2011 C/M chassis

[cheetah]

What is the thoughts out there on the Race chassis be introduced into the M?CF chassis.

The M/CF bulkhead has been around f 2006-2010, 5 years, when compared to how long the FC chassis has been around 2003 - 2006 4 years.

You would think the bulkhead is due for an upgrade. Now seeing that the SP 500 is now a consumer model. Maybe can will bring it out for 2011. Seeing how the SP 500 does.

Thoughts??

 

[furthur]

I want one, with the new 800 in it, but... the oil injected motors won't fit in that chassis unmodified. So, for a consumer sled, they will modify the chassis. Once they start modifying the chassis for a consumer version, all bets are off whether it keeps the attributes that make it such a great chassis...

But you're right, with the XP and dragons out...the 5 year old M chassis is due for a re-do.

John

 

[Heypal]

Aside from modest changes, the Polaris Indy didn't change for almost 20 years. Stick with what works. The "M's" are a brilliant chassis. Why change something that works? Who cares if they still look the same after only 5-6 years.

I want one, with the new 800 in it, but... the oil injected motors won't fit in that chassis unmodified. So, for a consumer sled, they will modify the chassis. Once they start modifying the chassis for a consumer version, all bets are off whether it keeps the attributes that make it such a great chassis...

But you're right, with the XP and dragons out...the 5 year old M chassis is due for a re-do.

John

 

[knoba]

M sled

I think it is 6 years 05 to 2010,should change for 2011.

 

[furthur]

Aside from modest changes, the Polaris Indy didn't change for almost 20 years. Stick with what works. The "M's" are a brilliant chassis. Why change something that works? Who cares if they still look the same after only 5-6 years.

That has been said of every new chassis ever made, yet what we have now is so much better than those that came before. Think what you like about the XP, but it raises the bar. I think the m chassis will more than holds it's own this year, but it would be foolish for Cat to sit back and be left behind (like polaris did with the Indy). They need to get a new mountain chassis on the snow and get the bugs worked out.

I don't think we'll see a mountain version of that new chassis next year, but maybe an 800?

 

[edgey]

I for one hope they don't change it for a few years I don't like the dragon or the xp they are both toooo rider forward. I can put my m-sled on a sidehill pick a line and hold it alot better than anything else. Cat should be able to sell these sleds alot cheaper than anyone else they should make there 800 a $1000 cheaper than doo or poo and put a hurting on the other 2.

 

[Bubba700]

Personally I don't think they need too, they are doing it the right way I think. Every year they change something to make it better, 08 they changed the skid to shed some weight and make the ride better, 09 changed the tunnel a bit and new track, 10 new motor. Im not in the market for a sled this season but am planning on one for next year and if cat keeps with the refinement game they will have a new cust.

 

[Rms Rydning]

I have some buddies with XP,and they have adjusted the handlebar bacwards so you ride in more simular positions as the M..I seams to work very good..Way better in poweder riding.
What I realy miss on the M is a better rigid chassi like the REV chassie.
Hopefully AC comes out with a better M..not only a new...new doesent mean better..

 

[bluebear]

I think I'll wait and see how the new motor works before I go asking for a new one.

 

[WyoBoy1000]

they wont change, the M series is the most mountain friendly sled out there and now has the most power, they will be focusing on emissions before anything. But with the new tied clutches coming out if they work as good as they say there will be some major drive changes

 

[Dam Dave]

I think it is 6 years 05 to 2010,should change for 2011.

New math 5+6=10

 

[bluebear]

new math 5+6=10

05=1
06=2
07=3
08=4
09=5
10=6

 

[knoba]

new M8

Thanks Bluebear i think dam dave needed to see the math work sheet.

 

[Bearcat]

I'm kind of same boat here with no-big-changes-people. But, something needs to be done. So I'd say new stiffer (and lighter?) cradle style bulkhead with new hood and other plastics (even they look good, but they are old). Motor as back as it can be put and lightweight A-arms and spindles. After these it would look totally different sled even it's not that much changed.

Steering might be a little more forward, but not much. Just a bit. Also I like steering post as it's now - it gives you solid bar you can pull side to side. Actually, best thing would be if you can adjust post angle a little (2 fixed places in the up like rev and say 4 fixed places in bottom. Not any quick adjust but solid bolt fastening). This would help to get customers from BRP easier as they are used to shallow angle post In my opinion XP post is too instabile (because of the shallow angle) and that makes the sled so uncomfy. Also that chassis is too rider forward. Also there's no support for legs in XP.

I'm really waiting for the new AC M chassis. They already have very very reliable packet. Hopefully it will be like that in future too.

 

[Demon]

The sled i wanna see its the 08 sno pro race chassis with 800 motor and a 144' track. I think it would be a good all around backcountry/sno pro sled. I have considered buying and building one, but when you hit 15k on the shoppin list, tends to stop the idea. but still thinkin. Maybe AC will do it for me

 

[mmsports]

New Chassis

You might see a new one in 2012 and only if things pick back up.

 

[F_ast]

You might see a new one in 2012 and only if things pick back up.

I am with you on that one. I would love to see a new silhouette under sheet on cats site this year, but with our economy Cat is asking for a bullet between the eyes. I think they are already going to regain some market share with the intro of the new 800HO, and might ride it for a little bit.

I think they will have more push to re-engineer the Twin-spar and shave some of its weight to get it closer the the comp in the trail market, then maybe a spin off of it for a mountain/ hybrid chassis. Just my .02 though.

Not sure how well the race chassis can be setup for the mountains yet though either.

 

[mrquick68]

here's the things that Cat needs to change on the M to keep it up to date and in front or at least on par:

-better riding position. Sit on a Doo and then an M. The M feels like a big wheel in comparison. I can ride my buddies Doo's a lot longer without fatigue because of the position.

-either ditch the DD or make it actually work. As it is right now there's a lot of performance left on the table because of the design of the clutch/gear box. Cool idea, but needs some updating/redesign.

-stiffer chassis with more tech put into the build. again, look at the XP. it's shown to be strong (for the most part) and light. The M is nearly as light, but they accomplished it with a bunch of little parts and no real engineering thought.

-Ditch the big stupid hood. they break easy and are CRAZY expensive. the REV, XP, Nytro, etc all have little hoods and side panels that all easily come off. Much cheaper to fix and much easier to change colors, etc.

OK - things NOT to change

1. I like the factory skid - good idea, need realitively little to make work well.
2. EFI - love it! just get some more technology in the programing please!!!
3. How it handles. NOTHING goes through the snow like an M. I can pull of lines that make my jaw drop because of this chassis. i can stop the sled on a sidehill, skis in the air, and then wack the gas and start all over again. Try that on a Doo or Poo!!!
4. Realibility - got to say that i'm continually impressed. motors seem rock solid.

That's about it. Love the M, it's just gettin' long in the tooth.

 

[ACMtnCat]

I'd be happy with the M if Cat would redesign all the plastics first off. Then full redesign of the steering componants. Mostly the wobble and flex that is in the system!

Other than those two things, It's damn near perfect!

Oh yeah and the valving in the suspension!


.

 

[AkHockey10]

I thought about bpicking up an 08/09 SP 600 and converting it to a mtn type sled. Personally, I'd love it. Maybe in a few years they will throw it out into the line up like they did with the HCR.. who knows.

Wish they would have a SP 800 racer as well..