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AC reliability/ balance?

P

powdersnobb

Free Member
AC RELIABILITY ETC...

So I have been thinking AC for my next sled. Probably a 2008 or newer m8. How does everyone feel about the overall reliability, power, weight, and balance of these machines. Anyone with comparisons with other sleds? Also do all the 08 and up have chaincases or diamond drive or does it just depend?
 
Last edited:
I'm a Yamaha guy who got tired of waiting for a true Yamaha mountain sled.

Cats were my least liked sled until I researched the reliability of the Skidoo and Polaris (this was last spring). I ended up with an 09 M8 and love it.

I have been towed home twice but, they were both somewhat my fault.

If you buy one, get an 09 or maybe even a 2010. The upgrades to them (electronic reverse, powerclaw track, rear suspension updates) are worth the extra money.
 
09 was the first year to have electronic reverse. It saved several lbs from the weight of 07 and 08 models.

The engines run very well and seem to last a long time.

The one big remaining question for me is the diamond drive. I am hopeful of it's longevity but, I have also read of more than a few failures (07 models mostly).
 
They are all good- the newer the better of course. Try and get a sno pro the floats are awesome. I can hang with anyone on my 08' as long as it aint turbo'd- I do want a pc track and rear tunnel/bumper mod, I plan on doing this in the summer. My clutching is spot on and that is key, they come off the floor good but can be excellent with a little help. Anyway can't go wrong with an M8
 
Powdersnobb, I am good friends with the local AC dealer and we ride together all the time. He told me that since the M8 has come out he has not had one engine failure for warranty on a stock M8. Not enough time on the 2010 M8's yet to see if they will be as reliable, but an 09 would be a very good choice I think. Hope this helps.

Shane
 
Noah,

I was SERIOUSLY considering switching(kinda planning on it) to Polaris until about a week ago...
I went & talked to Jimmy for a while, and the more details he gave me about the new sleds, the less excited I was about the switch, until I was completely convinced to stick with cat!!! If you could find a decent used D7, they're sweet & run about even with the D8. A bomber sled. Otherwise the M8 is probably the most reliable sled I've seen. You'd have to really mess with an M8 or D7 to make one of them unreliable.


Then once you get it, I'll do my best to badger you into putting a turbo on it!!

Once I get my sled back together, I'll give you a call.
 
There is no comparison to me, the m8 is best in class for what you are looking for.
 
I was riding a 900 RMK at the beginning of this year, and after being towed off the mountain twice, I bought an 08 M8. Its all stock, but I have some plans when I get some more cash. I love it though! Best decision I've ever made! I'm doing things on that sled that seemed near impossible on my Poo. Its a great, fun sled and will hold a sidehill forever, effortlessly. But like mention above, get the newest you can afford. The 09 has the electronic reverse, Powerclaw Track, and lightweight rear tunnel assembly, and the 10 just flat out rips. Better seat, and that engine just performs. Just my .02 on the subject.

Oh and with the DD, just change the oil regularly and put the 5203 bearing in and you should be just fine. The time to panic is when you start seeing metal shavings in you DD oil!
 
backcountryislife said:
Noah,

I was SERIOUSLY considering switching(kinda planning on it) to Polaris until about a week ago...
I went & talked to Jimmy for a while, and the more details he gave me about the new sleds, the less excited I was about the switch, until I was completely convinced to stick with cat!!! If you could find a decent used D7, they're sweet & run about even with the D8. A bomber sled. Otherwise the M8 is probably the most reliable sled I've seen. You'd have to really mess with an M8 or D7 to make one of them unreliable.


Then once you get it, I'll do my best to badger you into putting a turbo on it!!

Once I get my sled back together, I'll give you a call.
Click to expand...

Let us in on the dirt for the new Polaris! :face-icon-small-sho
 
Frostbite said:
Cats were my least liked sled until I researched the reliability of the Skidoo and Polaris (this was last spring). I ended up with an 09 M8 and love it.

I have been towed home twice but, they were both somewhat my fault.
Click to expand...

Frostbite,
Can you expand on what happened and why you had to be towed home. I'm looking at a new sled and the M8 has came onto my radar, just looking for info. Thanks
 
My first tow home was due to a very small (pin hole) coolant leak in a small coolant line going to the left (as you sit on the sled) fuel injector. It didn't leak when the line was cool or without pressure but, under heat and pressure it leaked big time. It more than likely caused by me when I installed the V force reeds as part of the SLP Performance Edition Kit. However, there was a metal bur on the frame where the hose contacted the bulkhead. Who knows but, for safety sake I asked to be towed out.

The second tow pertained to the engine just stopping. The plugs looked great and there appeared to be fuel but, the spark was erratic. After many hours of troubleshooting and calls to dealers. I asked to be towed out :face-icon-small-sad. Once I got the sled home I posted what happened and someone said to check my fuel injector connector wiring. Appartently with a SLP pipe the heat shield will oftentimes rub on the fuel injector connector wires enough to chaffe through. That's exactly what happened and I rerouted and retaped the wires and all is well.

So, I guess you could say that both of the tows can be attributed to me and aftermarket applications. The sled has survived my learning curve very well and works great once again.
 
I have my eye on the new rotax e-tec motor over at doo, I get tired of jacking off the throttle on my new m8 just to get it to run smooth at low end, I would never buy a polaris
 
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