m8 vs Dragon 8 - break it down

[CARBONDEATH]

Are you dreaming or just retarded!!!!!!

The only good thing about an XP is the weight! Other than that, POS. My near stock 07' M8 has never been outperformed by any XP, except maybe in top end speed and mileage. Which doesn't make sense. Cat is heavier with less ponies than the XP and it still schools the XP's. I rode Ski-doo my whole life until the came out with the ugliest sled ever called the XP. My last sled was a 07' 800R 151" and it cant touch what this cat does. M8's and Dragons are the only real competition on the market IMO.

I would like to see your underpowered stock M8 piece of dog cum "outperform" my stock XP 163 in the real steep and deep. Stock for stock with an equal weight and skill rider I have never even saw a 07 or 08 M8 even come close to an XP. What are you drag racing in 3 inches of snow. The 09 M8 look alot better, but honestly pull your head out of your ***!

 

[Heater15]

M8

A little defensive are we? There's really nothing wrong with any of the sleds, but when my M8 is at 3000miles I will still be on my original motor. Most doo's or poo's for that matter cant say that. So not only does my kitty cost less it also lasts a lot longer. Don't go away mad...just fack off!

 

[Ricks 32]

I'm new to the forum thing, but I think the Freak guy called it right. I rode all 3 800's ('08s) last year in deep snow. The dragon and XP did feel the strongest, and they did put the best marks on the hill. '08 M8 didn't pull has hard as the other two. I did ride the '09 M8 later in the year and felt that it pulled harder than the '08. All good sleds!

I pulled my snocheck money on Dragon and bought the '09 M1000 only after riding one in SLP trim. Can't afford the turbo yet

 

[GlennRMK]

I'm still on the fence about what to get.

Just got out of an 06 M7 that I was very happy with.

Leaning towards the M8, although the Dragon power is appealing. The M8 lighter weight is also appealing.

Very tough decision.

I love the way an M handles. Just a fun sled!

The XP in blue and white looks nice, but I'm just scared after all the reliability issues. Also, from what I hear it handles worse then the REV, which I already thought handled like a tank. And whats up with it still running carbs?

I love the fact the XP is light, but other then that I wouldn't have a reason to get one.

 

[Freak]

I'm new to the forum thing, but I think the Freak guy called it right.

get used to that.... lol..... welcome to the forum.

 

[Whiz-bang]

These sleds are getting like MX bikes. They are all better than any of us can ride. Buy one that you know the dealer will provide great service on and go ride.

The M8 for the guy who likes to ride the deep snow and doesn't care about the ride down the road, and can sacrifice a little on the quality. Works well from beginner to Expert.

The D8 for the guy who does a little bit of everything, the D8 does nothing great and nothing bad. The quality and simplicity of the D8 is its best attribute. No out of the box thinking on this sled, just the right parts to make a good all around mountain sled. Works well form beginner to expert.

The XP for the guy knows one type of riding and that's aggressive. Way to rigid for 80-90 percent of riders and to difficult to get set-up for most. When set-up and in the hands of the right rider, this sled will leave each of the above sleds gasping for air when it comes to technical deep snow riding. Works well from advanced to expert.
If you want a good all around Ski-Doo, buy a 06-07 Summit 800.

And finally buy where they know you by name and treat you like a customer and not a number.

 

[Priest]

These sleds are getting like MX bikes. They are all better than any of us can ride. Buy one that you know the dealer will provide great service on and go ride.

The M8 for the guy who likes to ride the deep snow and doesn't care about the ride down the road, and can sacrifice a little on the quality. Works well from beginner to Expert.

The D8 for the guy who does a little bit of everything, the D8 does nothing great and nothing bad. The quality and simplicity of the D8 is its best attribute. No out of the box thinking on this sled, just the right parts to make a good all around mountain sled. Works well form beginner to expert.

The XP for the guy knows one type of riding and that's aggressive. Way to rigid for 80-90 percent of riders and to difficult to get set-up for most. When set-up and in the hands of the right rider, this sled will leave each of the above sleds gasping for air when it comes to technical deep snow riding. Works well from advanced to expert.
If you want a good all around Ski-Doo, buy a 06-07 Summit 800.

Well if you buy 07rev800 without warranty than prepare 2000$ for new engine . Eah I agree xps are very hard on hard pack snow,havent tryed D8 but l like M's only one reason keeps me from buying one is low hp. I like torque of Xp but some many problems with them,doesnt look like BRP fixed all problems only good stories and ridicoulisly high price for belts and service (150$ for 377belt I dont know how my buddy will ride this year ,last year he was burning 2 belts in good powder per day )

 

[snopropanther]

Well if you buy 07rev800 without warranty than prepare 2000$ for new engine . Eah I agree xps are very hard on hard pack snow,havent tryed D8 but l like M's only one reason keeps me from buying one is low hp. I like torque of Xp but some many problems with them,doesnt look like BRP fixed all problems only good stories and ridicoulisly high price for belts and service (150$ for 377belt I dont know how my buddy will ride this year ,last year he was burning 2 belts in good powder per day )

the m8 and the d8 are almost identical for hp.

 

[snowyo]

d8 felt like i was driving a shriners car at a fair.My arms were killin me(beileve me not from the power) but the way my forearms were pointed at each other,felt nose heavy if you stood (leaned) into one side(probably good for tree riding but felt really unpredictable).Power was alright,smooth not in your face arm pulling like the doo but was even thru the range.
The m8 i rode was an 07 and was nowhere near impressed,changing the belt on this machine was a lesson in futility,jsut didnt seem like it had any real snap or couldnt get out of it's own way.
I own a 07 doo ,i grew up in die hard cat house(not the good one)so i still have some love for the kittys.Thinkin of buyin the wifea 08 m8.
I got to ride the 08 xp 163 ....all i can say is bhah baha abahhabhaha to all the naysayers.this is where its at for out of box equipment.period.that is if your comparing apples to apples 8-8 7-7 6-6

But back to the original question seems like you've answered yourself with the dragon.They both apparently turbo well.

 

[triple7]

The only good thing about an XP is the weight! Other than that, POS. My near stock 07' M8 has never been outperformed by any XP, except maybe in top end speed and mileage. Which doesn't make sense. Cat is heavier with less ponies than the XP and it still schools the XP's. I rode Ski-doo my whole life until the came out with the ugliest sled ever called the XP. My last sled was a 07' 800R 151" and it cant touch what this cat does. M8's and Dragons are the only real competition on the market IMO.


Seriously man tell me you're kidding!! Bring ur Cat and all ur Cat buddies and come out to the real world. Anybody who is a decent rider on a 163X will chew ur cat azz up and spit you out. Anyone who thinks that a dragon or an m in anywhere near stock form can run with a properly setup and ridden xp should give me a puff of whatever he's smoking before he puts it out. You will get murdered in technical tree and mountain riding

As for the original question, I look at the m and dragon as a parity. They both have strengths and weaknesses. They are both closer to the old type of sled...the rev and xp are more rider forward/aggressive platforms which makes them better for technical riding...jmo

 

[Freak]

This is not meant to be a my sled is better than your sled or a brand "a" is a pos and brand "b" is the bomb thread. And I don't buy the idea that the Doos are better for hardcore technical riding, like I mentioned b4, look what Burandt does on an M sled. They all can be ridden to the max. Just because one sled is more difficult to ride doesn't give it more ability than another.

 

[b1dodge]

This is not meant to be a my sled is better than your sled or a brand "a" is a pos and brand "b" is the bomb thread. And I don't buy the idea that the Doos are better for hardcore technical riding, like I mentioned b4, look what Burandt does on an M sled. They all can be ridden to the max. Just because one sled is more difficult to ride doesn't give it more ability than another.

im with ya freak. iv never been a fan of the m sleds trail manners though it has gotten much better since 05. i have ridden both sleds and like how both feel not one better than the other just different. all the things you dislike about your m will magicaly disappear with boost. when do you plan on installing boost? i put about 75 miles on my m (cpc boost) ran it on 91 oct. at 6 pounds and it is AMAZING! absolutly NO tuning issues ran spot on like a stock sled just with unreal power. all in all i am very happy with my m.

oh yeah. i filled up at MAVERICK 2.50 a gal.

 

[440dart]

first let me tell you what i ride 08 d7 163,
M8- Slow in a dragrace dosnt climb that great handles ok powerwise feels like a 600
xp- climbs great has good power handleing sucks bad
d8- power sucks just makes a bunch of noise handles good

on the hill with my d7 remember 100 less cc's it out performed the m8 no problem xps had maybe 15-20 yards on me and the d8 way behind

my choice

1 xp
2 m8
3 d8 and i ride a polaris just not impressed with this sled

 

[chazzer]

d8 felt like i was driving a shriners car at a fair.My arms were killin me(beileve me not from the power) but the way my forearms were pointed at each other,felt nose heavy if you stood (leaned) into one side(probably good for tree riding but felt really unpredictable).Power was alright,smooth not in your face arm pulling like the doo but was even thru the range.
The m8 i rode was an 07 and was nowhere near impressed,changing the belt on this machine was a lesson in futility,jsut didnt seem like it had any real snap or couldnt get out of it's own way.
I own a 07 doo ,i grew up in die hard cat house(not the good one)so i still have some love for the kittys.Thinkin of buyin the wifea 08 m8.
I got to ride the 08 xp 163 ....all i can say is bhah baha abahhabhaha to all the naysayers.this is where its at for out of box equipment.period.that is if your comparing apples to apples 8-8 7-7 6-6

But back to the original question seems like you've answered yourself with the dragon.They both apparently turbo well.

I couldn't agree with you more!!! After riding a doo the poo 'feels' like a pig. And those '08 bars! I absolutly hate them! Good stove in the dragon though.

I said this befroe and i'll say it again. STOCK m1000's have a hard time keeping up with a stock setup XP 163", never mind the m8!

I personally like the riding style of the xp way more then the other 2. Cat and poo feel like what darko said, a kk900!

The xp does take some time to get used too. Ride one for a few days back to back, then go back to the the poo or cat. It feels like you just went back in time 5 years!

Chaz

 

[snowman-1]

Hey freak, you do know how to get it goin!! keep it real....the Mothership

 

[trench]

I have both, dragons the 7and8 There's a fairly big difference between the power, to me it feels like about 20 h.p.
Then again you might be drag racing these sleds, I only ever compare climbing ability in deep powder.
From my experiance last season the d-8 163 is unbeatable in the steep and deep . Now I'd say it's mostly in your set up , for where and what type of riding you like.

first let me tell you what i ride 08 d7 163,
M8- Slow in a dragrace dosnt climb that great handles ok powerwise feels like a 600
xp- climbs great has good power handleing sucks bad
d8- power sucks just makes a bunch of noise handles good

on the hill with my d7 remember 100 less cc's it out performed the m8 no problem xps had maybe 15-20 yards on me and the d8 way behind

my choice

1 xp
2 m8
3 d8 and i ride a polaris just not impressed with this sled

 

[bungeeguy]

The only good thing about an XP is the weight! Other than that, POS. My near stock 07' M8 has never been outperformed by any XP, except maybe in top end speed and mileage. Which doesn't make sense. Cat is heavier with less ponies than the XP and it still schools the XP's. I rode Ski-doo my whole life until the came out with the ugliest sled ever called the XP. My last sled was a 07' 800R 151" and it cant touch what this cat does. M8's and Dragons are the only real competition on the market IMO.

If you really believe this you are a freakin retard, or have never ridden in any real snow or real mountains. The 07 M8 in stock form was a complete p.o.s. compared to the competition. Sad thing is I actually like cats and have a Modded M7/M8 as a back up sled but when complete loosers like yourself make some retarded statement like your "stock M8" schools XP's then you just look like a fool.

 

[mountain]

IMO I like the Dragon best. Con is the anti-rachet driver, coming down hill and braking. Love the way it throws around. Like the fact that the seat and handle bars are at the right height from the factory.
M8 is a very close second, I could ride either one of these sleds all the time with little regrets. Cons is the rear suspension and fueling, having to keep working the throttle when coming down hills or it bogs when you try to grab a handfull of throttle. Should not have to spend another $600 for a seat the right height. Also a little bitter with Cat for having to spend $1,200 for a ECU on a M7, while all other manufacture's are $500-600. I like the way the exhaust pipe is run except that you have to pull the pipe to check plugs.
XP feels like it has the best power of all three and would be even better if they would put EFI on it. While the rear suspension feels great heading down the trail, it transfers to much while climbing. Then has way to much ski pressure when coming downhill. Things got better after pulling the swaybar and softing up the front shocks, but with the springs as soft as they can go it still was to stiff.
I ride and work on all three and it boils down to which one fits you best. So far for me its the Dragon, but I am a brand whore and will ride whichever one feels best to me!

 

[Wheel House Motorsports]

After coming of rev/rt chassis sleds, the M series is amazing, they handle like a dream to me, they are a little tippy, but are awsome, then i hopped on a dragon, the thing feels like im gonna fall over when i look wrong, I think they are all sick sleds, and each one fits certain people better. i can rock the M7, and then hop right on my rt 1000 and keep riping, easy transition for me, but getting on the dragon is a whole new world. im really like the stability of the rev/rt chassis, but am going to throw some drop brackets on mine as it is a little to stable sometimes, like in the super tight trees.

 

[dmkhnr]

Freak,
Nice job working the jig!

Lets talk deep powder climbing, can't top the bowl. M8 vs D8 vs D7. They are all pretty similar powerwise.
I'd call it like this:

#1 M8
#2 D7
#3 D8
#4 XP
#5 Nitro
#6 XRS