cat or skidoo
- Thread starter snow-mo
- Start date
I'm a ski-doo guy myself but I have to agree. I was up riding today and rode the 09 M8 153 and an 08 XP 154 back to back. The cat, without a doubt, is a superior sled. I can't figure out what all the hype is about witht the XP? It feels heavier, it handles slower, I was takeing the cat places the XP couldn't go, the cat was faster in a flat drag race, and the cat feels lighter when you ride it. I'm looking to buy a new sled and I no longer want an XP. I'm going to the cat dealer tomarrow.
All I can say is ride them both before you buy! I thought I knew what I wanted out of the two until I rode them both.
Don't think you can go wrong with either sled, its all personal preference, I bought the M8 better dealer/support after the sale.
I am used to huge HP but the fun factor of the 8 was enough to loose 50Hp and be happy doing it.
I am used to huge HP but the fun factor of the 8 was enough to loose 50Hp and be happy doing it.
I hate people that think so much of themself's, go ride flatland and save us trouble.....
Pot calling the kettle black.. Remember your post earlier? Also funny that you were giving the Yamaha guy crap when your just as bad if not worse for Doos!!
and Arctic Cat always being behind? hmm most people think the Cat is just as good if not better than the XP this year.
i honestly don't think that any one particular sled in its respective class is light years ahead of the other........there are hundreds of each everywhere i look......it has to be in large part, personal preference and advertising....they all must be good or they wouldn't be selling.....just my $.02
I am not a CAT guy but I am impressed with the M sleds. I am tempted to buy a CAT next year. BUT!!!
This is about the 5th or 6th year on the M chassis. My luck will be that I buy an M and next year they come out with a new style similar to the Dragon or XP.
This is about the 5th or 6th year on the M chassis. My luck will be that I buy an M and next year they come out with a new style similar to the Dragon or XP.
Let's hope not. M chasis is the best chasis on the market. Easiest Sled to maneuever. Anybody can shoot straight up if you have the gonads and horsepower. But how many can make technical climbs through tight trees not wider than 5 feet? Anyone who has made the climb to st Charles peak at egan basin on a deep day know that is a challenging ride. The m makes it easier to maneuever up that.
I'm having the same dilema.
On paper the XP rules but, in most magazines they seem to like the M8 better than the Summit XP overall for off trail handling and reliability potential.
I salute BRP for the weight (or lack of weight) and styling of the XP but, I keep reading that they handle less easily in the powder always wanting to put the skis back on the snow regardless of the input the driver is giving. If they can just bring their reliability up a bit more it would make a big difference to many potential buyers. An 800cc(+) ETEC might be all it takes to push me over the edge. Hopefully, the throttle pull will decrease with ETEC?
The 09 M8's even though down on power sound like they can at least hold their own against the competing 800 class sleds. I've done a lot of research and it certainly seems that with a Y pipe, single pipe and lightweight can, you can easily bring this sled reliably up to 155 hp. The lightweight Powerclaw track (we'll see how it holds up) with the upgraded clutching supposedly adds about 10 track hp to the Cat. I am completely in love with the Cat adjustable handle bars. The chassis is dated but, in my opinion it looks good and works very well. My big question would be 2009 M8 or M1000?
I can't decide what sled to buy either, so I'll wait 6 weeks and see what 2010brings. If it's the kind of year for new sleds like I'm expecting to see two good things happen.
1. There will be plenty of new guinee pig opportunities that people won't be able to pass up (maybe me?)
2. Those that buy the new sleds will be selling their modded 08 and 09 sleds for some smoking deals.
Heck, I might be able to afford a used 2009 M8 turbo?
Frosty
On paper the XP rules but, in most magazines they seem to like the M8 better than the Summit XP overall for off trail handling and reliability potential.
I salute BRP for the weight (or lack of weight) and styling of the XP but, I keep reading that they handle less easily in the powder always wanting to put the skis back on the snow regardless of the input the driver is giving. If they can just bring their reliability up a bit more it would make a big difference to many potential buyers. An 800cc(+) ETEC might be all it takes to push me over the edge. Hopefully, the throttle pull will decrease with ETEC?
The 09 M8's even though down on power sound like they can at least hold their own against the competing 800 class sleds. I've done a lot of research and it certainly seems that with a Y pipe, single pipe and lightweight can, you can easily bring this sled reliably up to 155 hp. The lightweight Powerclaw track (we'll see how it holds up) with the upgraded clutching supposedly adds about 10 track hp to the Cat. I am completely in love with the Cat adjustable handle bars. The chassis is dated but, in my opinion it looks good and works very well. My big question would be 2009 M8 or M1000?
I can't decide what sled to buy either, so I'll wait 6 weeks and see what 2010brings. If it's the kind of year for new sleds like I'm expecting to see two good things happen.
1. There will be plenty of new guinee pig opportunities that people won't be able to pass up (maybe me?)
2. Those that buy the new sleds will be selling their modded 08 and 09 sleds for some smoking deals.
Heck, I might be able to afford a used 2009 M8 turbo?
Frosty
These are both excellent sleds. My personal preference is Doo hands down.
The M8's are great reliable, have a great long lasting engine, great for boon docking.
This is what I don't like about the M's.
They do not give as smooth of a ride as Doo.
They are heaver.
They do not do quite as well in deep snow. (163)
They use more fuel, more oil in a day.
There design is old school, you sit to low, and back to far.
just my 2$.
The M8's are great reliable, have a great long lasting engine, great for boon docking.
This is what I don't like about the M's.
They do not give as smooth of a ride as Doo.
They are heaver.
They do not do quite as well in deep snow. (163)
They use more fuel, more oil in a day.
There design is old school, you sit to low, and back to far.
just my 2$.
This is exactly the way I feel about it.
It doesn't matter if one is lighter or has more power if you hate riding the sled.
C
colorado logger
Well-known member
I ride 09 m8, like it big time. If you can ride a doo, the sled will kick butt.
Interesting fun thread to read....but I have to call BS on this one. I've rode M for the past 6 years. Almost all of my friends ride Rev or XP's......We ride the same places and I always....have more gas.
I own both sleds and love both sleds, but the xp fits my riding style better. Xp has better power, M has stronger chassis, both are a blast to ride, but for me the xp is way more capable and a ton more fun to ride. When I'm on my xp I have yet to be outdone by an M8. But on the same note my xp is out of commision from hitting a large rock . . . so I'm back on the M8 till it's fixed 
A
AKboondocker
Well-known member
The gas issue shouldnt even be considered. Ive ridden doo and cat and they can both leave you flat empty in 50 miles or you can baby them and sit and watch your friends ride all day and use next to nothing. Usually the guy with less gas is the one that had more fun or spent less time stuck or at the back end of a rope.
My friends always complain when I use more gas and asking them to give me some but I always reply, if you need someone to help you to unstuck your sled with small track you got to pay for gas atleast my track is a 163.Snowmobiles are like shoes. Just because I where Nike's, doesn't mean there any better than Adidas. Just means it fits my foot better. I ride the XP because it fits my riding style, and my preference of chassis. I love the motocross feel, and how far forward I sit. That doesn't mean it's any better sled than the other one, just that I like it better. Go sit on both of them, and decide for yourself. Everybody that owns a new sled thinks they bought the best one out there, or they wouldn't have wasted 10 grand on it.
If you want some unbiased opinions, you might have to talk to Graveler! LOL
If you want some unbiased opinions, you might have to talk to Graveler! LOL
B
bradburck
Well-known member
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