Another potential XP convert

[tek9tim]

So it looks like my 09 Summit is gonna be totalled from a recent tree hit, and I'm in the market for a new sled. Done some research here, and have found plenty of good information. Sounds like most everyone is happy with their Pros. I would like to thank anyone who has weighed in on any thread related to the 2011 and 2012 sleds recently, as I have read what you have to say. Great information. Sounds like there were a few hiccups with the 2011s, but are minor compared to the first year of the XP.

Been a tough choice, as both the Doo and Polaris look like great sleds this year. I also know that it can be boiled down to flipping a coin, and I'd probably still be happy. Heck, I can't even use dealer choice to help decide, the dealer I'm going with deals both.

But, I'm pretty set on the Assault with the 5.1 track. Seems most people don't like the competetion track for deep snow use, and while I will admit that I don't always get to ride the deep, I would prefer a track that accels in it. Plus, I like the Polaris 4 year warranty over the Doo 3 year.

Any final input from any of you that would make me want to go with a Summit? I did love my Summit, but I want something that rides more like a dirtbike.

 

[MOWER800]

the PRO

if you think you are a pretty good rider now get the PRO and you will discover a whole new side of you abilaties. I loved how my skills inproved with the Dragon but the PRO was so much better. I come home after riding it more and more inpressed with this sled. I love it!

 

[smittys800]

I am in the very same boat. Been riding Doo for a VERY long time, feel it's time for a change. Had the chance to ride the PRO 600 last weekend, very impressed.
Have our Sneak peek next month, will flip a coin then, dealer support for Doo in my area is kinda lame, but Polaris support is strong, so that carrys some weight.
The crank issues has me concerned, but seems the new E-tech has some as well.
THanks for all the input,
Smitty

 

[hivoltagesledhead]

R u parting out the xp?

 

[Tree Boss]

Coming off an XP myself I have enjoyed what the Pro offers over what my 09 XP had. For my style of riding the Pro does what I want it to do and I don't have to fight the sled from wanting to flop over to the ski that's not touching the snow.

Some will love the XP more then the Pro but for me I love the Pro more then the XP

 

[rotax]

if you think you are a pretty good rider now get the PRO and you will discover a whole new side of you abilaties. I loved how my skills inproved with the Dragon but the PRO was so much better. I come home after riding it more and more inpressed with this sled. I love it!

This is the exact same way I feel about it.
The more I ride it, the more I WANT to ride it.
I just wish I had more winter left to do so!

The couple times I switch off w/ XP riders I'm riding very conservative and just want my Pro back. I just can't keep the XP on 1 ski, as many others here will and have mentioned.
Plenty of people can and do ride the XP no problem, and thats fine, it just doesn't work "WITH" me as well.

I think the Pro will work well for anyone, coming from any brand. Like most chassis, there is a bit of a learning curve..but its short.

Coming off a Nytro, I think the Pro handles similarly, but the 120+ less weight is very noticeable at days end.
I'm by no means a Nytro hater, the chassis actually works very well in the deep. It just becomes a handful in the spring or setup snow and tight/technical areas, for me.

 

[AndrettiDog]

tek9tim -> One thing to think about...the Assault has a wider front end. You said you wanted the 5.1 track which is a better all around track than the Polaris Comp track. Consider that the Assault is more money than the Pro and you might be better off with the Pro. It has the 5.1 track and narrow front end (if that is what you like). For the price difference you could sell the Pro's WE shocks and get better shocks (Fox Evol R's or Exit's) and end up with a better package than the Assault. Just an idea, depends on if you want that wide or narrow front end.

 

[skibreeze]

The new XP is a pretty awesome sled in alot of ways. That said, I'm buying a Pro also. I figure that I'll ride both for a year maybe and decide which one is the keeper. The biggest complaint that I have with the XP is the sled wanting to flatten out when hitting anything hard while carving or turning.

 

[mdbrown9]

I moved from an 09 XP to a Pro this year. I kept the XP. Can't say enough about the Pro. I think if you've been riding for a long time you can make any sled sing and dance. I'm relatively new to the sport but holy crap I can ride this sled whereas I have a tough time sidehilling the XP. Washout and being launched toward the downhill ski are common. On the Pro the biggest problem I had early on was pulling the damn thing over on myself. That's a really easy problem to solve. I can easily pull things off on the pro that I just couldn't do with confidence on the 09 XP. The 11 XP's look more "pro like" but I haven't been on one.

You'l find your 09 XP is a more solid sled (I'm on bumper #4 on the pro) but the fun factor for me is just unreal on the pro.

As others have posted - you just want to ride it more and more because your "skill set" makes a sudden jump when you get on a more flickable sled.

 

[rotax]

The new XP is a pretty awesome sled in alot of ways. That said, I'm buying a Pro also. I figure that I'll ride both for a year maybe and decide which one is the keeper. The biggest complaint that I have with the XP is the sled wanting to flatten out when hitting anything hard while carving or turning.

Thats one thing with the Pro I really like, you can actually side hill through crap (trenches/ruts/tracks) and still hold the side hill/edge w/o it throwing you around. Its as if the suspension actually works just as well on 1 ski as it does on 2!

 

[live to ride]

i have a 10 xp summit that i put 1000 miles on it and thought it couldn't get any better than this! wrong! bought the rmk assault this year and can't bring myself to take the summit out of the garage, 900 miles to date

 

[Mattxp]

Buyin a new poo this spring. Couldnt belive the difference in handling to my 09 xp. That said though, the s36 on an xp feels like a new machine to my 09 xp. But i still think the poo is a better fit for myself. And the just pull and go is something i look forward to very much. My xp sidepanel hinges are wore out i think. Just about put wingnuts on the damn thing. haha

 

[tek9tim]

tek9tim -> One thing to think about...the Assault has a wider front end. You said you wanted the 5.1 track which is a better all around track than the Polaris Comp track. Consider that the Assault is more money than the Pro and you might be better off with the Pro. It has the 5.1 track and narrow front end (if that is what you like). For the price difference you could sell the Pro's WE shocks and get better shocks (Fox Evol R's or Exit's) and end up with a better package than the Assault. Just an idea, depends on if you want that wide or narrow front end.

That is the dilema. Want the better shocks out of the box, since I don't really allocate funds for sled modification. Still torn on the issue. Also, torn on the wider stance. From what I've heard, it's still easy to lay over. I should stop screwing around. I got to that point last night, and asked my fiance's opinion based on appearance between the XP, Pro and Assault. I mainly kept the XP in there to give something totally different for her to choose from. Guess I asked her superficial opinion

I moved from an 09 XP to a Pro this year. I kept the XP. Can't say enough about the Pro. I think if you've been riding for a long time you can make any sled sing and dance. I'm relatively new to the sport but holy crap I can ride this sled whereas I have a tough time sidehilling the XP. Washout and being launched toward the downhill ski are common. On the Pro the biggest problem I had early on was pulling the damn thing over on myself. That's a really easy problem to solve. I can easily pull things off on the pro that I just couldn't do with confidence on the 09 XP. The 11 XP's look more "pro like" but I haven't been on one.

You'l find your 09 XP is a more solid sled (I'm on bumper #4 on the pro) but the fun factor for me is just unreal on the pro.

As others have posted - you just want to ride it more and more because your "skill set" makes a sudden jump when you get on a more flickable sled.

Made some good points. And I know I'll be happy regardless. Don't know why I'm wasting y'all's time. What I can say is that I am one of those people that likes to put a lot of hard work into something to learn how to do it, and have already made good progress on mountain riding. Have made leaps and bounds this year with my sidehilling ability, and if it weren't for a wrecked sled (for the record, I wasn't riding it when it got wrecked) I wouldn't be thinking about a new sled, I'd stay happy on my XP. But now that I'm presented with the opportunity I want to be sure I have a sled that is less finicky when it comes to one ski operations.

Again, thank you all for your input.

 

[tek9tim]

R u parting out the xp?

Insurance company's deal. If it weren't insurance, I'd be buying an E & S module and throwing it back together myself for a much smaller chunk of change, but since it's insured, it'll probably get totalled and auctioned.

 

[OnlyPolaris]

one thing to think about on the wider front end on the assault thing. the narrowest setting on the assault is the same as the widest setting on the pro.

 

[icerider600]

Me also

I am also thinking about switching to a new Pro from my 09 XP, just a few questions also for you guys. If I put risers on the handlebars do you have to change anything else, back bumper I heard is a must to change to alum. and a few people talked about the running boards being weak? Just wanted to know what I am going to have to do with my new PRO to make it ready for the mountains!! Frankly I cant wait they look and feel very nice sitting on one, havent got to ride my buddies yet but he said it was the best POO he has ever had!! Thanks guys

 

[AndrettiDog]

I am also thinking about switching to a new Pro from my 09 XP, just a few questions also for you guys. If I put risers on the handlebars do you have to change anything else, back bumper I heard is a must to change to alum. and a few people talked about the running boards being weak? Just wanted to know what I am going to have to do with my new PRO to make it ready for the mountains!! Frankly I cant wait they look and feel very nice sitting on one, havent got to ride my buddies yet but he said it was the best POO he has ever had!! Thanks guys

1,000 miles now and I still love the Pro. Zero problems (knock on wood).

Unless you are very tall you might not need a riser. I had a talk with Chris Burandt and he suggested I go even lower than how it came! He is taller than me (about 6'1") and pushes lower leverage on the bars.

I added Better Boards because the snow still builds up on these Pro Boards. Not near as bad as the IQ, but before long you are kicking the heck out of the boards and your boots.

Shocks are adequate and much better than the old WE's on the Dragons, but they do bottom out too easily. They can be adjusted and can also be re-valved by Holz, Carl's, etc.

I added a modified weights, Zbroz Exit X1 shocks, Team Tied, Holz vents, ArcticFX wrap, Rush windshield, Craigerbuilt rack

This is the first sled I ever bought that I could really keep stock. I didn't, but I could have.

 

[bm77164]

That is the dilema. Want the better shocks out of the box, since I don't really allocate funds for sled modification. Still torn on the issue. Also, torn on the wider stance. From what I've heard, it's still easy to lay over. I should stop screwing around. I got to that point last night, and asked my fiance's opinion based on appearance between the XP, Pro and Assault. I mainly kept the XP in there to give something totally different for her to choose from. Guess I asked her superficial opinion



Made some good points. And I know I'll be happy regardless. Don't know why I'm wasting y'all's time. What I can say is that I am one of those people that likes to put a lot of hard work into something to learn how to do it, and have already made good progress on mountain riding. Have made leaps and bounds this year with my sidehilling ability, and if it weren't for a wrecked sled (for the record, I wasn't riding it when it got wrecked) I wouldn't be thinking about a new sled, I'd stay happy on my XP. But now that I'm presented with the opportunity I want to be sure I have a sled that is less finicky when it comes to one ski operations.

Again, thank you all for your input.

Can i just ask where the M8 stacks up? I have a snopro 162 and really like it....I rode a pro that a friend of mine has in some fresh snow and it did seem flikkable, but in the hills i liked how the M8 climbed and sidehilled a little better...Just asking what you guys think is all...

 

[icerider600]

1,000 miles now and I still love the Pro. Zero problems (knock on wood).

Unless you are very tall you might not need a riser. I had a talk with Chris Burandt and he suggested I go even lower than how it came! He is taller than me (about 6'1") and pushes lower leverage on the bars.

I added Better Boards because the snow still builds up on these Pro Boards. Not near as bad as the IQ, but before long you are kicking the heck out of the boards and your boots.

Shocks are adequate and much better than the old WE's on the Dragons, but they do bottom out too easily. They can be adjusted and can also be re-valved by Holz, Carl's, etc.

I added a modified weights, Zbroz Exit X1 shocks, Team Tied, Holz vents, ArcticFX wrap, Rush windshield, Craigerbuilt rack

This is the first sled I ever bought that I could really keep stock. I didn't, but I could have.

Thats one thing also, I have all the clutch tools for my XP and I can just turn the clickers to ride it back here in SD (1000 foot) Compared to about 8-10 when we go to the mountains, is it a big thing to change the weights? or do you have to do more than that? and were do you buy good clutch tools, I will have to email C&T from DooTalk that were I got my tools and they are the best!

 

[OnlyPolaris]

Thats one thing also, I have all the clutch tools for my XP and I can just turn the clickers to ride it back here in SD (1000 foot) Compared to about 8-10 when we go to the mountains, is it a big thing to change the weights? or do you have to do more than that? and were do you buy good clutch tools, I will have to email C&T from DooTalk that were I got my tools and they are the best!

The first time you change them thay take a little longer. but after that its a 10 minute job. Just get your self a good pry bar to compress the clutch, a clamp to hold it and then a wrench and allen wrench. I have a set of tools set a side so I don't have to keep looking for the right size.