How do the 09 M8's compare to the 08 and up D8's?

[600xc4me]

I'm looking at these two sleds for next year, along with a nitro, or M1000, but I'm wondering how do these two compare side by side? 09 M8, and 08-09 D8. I have quite a bit of time on the raw chassis, so I know what the D8 is all about, and I love it, other than the snow ingestion problems. But I have never been on an M. I have heard they handle very close to the same, is that true? I'm loking at mostly the 09 M8, simply because of all the improvements they got this year. How about the motors? I like the D8's power, makes for a fun ride, how does the 09 M8 motor compare? From reading the forums, the M8 sounds like a trouble less sled, you don't hear of any problems with them really. Is there anything a guy should know before buying one? I don't have a cat dealer close buy, or a place that rents them, so I can't really try one out. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[CO 2.0]

I have a good amount of seat time this year on an 09 D8 155 and an 09 HCR 153. The D8 pulls harder and cleaner IMO. Both pulling correct rpms. The HCR has had more problems engine wise than my Dragon this year so don't let all the stuff said on this forum fool you into thinking the D8 has tons of problems. Both are great sleds though. You will be happy with either.

 

[AndrettiDog]

I've ridden both but owned neither (I have a D7). I think that they have very different chassis' and feel different. Both work well in the boondocking scene. I like the IQ chassis much better, but I'm more used to it. I think the AC M chassis is a more traditional chassis of older years. I think it comes down to which one you like better if you check them out. Both can be setup with more HP. My $.02.

 

[Steamboat-RN]

If you like the raw chassis then you will like the M-chassis. I've owned an 07 600 and now an 08 D7 and I love the way they handle. I got a chance to spend a good deep powder day on an 09 M8 SP and I felt comfortable on it in just a few minutes. It had some light mods. Pipe/can airbox and it was a blast to ride. It felt very similar in power to my buddies 08 D8 with the same mods. Rode an 08 M1000 the same day and it was fun too. But the M1000 has a much heavier feel with gobs of power. More of a point and shoot ride. If you're looking to do more climbing than boondocking then get the 1000.
Otherwise either of the 800s are excellent.

 

[600xc4me]

Ok thanks guys. Yeah I'm a boondocker, I enjoy climbing, but only get to the mountains a few times a year, so that's not my main concern. Most of the riding I do is meadows, carving around, some small climes here and there when I can find a hill, just fooling around mostly. I love high HP, brings the fun factor up. So no matter what sled I go with, it will probably end up with a few motor mods. My neighbor has an 07 M8, I'll see if I can take his for a ride. Should give me an idea as to what it is. I know a guy with an 05 M7, and he had very bad snow ingestion until he but an intake on it. He was ready to sell it the first day, that's how bad it ran, do the newer M8's have any problems with this? I have 5 friends with raw chassis sleds, 4 being 800's, and they can't seem to get the snow ingestion problem fixed, they have all sealed up their hood/headlight, but they still don't want to work, with out spending the money on slp power valves, and timber sled intake. I don't want to have to spend money on my sled right in the beginning, just so it runs right. But other than that I really really love the sleds.

 

[CO 2.0]

I have 0 snow ingestion problems on my 09 D8. Just cover the headlight adjuster knob and you're good to go. Also just installed powder valves last night since the stock intakes can bog you down when covered while riding in the deep.

 

[tm8]

Ok thanks guys. Yeah I'm a boondocker, I enjoy climbing, but only get to the mountains a few times a year, so that's not my main concern. Most of the riding I do is meadows, carving around, some small climes here and there when I can find a hill, just fooling around mostly. I love high HP, brings the fun factor up. So no matter what sled I go with, it will probably end up with a few motor mods. My neighbor has an 07 M8, I'll see if I can take his for a ride. Should give me an idea as to what it is. I know a guy with an 05 M7, and he had very bad snow ingestion until he but an intake on it. He was ready to sell it the first day, that's how bad it ran, do the newer M8's have any problems with this? I have 5 friends with raw chassis sleds, 4 being 800's, and they can't seem to get the snow ingestion problem fixed, they have all sealed up their hood/headlight, but they still don't want to work, with out spending the money on slp power valves, and timber sled intake. I don't want to have to spend money on my sled right in the beginning, just so it runs right. But other than that I really really love the sleds.

Thier is night and day difference in the 07 and 09 m8s not even the same sled in my opinion. Find a 09 if that is what you want and try it.

 

[logger155]

YA I with this guy. I have never had ingestion problem with my 08 or my 09 dragon. The 09 is a little better then the 08 also, I think the 09 dragon could out do the m8. I rode the m8 and stock for stock i just don't see how that m8 could ever come close to dragon. They have a totally different power delivery, the dragon pulls hard all the way up to 8300, where the m8 seems to pull hard till about 7000 then it's just like there is nothing there. I do have to say the m8 is the sweetest looking sled out there. O one thing the m8 has on the dragon is the suspension, I just replaced all that walker evans crapp for fox shocks like the m8. I'd say the m8 has the best chassis but is missing a little on the motor, unless you turbo that bad boy.

 

[Steamboat-RN]

The 09 M-series is much improved from the previous years. Both in ride and motor. So your friends 07s won't be a true indication. If you spend most of your time in the open I would find a 1000. They are just about giving them away right now. You can get a new 08 M1000 SP with the powerclaw track for $9000 OTD. The 09s are not much more.
If you take the time to seal the Polaris right the first time, it will not injest snow. My 07 ran flawlessly in tons of over the hood powder for two seasons. Most of my Steamboat riding buddies have dragons as well and they do not have problems with snow in their intakes either. Now, clogged exhaust is another issue.