2009 800RMK, XP 800 or M8?

[Snowman 2001]

Considering a new sled but not sure which one to get.

I have it narrowed down to the following 09 models

800 RMK 155

XP 800 154

M8 153

Which one of these is the easiest to sidehill and carve in the powder?

Of the three above which is the "gas and go sled"?

 

[76FOMOCO]

popcorn PLEASE!!!!


1 vote for the M8.

 

[YETIms]

in your signature you have polaris sleds??
go to your dealer try all sleds and lets see what happened.

 

[defysgravity]

2 things....
Try before you buy.
In your area, which dealer will back you up the best.
I think all three sleds are pretty close in comparison. I believe the Poo has a few more ponies, not much. All three do different things well.

 

[Snowman 2001]

Try before you buy.

I would, however, there are no dealers in my area that sell all three. I would have to demo on different days, in different areas, and most likely in different conditions.

All three do different things well.

Of the three which is the easiest to toss around and carve in the powder?

 

[ZL50068]

Never ridden a XP or RMK but have riddin a M8. It is so easy to carve and play with in powder, it should be outlawed. But really, I have heard lots of good things bout the M8 as far as powder ability and realibility. Just my .02, but my vote is for the M8!

 

[Boondock]

I will play Polaris 800 IMO

 

[wasatchrider]

2 things....
Try before you buy.
In your area, which dealer will back you up the best.
I think all three sleds are pretty close in comparison. I believe the Poo has a few more ponies, not much. All three do different things well.

sounds like your a doo guy. dealer is real important because you always have to go there for parts and maitinance. hopefully not so for 09.
as far as ponies ski doo 151 arctic cat 148 and polaris 154. just claimed numbers so who knows. when they are running right you cant loose with any of them but the ski doo do does take some getting used to it rides a lot different.

 

[exman04]

they are all good but i ride a 09 dragon and it the easyest and most predictable. I ride in the tree's all day every day and boondocking is so easy on it, power is awsome, and side hilling is insane easy I can side hill better sitting down on my dragon then standing up on any other sled. m8 is easly my second choice though.

 

[polarisfornow]

i vote m8 and every publication i've read, snowest, american snowmobiler, supertrax, and snowgoer all agree with me. well actually i just agree with them.

 

[2sled2day]

800 xp only way to go lbs/hp

 

[MTSummit]

i vote m8 just a better all around sled in my opinion. I think they all have strong points and all have weak points. Dealer and service might also be a big factor, no dealer support makes a HUGE difference.

 

[Clarke673]

Personally i think the 800 RMK is your best bet, second would be M8, third would be XP. This is what i have gathered from riding all last season. I have NOT rode an M8 ever before but i have rode the XP and the Dragon, and let me tell you that the XP is a dog IMO compared to the dragon. It took me half the day to get enough balls to lay the XP over let alone do any hard riding. The RMK chassis feels natural to me and as i have been told, the M chassis is very close to the RMK's


I might be biased but it it were me i would get a RMK, M8, then the XP. I seen a lot more Xp’s sitting on the trail not working or running right than any other sled. Also, Its hard to admit, but I have seen some Xp’s with clutching and can do wonders climbing. Stock Xp almost beet my Full Mod 900 when my clutching was off! I almost cried…

 

[Jkinzer]

i ride an 09 polaris( in my sig) and if you are soley basing your choice on the easiest to throw around and carve with and thats your main point in choosing a new sled than you should go with the m8. The m series chassis is hands down the easiest to throw around, their rear suspension is hands down the best factory skid on the market, their light weight and fun to ride.

 

[snopropanther]

m8 only because it will make it back to the trailer on its own and has a lot of possiblities to mod

 

[Joker09]

My vote is also for the M8, just amazing how easy it is to lay over.

 

[GlennRMK]

I'm in the same boat

I've been on the fence for a while about M8 vs D8

If I haven't heard such bad things about the handling of the XP and the terrible reliability last year I would definitely consider the XP. The Blue and White X model looks sweet. I like the lightweight and high hp but everyone is saying they handle like a tank. Also, lack of fuel injection is a bummer.

I also don't understand why mountain sleds come with a sway bar? I would like to compare the D8 and XP with no sway bar and proper shock setup.

I've ridden an 07 700 Dragon for a whole day and really liked it. Similar to the M but was a little bit tougher to keep it layed over compared to the M. I would definitely like to see what its like with no sway bar and a good front shock setup.

I loved my 06 M7. Just a blast to ride and throw around.

This is why I'm leaning towards the M8, but I could be swayed to a Dragon. The Dragon has more snap but the handling is maybe a shade behind.

Breakdown

XP
+ Good running motor
+ Lightest
- Poor handling
- Questionable reliability

D8
+ Strongest motor
+ Good handling
+ Good suspension
- Heaviest

M8
+ Light
+ Top notch motor reliability and good overall reliability
+ Excellent handling
- Least hp

09 might be the tighest year yet for the 800 class

You really can't go wrong as long as the reliability of the XP doesn't repeat last year's model

What we really need is an M8 chassis that weighs as much as an XP and has the Dragon motor

 

[TS Drag Racer]

I'm in the same boat

I've been on the fence for a while about M8 vs D8

If I haven't heard such bad things about the handling of the XP and the terrible reliability last year I would definitely consider the XP. The Blue and White X model looks sweet. I like the lightweight and high hp but everyone is saying they handle like a tank. Also, lack of fuel injection is a bummer.

I also don't understand why mountain sleds come with a sway bar? I would like to compare the D8 and XP with no sway bar and proper shock setup.

I've ridden an 07 700 Dragon for a whole day and really liked it. Similar to the M but was a little bit tougher to keep it layed over compared to the M. I would definitely like to see what its like with no sway bar and a good front shock setup.

I loved my 06 M7. Just a blast to ride and throw around.

This is why I'm leaning towards the M8, but I could be swayed to a Dragon. The Dragon has more snap but the handling is maybe a shade behind.

Breakdown

XP
+ Good running motor
+ Lightest
- Poor handling
- Questionable reliability

D8
+ Strongest motor
+ Good handling
+ Good suspension
- Heaviest

M8
+ Light
+ Top notch motor reliability and good overall reliability
+ Excellent handling
- Least hp

09 might be the tighest year yet for the 800 class

You really can't go wrong as long as the reliability of the XP doesn't repeat last year's model

What we really need is an M8 chassis that weighs as much as an XP and has the Dragon motor

Honestly if you're looking for the easiest sled to ride and the most predictable sled, my vote is for the D-8 without question. I demo'd one twice last season, plus couple guys I ride with have em and it just seemed like a very predictable and easy sled to ride. I've had an M-1000 and ridden the 8 as well, also very good sleds. The power on the M-8 is noticebly softer, than the Dragon and the XP. One thing I didn't like on the Dragon was the suspension felt to soft, I'd need some improvement in that department, maybe it is fixed for 09? I personally like the Xp the best for myself, simply because I'm 6' 4" 240lbs. I want the most power I can get out of the 800 motor, before my mods and I'm big enough that throwing it around is a none issue. Good luck with your choice, don't think you can really go wrong with any one of them. Just got my Xp home yesterday and it is sweet! Already polished the tunnel and started bolting on my reeds and other goodies.

 

[Heater15]

vote M8

i have logged a few hours on all them. I have a M8. Cat is a little low on HP, but I only thought it was noticable to the RMK. XP is very nose heavy, good power, poor reliability IMO. Dragon RMK is most powerful, but it feels top heavy and a little unstable. Cats lower HP is probably what makes it a longer lasting and more reliable engine than the others. I think the M's have more proper balance, a lot easier to lay over and control. There all good sleds but I would say M8 first. D8 would definately be my #2. I was a doo guy my whole life, but there is just something about the XP's I really dont like. JMO

 

[Throttle Junkie]

I have an 08 XP and would vote for that except it's not a gas and go. I have had no reliability issues but the stock clutching on the 08's is trash. I hear the 09's are better but cannot say they will work out of the box.

My second choice would be the Polaris. Good motor, good chasis, good suspension.

My last vote would me the M8. I rode my father in laws quite a bit last year and it reminded me of the old 800 Edge Poo's. To me it definalty had the lower sitting feel to it. handled good but is down on power compared to the Ski Doo and Poo.