My new Pro doesnt seem to handle as well as M8

[tyb57]

I was in west yellowstone last week. I have a new 155 Assault, and on the 2nd of six days the rear shock broke. For the next 2 days I rented an RMK 800. After that I rented an M8 153 and then an M1000 162. I had never ridden a cat before this trip, but was very surprised at how well the cats handled. I could understand my assault being too stiff, but I seemed to have the same problems when I had the RMK. It always seemed to me that bothe polaris' wanted to throw me forward, and they were harder to balance on one ski. I checked to make sure the spring lengths were correct for my weight. The cats just seemed way easier to make them do what I wanted them to. There was no power issue at all. Both polaris' seemed to compare quite equaly to the M8 power wise. The polaris' also seemed to climb better. The Cats just seemed to boondock and sidehill better.
I have done a lot of reading on this forum, and the Cat forum, and feel like I'm the only one that feels this way about the two sleds. Just wondering if there is somthing I am doing wrong in the setup, or if its the rider forward style thats just hard for me to get used to. Right now I'm hoping there is somthing I can do different with my sled. I realy dont want to switch to cat.

 

[XFIRE800]

I spent half a day on a pro assault and some time on a pro rmk and felt the same way you do.

 

[longgold]

what were you riding previously (years past)?

I have to admit, I couldnt ride Ski-Doo even though their platform was "better" than Polaris's through the first Rev years...just plain didnt like the ride...so I stuck with Polaris and got everywhere (or higher often) than any of my Ski-Doo riding mates...

WHat I am getting at, is ride what you like. Contrary to all the BS on these threads, the top 3 manufacturers make 3 very good sleds that are highly competitive in terms of their abilities on the mountain.

If you prefer Cat...ride Cat...No one can tell you what you like...

As for having the Assault too stiff...mine is still set up all wrong for me...and to be honest it is kinda frustrating...I find it hard to control as the ski's want to lift...I have moved the mounting point for my limiter strap bar to the RMK position, I am using the RMK 5.1 track, I have taken a lot of the spring rate OUT of the front skid shock and stifened the rear to the max.......it just plain doesnt work well for my 245lb frame.....my next move might be to lighten the gut by 20lb

 

[RMK935VA]

Pro with Fox Zero Pro internals and Carl's valving in the stock Walker Evans shocks make the sled work very well. I also moved the skis in as far as they will go. They come in the middle position. The sled works very well for me.

 

[goforbroke]

The cat is a very well handling sled, and I liked it better than my pro on harder or more set up snow. I set the front shock so it is not tight, ie 3 threads showing beneath the tightner and loosened my front shocks a bit. Mine is an RMK so I removed sway bar, but I'll likely put it back in as it is too easy to lay over now that I have the hang of it. Now I love my sled. It took a bit, I had to work on wrong foot forward. Handles better for me than the m's I ride with and they are planning on getting pros next year. especially in 3' of powder. Cats are sweet sleds and may have a new/better sled next year, but I'd agree, ride what feels best.

 

[AndrettiDog]

I certainly don't agree with you, but I'm also not saying you are wrong. The best part is that you are in a good situation. There are some guys with M's that would trade with you. You could sell your Pro easier than a guy with an M could right now. M's should be cheap with the new model coming out.

I'm still not sure why some guys get the Assault. It has a cool factor but it does ride different than the Pro (especially the difference between the D8 and older Assault). The front is wider, the track much harder and the suspension is much stiffer. All of this makes for a much different boondocking experience.

 

[xcsks]

Cat

Just got back from riding Island Park last week, great snow btw. I rented an 08 Polaris 700 RMK for three days then demo'd the new Pros on Thursday up at Ponds Lodge. Was slightly disappointed with the IQ when compared to my
M but really enjoyed the new Pros and would definitely consider one as my next sled. Just want to see what Cat comes out with for '12.

 

[prorider]

I think you need to change your riding style for the pro. i have owned cat and polaris. i think you have to ride each on a little different. i think the pro handles way better that any cat i have ever owned. but saying that i had to learn to ride my pro before i like it as much as i do now. i rode a cat to day and found it very hard to ride, after ride the pro all year. well that is my two scene. not try to bash any sled i like them all.

 

[AdrenalineAddict]

What you experienced is the same thing I've felt. I've never been a fan of rider forward. I'm pretty sure I could spend the rest of my life on an XP and never be comfortable. There is a small chance I could get used to a Pro. I jump on the occasional M8 and in minutes I feel very comfortable. I'm long overdue for a new sled and am very interested in what Cat is going to have to offer. If Cat is going to push rider forward to the extreme I'm going to have to take a long hard look at the Pro, (possibly the lesser of three evils). I feel the M does everything well with much less effort.

 

[TRS]

For my riding style the shocks needed to be revalved and the rear track shock a new spring. Low speed on coil over WE was to harsh and the high speed was not stiff enough. My .02.

 

[Murph]

No experience on an M8... for sure they handle great.

We have two Pro's and at first mine handled pretty well and I was happy. Then I SOFTENED the rear track shock and kept the front track shock at the factory setting. Whoa!... what a difference now the sled pivots on the front track shock and you can just look at where you want to go and it's there.

I do have to take it easy on a whooped out trail as I can get the rear track shock to bottom if I land in a crater wrong. For me small sacrifice as I avoid trails--especially whooped out trails-- at all costs.

1850 miles on the odometer and I love this sled the more I ride it.

 

[rags319]

No experience on an M8... for sure they handle great.

We have two Pro's and at first mine handled pretty well and I was happy. Then I SOFTENED the rear track shock and kept the front track shock at the factory setting. Whoa!... what a difference now the sled pivots on the front track shock and you can just look at where you want to go and it's there.

I do have to take it easy on a whooped out trail as I can get the rear track shock to bottom if I land in a crater wrong. For me small sacrifice as I avoid trails--especially whooped out trails-- at all costs.

1850 miles on the odometer and I love this sled the more I ride it.

Do you know what the factory setting is or how many threads you have showing on front track shock. Want to move mine back but don't know what it was at.

 

[Murph]

Front track shock is 9.5 Threads showing below the collar on the opposite side of the spring.

RTSS is set at 10.5 free length with the sled suspended in the air

I weigh 165 lbs in my underwear

 

[AKSNOWRIDER]

Ok guys, hope this helps, you have to ride the pro different then the cat, especially when sidehilling, where on the cat you stand toward the back trying to keep the skis up , the pro you need to move forward, and keep the frt more planted, that is where the control difference stems from i think from riding them both, so next time you get a chance, try moving forward a bit, see if that doesnt help, and yes suspension adjustments make a big diff on feel as well, mine has the frt track shock almost completely out on the adjuster, rear shock with about 1.5" threads showing...works pretty good in most conditions, keeps the frt down but can wheelie when needed.......I am about 155 pds....

 

[m8sandman]

Ok guys, hope this helps, you have to ride the pro different then the cat, especially when sidehilling, where on the cat you stand toward the back trying to keep the skis up , the pro you need to move forward, and keep the frt more planted, that is where the control difference stems from i think from riding them both, so next time you get a chance, try moving forward a bit, see if that doesnt help, and yes suspension adjustments make a big diff on feel as well, mine has the frt track shock almost completely out on the adjuster, rear shock with about 1.5" threads showing...works pretty good in most conditions, keeps the frt down but can wheelie when needed.......I am about 155 pds....

dead on!!! if your an old M guy try out this setup for your skid, i've got maybe 3 threads showing on my front track shock. think cat riders are used to the front staying on the ground, i also pulled my sway bar. small changes in your feet position and bar location will make GREAT differences in how the sled feels. i'd play around with these, sure you'll get it setup to where you love it. or rent an rx-1 for a weekend, after that you'll absolutely love it

 

[GoBigParts]

I certainly don't agree with you, but I'm also not saying you are wrong. The best part is that you are in a good situation. There are some guys with M's that would trade with you. You could sell your Pro easier than a guy with an M could right now. M's should be cheap with the new model coming out.

I'm still not sure why some guys get the Assault. It has a cool factor but it does ride different than the Pro (especially the difference between the D8 and older Assault). The front is wider, the track much harder and the suspension is much stiffer. All of this makes for a much different boondocking experience.

I agree. I've been saying the same thing about the Assault. I like my stance narrow for boondocking.

 

[GoBigParts]

What you experienced is the same thing I've felt. I've never been a fan of rider forward. I'm pretty sure I could spend the rest of my life on an XP and never be comfortable. There is a small chance I could get used to a Pro. I jump on the occasional M8 and in minutes I feel very comfortable. I'm long overdue for a new sled and am very interested in what Cat is going to have to offer. If Cat is going to push rider forward to the extreme I'm going to have to take a long hard look at the Pro, (possibly the lesser of three evils). I feel the M does everything well with much less effort.

The little bit I rode an XP summit in the powder I couldn't do anything with it so I hope the ProRmk is nothing like the XP or I will stay with my IQ. Please tell me the Pro is more like a refined lighter IQ than it is like a XP.

 

[IceCap]

Don't worry Paul_Aris .... it is.

 

[poorider]

Paul, it's nothing like an xp. The first time I tried an xp (or any time i've tried one for that matter) I could not make it do anything. Constantly fighting and getting wore out.
But the first time I tried the pro I felt 100% comfortable on it. I can jump from my iq to a pro and back again no prob. I love the iq, but I really want a pro, it just feels way better, holds rough trenchy sidehills and off camber downhills way better, and gets up on the snow and goes way better. The pro doesn't wash out near as easy as an iq. And the bodywork being narrower it doesn't seem to hang the sled up on the snow near as much when you really lay it over and dig in like on a downhill/uphill transition.
You will love it, and you'll still hate xp's lol

 

[Reg2view]

On the Pro, found 2 threads up from full loose on the front skid shock, and 10 7/8's on the RTSS, very little preload on front ski shocks. Weight 180 + gear, she pushes in corners on the trail, but who cares. Not hammering holes on the trail. Best Pro setup I've found for the 155 for me.