2010 D8 or 2012 Pro?

[SnowAddiction]

Im getting ready to graduate college in December and want to get some riding in before I start working. Im coming off a 2001 700 RMK which I have ridden the crap out of for 6 years. The Pros seem to be getting really good reviews but at the same time the 2010 D8's seem more solid compared to the earlier models.

I can pick up a 2010 Dragon 800 for around 8k or should I dish out some serious cash and get a new Pro? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[sleddin pete]

8K for a 2010 D-8?

Buy a low mileage trade in 2011,they're for sale look for them.Find one with at least the 2 year warranty,4 year better.
World of difference in handling and performance.

 

[FriscoProx]

$8k for a 2010 D8?....Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! If you're already looking to spend that kind of money finance the last few thousand with low interest Polaris money and get something new with the longest warranty you can. As much as I hate Polaris (have 09 Assault that I put an Arctic engine because 800 was such a POS) the Pro-RMK's chassis is untouchable and the engines are much much better now then the CFI-4's in the '09-'10's.

 

[2XM3]

Don't even look at a 800 dragon, go with the pro or a 700 dragon, the 800 4ci motor is a ticking time bomb, dealers are not even taking them on trade and if they do your lucky to get 4500.00

 

[dejoli]

There were used Pro's going for 8-8500. I debated what to do as well and found a used low mileage 09 700 with some mods on it for about half that price. Figure with the mods it will run close to 800 power, million times more reliable and a good backup sled when I pick up something else in the future.

 

[akgiauque]

Stop

Im getting ready to graduate college in December and want to get some riding in before I start working. Im coming off a 2001 700 RMK which I have ridden the crap out of for 6 years. The Pros seem to be getting really good reviews but at the same time the 2010 D8's seem more solid compared to the earlier models.

I can pick up a 2010 Dragon 800 for around 8k or should I dish out some serious cash and get a new Pro? Any thoughts would be appreciated.

I bought a 2010 holdover RMK with Electric start, Gallon oil & warranty in Novemnber of last year for 8,000. If it is new I would consider it again but used that is to much. Lots of them here for similar price or more with high mileage or "New Motor". I would get a Pro.

 

[SnowAddiction]

Awesome, Thanks for the opinions. I am pretty skeptical about getting a dragon to begin with. I have seen a couple adds for a new in the crate dragons, or ones with really low miles and all the updates. Ill see if I can find any low mileage Pros for sale in the area.

There are a couple threads touching on this, but are there any significant updates to the 2012s which make them better than the 2011s? Or anything I should watch for?

 

[WyoBoy1000]

Don't even look at the dragons, they don't even come close to a pro and I would take a m8 way before one, the pro is the best out of the box sled for 2011. I'm hoping its not for 2012 because I will be on a m800 most likely but its not something I would bet on.

Most likely there will be a few small differences from 11 to 12 but not much, if you can afford it go with the 12 if not the 11 at a good price is well worth it.

 

[SnowAddiction]

Nice. Im sure the Pro would blow a M8 out of the water. I guess if im looking in the price range of a dragon I should start doing some research on the M8's instead? I know the M8s are WAY more reliable, but how does the handling, weight and everything else compare?

 

[WyoBoy1000]

A Pro doesn't really blow it out of the water, it has more power but the weight of the pro and handling of the chassis is where you can take it that little bit farther and keep going. The M8 still handles great, may depend on rider style. My feel of it was the D8's feel really good, always have the feel of good handling but when I get a M I can go a lot farther, kind of weird but thats my take on it. On harder snow where the m8 will get traction it will hold with the pro but without loosing a lot of weight and suspension mods the pro is going to have just enough on it to stay a little higher.
I sold my boosted m8 with all the right stuff for $9k and a pro doesn't stand a chance in that department, so don't over pay for something.

 

[SnowAddiction]

Haha, of course a boosted M8 would be better than a pro. Im going to talk to a Polaris shop this weekend so that could shed some light on what my options are. At the moment Im thinking I can swing the money, Ill go for a pro but if not then a M8 would be just fine as well.

Im a lighter guy, 150lb so having a light sled has its appeal for handling and getting un stuck reasons. I also am coming from a Gen 2 chassis so anything newer will be way better than what Im used to. Handling is more important to me than raw power if I had to choose. I like tree riding and seeing where I can get. Less of a hill climb type rider, although it is fun.

 

[diamonddave]

Don't even look at the dragons, they don't even come close to a pro and I would take a m8 way before one, the pro is the best out of the box sled for 2011. I'm hoping its not for 2012 because I will be on a m800 most likely but its not something I would bet on.

Most likely there will be a few small differences from 11 to 12 but not much, if you can afford it go with the 12 if not the 11 at a good price is well worth it.

What is your personal experience with the 08-10 Dragons?

 

[WyoBoy1000]

Haha, of course a boosted M8 would be better than a pro. Im going to talk to a Polaris shop this weekend so that could shed some light on what my options are. At the moment Im thinking I can swing the money, Ill go for a pro but if not then a M8 would be just fine as well.

Im a lighter guy, 150lb so having a light sled has its appeal for handling and getting un stuck reasons. I also am coming from a Gen 2 chassis so anything newer will be way better than what Im used to. Handling is more important to me than raw power if I had to choose. I like tree riding and seeing where I can get. Less of a hill climb type rider, although it is fun.

Then you will love the pro.

My experience with the D8's -- through friends that had them and others I met, In 09 I had a lot of time on my hands and would drive up the hill and ride with who ever I saw, most of the time we would switch sleds for a bit so I got a pretty good feel for them. There where quite a few dragons and they all claimed they had never seen a sled run like my m's, so maybe its just a matter of tuning, mine where tuned pretty well, the dragons I am not so sure about. Except a few that where impressive and a lot closer.