my pick of 09's

[turboless terry]

I rode all of the 09's in Alpine last weekend. I am a die hard ski-doo guy. I have an 06 rev, 07 xrs, and a turbo nytro. If I had to choose based on that ride I would take the m8 first, dragon second, and the xp last. The cat is just easier to throw around. The xp's kind of want to right themselves when you tip them up. Maybe I just havn't rode them enough to get used to the new chassis. They ride really heavy to me. They may be the lightest but it doesn't matter if they feel heavier. The cat seems under powered. They don't have the low end snort of the doo. Their handlebar height is way better. They need about a 5 inch higher seat. I guess i am used to boss seats on the doo's. They still don't turn like a ski doo. In the drag race it was xp, dragon, and cat last. I climbed a hill with the xrs that the cat had to take 4 or 5 runs to get over using my track. I tried to get the xp guys to run at it but they thought it was too steep. The dragon took two runs to get over. All in all I could ride a new m8 and remedy the power with a pg turbo.

 

[trinitypowder]

I'm confused; the M8 is slow, it needed 4-5 attempts, while track poaching, to climb the same hill as your XRS, that went right up and over? The D8 was somewhere in between, but the M8 wins because of the high handlebars? Pull the swaybar out of the XP and see how easy it lays over. I ride with an M7 alot, and the XP with the bar out is VERY close to the M series. I picked my sled for the performance, hence the XP. The '09 M8 sounds pretty mean though.........

 

[Slick]

I'm confused; the M8 is slow, it needed 4-5 attempts, while track poaching, to climb the same hill as your XRS, that went right up and over? The D8 was somewhere in between, but the M8 wins because of the high handlebars? Pull the swaybar out of the XP and see how easy it lays over. I ride with an M7 alot, and the XP with the bar out is VERY close to the M series. I picked my sled for the performance, hence the XP. The '09 M8 sounds pretty mean though.........

The M8 probably just has stock decals, not all stickered up, so, you have a huge advantage there. LOL I really like the XP also, but reality is the new 09 M8's are just honestly more fun to ride. Try not to get to pi$$y pants about it tho. Try for once to handle this info like a real grown up.

 

[turboless terry]

I'm confused; the M8 is slow, it needed 4-5 attempts, while track poaching, to climb the same hill as your XRS, that went right up and over? The D8 was somewhere in between, but the M8 wins because of the high handlebars? Pull the swaybar out of the XP and see how easy it lays over. I ride with an M7 alot, and the XP with the bar out is VERY close to the M series. I picked my sled for the performance, hence the XP. The '09 M8 sounds pretty mean though.........

You can get performance out of anything. I am talking about the way they handle and the fun factor. Granted if they got no power they aren't going to be any fun. I didn't say it didn't haveany power. I've always said it is funny how people get offended when you don't like the same things as they do. I havn't rode one with the sway bar out. Just gave my report on how they ran. Sorry if you can't handle it.

 

[youngent]

I rode all of the 09's in Alpine last weekend. I am a die hard ski-doo guy. I have an 06 rev, 07 xrs, and a turbo nytro. If I had to choose based on that ride I would take the m8 first, dragon second, and the xp last. The cat is just easier to throw around. The xp's kind of want to right themselves when you tip them up. Maybe I just havn't rode them enough to get used to the new chassis. They ride really heavy to me. They may be the lightest but it doesn't matter if they feel heavier. The cat seems under powered. They don't have the low end snort of the doo. Their handlebar height is way better. They need about a 5 inch higher seat. I guess i am used to boss seats on the doo's. They still don't turn like a ski doo. In the drag race it was xp, dragon, and cat last. I climbed a hill with the xrs that the cat had to take 4 or 5 runs to get over using my track. I tried to get the xp guys to run at it but they thought it was too steep. The dragon took two runs to get over. All in all I could ride a new m8 and remedy the power with a pg turbo.

The XP guys thought it was to steep LOL

 

[winter brew]

I hear what you're saying about the XP's wanting to stay upright, they are awkward with the sway bar, but pull the bar and they become a completely different and better mountain handling sled. IMO they should not put the swaybar on the Summits.

 

[trinitypowder]

I'm a big boy, fellas! I can handle it............ I would love to ride an '09 M8 and see for myself. You are one of the few that said it was "slow and didn't climb well". Everybody else on here has reports of the '09 M8 being on top in the climbing and pow. Your report just caught me off guard

 

[turboless terry]

I'm a big boy, fellas! I can handle it............ I would love to ride an '09 M8 and see for myself. You are one of the few that said it was "slow and didn't climb well". Everybody else on here has reports of the '09 M8 being on top in the climbing and pow. Your report just caught me off guard

I think they run 10 times better than the 07 or 08's. My buddies older m8 isn't even close to the doo's. I have a hard time believing that an m8 will spank an xp but you know as well as I do that there is always someone that gets theirs running way better than others. There are the ones whos stuff always runs worse too. I can't compare to my revs because they aren't stock. The m8 was just easier for me to jump off a rev, get on, and feel comfortable on. I just thought the cat would be cool with a pg turbo, boss seat and a barkbuster front end so they turn sharper. I can ride anything if it is set up right. Heck, I never thought I would ever ride a Yamaha. With a turbo they are awesome.

 

[trinitypowder]

Anything with a turbo would be cool! I rode a Turbo D8 at about 230 hp. It's a good thing my checkbook wasn't handy or I would have been a little lighter in the pocketbook!! I here ya on the brand thing-my first sled was an '02 MTNMAX. I loved that thing and would still have it if a certain Pinetree didn't want it worse than me

 

[High Voltage]

I rode a 09 M8 and they really do carve nice hell just think roll and it does,in fact it rolls so easy it wasn't comfortable. The owner rode my 06 Rev with sway bar removed and almost pulled his arms out of their sockets trying to sidehill and turn. But I have 60 Lbs. of pure muscle advantage!!

 

[80arrow]

^^^^
I don't think that I would call it pure muscle advantage

 

[High Voltage]

^^^^
I don't think that I would call it pure muscle advantage

Now that you mention it I did have the balls to climb the Widowmaker!

 

[80arrow]

You sure did. Or just less brains j/k you are a god

 

[studboy]

Granted the cats do lay over better than the xp's, and the adjustable bar is nice, but having rode both I would take the xp merely for the taller seat, e-start and smoother ride on the rough trail. Other than that as far as power and fun factor they are not much different, for me anyways. But don't get mad, just my opinion, and it's wrong, just like everybody else's.

 

[RideGuy]

I hear what you're saying about the XP's wanting to stay upright, they are awkward with the sway bar, but pull the bar and they become a completely different and better mountain handling sled. IMO they should not put the swaybar on the Summits.

Funny you should say ^^

Yesterday I Demo'd an XP with the sway bar in and I was told by the dealer it was set up for the trail/Poker Run..... The sled rode me all day and was hard to even counter steer with.... At the end of the day I told my friend lets swap because his 08 Mod Summit had no sway bar.

Because the 08 had no sway it felt Relaxed and was alot easier to ride everywhere.... Way more fun end of story and was more what I was expecting from the XP!!!

I don't see where I would ever want a sway bar on the XP ??

I also rode the 09 M8 for a quick pull..... It was so easy to get it on it's side compared to the XP w/sway..... I enjoyed it very much and was amazed that it pulled the line I chose since I rolled up on it so slow..... 09 M8 No Sway at all.

Now I've finally rode the 09 XP, M8, Dragon PGT So I finally have a good idea on their Ride's.... Now comes the fun part..... Trying to figure out which is best for me....

It comes down to Dealer/Ride/Warranty/Power for this next sled.... I seem to be able to choose from a range that goes from Tippy (M8) to Upright (XP) with the (Dragon) in the middle. As much as I can see pro's and con's in regards to tip/upright.... it's a tough decision because of preferance....

All the new sleds out there work amazingly well even Stock I am impressed.....

 

[dragon12]

For those of you who have rode both the 09 M8 and the 09 Dragon....... Which one is tippier? Which one is more fun and why?

 

[turboless terry]

For those of you who have rode both the 09 M8 and the 09 Dragon....... Which one is tippier? Which one is more fun and why?

I would have to take the cat. It just feels more comfortable jumping off an 06 or 07 rev and riding it. It was easier for me. I think that I would have to throw more money at the cat than the dragon. The seat really sucks and cats still don't turn that sharp. I think the dragon has a better suspension. After I said all this you are probably wondering why I would go with the cat. It just feels better to me and I can change the things I don't like.

 

[WMD]

Out where I live (Idaho/Wyoming border) the Cat's are kicking azz this year. I have been a loyal DOO rider for several years, but I had to make the jump to CAT. I bought a 09 M8 162 and this is the most fun I have had on a sled.

This sled holds rpm, dosen't weaken, and climbs like mad. It isn't a fast ride or powerful feeling, but it doesn't quit climbing. Several times I thought I should turn out but I just let it keep doing it's thing and over the top I went.

And, I haven't had to work on it or buy belts or drive to the dealer after every ride.

Don't want this to turn into a brand war, just my opinion after riding all the
09's and several years on a doo.

Oh yea, the turbo Cats are the cats azz.

 

[1M800]

I would have to take the cat. It just feels more comfortable jumping off an 06 or 07 rev and riding it. It was easier for me. I think that I would have to throw more money at the cat than the dragon. The seat really sucks and cats still don't turn that sharp. I think the dragon has a better suspension. After I said all this you are probably wondering why I would go with the cat. It just feels better to me and I can change the things I don't like.

I'm not sure about the dragons but a standard 09 RMK VS Standard 09 M8 I have to say Arctic Cat suspension all the way! The shocks on the RMK look like they came off a 1988 Indy. It didn't even look like the front shock in the rear skid was adjustable The zero pro front shocks and Float rear skid are light years ahead of the Polaris RMK shocks. Just my .02.

 

[XSnoXBoonX]

I would say to go with the 09 M8. I have road the machine and I loved it with the new track and how you can raise or lower the handle bars. For climbing I would say it depends on who's rideing and how you ride, because I go up hills fine with my machine and with the 09 M8 with out haveing to make 4-5 tries. But also I go fine up hills with the 09 Dragon also, but iv only tried one XP and i didnt care for it because how it sits and rides comparied to the M8 and Dragon.