Another Stupid Frostbite Post! First Ride On New 2009 M8 Sno Pro 153"

[Frostbite]

I finally got a chance to take the sled out for the first time today. It was beautiful, sunny and cold.

The sled ran absolutely wonderful. I decided to run 89 octane since there was a question if 87 or 91 was correct with the SLP pipe setup. I did feel a weird (maybe it was a bog?) at around 4-4,500 RPM a couple times but, other than that it was perfect.

I was running the stock 73 gram clutch weights at about 5-6,500 feet and pulling 8110 on the tach while climbing (when I dared look) but, with my Gage Cage it made the gage easy to see and with it and the @cool side vents I had no melting issues.

The Powerclaw worked awesome, the VSB bars were never moved from full height and with the AMP 2" riser they are close to ideal (but I'd sure like a 3" or 4" riser).

A couple things need attention.

The snow being thrown by the track is landing on the rear of the running boards. It makes it tough to stand back there. I see Arctic Cat offer a guard to prevent this.

The plastic handle for the pull rope vibrates like mad everytime I head down a mountain. Is this normal or is my clutch screaming for balancing?

The shocks aren't so hot for the extremely roughy trail going in and out of the riding area. I think the Fett Brothers cannisters will end up on my sled. The ride out beat the daylights out of me.

The Cat Boss seat is HARD. Wow that baby needs somebody to bounce on it for a while but, I love it anyway!

That's enough for now.

 

[catunder]

Great Stupid Post!!

Keep the posts going Frostbite. I agree with virtually everything you said about the sled.Cheers

 

[summ8rmk]

The Powerclaw worked awesome, the VSB bars were never moved from full height and with the AMP 2" riser they are close to ideal (but I'd sure like a 3" or 4" riser).

Good lord how tall are you? I do think the 2" would be good for me @5'11"

The plastic handle for the pull rope vibrates like mad everytime I head down a mountain. Is this normal or is my clutch screaming for balancing?

It will vibrate less with miles.

The Cat Boss seat is HARD. Wow that baby needs somebody to bounce on it for a while but, I love it anyway!

It will soften up after a few rides.

The snow being thrown by the track is landing on the rear of the running boards. It makes it tough to stand back there. I see Arctic Cat offer a guard to prevent this.

Every time you do a doughnut or side hill you will fill the boards up with snow. Next time you ride go on a side hill and look down at your boards you will see the snow pushing up through the holes that are supposed to let it fall out. My foot wells are allways full of snow and i cant put my feet in them on the ride back to the truck.

 

[polaris660rmk]

yeah that was a dumb frostbite post... no good for you frosty were did you go? the cats suck on trail i think but that is not what they are 4. 8100 that is a little high i think i always want 7980 to 8000 that is just my .02 nice to hear you finaly rode the sled

 

[JHG]

yeah that was a dumb frostbite post... no good for you frosty were did you go? the cats suck on trail i think but that is not what they are 4. 8100 that is a little high i think i always want 7980 to 8000 that is just my .02 nice to hear you finaly rode the sled

8100-8150 is perfect for the SLP pipe. I do think all cats w/ a stock skid suck on the trail. EZ ride or a mt. tamer helps a ton but costs lots of $$$$$.

 

[WyoBoy1000]

holz also revalves and has some other option. try putting just about 3/8 preload on your front skid shock and 150psi in your rear shock ( remember you have to take all weight off the skid and adjust air pressure to temp as well) still not the best but it works this way and climbs better.

 

[BigRed118]

Frosty, call MBMS. I have been telling him about the Holz revalve for the stock shocks. He finally did it and is very impressed.

 

[mrquick68]

frosty, call mbms. I have been telling him about the holz revalve for the stock shocks. He finally did it and is very impressed.

ditto!

 

[Frostbite]

Thanks, I will either do the Holz revalve or the Fett Brothers fix but, the shocks have to be improved some how. The sled worked great in the powder but in the woops, ouch! I had 55 lbs in the front shocks and 125 in the rear shock.

My VSB bars lossened up a bit after the ride but, the BDX fix goes into production next week so that will be added as well. However, with the Boss seat as high as it is, the height of the bars is about perfect for my on the trail and in the powder with the bars all the way up with the 2" extension. So, I guess why do I need the VSB bars if I never intend to move the bars? With the stock seat the bar adjustability is about perfect but, with the Boss high rise I'm not even sure one would need the adjustability?

Yup, the back of the foot boards fill up quickly and seem to stay full, yet the front seem to let the snow escape very nicely. I'll figure it out.

The stock skis........hum??? In some situations I liked them and in others I just couldn't turn.

So should I wait until the off season to lower the skid in the front of the tunnel or does it make enough difference for me to do it right now? If you lower the front of the skid, does the rear need to be dropped some how too? I ask because on Yamaha's you would do both together.

I made some marker lines and noticed my belt didn't come up to more than 3/4" from the top of the primary clutch. Is this normal?

 

[1M800]

Good post. I got up yesterday morning and we got a foot of fresh snow and it was about -8 degrees. I was up early so I got all my gear on and started out for a trail ride before work. I ended up riding 41 miles and got into work 15 min. late. (Only slight frostbite on one cheek) Anyways I love the Powder pros on this sled. I have them on the less aggressive position and I think I will move them to the more aggressive position. But they are a huge improvement over stock! The sled ran great, but man these things suck gas! Also I started a thread a while back when I got the sled about the vibration...It will get less the more you ride it.

 

[09m8162]

suck gas!! WHAT?! i havent put in more than 7.5 gallons on any ride all year. some have been 55+ mls, others have been up to 3 feet of powpow. kinda pissed how little they use cause my mountain addiction gas cans r just sitting there looking pretty.

 

[1M800]

suck gas!! WHAT?! i havent put in more than 7.5 gallons on any ride all year. some have been 55+ mls, others have been up to 3 feet of powpow. kinda pissed how little they use cause my mountain addiction gas cans r just sitting there looking pretty.

55 miles is not a ride That is more of a tuning session! Seriously though when I had mine out in Wyoming riding in powder every day it sucked down the gas. I was dumping in my extra can almost every day and we weren't leaving until late morning and coming back in long before dark.

 

[KSH]

suck gas!! WHAT?! i havent put in more than 7.5 gallons on any ride all year. some have been 55+ mls, others have been up to 3 feet of powpow. kinda pissed how little they use cause my mountain addiction gas cans r just sitting there looking pretty.

It you don't it hold wide open, they get great mileage.
Only trail rideing in West Yellowstone, I put on 136 miles and put in 10.1 gallons.

But take it off the trail and hold it wide open.
Big pony's take lots of hay.

 

[phatty]

The sled ran absolutely wonderful. I decided to run 89 octane since there was a question if 87 or 91 was correct with the SLP pipe setup. I did feel a weird (maybe it was a bog?) at around 4-4,500 RPM a couple times but, other than that it was perfect.

That bog is very likely too much oil at that RPM... check your oil pump to make sure its returning to closed and not sticking open... there are several posts on this.

 

[TooDeepTodd]

Skis & Shocks

Two of the most noticeable improvements you can make right out of the gate are the skid and shocks. I switched to the slp PP's and LOVE them, the difference in both the deep and on the trail is immense. The other obvious is the cat suspension...I weigh in at about 235 (245 w/ gear) and the z-bros front end set to 55lb and the fox evol w/ geomod set to 95lb in the rear is perfect for me. No problems with pushing too much but the skis also stay pretty close to the ground unless you really open it up on an incline. And in the bumps....there is no comparison. I used to get the everloving crap beat out of me on the ride out but now no one can keep up, smooth like budda.

 

[1M800]

Are you guys that are complaining about the front shocks all riding Sno-Pros? I can't complain about the zero pros. I know this thing is going to trail ride like a Z1 turbo, but it is the best riding mountain sled that I have owned!

 

[HANDSOME]

Thanks, I will either do the Holz revalve or the Fett Brothers fix but, the shocks have to be improved some how. The sled worked great in the powder but in the woops, ouch! I had 55 lbs in the front shocks and 125 in the rear shock.

My VSB bars lossened up a bit after the ride but, the BDX fix goes into production next week so that will be added as well. However, with the Boss seat as high as it is, the height of the bars is about perfect for my on the trail and in the powder with the bars all the way up with the 2" extension. So, I guess why do I need the VSB bars if I never intend to move the bars? With the stock seat the bar adjustability is about perfect but, with the Boss high rise I'm not even sure one would need the adjustability?

Yup, the back of the foot boards fill up quickly and seem to stay full, yet the front seem to let the snow escape very nicely. I'll figure it out.

The stock skis........hum??? In some situations I liked them and in others I just couldn't turn.

So should I wait until the off season to lower the skid in the front of the tunnel or does it make enough difference for me to do it right now? If you lower the front of the skid, does the rear need to be dropped some how too? I ask because on Yamaha's you would do both together.

I made some marker lines and noticed my belt didn't come up to more than 3/4" from the top of the primary clutch. Is this normal?

I would gear it down Frosty.

 

[Frostbite]

So, I will need a set of Powder Pros. Black with orange handles I'm thinking...

I need to be able to carry some extra fuel. I think I'll start another stupid Frostbite post on this subject to see some pictures of what's available. I want it to look good and carry one 2.5 gallon can. Is there a short flat 2.5 gallon tank made?

Yup, the shocks will get a makeover of some sort.

Oh yeah, I need to check the oil pump assembly.

"I would gear it down Frosty" - Handsome

Should I really consider gearing the sled down? I ride from 4 - 8,00 feet and weight 170. I thought I read that the M800 especially the 153 was geared fine. The way I remember it, it was the M1000 that seemed to like to be reageared to M8 like gearing?

 

[1M800]

So, I will need a set of Powder Pros. Black with orange handles I'm thinking...

I need to be able to carry some extra fuel. I think I'll start another stupid Frostbite post on this subject to see some pictures of what's available. I want it to look good and carry one 2.5 gallon can. Is there a short flat 2.5 gallon tank made?

Yup, the shocks will get a makeover of some sort.

Oh yeah, I need to check the oil pump assembly.

"I would gear it down Frosty" - Handsome

Should I really consider gearing the sled down? I ride from 4 - 8,00 feet and weight 170. I thought I read that the M800 especially the 153 was geared fine. The way I remember it, it was the M1000 that seemed to like to be reageared to M8 like gearing?

I would not gear it down. Just my opinion. I bought the AC gas can rack and it works great. Next time I would get the color matched one for the same price. I thought the machined aluminum would look cool because it looks like it matches the suspension rails but now that it is on, it looks kind of plain. It is adjustable so it will fit almost any 2.5 gal. can. Also get the AC rubber mat for the top of the tunnel (under the can) it protects the tunnel from scratches and looks good too.

 

[HANDSOME]

3/4 " from the top of the primary is too much for my liking but I guess it depends on what riding you do mostly.