Anyone ridden an 09 XP vs. 09 M8 - no BS

[Jaynelson]

I am exactly one breakdown away from buying a new sled. Has anyone ridden both of these machines back 2 back? Mostly interested if Cat has got the suspension riding smoother than years past, with more weight transfer and a lighter front end?

Both sleds would remain relatively stock outside of riser, pipe, can, y-pipe, clutching, etc. Not looking for brand bashing or that your buddy's buddy had one that SMOKED the other....just what your impressions where after riding both. What you liked vs. what you didn't like....simple stuff

 

[Tree Boss]

I own a 2009 Hill Climb edition Ski-Doo xp. It is a very good running sled. No complaints on it yet, it has around 280 miles on it now. Yesterday i rode a M8 for a couple hours with Bret Rasmussen who does the Arctic Cat demo rides, in the trees the M8 has alot more potential then the XP, actually it flat out rips. It is a sidehilling and carving dream. The XP I own has more power, and my XP is alot nicer on the trails, not that I like to ride on them but when I do I like to be comfortable. They both are very capable machines, ride both if you can You can not go wrong with either. One more note Bret is one hell of a boondocker, I was schooled for about 2 hours, funnest ride I have ever had.

 

[Wyoming T/A]

we should get to spend the day saturday with a stock 09 m8 163--should be a fun day--i've heard they are real stout--we dont have a 163 xp to compare but 4 xp's with 154's and the snow should be deeep so we'll probably get a track lenght schooling for sure---

 

[89sandman]

isn't a 16 wide 154 supposed to be as good as a 162x15

 

[M8Chris]

I am exactly one breakdown away from buying a new sled. Has anyone ridden both of these machines back 2 back? Mostly interested if Cat has got the suspension riding smoother than years past, with more weight transfer and a lighter front end?

Both sleds would remain relatively stock outside of riser, pipe, can, y-pipe, clutching, etc. Not looking for brand bashing or that your buddy's buddy had one that SMOKED the other....just what your impressions where after riding both. What you liked vs. what you didn't like....simple stuff

Hold off till 2010. Arctic cat is staying with the same chasis but is upgrading to better shocks which will make for a smoother ride. The 09 I rode yesterday flat out rips and it was stock. Beat up on my 07 which has the slp set up. Get the cat if you are gonna put a pipe and you will be very pleased. Stock the 09 rips I'm impressed with how good that 09 runs stock we just haven't had any 09 xps to test with

 

[snowmobiler]

get the doo if you want a smooth ride and a light front end.

 

[Jaynelson]

^ I've got an 07 doo, just wondering if anyone's ridden the 09 kittys for comparison.

 

[Throttle Junkie]

Have not ridden with one but I have heard there is not alot of difference between the 08 M8 162 and the 09 M8 162.....again I did not see them so it's second hand info.

 

[summ8rmk]

I have an 09 M8 LE 153, I had an 06 REV 800 151. I have not ridden an XP but I have rode with XP's. I would say the 09 M8 handles very simular to the REV on the trail, get the knee pads for the cat the moguls tend to make you slide into the cowling, and while your up there the handlebars are real close and you can't stretch your legs. I have sat on the XP you can stretch your legs, the handle bars are farther from you(more cmfortable) for on the trail. also on the XP if you wanted to you can put your legs on the 2 tables ski-doo put on each side of the windshield. Now for powder the M8 is a lot better than my REV especially when it comes to sidehilling or going down a hill and carving. To me the M8 fells more like you and the machine are one. Remember that I'm comparing it to the 06 REV but if the XP handles the same as the REV but with more leg room than my vote is still M8. I have out climbed a few REVs by a lot. and the XPs I have rode with have not out climbed me but I can not say that I have out climbed them either. The hills we were climbing the REV's could not make it up but my M8 (on the first pass) and the XP's(on there second pass) could. I think Ski-Doo has a better fit and finnish than the other brands. I think the XP would handle better on the trail. and I think the XP with equall length (but wider) track might be able to out climb the M8 straight up the hill. But this M8 has put more smiles on my face (total fun factor)than my REV did, and I liked my REV. That Powerclaw track is totally amazing in the deep snow it lifts the ski's out of the snow like no other track I have seen or ridden. I wonder what the XP would be like with the Powerclaw on it? I know you didn't ask but I have to add, In the deep snow I also really liked the dragon for carving and sidehilling but when you hit the trail I could not stand ridding it, and you have to ride the trail(well most people do) to get to and from your favorite ridding spots.

This is my opinion I hope it helps.

 

[AKboondocker]

I came off an 06 then 07 rev 800 summits and was VERY impressed with the 08 M! 09 should be even better. Rev was a great sled but the reliability, toughness, and very nimble handing of the cat made me jump and Im very happy I did. Differences I noted were carving and sidehilling is MUCH easier on the M, the power delivery is very smooth and it gets on top of the snow without trenching. Feels every bit as light as any M7 Ive ridden. The revs had the 16 wide track which climbed like a billy goat, but unless the snow was super deep, it was more difficult to transfer into and hold a sidehill or ride in super tight trees. Rev has more power on paper but it doesnt show or feel like it in the snow if you know how to ride your machine. I would say with the float rear skid on the M, the trail handling is close on both sleds. I would give the edge on jumping to the rev. Good luck

 

[ridehard1212]

i prefer the M chassis.. have owned everything but a dragon and my first choice would be a 4stroke m series!!!!!!! honestly though.. i would go with the m series over xp just not a fan of the xp handling. and the m8 are suppose tobe pretty promblem free and everyone knows xp's have some minor but consistant issues

 

[triple7]

I am going to play the devils advocate here and say to buy the XP and never look back. They are soo light its rediculous for a stock machine. With a bit of clutch work and a pipe and can they are just darn near untouchable on the mountain. Have ridden with M series, dragons, revs and xps...a properly setup xp is the sled to beat. Bar none. And the notion that the other brands "feel" as light is just really not accurate. Weight is weight and it is the enemy. Buy the light one, get the easy weight off of it and Have some Fun!!!

 

[iluv2fly]

Have not ridden with one but I have heard there is not alot of difference between the 08 M8 162 and the 09 M8 162.....again I did not see them so it's second hand info.

There is a big difference between the 09 and 08 M8. The new 09's run very hard and will outperform the 08's by a good margin. Really nice sleds and very reliable.

 

[type_a_positive]

Have ridden the 2008 XP Summit 154, and did not like it`s sidehilling/throwing around capabilities. Better than the M on trails though. And the stock M seat is a joke.

 

[yardsale_oem]

isn't a 16 wide 154 supposed to be as good as a 162x15

the math would say so..............

 

[B-Radical]

We had guys rent both over Christmas and I wanted to compare them both to my older rev mod. Here is what I found.
I liked the power and the comfort of the xp. It popped up on the powder very well when throttling.
I didn't care for the sidehilling and carving as it was setup very stiff, but with a little clutching and suspension setup, I think it would be awsome.

As for the M8, it was very smooth on and off the throttle and the suspension was nice and soft. It had good power and handled the deep powder we were in very well.
The seat and handlebar position wasn't optimal for me, and the skis liked to dart on the trail. but, overall I was impressed.


The best thing for you to do, get together with a buddy and each rent one. keep switching off during the day. Find out which one you prefer and get that one.
After you decide and purchase one, you will be able to dial it in to your riding style making it even better.
Note: someone earlier posted that the '10 M8 will have more updates, but I am sure Doo will make some changes too.

B-

 

[SSWIM]

We have ridden both. I have an 09 Summit 163", HPS can, & vents. Two 09 M8s in our group, both piped and vented. One M8 has a Diamond S mesh hood. The sleds are so close it is crazy. The M8s seem to work their best in the fresh snow. The track works well. It comes up on top well. That is not saying the Rev doesn't. It works equally well, because of it's larger footprint. The only place we can see the Rev possibly "shining" is in the snow that is set up. The Rev's track works better, in the hard snow, no doubt.

As far as the carving, sidehilling and climbing prowess???? We call it a draw. In fresh, deep snow anyway. Trail riding??? Nod probably goes to the Rev, but not really a concern for us. Some are saying the Revs are harder to ride. They just take more time to acclimate to. You can not jump from an M8 to a Rev and be comfortable. Same thing goes the other way. I will say the M8s are more easily adapted to than the Revs. My opinion anyway. The Rev took me more time to feel comfortable on. I have 4 different sleds, an 800 Dragon, M Cat with 900 Union Bay, TApex, and the Rev. Again, the Rev is the most difficult for me to acclimate to. With that said, after an hour or so, it is an absolute blast to ride.

Our conclusion is that either the Rev or M8 is a very capable sled offering riders the possibilities to go places that we really should not go. Both equally well. Just what you prefer. Flip a coin.


Be safe.

Sam

 

[1M800]

From everything I have been reading I am really stoked that I just bought a 09 M8 153! I pick it up on tues!

 

[SSWIM]

From everything I have been reading I am really stoked that I just bought a 09 M8 153! I pick it up on tues!

You will be happy, no doubt.


Sam

 

[winter brew]

Both are great sleds! An XP with the sway bar removed handles as easy in the trees as the M. Have had a M-series (not an '09) and IMO the XP chassis is more comfortable, better ride, more mountain rider friendly as far as riding position, weight, ergo's.....but the M-is right there too!! Go with the best deal and dealer.