Ya know ive been reading up on these for the last couple weeks, trying to figure out what i want to do.. ive been riding my 153' '12 cat hcr for the last two seasons, and its done nothing but good things, first learners sled I guess that i was introduced onto the mountains with... So now I'm looking to upgrade for next season, and even though I like the cats, my buddy has a 13' Summit X and swears up and down on it, so im wondering, instead of doing the last 2 years on cat and juming to ski doo 15's t3 summit x in a 163, whats changed in cats setup from '12 to 15' that makes me want to stay with them? Any replies appreciated.
Difference between 2012 AC PC 800 HCR to new 2015 cats, to doos?
- Thread starter jriedmann0417
- Start date
Ive heard that the new doos are pretty unreal machines. I havent ridin one but I know lots of guys that swear by them. Im a cat guy that bought a polaris and want to go back to cat just for the sheer power. I would look into the track on the new 15 cats as ive heard rumors of a three inch powerclaw coming out. Doos have different steering setups to as far as I know. Either way they both rip!
The 12 and 15 proclimbs are drastically different in workability. The 14 proclimbs are heads and talls over the 13 and the 13 are that again over the 12s.
Rear skid placement changes, 22lbs lighter, gearing and clutching updates and the largest single improvement over the 12s is probably the introduction of the 2.6" powerclaw. There is also a larger fuel tank (11.7g) on 14+ sleds.
Rear skid placement changes, 22lbs lighter, gearing and clutching updates and the largest single improvement over the 12s is probably the introduction of the 2.6" powerclaw. There is also a larger fuel tank (11.7g) on 14+ sleds.
i have a 13 doo xm 163 and agree with your friend that it is a good machine...i also have a 14 cat 163, both 800s....when it comes to fun factor, the cat takes it for me...stronger engine, long term reliability better, the power-claw track is much better than the doo track....cat trail ride a little better for aggressive riding, like the doo for just cruising, most powder riding i like the cat better also...but like the doo if i'm not pushing it...doo seat better, fit and finish go to the doo...can't go wrong with either, dealer should play an important part of your decision....
Thanks for the replies... I ride a '12 HCR now, and it dives SOOOO bad on sidehills, or it trenches like crazy, theres no happy medium with it, and its heavy as hell... But the 15's have come so far along? When I got on my buddies 13' doo, the hood felt very short out in front of you, and the steering post felt awkward as it was tipped back a little? I'm not sure... Cats reliability is hard to beat from what I read, and the doo engine is like a rock too I guess from what I hear... I would enjoy sticking with cat but maybe just test the waters on the t3 summit, any more info on the differences between the 15' cats and 12'? listed out?
The 13 I got on a couple weeks ago still dove, not as bad, but did. We put a set of grippers on it that I had laying around, problem solved. I've heard a bdx front end will fix it as well, but after seeing first hand the differance the skis make I was blown away by how much more predictable the sled was.
B
Bacon
Well-known member
Your HCR has the wide stance and the hard track. Not exactly the best setup for mountain riding. Get yourself a new Cat and I don't think you will be disappointed. They are like riding a different chassis comparing the 12 to the 14. I can only guess the 15 will be as good or better. If you can, go ride both and see what you like better. The biggest reason I'm on Cat is my dealer. That to me is more of a consideration than the machine.
A HCR is not a true mountain sled, you will fight it in the steep and deep, comparing a HCR to a XM is not a very good comparison
compare a M to the XM
I know that I said I want another cat, but I just found out that polaris is putting a HO motor in the 15's. 160 hp in that chassis will be a stock force to be rekoned with!
Best thing to do is go out and get a few hours on the XM and see if you like it. Coming off Cat's and Polaris' over the years I didn't like the XM at all (163), just like I didn't like the XP. I know my '14 PC is leaps and bounds easier, more fun, and a better technical sled to ride over the '12 PC I had. I hated the nose diving '12 PC and liked my Polaris RMK and 2010 M8 much better. I now like my '14 PC better than all of them. It did take some Gripper skis, BDX front end, and narrow boards/panels to get it where I wanted, but it was well worth it to me.
I ran into Jorli Ricker (Fourcast II on YouTube) the other day while unloading my rental sled up the Hurley (Pemberton). I noticed he had a '15 Cat Ltd 153 on his truck. Started talking to him a bit about it - it's his machine, not a demo. He said he's been a Doo guy for many, many years. He rode a '14 PC this year instead and liked it, but still preferred the Doo, really. Then he said he's got a bunch of days on the '15 PC already, and it's a game changer. For whatever reason, those small changes for '15 have all added up to the best machine he's ever ridden. He loved it. I'm just a rookie sledder, so what do I know, but I was certainly listening intently.
There is no big difference on the '15 PC compared to the '14 PC. The only difference you could possibly notice riding would be the different shock valving. There are a lot of '15's out there right now. I could go to my dealer and buy their demo today if I wanted to.
