Ex-doo rider has a question or two...

[Big Iron]

After burning down my RT 1000 twice and throwing around a 600lb 162" sled for the last three years I think I'm going to switch sleds.

I'm looking at a few 03 - 06 1M's in the Seattle area and I've always ridden doo's so I no virtually nothing about 'Cats except I'm a fan of big bore sleds.

I've read many of the threads here, you guys seem to know your stuff. Here's the questions:

How are the stock clutches and what would you suggest for a 250lb'er who rides in the Cascades from 3k - 7k feet?

Has anyone put a 174" under one?

Can someone simplify the explanation of the new steering post mod? I know I need risers, I'm 6'2".

Any pipe or can suggestions that don't interfere with EFI?

I appreciate all of the help. Maybe I could use some lotto numbers too, the 2011 M1000 looks like a winner...

 

[kidrman]

I saw a screaming deal on an 04 900 with only 1100 miles for 3,000 a couple weeks ago on Craigslist over your way.

Stock clutches are ok although I like the old style without the fixed pin weights.

No idea on the track.

Steering post mod is moving the post in front of the crossbar where the post comes up by the gas tank.

D&D stuff works great on these sleds in my opinion and RKT heads are good gains also.

 

[WyoBoy1000]

I've seen m-series sleds sell for $3000, Seen m1000's sell for under $4000. Out there many ride 153's and don't need anymore than that. I wouldn't go anymore than a 162. The powerclaw track is a huge improvement, but you will have to know how to use it going down hill out there. A friend of mine just picked up a 07 m1000 with full slp pipe, PC track, 09 style rear tunnel the works for $4500, in Spokane. Not really worth buying an older sled when you can get all that for so cheap.

 

[RACINSTATION]

Get a used M1000. Buy a new primary clutch for it if it has over 2000 miles. Get it clutched right and run it stock and I think you will be very happy with it. All pipes are going to need a fuel controller and a pipe/controller setup is about $1200 new. You can find them all used if you look. Good to have you here!

 

[Rixster]

The EFI is very picky about the can you put on it. The SLP and the Cutler work great. These motors run GREAT with a stock pipe and a can on them. Do a little clutching and you will be very happy!
The 900 is hard on clutch springs. Replace them EVERY year. The stock springs work good. change the 55-53 helix for a straight 53 or maybe even a 51. I am 6 foot 4 and 235. I run a 53 helix and love it. The stock drive clutch is good for 3000 to 4000 then toss it and get a new one. Talk to matt at powerhouse about the 174 they put under theirs. they loved it!. I think he is on here as powerhouse.
Also, they are hell on chains.
Stock gearing is 19-43
Change to 20-46 and a hyvo chain Never have to worry about being left in the middle of the mountain because of a broken chain.
If you look at a 03 you want the late build 03. it has the drop and roll chaincase that the other years (04-06) have. the early build 03 doesn't, and it makes a HUGE difference.
Also, I you dont want to do the whole post swap a good riser is the oles machine riser and 6 hole plate. you can go 2.5 inch with the 6 hole plate without extending the brake line. or 3 with out the plate. the plate moves your bars forward about 1.25 inches. I have some pics of mine somewhere here I will try to find. The bearing on the drive shaft on the cluctch side of the sled is the other weak spot. i replace mine every year, they are cheap ($20) and its easier to do in October in my garage then in January in the trailer.
The tunnel mod is a must if you ride DEEP powder. it is in the popular mods section I think its called the running board mod of the 1m section. there is some pics of one of mine i did.

 

[Rixster]

oles riser and 6 hole plate.

 

[MT rydn]

Hey Big Iron, I have two 04 1M's, 900 EFI, 159's.
strengths
1) great power.
2) great powder sled IF you fix running board to prevent snow build up and have to do something to reduce the right side bog in deep powder. I like the way these sleds ride powder better than M series

weakness
1) if you ride rough trails you will not like the suspension or seated rider position on stock seat. It is fine off trail as should be standing anyway!
2) stock handlebar height and yes you will need riser.

Follow Rixster's posts on all things about 1M's/Kings!

 

[Rixster]

As for the right side bog. The EFI doesnt do it nearly as bad as the carb model. The key is to seal the exhaust so you dont get any under the hood. And Make sure you are getting LOTS of fresh OUTSIDE of the hood air into the airbox.
Jetting also makes a huge difference. Get her jetted right and you wont have a problem.
If you get a EFI
Gut the airbox (remove the shelf). and get you one of these. They came stock on the 03 900 but not the 04-06.

 

[WyoBoy1000]

I like the way these sleds ride powder better than M series

No offense MT rydn they are not as capable and once you learn to use the M you wont go back.

 

[high time]

OH, contrair!!!!!!!!!! the English spelling

I went back. I've had three M sleds. I did like them, except for the power. I love power, instant power not the boosted kind. My 975 King Cat thrills me and out climbs any of many the M-sleds I ride with. It's a bit clumsy compared to my M's, but I had to choose and sell some iron. The M's sold and the King is left. I had a high price on the King, so I guess that's why I still will ride it.
The other nice thing about it is, I can fully disasemble it in just a few hours. I check everything out and give it what it needs. Then I trust it.

Owen

 

[MT rydn]

No offense MT rydn they are not as capable and once you learn to use the M you wont go back.

my good friends on newer Summits tell me the same so each year i spent time on the new ones and, so far, always end up back on these 1M's. I was riding an M7 when I spent a couple days riding with a friend with his 'old' 900 1M. After couple days switching sleds, in powder, I went out and bought a 1M and then another. Last year spend time on new Summit and Nytro and this year will spent couple days on new M8 and maybe you will be right this year!

 

[WyoBoy1000]

I have been around plenty of 1m's that impressed me. But a well tuned 1m with full slp pipe and 35hp shot of nos would not keep up with an 07 m1000 with slp pipe not even on the bottom. My 09 m1000 stock beat the 07 m1000 in the hills just not in a drag race(who cares). Trust me after I learned how to let the sled do the work you can do so much more with the M. I have had 1m's with lightweight guys pick the right line and go some amazing places but I've also seen M7's do more than the same sled.

 

[high time]

I respect your obsevations but I havn't seen it........

I ride with some M-1000's and a few turbo sleds and non of the non-turbos will hang with my King. I don't even think a 1000 laydown style can make as much power as the bored out 900. With the 1000 pistons in my 900 I have 975 cc and spin about 1000 rpms more. The M-1000s don't even weigh less. Without any light weight parts mine is just under 500# [ some stuff removed].

Owen

 

[WyoBoy1000]

some stuff removed mine weighs about 470ish lbs???? and I could easily drop more. When are you coming out west, (Where the hills are), you can prove me wrong and I'll tell everyone about it. I know they make great power, not disputing that but your going to have to prove it out handling a M. Not sure it out powers a M1000.(would like to find out). I would bet you can't ride at the technical level that M's do, either way it would be a blast to hit the snow and find out. (After we went over the top of all the hills we got bored and made it interesting)
In the interest of the thread the M is going to be a lot easier to handle in the WA snow. You don't even need that much power most of the time because there is almost always a good base.

 

[high time]

I'll give you this........

Any M-sled handles better. It also takes more power to make a 1-M keep up to a M-sled. I'm always amazed how close a M-sled is to my rear bumper for their hp level. So yes, it's a better sled............but a King Cat's a lot of sled for the money, and it's a great motor. And as long as it's my rear bumper I'm good. You can buy a good one for $3,500. I would not expect anything close to it for double the money.

As far as riding the mountains, I've ridden IP, Pinedale, Cooke, the Crazys, Top of the World, Revy and others many times. I can ride. I'm old, but I can ride. We talked before and yes, I'd like to ride with you. Especially if you know the secret way from Red Lodge over the hill.

Owen

 

[WyoBoy1000]

Depends on how much snow is on the ground coming out of Red Lodge, I never even rode the short cut last year because of the lack of snow. Keep in touch. Some of the old guys are the most fun and still dang good riders. Ride smarter not harder.
A friend just bought a 07 m1000 with 1,300miles, slp full Pipe, PC, 09 rear tunnel, and some other stuff for $4500. He picked it up in Spokane.

 

[Rixster]

Depends on how much snow is on the ground coming out of Red Lodge, I never even rode the short cut last year because of the lack of snow. Keep in touch. Some of the old guys are the most fun and still dang good riders. Ride smarter not harder.
A friend just bought a 07 m1000 with 1,300miles, slp full Pipe, PC, 09 rear tunnel, and some other stuff for $4500. He picked it up in Spokane.

Didn't you tell us earlier that a 07 m1000 wont keep up with your 09 m1000?
So why buy a 07 m 1000 ?

As for which is better, Get a sled that you like the way it rides and ride it. This mine is better than yours $hit makes me crazy !!! Check the www.ksl.com if you are in the western area you can find some 900 1ms for 3000 and under sometimes.

 

[WyoBoy1000]

Didn't you tell us earlier that a 07 m1000 wont keep up with your 09 m1000?
So why buy a 07 m 1000 ?

Yes, The 07 with just the slp pipe will not beat a stock 09 because of the weight, Power Claw, and 09 style rear tunnel. So a 07 m1000 with these mods would most likely run with or close to a 09. The skid is a little heavier and the DD but the important mods are there. especially for the money.
Just giving my opinion and it doesn't matter to me who wants to listen as there is always info to be learned if you take it with an open mind. Why give a sells pitch just because of what someone thinks, my opinion gives a bigger perspective then just yours alone. I'm not against the old 1m for the right price. I just know how much happier I am with the M sleds and want everyone to get the chance to try it. I've been around plenty of 1m's and M's to give a fair judgment on both sleds, So if you can afford it go for it.

 

[high time]

Yeah, the track is a huge differance.

One of my buddy's put a Power claw on his M-1000 and it was the best mod he did.
As far as all the sled options, All but one of our group has switched to Cat and the last one is thinking about it. I sure hope he don't. I love the brand competition, and all the bs that goes on. I might have to change.

Owen

 

[iniquity]

I saw a screaming deal on an 04 900 with only 1100 miles for 3,000 a couple weeks ago on Craigslist over your way.

I think thats the one I just bought, it's in the shop right now getting some work done before the season starts.