife's sled on our last trip out this spring..so I am in the replacement mode. It was an '04 M1 570 with a 144"

I've found an '06 M5--anybody know anything about this machine..is it a good "wife" sled

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

 

[JHG]

I'd like to get an M5 or M6 for my girlfriend. Not much aftermarket support for the M5. If your sled goes down I don't think the M5 would be a very good backup sled for a 180#+ male. I think the M6 is a better all around sled but I would look at what the best deal is I guess. I have other friends that ride my second sled so I kind of lean towards something a little larger. Just my .02.

 

[deepsnow8]

I agree

I'd like to get an M5 or M6 for my girlfriend. Not much aftermarket support for the M5. If your sled goes down I don't think the M5 would be a very good backup sled for a 180#+ male. I think the M6 is a better all around sled but I would look at what the best deal is I guess. I have other friends that ride my second sled so I kind of lean towards something a little larger. Just my .02.

I have to agree with BigHoe, The M5 is a good wife or girlfreind sled....As a matter of fact I looked at one this Friday for my 13 year old...Then again do not be fooled their is some Wifes and girlfreinds out their that are just as good or better that alot of guys.........................
But a M6 is alot more forgiving.................Heck get an M8...If you buddy wrecked it he should float at least 1/2 of the bill or all...................My.02

 

[Carbon Dreams]

The M5 is a great lightweight rider sled. Plenty fast for the trails and decent flotation. It will definitely not set any high marks, but a very easy sled to ride. You will be amazed at how well the lightweights can keep up with the big heavy guys. The M6 is probably a better all around sled, but if the rider is not all that dedicated to the sport, why buy a more expensive sled just to sit on the trailer...

 

[yellowlabs]

M5

wife rides predominantly on the trail (and loves it when they are groomed)...if we get off trail to squirrel around, she watches.....so tryng to not "waste" a bunch of money on a hot rod when she really just would rather ride the trails

 

[polarisfornow]

wife rides predominantly on the trail (and loves it when they are groomed)...if we get off trail to squirrel around, she watches.....so tryng to not "waste" a bunch of money on a hot rod when she really just would rather ride the trails

in that case maybe you should find a xf 5. if your mostly on trail the xf is the more trail friendly sled

 

[JHG]

in that case maybe you should find a xf 5. if your mostly on trail the xf is the more trail friendly sled

I agree, and the M series sleds are not great trail sleds. If she isn't venturing far off the trail there are lots of other options that maybe less expensive and actually more fun on the trail. I think the crossfire is designed for mostly trail but can handle gettin off the beaten path a little. I haven't priced them so I have no idea if they are any more or less expensive than an M series, but it maybe closer to what you're looking for. Just a thought.

 

[polarisfornow]

they are about the same in price but good luck finding one, originally i was trying to find a cf 5 to put a 800 mod motor in thinking a cf 5 would be cheap to buy. I looked for quite a while this summer and didn't find much maybe as the season gets closer more will be up for sale.

 

[JHG]

I've seen a couple new ones in dealerships but I don't think I've ever seen one on the trail.

 

[SLEDIOT]

Remember to the m6 bottom end is addaptable to the same big bore kits as the m7, for future reference it could end up an 800 or 900.............

 

[bigM]

i have a m5 for my son and its great just not a whole bunch of snort. but a good dependable very ridable sled but for me bigger is always better. cant wait to get him on a 6 or 7.

 

[irideabigpumpkin]

My wife rides one, we put a 144"x2.5 camoplast extreme on it. She used to not enjoy riding, now she loves it. The thing goes through powder extremely well. It is very light and it is EASY TO PULL THE RECOIL, this is very important, you do not want to have to start your wife's sled every time.

 

[mtncat800]

I would like to find a good M5 for my 8 yr old. Anyone know of any around?

 

[mtnclimber]

I would ditch the 5 and get an m6 or m7....

 

[kraftymike]

I had a M5 for my wife and it worked great on the trails, but did not have enough juice to get up even small hills without a skilled rider. It was a blast from time to time jumping on it and working it up the hill, but it got old after we got into a routine of swapping sleds at every hill. I did the only logical thing I could think of. Gave her my M7 and I bought myslef a new M1000 hahaha

 

[backcountryislife]

My wife was sick of hers within a 1/2 season. (and it was her first season)

Not enough power, period. Every time she got on my 8 she was pissed at me for getting her a 5.

like has been said, if you get a 6 you at least have somewhere to go if it's not enough.