I think I am being converted

[summitchaser]

So I am going to buy a new sled next winter and I am think I am going to buy a cat. 3 of the guys I ride with have 06 M7's and I really like the sled. So now I am torn between which sled to get.

I will probaly get a '08 or '09 M8 or M1000 162. So first off, would it be worth it to buy a left over '08? Have the new changes in the '09's made it worth paying a little extra money. I have heard good things about the new track.

It seems to me that if you wait a year you can get a M1000 for about the same price as a M8. The sled will basically stay stock, with the exception of maybe a pipe and can. The M1000 doesn't seem near as popular as the M8.
Why is that? Does anyone know the estimated weights and Horsepower for these sleds?

Any input on these sleds will help me out a bunch. I would really like to know how the 09's performed this year. The summit I am riding now has never let me down, but I wan to upgrade form the ZX chassis.

Thanks

 

[F7arcticcat]

If your deciding between an 08 and 09 I would go for the 09 M8, throw an SLP pipe on it and be done with it. HP between the two years are about about the same (142-145ish). The 09 lost 22 pounds with some nice updates.

 

[TREE_MAGNET_777]

IMO the 09 is the best way to go right now. You get the power claw which works fantastic, you get the new tunnel, and you lose unwanted weight with ski doo's tech of starting the motor up backwards instead of a mecanical reverse. The 10 have allot more HP but they took some weight out of the crank...was it much needed???? tell ya in a year. If you put a slp pipe on it runs with the best of them IMO..I liked them so much I bought two of them this year took two of them to get the bad taste out of my mouth from being a test dumby for Polaris.....Garry

 

[McustoM]

I would go with the 09 because you get the powderclaw and the new style bumper which makes a noticable difference when turning in powder. If you can go with the 2010 m8 the horsepower that it is putting out is pretty impressive.

 

[summitchaser]

I am pretty sold on the 09's, I have found M8 sp's for 8600.00. I think when i am ready to buy they will be pretty reasonable.

Has anyone had any bad experiences with the 09's so far?

How is the M1000 as a boondocking sled?

The last 3 years I have been on a 03 summit 700 144. I am looking forward to not having to poach lines anymore.

 

[Mcx Nytro]

From what I have READ on here(no experience YET) the 800 is so much more nimble than the 1000. I am buying an 08 with boost and will update the track and suspension for the fun factor

 

[snowmobiler]

8 is a funner boondocker but youll run out power before the 1000 will.the 1000 feels like a bigblock muscle car,u ride around half throttle untill you need it.and the 8 is a mostly full throttle so you dont get stuck sled.

 

[05Tacoma]

I ride an 09m1k 162.. have not been on an M8, but i can assure you the m1 is not hard to move around. extremely easy to manouver! Either way, they're both great machines!

 

[mcatgary]

Get the M1000

I've got an '07 M1000/162. Like snomobiler said, the big M puts out big power in the mid-range and tons more is available when you rev it more. I barely pull the trigger and it's hauling *** fast. Get the newest M1000 you can afford. I run a 162 and it maneuvers just fine for me. The longer track and big power can also carry more and pull more snoboard squids. I don't like getting stuck, but I do like stopping on a hill and then restarting just to piss my buddys off. Another factor is body weight. I'm at 240 lbs and most say if you're over 200 + gear, get a 162. And.I get insanely good mileage on the 1000. Speking of the 800, would you buy a Vette with a V-6?

 

[summitchaser]

I have seen that if you wait a year you can pick up a M1000 for close to the same price as a M8. I was having a hard time passing that up. I think I am going to get a M1000.

 

[WyoBoy1000]

I'm a little over 200lbs and the m1000 gets moving in the trees faster than a 8 for me, well the 09 m1000 any way, the 09 just as well be a different chassis it works so much better.

 

[STAFFORDIRT]

I have a 09 m8 162, have about 850 miles on it no problems at all, only mod is a can. awesome sled very nimble good power, will probably do the slp kit next year for a little extra in the steep and deep.

 

[AKboondocker]

Go M8 if you want the better handling and more reliable sled. I have the 08 and love it, no real problems in almost 2500 miles. I would go for the 09 and lose the two wheel kit and opt for 4 like the 08 had if you like to jump. Cant really go wrong either way.

 

[SLEDIOT]

IMO the 09 is the best way to go right now. You get the power claw which works fantastic, you get the new tunnel, and you lose unwanted weight with ski doo's tech of starting the motor up backwards instead of a mecanical reverse. The 10 have allot more HP but they took some weight out of the crank...was it much needed???? tell ya in a year. If you put a slp pipe on it runs with the best of them IMO..I liked them so much I bought two of them this year took two of them to get the bad taste out of my mouth from being a test dumby for Polaris.....Garry

If they took the weight outta the crank I really wanna see how they last with a turbo. Kinda a backwards move as we keep seeing more and more 2-stroke turbos, and the most reliable 1 so far was/is the m8..............

 

[snowhawkaddict]

02 cents!

I'd convince Artic Cat to offer a 2010 M8 Oneski.

What's that extra ski for anyways?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rudder

 

[Steve D]

I'd go with the '09 either way though. Cat did a pile of little things that just made them work better. People can argue the merits of the 800 vs the 1000 all day, but it's damn tough to argue against the '09 anything vs the '08's.

 

[Steve D]

Jesus... it's not even Tree-Magnet deserving it this time...

 

[Frostbite]

I was having the same dilemma. See the below thread.

Good luck.

http://snowest.com/forum/showthread.php?t=133699&highlight=m8+M1000