I currently have a 2007 Polaris Switchback 600 CFI 144 in track that scored both pistons and took out one cylinder this past season. I live in North Dakota. All of my friends head out west to ride. I would like to go with next year, but I doubt that I will be able to make more than 2 trips a year. I have been debating on getting a mountain sled, but I still want to ride around here as well. The Liberty 800 engine makes me nervous as Polaris has not come out with a definitive fix. My friend has an 2008 M8 sno pro that he loves, but he says it sucks for riding around this area. The 2010 M8s look sweet, but it is the first year with a high output engine...so I am leary of AC as well. I think I could put a deeper lug track on my current sled, but I am not sure what that entails or if I have to purchase additional parts besides a track. Any suggestions? Anyone from ND that has either RMK or M8 that rides around here as well?
M8 snow pro or Polaris 800 RMK Dragon
- Thread starter 07Switchback600CFI
- Start date
dragon 800 ,better by far
Is it worth spring ordering an M8 sno pro or wait to buy one during the year? Dealer I have been talking to offered $5,000 for my trade and wants $10,399 for 2010 M8 sno pro ($300 cat cash as well).
Based on my blown engine and reading the forums on this website...I am strongly considering a Cat. Any problems or issues with the M8? I have only seen a couple posts regarding telescoping handlebars breaking.
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ArcticFX
Active member
my buddy put on over 2000 miles on his 09M8 this year in Michigan...thats after he traded in his 09800RMK once it grenaded the motor for the 2nd time in 3k miles. Im assuming we have similar cond's to ND here in Mich...trail riding & ditchbanging. GET THE CAT...way more reliable motor than the Poo & better all around sled IMO.
FAr as the spring check... I think its a wash to wait. I would speculate the CFI wont be worth 5K on a trade-in come fall time frame so the $'s you save by waiting will get offset by that....
FAr as the spring check... I think its a wash to wait. I would speculate the CFI wont be worth 5K on a trade-in come fall time frame so the $'s you save by waiting will get offset by that....
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Thanks for the info! I am having a hard time finding a 09 M8 sno pro left...heard anything about the 2010 other than brochure. Not sure if I want to try the new engine in the first year of production.
Thanks I'll ask him!
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geberhard
Member
M
Sent you a couple PMs. On the trails it wasn't to bad. I would say what I would normally take at 50-55 I was running 40-45 comfortably. Not that big a deal to me as we are not on the trail often. I am sure it will get to the same in time but I did not get as much seat time on mine as another buddy that bought an m8 this year. He loved his, he said no problem anywhere.
Sent you a couple PMs. On the trails it wasn't to bad. I would say what I would normally take at 50-55 I was running 40-45 comfortably. Not that big a deal to me as we are not on the trail often. I am sure it will get to the same in time but I did not get as much seat time on mine as another buddy that bought an m8 this year. He loved his, he said no problem anywhere.
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Slick
Well-known member
Both great sleds, but if you have much trail to get to the hills, the Cat sucks on the bumps. Its terrible compared to the Poo but when you get into the hills and the deep stuff the cats more fun. I haven't seen the 800 Dragons we ride with outclimb or outperform many M8's in the hills. Lots of Poo motor troubles, a few for the Cats. Lots of body english required to make the Cat perform, less required on the Dragon. I prefer the Cat, just more fun.
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SnoShark
Active member
I agree, both are great sleds, and this comparison is pretty true with what I've heard and seen. I would say they're pretty equal on the hill if they're both setup right. I did hear from a guy that was testing the M's last year, that the only thing he didn't like about them was they bent the rails on a couple sleds during their long trail ride back. He loved everything else on them. I asked him about the new motor, and he said not to worry - but I don't think he will cover your re-build if you need it
M8 limited
You can snow check a M8 Limited here in Minnesota for $9,771 plus the 300 in cat cash or take an additional $150 off the price. I believe the Sno pro model is about 70 bucks cheaper.
You can snow check a M8 Limited here in Minnesota for $9,771 plus the 300 in cat cash or take an additional $150 off the price. I believe the Sno pro model is about 70 bucks cheaper.
Go with the M8 even with a new motor it will still have 10 x the reliability of the poo 800. I live in eastern, Sd so our conditions are more than likely the same and you will be fine with the M8. I know 6 guys with M8's around me and 3 with M1000's and 1 guy on an 07 M1000 blew his motor, but the M8's have had no issues, and it is the same with the 3 crossfire 800's we own. the M's do just fine around here, you just cant go 95 through a bumpy field and stuff like that, but not really much of a reason to anyway. M8's are awesome on the hills and in the powder too. I have riden an 09 RMK 700 along with the M's that i have ridden and i like the M a lot more in the powder for handling characteristics. If you are in the eastern part of north dakota, i would definetly recommend giving Country Cat in Sauke Centre Minnesota a call, they will definetly treat you right.
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HiWaYman92
Well-known member
I rode a '10 d-8, and a '10 m8, and I will say that the M8 was dead nuts neck and neck with my m1000 on every up drag race hill climb, only felt lighter up front. The d-8 was good, but I don't think it had the power of the m8, but steers a little easier.
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CARBONDEATH
New member
ArcticFx are you kidding me!!! Ski-doo owns like 60% of the market, the m series chassis rides like a bathtub with a motor. Seems 10 years behind ski-doo in technology.
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beefspots
Well-known member
Open mouth... insert foot. Chew vigorously.
I have been a fan of the RMK line for the past 8 years. And I own and love an 08 700 Dragon. That being said, I would recommend the 09 M8 over the 800 Dragon any day. I have spent quite a bit of time on the 09 M8 and IMO it is the best all around package (stock or lightly modded) out there. The handling is excellent with the fox shock package and the motor is strong and reliable.
Take a look at the Grand Mesa/Thunder MT. thread in the CO. section and you will see the type of terrain and riders in our group. You will aslo see that we have good riders on a variety of excellent sleds. Including the 800 Dragon and the 09 M8. Buy the Cat. IMO
