2010 M8 trenching in the deep stuff

[jorgy]

I just got back from the Snowies and the snow was deep and not a good base. Everyone would get stuck but I was getting my a** handed to me by a Ski Doo which sucked. It seems that mine would trench way too easy. I would pin it up small hills and barely make it or get stuck. It's all stock setup with Powder Hound skis (which I wasn't impressed with). Any suggestions on changes to make it get up on top of the snow or at least climb better? My dealer is a flatlander.

 

[Cosarguy]

Do a search on here regarding 09,2010 rear suspension setup. They're companies out there that will re-valve both rear shocks to your weight and riding style and provide a dual rate front rear spring. Bottom line, these cats can use some help with weight transfer (getting their nose out of the snow) while still keeping the track on the snow. Holz Racing Products in Lynden Washington still provides this service. If money is not an issue, look at a different rear suspension, there are a lot of good ones out there now. At anyrate, get these mods done then play with air pressure, spring rate and the front strap and you will get that cat climbing nicely. One other thing, a Doo in bottomless powder and no base is in its element.

good luck!

 

[STORMY]

yes, search these forums and you'll find alot about rear setup and float psi, and I would start there before you spend any money. there's no reason you can't adjust what you have to make it work

 

[Alaskan_awd]

Try limiter out all the way, mid shock almost all the way loose, rear shock 145-150psi and front shocks around 50/53 (2-3 more psi on clutch side). Make sure you set the pressures with no load on the shocks.

I did this to mine and it feals way better in the pow.

 

[jonny ringo]

primary clutch ajustments

what are you engaging at for RPM's?
can slowly creap the track from being stopped, or does it "bang" in when it engages?

Mine is terrible, too much primary sheave to belt clearance.
I'm shimming it down to around .010
With a good belt right now I'm at .035 way too much.
I am also replacing the stock 143/290 spring with a 120/320

I'll find out next week, but I think these two changes will help a lot.

 

[jorgy]

Try limiter out all the way, mid shock almost all the way loose, rear shock 145-150psi and front shocks around 50/53 (2-3 more psi on clutch side). Make sure you set the pressures with no load on the shocks.

I did this to mine and it feals way better in the pow.

I know the limiter is out all the way. I need to check the rear shock pressure. I'll try to loosen up that mid shock. I know it's up on the threads some from the dealer. I don't have the air shocks in the front. Anyone have ideas on where the fronts should sit on the threads? Maybe that'll have to be a little trial and error after adjusting the mid.

 

[White Rad]

just be glad you have deep to trench in lol!!

 

[jorgy]

what are you engaging at for RPM's?
can slowly creap the track from being stopped, or does it "bang" in when it engages?

Mine is terrible, too much primary sheave to belt clearance.
I'm shimming it down to around .010
With a good belt right now I'm at .035 way too much.
I am also replacing the stock 143/290 spring with a 120/320

I'll find out next week, but I think these two changes will help a lot.

Yes, that's another thing I'm working on. It engages at 4-4200 which is way too high in my opinion. I'm working on a spring that'll lower it. I was able to take off ok on the last trip, but it could definitely be improved. I just never thought it climbed in the deep stuff like it should.

 

[vdog0531]

is it a hcr or base model? The hcr has the harder track

I think in this early season powder with no base, the m series "act" like they trench more than other sleds but part of it is due to the powderclaw track. That thing just digs and digs and is always looking for traction. It will just keep churchin till you're stuck or until it finds somethin to grab onto. The m series isn't a straight up hillclimber like the doo's. When it start to trench, lay it on its side, build up some track speed, then point it back up to where you want it to go.

Vernon

 

[CATSLEDMAN1]

TRENCH notes

Every year same panic...............new m trenching.

Check all the old threads and discard 71% of the suggestions.

Trenching is mostly clutching and rider and realistic expectations about the sled you own now that you are on a new M sled.

#1 is riding technique, good riders make bad sleds look good..........in powder it's called MOMENTUM !!!! and anticipating rather than always reacting.

Good riders don't ride around poor setups very long....read clutch setup.......ok drivetrain setup to be more inclusive. Tracks hook with good trottle control, a hooking track creates forward motion which creates more traction............you ever drive on glare ice..........same action.

Clutch must be able to creep into nice progressive belt pickup and sled must be able to slowly walk away in the fluff and steep.........adjust accordingly.
So, gearing / engagement / helix / clutch cleanliness / track tension , all major issues in making initial forward motion in the powder. Won't do that, fix that problem.

As you move away...........do I pin it ? or.........no you learn to build momentum and keep building speed.............you pin it you're going down or you're not in real powder anyway.

Critical in powder to evaluate just what you're doing.............if you follow someone and try to stay with them you need to be a better rider than they are becasue any one can lead looking out ahead and anticipating the terrain picking the slope correct for their ground speed, if you follow you're trying to react to the crazy riding of the guy ahead / can't maintain momentum, getting stuck, turning too sharp too late. Studs hate to do it, but put the weaker rider out front in the deep powder and follow.

No quick easy answers. A new clean stock 010 153 M8 goes like crazy in the powder........ok until the intake plugs. Best powder sled in the world.......no, try 100 more hp and less weight of any color.

 

[LFM1]

my 2010 HCR absolutely demolishes all other sleds I ride with. Even "pro" riders (guys who are in lots of videos we all own) some of whom are even on sponsored machines from different companies say that the M8 is a better sled. I have just switched from Skidoo and I can't believe the difference. Get yours set up right and you will be amazed.
Example: last week 3-4 feet of fresh, two Summits, one a 146 the other a 154 were climbing a small hill. I started after them and passed them both like they were standing still and highmarked them by several hundred feet. The guy said he was seriously going to look at switching brands after seeing just how much better the M8 was.

 

[Dam Dave]

I have a 2010 M8 SP and I havent done a DAM thing to it and it rips, I never even checked the air pressures in the shocks, nothing, nothing accept add gas and oil and go riding I am very happy with this sled stock

 

[jorgy]

is it a hcr or base model? The hcr has the harder track

I think in this early season powder with no base, the m series "act" like they trench more than other sleds but part of it is due to the powderclaw track. That thing just digs and digs and is always looking for traction. It will just keep churchin till you're stuck or until it finds somethin to grab onto. The m series isn't a straight up hillclimber like the doo's. When it start to trench, lay it on its side, build up some track speed, then point it back up to where you want it to go.

Vernon

It's a base model. I swear my '06 Crossfire with a 2" paddle on it would have gotten around better than this M8, but of course I don't have it there to compare with. I know some of it is getting used to riding a different sled that is much longer and more hp.

 

[Corins]

I have a 2010 M8 SP and I havent done a DAM thing to it and it rips, I never even checked the air pressures in the shocks, nothing, nothing accept add gas and oil and go riding I am very happy with this sled stock

x2, I actually mean to check the pressures before I go on my next ride, but once I go out in the garage I can't be bothered with it, I gotta go riding.

 

[RKT]

It's a base model. I swear my '06 Crossfire with a 2" paddle on it would have gotten around better than this M8, but of course I don't have it there to compare with. I know some of it is getting used to riding a different sled that is much longer and more hp.

Ours was a big trencher as well.. Played with everything and even have had the shocks professionally re-valved.. Our 09 doe snot trench nearly as much as the 2010..

Played with clutching and got it much better but still will not float like I think it should..

My GUESS is that the gearing is much too low.. We will be switching DD with the 09 to prove or disprove this theory..

Good sled though.. but in the DEEP fluff.. not as good of a floater as it should be...

Kelsey

 

[BIG JOHNSON]

Let us know how it works with the 09 DD.

 

[IRC]

im runnin my limiters as tight as they go doesnt trench w 122lbs in rear if u run the limiters out ur gonna have a steeper attack angle and it will have a harder time climbin up in powder thats my theory and that of a damb good rider and sled builder

 

[KGB FABRICATION]

My 2 cents

I came off a XF 700 with a CObra 1.5ish (not sure, but was more than stock) and way better, but in the deep the engagement was way to dramatic, it slammed at 4300-4500 rpm and was ripping instantly, I love that for the trails, but it sucked in pow... fast forward to NOW... 09 HCR engages much lower like 3200-3400 and clutches grab tentatively and then once the flipper is mashed... she planes out like a jet boat... I guess I'm saying that the engagement needs to be right, and able to handle the ponies.... over spinning the track = trench

light on the throttle and build the forward momentum, then MASH it.... but the speed needs to be there before the churning track shreds out the base.

 

[Chazmanian]

I have a 2010 M8 SP and I havent done a DAM thing to it and it rips, I never even checked the air pressures in the shocks, nothing, nothing accept add gas and oil and go riding I am very happy with this sled stock

Dave you Sir are an All-American badass Bro!!

 

[Dam Dave]

Dave you Sir are an All-American badass Bro!!

I'm glad somebody finally realizes that