Assault Vs. Hcr or m1000

[cornfiled stroker]

Hey guys got a question for ya.... Looking for a new sled this year and am torn between the Polaris Assault and Arctic Cat Hcr or maybe the m1000 sno pro. I have always rode Cats and never had a major problem but last trip out this past winter I rode a both 09 Polaris dragon and 09 AC m8 snopro and gotta say I loved the handling of the Polaris. I am just scared of the time bomb 800 polaris motor. (been on many trips the last few years and had buddys sleds go down on them) Should I look at the Polaris 700? Have they got the 800 motor fixed for good??? My other question is will I be wanting more power? as my current sled is a 900 king cat with some goodies. One thing I don't like about the m1000 is the longer track. I don't think you can get a new 1000 with the shorter track any more? could be wrong.
I like to mostly boondock in the trees and meadows but also like to hill climb some.
Thanks

 

[stcatman]

go big

If your ridding the 900 king now you might as well go m-1000, unless you turbo a small sled you will always wonder where your power went

 

[cornfiled stroker]

Thats what I was wondering... Just that I fell in love with the Polaris handling!! I don't understand why Polaris doesn't make a big bore machine to compete with cat? I know the 800's make about the same hp as the 1000 but the tourque has to be much lower.

Keep em comming I need more input before I decide

Thanks

 

[AKSNOWRIDER]

Thats what I was wondering... Just that I fell in love with the Polaris handling!! I don't understand why Polaris doesn't make a big bore machine to compete with cat? I know the 800's make about the same hp as the 1000 but the tourque has to be much lower.

Keep em comming I need more input before I decide

Thanks

if you dont mind running a little race gas, talk to F-bomb about his carl's built ported twin piped dragon..for the money its supposed to be a very impressive set of mods..or for more money the carl's 860 kit, or a turbo...

as for the reliability, the motor is good its the fuel system/mapping that is causing most issues(easily fixed with a fuel controller and a set of egt's) and some have had voltage regulators melt down taking out the ecm...supposedly the newer(late 09) V.R's are holding up better....

 

[Ricks 32]

M1000 has my vote. Put the SLP exhaust system, clutching and PC and your set man. It will have more power, very similar in handling as the dragon and you don't have to worry about motor issues. I like the handling characteristics of both the dragon and the M. For really steep sidehills, I feel the M is easier to manuver. The dragon tends to want to climb vs. sidehill. If you do get the dragon, I'd recomend a control box for sure. I haven't seen a Dragon yet that's burned down with a control box. Good luck!

 

[bowerman61028]

Go with the M1000 and you will be happy. It is NOT as light as the M8 or the Polaris but the torque makes up for it. I went from a 162" King Cat to the 153" M100 and I don't notice much if any difference. I don't think you'll be dissapointed if you have a M1000 in the 162". With the $1,000 or so dollars for the full SLP kit (Y-pipe, pipe, can, & control box) they claim 192 hp. Put some vents, an intake and clutching and you'll be hard to catch wherever you go. It doesn't hurt that you can find M1000's new for cheaper than used M8's or most Polaris sleds. Look around... I found mine new for $5,300 from a dealer.

 

[Dogmeat]

Hey guys got a question for ya.... Looking for a new sled this year and am torn between the Polaris Assault and Arctic Cat Hcr or maybe the m1000 sno pro. I have always rode Cats and never had a major problem but last trip out this past winter I rode a both 09 Polaris dragon and 09 AC m8 snopro and gotta say I loved the handling of the Polaris. I am just scared of the time bomb 800 polaris motor. (been on many trips the last few years and had buddys sleds go down on them) Should I look at the Polaris 700? Have they got the 800 motor fixed for good??? My other question is will I be wanting more power? as my current sled is a 900 king cat with some goodies. One thing I don't like about the m1000 is the longer track. I don't think you can get a new 1000 with the shorter track any more? could be wrong.
I like to mostly boondock in the trees and meadows but also like to hill climb some.
Thanks

Honestly, if I was buying a new sled today, it would be a 2010 or 2011 M8 162" standard edition.

I have been terribly unimpressed by the fox floats on the sno-pro and I'm replacing the BS telescoping steering stem with a solid one. There is virtually no justification whatsoever for spending the extra money on a sno-pro model.

I am not a spring snow hill climber so the HCR/Assault doesn't really fit the way I like to ride, but personally I'd take the M8 over the M10 just because of the extra 30 pounds right off the nose ....

 

[bgreen776]

Having owned all the sleds in this discussion, other than the Polaris, I can assure you that the new 800 cat leaves nothing on the table compared to the 900 cat. The 2010 and up M8 will stomp a 900 in every condition, stock for stock, mod for mod, until you get to huge custom big bores, that I have no experience with.

Don't get the M1000 unless you are a hill junky and/or are a really big dude. I'm both (270 lbs), and I could be just as happy with the lighter M8 in all conditions other than when I'm being stupid and trying to compete with a couple Krazy buddies.

BTW, that blocky assault track is horrible in the back country, especially for hill climbing in anything other than the hardest of spring snow. The HCR would be a better choice for back country, unless your willing to change the track, then its probably a toss up. The money you save by not buying the HCR could probably get you a pipe and box to pep up the polaris.

 

[F-Bomb]

Are you considering 2011 sleds or hold overs in your thought process? If you are talking 2011 then the only answer is the Polaris PRO but I'd opt for the none traditional Assault track and go 5.1. That sled flat out smokes anything you've listed or will ever ride for overall handling and performance in box stock sleds. (until we see what Cat's new chassis is like for 2012) 434lbs without gas was the one I played on quite a bit this season. Nothing but a minor track mod and Better Boards and that sled will be the standout stocker for next season.

Now if you are considering IQ RAW modeled Assault versus the M sleds I'd go the other direction towards the Cat offerings. You rode a Dragon and there is a monster difference in handling ease between the assault and dragon in stock form. That said the 2010 M 8 is a better overall stock sled then both. More consistantly reliable, slight advantage in power, and only a slightly less agile feel then a non assault IQ RAW. Plus you can get them brand new for cheap.

All of this is if you are keeping them box stock...if you are doing aftermarket ads on any of the models then it totally depends on what mods you are doing and WHO is doing them for you.

 

[cornfiled stroker]

Thanks guys I think I will try to find a m1000 153 hold over sled new. I have seen a couple new 08's for sale. When i get it I am thinking some new style decal wrap and boss seat to make up for the old look and jaws pipe and can. Loved the jaws front dump system on my 04 king... just wish it wasn't so loud. Also I am ready to get back to the shorter track.

Wish me luck!! I will let you guys know what I come up with

 

[AndrettiDog]

You should find a great deal on an M1000. Maybe even look at a year old or so if money is a concern. Personally, I've never been impressed with one, but I haven't ridden a modded out one either. To me, it's like having a diesel motor in a sled.

Personally I like the IQ chassis. The Assault needs a longer track to play in the mountains. Put a 155" camo extreme on it and that would be a great sled IMO.

 

[Ricks 32]

If you are looking toward the M1000, do yourself a favor and go with an '09 or newer. They are much lighter, have the power claw, better ECU and the newer tunnel. I'd also recomend an SLP kit in the 1000 as well. If you are going to keep it stock, I'd get an M8 or Dragon. The stock 1000's are sleepy and totally unimpressive. SLP wakes them up and makes them run as they should. An SLP equiped M1000 is an animal. And the '09 is right on with weight as the Dragon.

 

[martin1200]

haha

Its an easy decision bro get an m1000 and bore it out to a m1200 and smoke all those piston poppin polaris players!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[cornfiled stroker]

10-4 on the piston poppen polaris... going to have to remember that line!! Didn't want to jump ship on arctic cat now I don't have to worry that I made the wrong decision. I'm not to worried about the polaris its the ski don'ts that were giving me a run for my money last year. Going to have to put a stop to that this year. So I gues I will look for a 09 or newer M1000 and put the slp kit on it..... I can't wait for winter

Thanks for all the input!! I'll be looking for a sled at hay days

 

[prox18]

best advice I could give is pick a dealer that will take care of you. I'm riding a brand that is not my first choice because of the dealer support that I recieve, it goes a long way when you need clutching advice or parts or aftercare. Your decision is the one that counts in the end.

 

[backcountryislife]

I was in the same boat last sled I got, wanted an assault, but wasn't willing to take the chance with that motor.

I ended up with a CF1000, traded the cobra track for a powerclaw & LOVE IT.

It's got the fun factor of a small sled, but the power of a big sled. I won't buy a long sled again. Btw, the 146 track on the assault (the ones I've ridden anyhow) suck in deeper snow.

If they could prove to us that the 800 poo motor will be a bit more reliable, I'd say go with an assault, but I just know too many people with issues with that motor.

 

[schmitty53]

M1000 All the way. I have a 07' M1000 that I bought as a new hold-over last year, Love it! I have the 162" , Don't let that scare ya, We ride in the trees alot and no problems. Where are you located? If your looking for a hold over M1000, there is a bunch here in minnesota. Try Country Cat and sette sports center....

 

[milehighassassin]

It will have more power, very similar in handling as the dragon and you don't have to worry about motor issues.

LOL, similar handling? What are you smoking?

Yeah it will have more power but the handling won't even be close.

We have had 4 800 motors in my family (IQ) not one of has had one problem with a motor. The motor issue is blown way out of proportion. Get a good dealer.

 

[milehighassassin]

Having owned all the sleds in this discussion, other than the Polaris,

BTW, that blocky assault track is horrible in the back country, especially for hill climbing in anything other than the hardest of spring snow.

What?

It is not the stiffness that hurts the Assault track it is the length. I am willing to bet the 155 assault track that comes out on the Pro is going to rip. Sure the weight hurts it a little in the light stuff over the 5.1 but I think overall it will be a better track with the additional length.

 

[bgreen776]

I'm sorry, the assault "style" track is what I should have said. But... Maybe I'm all wet. Can someone post a picture of an assault track for me please?