Potential new owner questions

[maelstrom57]

Hello everyone,
I've been lrking in the wings reading the various threads as I'm considering replacing my 05' RX1 Mtn with something more current. I've never been an AC owner or ridden one so all I know is what I've heard or read. Based on that, I'm looking at either a 09' M1000 SP, 153" or 162" or may be even a 10' M8 LE 153". I'm a little concerned about the track length issue & engine size as I'm about 230 # buck naked and usually like to bring a back pack (extra wgt) during our day trips. My riding here in Newfoundland is about 25% trails and the balance a combination of x country or hills. I wouldn't say mountains as the highest elevations here in Newfoundland are < 3000'. Also, a fair bit of my riding is slow speed tight trail breaking, so floatation is important.
My questions are, based on my weight and riding, do I really need the M1000, and if so, with the extra weight of this machine + me, should I stick with the 162".
Appreciate any thoughts..

Mike

 

[columbus]

I went from an RX-1 ton to an 06 M7 162 and it was like switching from a dump truck to a porsche. The M7 is so much more capable in all conditions you will not believe it. I think the RX-1 ton would have a hard time keeping up with an M6...

 

[diggerdown]

The M8 with a 162. At your elevation the 800 has more than enough HP to take you through most anything. You will not believe the difference between the T-rex and the M!

 

[Frostbite]

Welcome fellow RX-1 owner. I still have mine and you may have read that many of us RX-1 owners have seemed to found our way here.

I wanted a far lighter mountain sled and unfortunately (or fortunately) it turns out that meant going back to a two stroke. I wanted a sled I could still depend upon and frankly the other two brands of two strokes left me uneasy.

I was fortunate enough to be able to ride both a 09 M8 153 Sno Pro and a 09 M1000 162 Sno Pro back to back. Both sleds had complete SLP pipe packages. I weight 170 without gear so take that into consideration.

I was much happier on the M8 since I was looking for a lightweight flickable boondocker.

I'm not intimately familiar with your riding conditions but, I'd say that with either engine you choose to get the 153" track. The Powerclaw is amazing and a 153 will do more than you'd think and be a much funner to ride day to day. In your shoes, I have to wonder if a HCR might be your best choice? Wider ski stance, tougher track that may handle the rigors of trail use a bit better (but it may not float quite as well with the HCR track) and a few other goodies. Based on your requirements. I'd say:

2010 M8 153 Sno Pro - best choice if you have the funds (163 hp)

2009 M8 153 Sno Pro - saves money and with SLP pipe still has plenty of power (159 hp)

2010 M1000 153 may be a great choice, capable of 200 hp

Good luck buddy - welcome to the darkside- we have cookies!

Frosty

 

[89sandman]

tough to call, with your weight the M1000 may be a better choice, but at your altitude the M8 will be a good one also. i run a 162 but i live for the steep and deep. also the M8 is just about bullet proof, seems the M1000 is also pretty dependable until you start modding it...

 

[W A O]

Hello boys just some info for you to chew on, im 6' 4" and 220 ish and i ride a 06 m7 with a 162 with some stuff. It has well enough power to take me any place i wish to go, no i cant climb the biggest hills but it still runs plenty good for my size.
I ride with a m8 a m1000 a dragon 800 a doo 800 and a couple of mod sleds. That being said those sleds cant go off and leave me but they can out climb me and beat me in a strait race but not leave me.
Smaller sled bigger rider and it still holds its own. The 162 is not like a race car for shur but its not like a truck either.your size you can handle any size you choose to get.
Some of the smaller guys out there have to consider that more, they dont have the leaverage or as much strenth to throw around the bigger sleds as easy, they still can but not as easy hope this helps , have a good turkey day

 

[maelstrom57]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I guess I'm somewhat concerned on the track length issue as alot of our early season riding, i.e.soft powder with no base, is at low speed picking thru tight trees. That was why I was leaning towards a 162". Frosty, I certainly understand what your saying concerning the track length and I was also considering the HCR. I guess I'm just fickle, but I don't really care for the green color of the HCR. I know guys, real Cat owners worship the green but don't hate me. I just trying to get over losing the blue as it is... lol. Back on track, an additionally reason for going 162" is that most of the noncurrent 09 M8's SP I've located are all 162"'s. I've found a couple in the mid-north at $8200 for a demo to $8900 crated. The only 153" I've located is a M1000 and is running $10,300. Not bad but I don't think I really need the M1000. Due to the shipping cost to eastern Canada, I've limited my searching to that area. With only a few Cat dealers in our area, there are no 09's around and a 2010 M8 LE x 153" is $13,999 Canadian. Still better than a new Nytro SE 162 running at $16,500. yikes...