2014 COMPARISON

[specialk6r]

***Disclaimer: Although I've had at least 3 sleds by Doo, Poo, Cat, and Yamma, I currently own a Pro-lite 900, T-M8, and my lady's M7. I still feel I'm fairly colorblind, but I generally ride out of warranty so I'd rather mod a sleds chassis than repair it's motor (hence my recent slew of Cats.)***

This year I've had some good rides on 2014 Pros, XM's, and Proclimbs, but always on different days, and more importantly in different conditions. I reserved judgment until now, since I finally got a chance to spend some quality with all of them back-to-back. Here's the verdict, based purely on how they rode offtrail, stone-stock:

3) Polaris Pro 155: I hardly believe I'm saying this, since two years ago it was the sweetest thing on the snow, but it's feeling dated. While the most predictable handling inspired confidence, it certainly took more effort than the other 2 to initiate a carve - surprising since it's the featherweight of the bunch. However, this sleds real letdown was the engine. While it's still competitive on any climb, the engine feels downright anemic when ridden right after the XM and Proclimb. From a straight up performance standpoint it's not giving much up, but after experiencing the gut-punch acceleration of the other two, the Pro was just less exhilarating. Overall this is probably the easiest sled to ride, but my rating it last has nothing to do with the sled doing anything wrong. The other two just did more right.

2) Pro-Climb Sno Pro 153: It's hard to imagine a sled can be this good while still looking like the 2012. The handling is at least as light as the Pro, with the only downside being that while sidehilling the "sweet-spot" is much smaller than the other 2 sleds. The motor is an absolute monster. With the 2.6 Powerclaw gripping, it was the king of wheelies and the most exciting sled to ride. I only have two gripes. Firstly, I kept looking for where they hid the cinder block underneath the hood. Especially with my own Pro-lite fresh in my mind, it's obvious that there is some WEIGHT somewhere in the front. Secondly, the fit/finish gets the participation trophy in this company. The plastic fits like garbage and the steering post wobbled about alarmingly. How can the makers of this engine not figure out a proper bushing for the post? In all, the sled is a blast but takes some energy. If you're in it for a good-time more than a long-time, this is your ride.

1) Ski-Doo XM 154: After hating Doo handling for the last decade or so, this sled really surprised me. It feels light and predictable, and while I still gripe about the goofy handlebar movement that the horizontal steering post provides, I'm confident that the sled will do anything it's asked if the rider can adjust. It's fast too. While it may lack the Cat's insta-wheelie thrust, this sled PULLS on a climb. The power comes on very smoothly, which can deceive a rider into thinking it's less powerful than it is, but keep the flipper to the bar and it soon shows that it's very close to the ProClimb. But these sleds all go, stop, and turn. The XM's real victory is in the details. The build quality is Mercedes to the Polaris's Chevrolet, and perhaps the Cat's 1971 Ford Pinto. It's quiet, it's tight, and at $12,000 it should be. That's why I'm calling it the best sled this year.


I realize that I'm a weekend warrior at best, but you're all welcome to see if my idea of fun has any bearing on your opinions: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPW6dOqdBF4

 

[greeneman]

Good write up on what you thought of each sled. You bucking for a test riders job lol?

 

[Toad face killah]

Thank you for the review. Its always good to hear a review without bias or brand bashing. The video is good but you are a braver man then me to be riding through that boulder field, or maybe I should say mine field. If it was me, I would have had 3 broken A arms and struggling just to get home.

 

[tillyman3]

I also had a chance to ride all 3 2014's on our first ride our for the season.
this was mostly a road ride with a few off trail powder bashes, so eke this opinion in mind, (no hill climbing)
background: my 14 pro climb is my 13th brand new sled, i have bought all brands, and rode the hill climb circuit in BC , and have rode the mountains since 1989. I'm 6'0 tall and a heavier rider at 230 lbs.
not saying nothing about me being a pro, but have lots of seat time.
my take:
1: polaris Pro 163: linear power, no real powerband, more like an electric motor.
cornering it was less effective as the others, with ski lift, but fast. Very nimble.
not impressed with torque, or horsepower. very capable due to weight and clutching.
2roclimb 8000 162 ltd.: comfortable to me, but incoming off a 2012.
seat is too short, good power band, happy with clutching out of the box. i put my Jaws can on which dropped 17 lb from stock, but its loud.
I'm used to chassis handling, but the narrow stance and the stock skis suck.
real good power.
3:skidoo 800 163: i was super impressed, at how it pulled, and didn't seem to stop. on the trail, this is the one i didn't give back for about 30 minutes before anyone caught up to me. great clutching, and easy to transition from the cat I'm used to.
huge torque, which makes you feel like you're going faster than you are.

love them all. my pick is the cat. because last weekend, (hard snow) it took me up the hills faster than any 800 I've ridden stock.
let the bashing begin….

 

[M8onEdge]

Although bashing sounds fun, I can't argue with anything you said. Since this is the Proclimb forum I'll just point out that one of the biggest advantages I see going to the cat is handling in low snow conditions. To me the PC rolls on an edge without countersteering easier than the Pro or the XM regardless, but in low snow conditions the difference is more noticeable. Since we often get to ride in less than epic powder this was a big deal to me. The XM just got less and less predictable in lower/spring type snow and the Pro feels a bit planted. The other big thing for me is predictability in variable conditions like snow with a lot of tracks or soft and hard spots from wind etc...seems to me the PC holds a more predictable edge when things are less than ideal...almost like an M. Just my 2c.

 

[leadfoot33]

have to agree. always felt the pro was more planted, the intial tip up on the PC is really easy, however has a narrow balance point but just takes time to get used to. and overall handling i like PC. i rode a 13 XM last year with the way bar on and wasnt impressed immedietly got off. however dad tried it without the way bar this past weekend and he said it was way better than before but still prefered the cat

 

[specialk6r]

Good write up on what you thought of each sled. You bucking for a test riders job lol?

Ha! I've always been a whore for trying new gear. If anyone at snowest mag has their ears on: WILL WORK FOR BEER.

the narrow stance and the stock skis suck.

I know you said your test was predominantly on trail, but have you tried boondocking with the stock setup? I love the skinny stance and think the stock skis work well. I never could tell $500 worth of difference with ANY aftermarket ski, and I've tried more than my fair share. Just to drop a name, Rasmussen said his all around favorite was the HCR ski as well.

 

[diggerdown]

Watched you video...exactly why were you concerned about the plastic panel fit!!!

 

[XFIRE800]

I also had a chance to ride all 3 2014's on our first ride our for the season.
this was mostly a road ride with a few off trail powder bashes, so eke this opinion in mind, (no hill climbing)
background: my 14 pro climb is my 13th brand new sled, i have bought all brands, and rode the hill climb circuit in BC , and have rode the mountains since 1989. I'm 6'0 tall and a heavier rider at 230 lbs.
not saying nothing about me being a pro, but have lots of seat time.
my take:
1: polaris Pro 163: linear power, no real powerband, more like an electric motor.
cornering it was less effective as the others, with ski lift, but fast. Very nimble.
not impressed with torque, or horsepower. very capable due to weight and clutching.
2roclimb 8000 162 ltd.: comfortable to me, but incoming off a 2012.
seat is too short, good power band, happy with clutching out of the box. i put my Jaws can on which dropped 17 lb from stock, but its loud.
I'm used to chassis handling, but the narrow stance and the stock skis suck.
real good power.
3:skidoo 800 163: i was super impressed, at how it pulled, and didn't seem to stop. on the trail, this is the one i didn't give back for about 30 minutes before anyone caught up to me. great clutching, and easy to transition from the cat I'm used to.
huge torque, which makes you feel like you're going faster than you are.

love them all. my pick is the cat. because last weekend, (hard snow) it took me up the hills faster than any 800 I've ridden stock.
let the bashing begin….

Not to be a prick, but why waste your time telling us about a trail review of mountain sleds? It has absolutely no weight in the conversation.

 

[slyrydr]

i think that trail manners/abilities do matter, may not be the most important part of liking a sled for sure, but they still matter....to compare, i have a 13 163 xm, which i like a lot, yeah it rides trails very well, thank you....my 14 8000, which i have pro-lited myself (-45 lbs, stock engine), is a good ride also, but not as much as the doo...but the cat will go through the bumps faster and in more control....off trail, the cat wins, no problem in my opinion....sidehills much better, climbs better, funner to ride...part of that is the weight, of course, but i liked it better than the doo before the weight loss anyway...the cat engine and clutching are better for overall boondocking, and the doo rider forward, is just a little too far for me, and i've been riding it for two years...cat clutches are much cooler when pushing the machines hard...i like the doo engine, but like the cats' better, a nice power hit that rips, where the doo is a bit more of a tractor that doesn't quit..fit and finish of the doo is better, a more mature, put-together sled, 7-8 years on one chassis does that...cat holds considerably less snow than the doo, and way less than the poo...cat comes on edge and stays there with less effort than the doo, especially in difficult spots...poo does well also, mostly because of weight, rather than chassis, but the poo engine just doesn't get it in my book, down on power, and lack of reliability has been beat to death...

 

[rockymtnboy]

Watched you video...exactly why were you concerned about the plastic panel fit!!!

My side panels on my 13 fit like chit! There is a 3/8" gap on top. Love my PC, but I think quality control could be better!

 

[m8magicandmystery]

I like tillyman3 review as well from his perspective..

 

[Shwinecat]

I don't like riding trail riding anymore than the next guy but riding trail on a mountain sled is part of getting to the best areas where I ride. If you have to drive 10 to 20 miles to get to the untracked and hate every mile it matters to me. Take a 2005 m series verses a 2010 and you cannot believe the difference on trail. I appreciate the review. I felt it was inbiased and honest. I am on the edge on buyng a 14 or waitingto preorder 15.

 

[sketch96]

I just came off about 18 years of riding a polaris my last one was a 2012 pro 155. I now have the 14 proclimb 163. I switched for the motor. My pro blew up at 1400 miles.

As far as handling only. The pro felt like power steering compared to the cat. I put the powder pro skis on right from the start as I heard the stock cat skis sucked. Way too aggresive!!!! great in the powder tho. I put the stock skis back on and it was better but not great. This thing feels heavy in the front end. Im far more tired at the end of the day. As far as sidehilling......the pro will hold a line much easier than the proclimb and has a much broader balance point. Where the cat will hit a rut or uneven ground while in a sidehill it will try to set back down, the pro is easy to pound thru stuff on one ski.

It is fun to ride and has great power. Climbs like crazy with the 2.6 power claw and i do like the fox shocks better than the stiff walker evans.

I had to change to the 2013 seat tho. The shorter 2014 seat sucks for a bigger guy. Im 6'1 240 before getting dressed. I find that the bigger seat gives me something for my leg to pull/push against while sidehilling where as the short seat is just not there. And if my knees are not right against the cowling im falling off the back if im sitting down.

If i could lighten up the steering I would be a much happier guy. The doo and the pro are far better in that respect. Thinking that is part of the problem with the steering column bushing wearing out so fast....heavy steering!

Also tired of how much snow I am getting under the hood! cant get my cooker to get hot!lol!

 

[tillyman3]

Posting a reply on trail riding was the best i could do at that point, (to those who think it wasn't relevant.)
To those who do, it was just an opinion of how i had the opportunity to ride all 3 brand new 800 class sleds, on their first day out.
Since, i have had a few rides in the hills, and i must say my 2014 Cat is pretty impressive, and I have come from a 94', 96', 98', 07', & 12', (knowing Cat chassis) I am able to ride my new sled with confidence, and enjoy the handling.
i do wish the seat was higher and longer like my 12', but the fun factor is back for me, after having a 12' with serious issues for 2 seasons.
Arctic Cat stepped up and did the right thing for me, and i have a new 14' sled which i am grateful for, after not having the best experience with my 12'.
I'm not new to sledding, but i do know what service is worth, and what feels good to ride. Don't get the 2800 km seasons we used to do, but now were showing the younger guys where to, and not to ride in our areas.
Just get out and ride.

 

[weirboondocking]

Doing what I do for work allows me to try out more sleds than I can imagine.
We often try out our clients sleds or show them fundamentals from their sled, this gives me real world seat time on all 4 brands in stock form and modified.
I truly feel we have the best options for stock ready for the mountains sleds you could ask for.

first off. I ride a Proclimb because of dealer support, but if I had a good polaris or doo dealer I would probably go with whatever was going to support us best.

From my experience I find the polaris easy to ride, stays on edge super easy and never suppresses you with sudden sharp biting turns. I find that the motor needs a bit of boost to liven things up (6lb or so)otherwise they seem to lack the pull that a sled should have.


The XM surprised me right away!!! Far better then a XP. The steering is still not how I would set it up but a simple post forward kit fixes that. What really got me was how well the motor pulled, and how it never missed a beat. I thought I like the t moton till I was on one with it removed and suddenly I found that the sled held better lines easier once on edge, it just took more steering input to bring it up then the other two smokes. all and all with minimal work I could ride a XM.


Well the often over looked mountain sled is a Nytro and they have come a long way since 2008 and MTX but without lots of work and a few extra hp I Just cant find them rider friendly or mountain friendly... that said I did get on a 2014 with lots done to it last week and could ride it in almost everything that I would put the other three through. So in my opinion, with work and if you are not a tree rider this sled still has a place in the market.


Then we have cat. Th PC has changed drastically since 2012. I found the biggest leap being the 2.6 powder claw and the 2014 gearing, it just seems to move snow better then the other factory tracks. I found this sled supper easy to bring onto edge and it really holds a line once you adjust to how much you need to get forward. I wish we could move the bars forward 2 inches on this sled it would make the sled much easier for most riders to find that sweet spot. The most common problem I see riders having on this sled is that it tries to round up the hill while sidehilling. Once a rider gets comfortable on it though they can whip around almost anywhere. The motor is doesn't need any reviews its been great since the start and the HO just feels like a piped sled to me. The one miss i find is that the clutching is still not there yet.

All and All I would ride any of the 2 strokes, and they all would get a bit of work first. Cans, steering mods for cat and doo and hp for the pro. All I would worry about is what dealer earns my bucks not what color Im going to bleed... A GOOD DEALER IS EVERYTHING.

 

[stingray719]

Doing what I do for work allows me to try out more sleds than I can imagine.
We often try out our clients sleds or show them fundamentals from their sled, this gives me real world seat time on all 4 brands in stock form and modified.
I truly feel we have the best options for stock ready for the mountains sleds you could ask for.

first off. I ride a Proclimb because of dealer support, but if I had a good polaris or doo dealer I would probably go with whatever was going to support us best.

From my experience I find the polaris easy to ride, stays on edge super easy and never suppresses you with sudden sharp biting turns. I find that the motor needs a bit of boost to liven things up (6lb or so)otherwise they seem to lack the pull that a sled should have.


The XM surprised me right away!!! Far better then a XP. The steering is still not how I would set it up but a simple post forward kit fixes that. What really got me was how well the motor pulled, and how it never missed a beat. I thought I like the t moton till I was on one with it removed and suddenly I found that the sled held better lines easier once on edge, it just took more steering input to bring it up then the other two smokes. all and all with minimal work I could ride a XM.


Well the often over looked mountain sled is a Nytro and they have come a long way since 2008 and MTX but without lots of work and a few extra hp I Just cant find them rider friendly or mountain friendly... that said I did get on a 2014 with lots done to it last week and could ride it in almost everything that I would put the other three through. So in my opinion, with work and if you are not a tree rider this sled still has a place in the market.


Then we have cat. Th PC has changed drastically since 2012. I found the biggest leap being the 2.6 powder claw and the 2014 gearing, it just seems to move snow better then the other factory tracks. I found this sled supper easy to bring onto edge and it really holds a line once you adjust to how much you need to get forward. I wish we could move the bars forward 2 inches on this sled it would make the sled much easier for most riders to find that sweet spot. The most common problem I see riders having on this sled is that it tries to round up the hill while sidehilling. Once a rider gets comfortable on it though they can whip around almost anywhere. The motor is doesn't need any reviews its been great since the start and the HO just feels like a piped sled to me. The one miss i find is that the clutching is still not there yet.

All and All I would ride any of the 2 strokes, and they all would get a bit of work first. Cans, steering mods for cat and doo and hp for the pro. All I would worry about is what dealer earns my bucks not what color Im going to bleed... A GOOD DEALER IS EVERYTHING.

I think you missed the Mountain Viper (Viper long tracked and narrowed). Nytro power and torque with Cat M8 handling.



.

 

[weirboondocking]

I still haven been on a viper that was stretched out and look forward to it.
I also haven't been on the new cat 6000 but would love a hour on that as well.
My on concern for the viper is that I think it would still weight more then I want.