I don't get it.... M sled vs. new forward chassies

[GlennRMK]

I've switched between an 09 M8 and 09 Dragon quite a bit.

The Dragon rides a lot better in the bumps but the M skid works a lot better in the powder. The Dragon trenches down and likes to lift the skis. The M seems to trench less and doesn't wheelie.

The Dragon and M lay over in pretty similar fashion although I found the M a lot easier to lay over from one side to the other. However that could be the sway bar.

Never understood why mountain sleds have sway bars?

Personally I will trade off trail handling for trail any day.

 

[smv sledhead]

Future for Cat?

I think this with a long track may be in the works.

 

[Ryan-41]

Ya I think your right...well I hope your right anyway. The M-series had a great run, but I think its time for change!!

 

[milehighassassin]

It really boils downs to personal preference and what works for you. I feel like the M-Series is too old of a chasis and cannot get it to move like I want. I do know of guys that love it and it works for them.

I had a 2002 1M 800 Cat and it had good power but a lot of work to carve, I then stepped up to a 2005 Summit-X 800 and really liked how well I could make this sled move. I am now on an Assault (2009) which I love as well. The Dragon is easier to move but I got the Assault because my 3 brothers all had Dragons.

If you are looking to buy a sled, try and get some REAL seat time on each chassis that you are considering. If you haven't rode in a while I would think you are more comfortable on an M-Series because it seems to be more stable. Pretty much EVERYONE I have seen hop on a the Dragon/IQ chasis usually tips it over right away and falls off. LOL
On the IQ it was easy to get over, but hard to get to come back up.

Either way, spend half a day or at least a few hours on each sled.

You can get a deal on an M-Series but it is the oldest chasis, and my bet is Cat will have a new sled out in the next year or two (max).

 

[dmkhnr]

Regardless the sled (XP, Rev, M-sled, Dragon) I'm always tired at the end of a ride.
The 3 sled co make mountain sleds with different characteristics. Saying that the xp is more tech advanced over the cat because it is more rider forward is just as rediculous as saying the cat is more tech advanced because the rider is centered and the motor is lower. They are different sleds and each have their good and bad points to consider.

The M needs a major facelift. (It's like renting a mustang convertable on Maui, you see 3 to 1 of the other) It needs a new rear susp, but it's riding position, deep snow handling characteristics and balance are top notch.

 

[Clarke673]

x2, they all have good traits. If ALL you did was trail ride in and hill scratch, the XP's are impressive. IMO, they ARE the best climbing mountain sled, they get the HIGHEST.

And that is 110% hard for me to say!

 

[winter brew]

I don't view the new chassis as rider forward as much as I do "engine back".
One thing that seems to HURT the handling of the newer chassis is moving the bars too far forward, which places TOO much weight up front and makes them unbalanced and ill handling. IMO that is a huge part of the problem with the XP's reputation of being more difficult to ride than some other chassis. Set up correctly it's (IMO) right there with an M-cat as far as ease of handling in the trees/sidehilling etc....and I've owned both.
EVery chassis feels different. Go from one to another and it'll feel wierd and difficult to ride until you get about 3 good days of riding to get used to the differences.

 

[mountaincat 800]

You can get a deal on an M-Series but it is the oldest chasis, and my bet is Cat will have a new sled out in the next year or two (max).

It's the oldest chassis out there, but deals? I've been trying to find a brand new '09 M8 snopro 153 around here. The best deal I've seen was $9100 and it's gone now. On the other side I can still find lots of '10 Dragon 800 155 for $8100 to 8300. Go figure.

 

[GlennRMK]

^^^What he said^^^

I can get a new Pro RMK 155 or 11 M8 153 SP for like $600-$900 more then an leftover 10 M8 153 SP.

Seems to be no good deals on leftover Cats.

Mine as well get a 2011.