Help me make a decision. M8 or D8?

[FirstGenCTD]

Hey everyone,

I am looking into getting a new sled this year and have narrowed it down to either a cat m8 or dragon 8. Ive gone down to look at them both, but have not rode either one, as i don't know anyone with either. The cat is a little cheaper than the dragon from what I could find, but I like features on both sleds. So I guess what im looking for is which is a more reliable sled of the two? Right now im riding a zx chassis ski-doo.

matt

 

[spudy]

I had a zx ski-doo, either one will make you very happy!!! They ride a little bit different, but it only takes a couple minutes to adjust from one to the other. I have a 09 D8 and my wife has an 09 M8, so we compare quite a bit.

Pick which ever one you just have that feeling about and you can't go wrong.

 

[mod03rmk800]

I have a dragon and like it. Had the top end replaced under warranty.
The m8 I hear is going a lot better out of the box with good dealer set-ups
than a couple years ago. I think both are pretty much the same power wise.
The cat might be cheaper to fix vs. the mono block on the dragon. Boils down to which one YOU feel the best jumping around on at the dealer. I would go to a sno pro or hcr if I were looking at a cat over the dragon. And would lean toward the rmk for the reason of all the problems with walker shocks people have had.
Can't go too wrong either way.

 

[Trenchmaster]

Biggest differance between the two for me was the ergonomics, the m8 seat and handle bars are way lower than on the D8. The power and handling are fairly close, I'm 6' 3" I bought the Polaris, happy so far!!

 

[F-Bomb]

Both choices are excellent box stock mountain snowmobiles. Do yourself a great favor and go rent and ride both for a least a day. (or on occasion a good shop will take you out on a demo ride) Then buy which one favors your comfort and riding style BUT FIRST AND FOREMOST BUY FROM THE BEST SHOP OR DEALER IN YOUR AREA IRREGARDLESS OF PRICE. In the long haul your happiness and experience depends more on your dealer then on the vehicle you ride. A bad dealer can mess up a good sled! What you pay up front is only part of a "good deal"!

Ride test and then come back on and ask fellow snowest forum members who is the best shop in your area for that brand. That response or answer is far more relevant then which sled to buy!

 

[Chubbydog]

I don't own either, but have ridden both chassis, and I'd say go with the Dragon. It felt better for us taller riders. IMO! Both ran good, so what ever one feels better to you.

Like F-Bomb said, make sure you have a good dealer, because there's no such thing as a problem free sled.

 

[AndrettiDog]

I 2nd the idea of riding both and finding a good dealer. I'll pay a little more for my next sled to have a good dealer.

I have a D7 and I love it. I would like a little more power, but overall the chassis is awesome. It makes you a better rider. I didn't like the M chassis, but I'm sure it would be great if I got used to it. It does sit lower like the older sleds.

 

[Griff]

The dealer is key...more than a tie breaker for me.

 

[powderpro]

I prefer the feel of the M sled over the RMK, the M tips over real nice. But I wouldn't blame a guy for getting the RMK, they are both awesome machines.

 

[pleasesnow]

After owning an 08 D8 and an 08 arctic cat, the are both very comfortable. For 09, the M8 got the adjustable bars. If you put a boss seat on the M8, better sled. If you dont get the adjustable bars and a boss seat, the transition from sitting to standing on the dragon is better. After owning both, I give the nod to the arctic cat.

 

[FirstGenCTD]

HaHa, well I guess its still a toss-up. I suppose I will have to ask around to see what the local dealers are like, (both are within a block of each other in the town I live in). Ive dealt with the polaris shop but just for getting parts for the ol' xlt.

I kinda like the looks of the dragon better, but I don't really like the way the seat feels, too narrow at the top.

On the other hand ive never owned a Cat (had one of each other brand), and I do like that adjustable bar riser feature a lot.

matt

 

[Escmanaze]

All about the Dealer

I'm going to agree with a few of these posts that both are great, just go for the dealer. That's what I did. I live closer to Cutler's than I do to Tri-City, so last year I bought an M8. So far for 1.5 winters, I have had a sled that runs awesome and that I love riding...well...except for the couple of weeks that I was waiting for a new hood to show up after that pine tree popped up out of nowhere.

I did ride an M8 once last year that had the nice tall boss seat, and that was pretty sueet. It did make that transition much easier and make sitting down a much more feasible riding position...HOWEVER...I don't think this is as big fo a deal as some would make out of it. When I approach a hill I want to climb, or a sidehill I want to hit, I just stand up...way before I get into anything technical...so even after riding & loving the boss seat, I still have better things to do with my $500.

I love my M8, Cutler's takes good care of my sled as long as I can afford them, but don't get me wrong, if I lived in Bountiful instead of Lehi, I would be riding a D8 right now, not an M8.

 

[Powder junkie]

Where are you located? The Cat dealer in missoula, MT is a pretty straight shooter and he will take you out and let you ride a m-8 for an afternoon. I would say ride both before you decide tho.

 

[JHG]

The Cat dealer in missoula, MT is a pretty straight shooter....

LOL...Dude's as shady as they come.

 

[snobyrd]

dealer service is very important, i ride cat and all the dealers in my area suck, im to the point i would go polaris, cause there is a very good dealer localy, but i ride cats caus there the toughest sleds out there, thier front end strength is second to none. if yer into boondocking in the timber you need strength. jmo