I've ridden all three and if I didn't already own the RMK I would own the M sled. Just as good in my book the Poo and the AC are a dead heat IMO. Yes Poo does have a bit more motor, but the M is more controllable on a side hill, they both lay over super easy the poo tends to flop too easy sometimes. And at super slow tight tree riding speeds the AC is easier to get on its side for making that "have to" downhill 90 degree turn before you fall in the tree pit maneuver. The AC chassis is amazing, the Poo motor is amazing. I honestly think my next sled will be an M8 cuz the riding I do I need the chassis more than the motor and a few extra ponies aren't hard to find.
2009 800RMK, XP 800 or M8?
- Thread starter Snowman 2001
- Start date
M
mfatty
Active member
here we go again
m8 rocks on the side hills been riding with them for two seasons but they need mods to hang on the hill with the others. . track 162
d8/rmk8. first year riding with them. polaris did there home work on this sled. spot on power. I was realy impressed with this sled all around track 155
xp i ride the 08 with a 146. I like the reaction of the sled by my foot placement. It seem like it knows what I want it to do. the only down fall is it is a wheely monster doesnt get on the snow as well as the others but it is easy to point it in any direction.
If I could have it all sled that would side hill like the m series spot on power like the polaris and flickability of the doo. Needless to say I buy because of dealer support and how much they will warrenty stuff remeber this is all a bunch of B.S and this is just my 2 cent observation
m8 rocks on the side hills been riding with them for two seasons but they need mods to hang on the hill with the others. . track 162
d8/rmk8. first year riding with them. polaris did there home work on this sled. spot on power. I was realy impressed with this sled all around track 155
xp i ride the 08 with a 146. I like the reaction of the sled by my foot placement. It seem like it knows what I want it to do. the only down fall is it is a wheely monster doesnt get on the snow as well as the others but it is easy to point it in any direction.
If I could have it all sled that would side hill like the m series spot on power like the polaris and flickability of the doo. Needless to say I buy because of dealer support and how much they will warrenty stuff remeber this is all a bunch of B.S and this is just my 2 cent observation
i've had all three....you state that carving and dependability seem to be important to you....with a bit of importance in these areas i would recommend the m-8 first (get someone who knows them to fine tune the clutches, the 09s' will be pretty close out of the box), the d-8 would be second, but not by much (reeds and slp single pipe with a good clutch job makes for a fun sled, and (someone had to be last) the xp, last years' sleds had several serious problems, as many reported, combined with being the hardest to initiate turns in the deep......proximity to a good dealer that gives a $hit is very important, and would maybe change positions for the m-8 and the d-8, but if either were available i'd not choose the doo (last two years, they've had too many engine, clutch, driveshaft and other problems) the m-8s' power to weight is much better this year, but i opted for the 1000 and the d-8 as my rides....i'd rate the m-8 as a "9", the d-8 as a "8", and the xp as a "6"....perhaps the doo will have the bugs of the last year worked out and could become a "7" or "8", but they'll have to prove it
I want to upgrade this yr as well, tired of that kink in my back from standing all the time on my 03 doo. I rode the xp and the M8, definately liked the M8 better. But the clincher is the cat dealer is closer and better.
absolutley love my M8 almost 4,000 miles and hasn't left me on the mountain once, don't think you'd go wrong with a dragon either. only got to ride an xp once, that is a sled i don't think you can give an honest opinion on until you have a day of seat time to aquire a good riding style for it. took me a couple of rides on the rev when it first came out to get the hang of it.
Same boat with me. Ski-doo dealer is great here in town. The polaris dealer is new But nice people, I would not deal with with my arctic cat dealer, but there is a good cat dealer 100 miles away on they way to my riding area.
Are there any predictions that Cat will bump up there horses next year? If they get the HP up a few I will have my choice picked.
Are there any predictions that Cat will bump up there horses next year? If they get the HP up a few I will have my choice picked.
I have to go with the D8. Rode the XP last year and it just felt so different, guess you could get use to it. My Dad has a 06 M7 and it is nice, but like my D8 the best. Awesome all around sled!
F
fassteddie
Well-known member
all three sleds have good points.but you should forget about that and get on the fordman free ride cat program like graveler!
B
badass1000
Well-known member
The hp of the cat is pretty decent. The 08 800s dynoed at dynotech research were. poo 143, cat 145, doo 149. bone stock. The 09 cat is supposed to make a little more hp this year and shoold be almost the same as doo. The poo and cat both make the same as the doo with minor modifications.
Dealer makes a big difference. I lean towards cat because of the local dealers we have. Doo dealers aren't too warranty friendly. Cat dealer warrantied my m7 with big bore kit, twin pipes, clutched, etc.. Doo dealer did not want to warranty the clutch on my xp because it had a clutch kit in it. Clearly states you have to run their oil for warranty even though that is not legale. Cat dealer recomonds their oil, but will warranty with any oil. I am almost affraid to put a slp pipe on my xp for fear if the engine goes out it will not be warrantied. guess I will put the full stock exhaust back on if I take it in for warranty.
Cats are better if you do engine mods like big bore, etc. Doo I like better bone stock. You have to ride one to see wich one "you" like best and you have to ride it for a few days to see if you like it. Not a few minutes. I didn't like my xp the first day or two. Now I really like it.
the xp out climbs the m8, but I believe that is in large part due to the track. Hopefully the cat should be alot close to the xp with the new powder claw track.
I don't know if I would get a xp or a m8 if I was buying a new sled this year. I would really like to ride a 09 m8 in the deep powder to see how it does. Dealer would make me more inclined to get a cat.
