Help - Dragon 800 155" or M8 Sno Pro 153" ?

[dub]

For what it's worth I had an M10 last year and liked the chassis but I am a pretty big guy and at the end of the day my back was always soar riding the M. The sit to stand position is short, and I had the Boss seat.

With the IQ I can ride for a week straight hard and keep going.. Performance wize both are good but I do like my D8!

On another note we had an M8 burn down yesterday, appeared as a cold squeel but it was warmed up adequetly!

 

[akrevrider]

Dub' D-8

Dub

Good post on the rider friendly ergos on the D-8. Did you change your track out and how is the working so far??

Thanks

akrevrider

 

[dub]

Dub

Good post on the rider friendly ergos on the D-8. Did you change your track out and how is the working so far??

Thanks

akrevrider

I did change to the Cat Power Claw track and I do like it, but we haven't had the best snow this year to tell how big of a difference it makes. The track does seem to hook good on the pack and get to the top of the Pow that I have seen anyway so far this year.

 

[Frostbite]

Thanks for the great input guys.

I'm sorry, I was thinking the HCR had a 146" track with super stiff lugs.

 

[shortstop20]

The Assault has a 146" track with very stiff lugs.

The HCR has a 153" Powerclaw track but it is NOT the same Powerclaw track found on the M8's. The HCR has much stiffer paddles, not a fair comparison on a hillclimb in powder.

Seems to me the RMK/Dragon has more issues than the other two brands' 800 motors this year.

I was going to buy an '09 RMK or Dragon for my next sled but to be honest I think I'm buying an '09 Summit. Seems to me the only prevelant issue with them is the clutching, and that depends on the rider.

 

[pernikm]

I rode an m8, modded D7, and an M7 today. Compared to my wedge, I was hard pressed to tell a difference. They are all so very easy to handle. No one should have any issues making either sled do what they want. We also had an M1000 in the group. All sleds were very similar. The heaviest guy was riding an older M7 and he went everywere the other did. If it were me, I would choose based on your dealer. There are rumors that the M8 is the most reliable of the bunch. Another consideration is what your friends are riding. If they are real friends and not azzholes, you can try different setups and compare.

 

[CO 2.0]

The HCR has a 153" Powerclaw track but it is NOT the same Powerclaw track found on the M8's. The HCR has much stiffer paddles, not a fair comparison on a hillclimb in powder.

Thanks for clearing that up, I was under the impression that there was only one type of 153" powerclaw track. Makes sense now as to why it was not climbing with the Dragon in the pow. Is the HCR powerclaw just a different durometer of material?

 

[shortstop20]

Different durometer yes, might be a different paddle design too, not sure.

 

[spudy]

Shane, great review.

If you had to chose one to ride with Chris Burant or a 40 mile cross country boondocking day. Which sled would you take?

Would you prefer a 153" or a 155" track on most days?

If I had to choose, it would be my Dragon, BUT I have put way more miles on it than the M8, so it inspires a little more confidence, but if I had to take the M8 I would still be REALLY excited to go.

I really do like my 163, the only thing I noticed that I liked better about the 155 was jumping, it is a little easier to level out in the air. ( in a perfect world I would have both, but since I can't I picked the 163, it was a tough decision, but I would still pick it.)

On a side note, I got the chance to ride a friends 154 XP today, nice sled, but to make a long story short ONLY the M8 and D8 would make my short list!!!

Shane

 

[Frostbite]

Now, it sure sounds like for 800cc engine reliability that (I may be wrong on this one).

The M8 sounds to be the most reliable and from there it seems the Polaris is perhaps a bit more rleiable than the Skidoo 800s (look on the Skidoo forums)?

Next question:

1. Is a 15" wide track really easier to side hill with in a foot or more of deep powder than a 16" wide track?

2. Does not having outside wheels on the rear axle really make sidehilling easier?

 

[CO 2.0]

I felt the difference between a 16" wide with boggies and a 15" wide with and without boggies, and I felt the 15" without boggies did make it sidehill easier. We are talking a minimal amount though, just got to change your english on the weight balance to ride any sled good on a steep sidehill.

 

[PMSPOLARIS]

09 Assault 155"

We stuck a 155" X 2.4"SERIES 5.1 TRACK- with a new clutch kit on the assault and everybody that has rode the Assault did not want to let anyone else ride it. We also changed the approach of the track, we love this machine. If your ever by Ashton ID come see it.

The Assault has a 146" track with very stiff lugs.

The HCR has a 153" Powerclaw track but it is NOT the same Powerclaw track found on the M8's. The HCR has much stiffer paddles, not a fair comparison on a hillclimb in powder.

Seems to me the RMK/Dragon has more issues than the other two brands' 800 motors this year.

I was going to buy an '09 RMK or Dragon for my next sled but to be honest I think I'm buying an '09 Summit. Seems to me the only prevelant issue with them is the clutching, and that depends on the rider.