M8 vs. M1000

[dre]

I'm going to by either an M8 or an M1000. Probably 2009 model.
What are the pros & cons of each....from folks who've ridden both.
I've ridden a few 8s but not the 1000.
Is the weight on the big cat really noticeable? Is the torque increase significant enough to make up for the weight gain?
Reliability? Any issues the 1000 has the 8 doesn't?
Why are Arctic Can no longer making the m1000?

 

[OuraySledder]

What makes you think there is an appreciable wieght gain? I would be curious to hear what the actual difference is in the same track length. I bet it is less than 20 lbs. It is the same chassis.

 

[Blk88GT]

Sure looks like they still make the 1000?

http://www.arctic-cat.com/snow/snow.asp?category=MOUNTAIN&model=M1000SNOPRO162

 

[nickracer9]

what type of riding do you do? If you love to hill climb get the 1000, if you like to boondock go with the 800. If you like both get a 1000, the weight is less then 20lbs. difference. A WELL SETUP M1000 is in a whole different league!

 

[KAW76]

what type of riding do you do? If you love to hill climb get the 1000, if you like to boondock go with the 800. If you like both get a 1000, the weight is less then 20lbs. difference. A WELL SETUP M1000 is in a whole different league!

Well put. I have both 08 M1000 and 09 M8 SP, they both are great sleds but have little differences that to some are a bigger deal. The 8 is more flickable barley I mean so many people think the 1000 is a "tank' it's really not and if you do a few things to it (M1000), they run really good better than a comparably set-up 8. everyone has a little different opinion. I think either way they will both be good sleds and you will be happy. good luck.

 

[ECott]

Can't go wrong with the 1000... I was planning on a 8, ended up getting a 1000 and love it. Weight difference in minimal at most

 

[cpa]

I have a 1000 and have never once thought I wish I had a little less hp. I ride with a couple M8's and the weight really isn't noticeable. They are all heavy when burried in 4 feet of fluff.

 

[backcountryislife]

Ive had a few 8's & 1000's, 1000 is an easy choice for me, you lose well over 20 lbs & gain around 20 hp just in the first $550 of mods. y, intake, can.

Unless you're going to turbo later, the 1000 is the clear winner imo.

 

[slyrydr]

i have both....it's tuff to get the m-8 any lighter without spending big bucks, it's also tuff to get more hp either....the 1000 can drop significant weight (can, about 14 lbs) and with a y-pipe can, will pick up 12-14 hp, with more available without breaking the bank.....l like riding the 1000 more than the 8 because it has an engine that has lots of grunt and pulls very strong....i can ride along with less engine noise and rpm, it's just more fun....and when i need to point it up a significant hill, the 1000 does it easy....there is one group of guys i ride with sometimes that just like to ride the tuffest, nastiest ridges and side hills with no margin of error, heavy trees, ravines, etc...i usually take the m-8 for that group, but believe me when i say there's dang few people that would even go where we do for any reason....the 2010 narrows the power gap between the two, for stock machines...i put some break in miles on my new m-8 this week, and it does feel much stronger than previous years, but there's no doubt my 1000 will still rule 90% of my riding...can't make a wrong decision with either....both are very dependable..

 

[05snopro440]

They are both great sleds. I was set on an 8 until I rode a 1000, and the torque of the 1000 made me buy one. I'm extremely happy with my decision.

You put an aftermarket can on and the 1000 is about the same weight as a stock 800. (I lost 13 lbs with an MBRP can).

In regards to your last question, Cat still make the 1000, but only in the 162" sno pro. They might not sell as many with the 800 having more power now, but I'd still take a 1000 over an 8.

 

[HiWaYman92]

The 09 M1000 has noticably more power. If you are a smaller guy, M8, bigger guy, M1000. If you like tail walking and arm ripping power, M1000. If you like boondocking through the trees and mostly ride technical stuff, M8. If you look at '10's, buy the M8... it is dead nuts even with my M1000 on a climbing race. Much more power than the 07, 08, or 09 M8.

 

[80arrow]

I've got a 09 m8 and really like it. Way better than my 05 king cat. Only thing I miss is the torque. If I did it over again I'd get a m1000. Like a wise man (chadbob) once said....you can always let off.

 

[Frostbite]

I'm not really sure what to say that hasn't already been said.

Here's yet another perspective. Like everyone else's, take it with a grain of salt.

Yes, the M1000 can be lightened up to stock M8 weight but, an M8 can be lightened up to acomparable stock Skidoo Rev weight.

If you buy a 2010 M8, stock for stock it has at least as much horse power as the M1000. Yet, with a simple SLP pipe setup the M1000 is over 190 hp.

I almost fell for that huge horsepower gain possible with the M1000 too, until I rode both a 09 M8 153 " Sno Pro and a 09 M1000 162" Sno Pro, (both with SLP pipe setups) back to back.

I bought a M8, no question because I wanted a boondocker and not a mountain masher.

Technical riding M8, point and shoot M1000 or 2010 M8.

 

[IDspud]

I have both and the m-8 sits in the trailer unless my wife is on it.

No point and shoot riding, we have a lot more trees than open slopes and the fun snow lies in the shadows. The 1000 has a lot of finesse in the trees.

 

[Dano702]

I just bought an 09 M1000 162 sno pro , and i ride a race gas 8 . As soon as the waranty is up it will be drinking Sunoco too.


I am really stoked to ride the 1000 stock , i cant wait. When i got the 8 it had a compressor on it within 300 miles of new . The stock sled was very under powered . But i am 200 lbs with no gear.

 

[dre]

Great feedback, thanks folks.
Seems like the myth of the 1000 being a tank has been debunked.

Does anyone have thoughts on the 07 vs 08 vs 09... M8s or 1000s.??
Have seen a few lately at great prices & low miles (400-700 mi) so I'm curious if it's worth the extra bucks for a newer sled.

I enjoy all kinds of terrain & often use my sled as a ski lift...ride 2-up to get snowboard turns.

 

[lightening800]

the 09 sleds seem to be running stronger than previous years, my 09 m1000 works beyound what i expected, its a sweet sled in all cond, had a 09m8 also like the 1000 more.

 

[80arrow]

Go as new as you can afford. The newer sleds are lighter and more powerful. Buy an older one for less and then spend more $ to make it more comperable to a newer one. Just my 2 cents.

 

[89sandman]

the 800 motor has twice as much snap as the 1000, i don't own both but can ride both and i'm not giving up my M8 anytime soon...

 

[WyoBoy1000]

09 and newer your in the hot seat, 08 and older your on your own.( they suck compared to a 09- stock to stock anyway) After thats said, if you like mods m1000, if you are under 190lbs could go either way. If you want to ride stock 2010 M8