Ready for a new sled

[hyperduc]

So last year I started looking at the Polaris pro as a replacement for my perfectly good M-8, but I have been hesitant to pull the trigger as I wanted to see what AC had to offer.

Now that the new AC sleds are out and I've had a chance to look at them I find myself in the middle of a tough decision.

On the Polaris side you have a chassis that has been very competitive, reliability has been confirmed by a Polaris technician that I have known for ten years and trust, and I have a local dealer that is willing to meet me on the hill anytime for a personal test ride anytime I get a moment.

AC on the other hand doesn't have production ready vehicles to look at and the ones that I have laid hands on so far were less than impressive as far as fit and finish are concerned. They haven't published dry weights or even hinted at what they were shooting for and best of all they aren't letting anyone but a small select group ride them before snow checking.

So is this really a tough decision, anyone else struggling with the same question?

 

[sledhead ut]

Unfortunatley we will be toughing it out 1 more year on the Cats but if we were looking to buy it would be a Pro. Can't beat the warranty and most of all the great feed back from this year. Polaris will have a banner year for sure.

Keep in mind all the changes Cat made too. I would wait a year to see if it pans out for them.

 

[harrysmith500]

I feel dealer is key. I'm minutes from TCP.... So i'll always ride a Poo.

With that being said, I rode a PRO today.... Crazy cool!
Not that it's a trail machine or anything but, it was amazing on the super whooped out trail today!!!

I personally think you'd be making a bad decision not getting the Pro after the amazing year they have had on the snow.

 

[harrysmith500]

Unfortunatley we will be toughing it out 1 more year on the Cats but if we were looking to buy it would be a Pro.

I love that you have to "tough it out"

 

[1MEX]

or you could be one of the cool kids that will be talking about how good the cats are just like the cool kids that are riding the pro this year someone has to test them.

 

[hyperduc]

or you could be one of the cool kids that will be talking about how good the cats are just like the cool kids that are riding the pro this year someone has to test them.

I really like my M-series, but I have seen somethings with the new pro-climb and arctic cat in general that really have me concerned about the direction they are going. Of course raising any questions, or asserting that the new sled isn't god's answer to snow will get you crucified by all the ladies in the AC forum with delicate feelings.

Anyone else know that AC was supposed to release a 600 this year but had emissions issues that prevented it's launch, that was also the same reason AC is offering a non-turbo sled as well.

 

[AKSNOWRIDER]

As I see it the issue with the new cats is you cant ride them now...there is only speculation that they are as good as the M's were, and maybe as good as the Pro is....but unless you know and trust someone who did get lucky enough to ride one(and can equate to their riding style), it is all guess as to how good of a sled its going to be...Right now, its hard to beat the Pro Rmk's, they do everything very very good, and so far reliability has been very very good(yeah I know here comes the nay sayers)at least for this next season the choice is pretty simple to me....at least with the Pro you know what you are getting, what it does and doesnt do and how reliability is...

 

[1MEX]

that is the biggest bad on cat. Releasing something that can't be tested by the consumer. It is a bad deal.. They will loose a lot of sales because of that.. Not smart at all. I guess Monday we'll see how cool or not they look in Layton...

 

[dmkhnr]

Go with the pro. I was in the same boat, and reality is, the Pro is leaps and bounds ahead of the current M8, and unless the 12 M8 gets on top of the snow like the pro (I don't see how it will with the same 4 year old rear suspension) it won't be much better than the current M8.

I bleed green, had a very good running M8 162 with porting/pipe/head/lightweight mesh hood/mds weights/bdx airbox/oil delete/powerclaw and all the goodies that made it light/power. First day out on my box stock pro in 2' of powder my M8 was turning out, and the pro was climbing over.

 

[dmkhnr]

By the way, my buddy has a 2010 M8 162 snopro with slp pipe/slp intake/fuel box. His M8 runs flawless, but doesn't hold a candle to the box stock 163 pro. In fact his sled is for sale in the swap meet 1 week after I got my Pro.

 

[hyperduc]

By the way, my buddy has a 2010 M8 162 snopro with slp pipe/slp intake/fuel box. His M8 runs flawless, but doesn't hold a candle to the box stock 163 pro. In fact his sled is for sale in the swap meet 1 week after I got my Pro.

Happy with the length? Still turn and carve like the m series does with just foot pressure?

 

[madsigntist]

By the way, my buddy has a 2010 M8 162 snopro with slp pipe/slp intake/fuel box. His M8 runs flawless, but doesn't hold a candle to the box stock 163 pro. In fact his sled is for sale in the swap meet 1 week after I got my Pro.

I call BS on that. 20 more HP and a better track. Sure, Ok.
No offense, but you are obviously unbiased.
Everyone is so geeked up on the Pro's it's sad. remember when the XP was new?
Won't it be interesting when the new Cats hit the snow?

 

[vdog0531]

I call BS on that. 20 more HP and a better track. Sure, Ok.
No offense, but you are obviously unbiased.
Everyone is so geeked up on the Pro's it's sad. remember when the XP was new?
Won't it be interesting when the new Cats hit the snow?

couldnt have said it better

 

[AKSNOWRIDER]

I call BS on that. 20 more HP and a better track. Sure, Ok.
No offense, but you are obviously unbiased.
Everyone is so geeked up on the Pro's it's sad. remember when the XP was new?
Won't it be interesting when the new Cats hit the snow?

umm, I honestly dont think its a 20 hp advantage...10-12 maybe at the crank, at the track....I would guess 5-8....but who knows.....

 

[madsigntist]

Stock, yes. But he says it has a full SLP kit. That's closer to 20 than 10.
Guess it depends on who's #'s you believe.

 

[AKSNOWRIDER]

Stock, yes. But he says it has a full SLP kit. That's closer to 20 than 10.
Guess it depends on who's #'s you believe.

thats true, didnt pay attention to that part...yeah I think in deep snow they might be close but I would think the M would be on top with the power advantage, but I havent ridden with one all hotrodded in deep snow....

 

[snailbait]

ARMCHAIR RACERS RULE!!!...

WOW!...can't believe the armchair racing has started already....it's not even april yet!!
Want some "real" feedback on the poo??...read the posts in the polaris section... Blown motors, clutches grenading,...etc. And that is coming from the Polaris faithful !!
Now don't get me wrong...I think Pol has built an amazing sled, and sure it will have 1st year quirks, but it's funny how fast everyone put down the cats without even seeing the finished product! I am sure they will have their issues too....but only time will tell. Polaris obviously feels pretty comfortable with what they have...considering they released BNG's this year.

P.S.
Don't take this too personal,...just stirring the pot a little!

 

[goforbroke]

By the way, my buddy has a 2010 M8 162 snopro with slp pipe/slp intake/fuel box. His M8 runs flawless, but doesn't hold a candle to the box stock 163 pro. In fact his sled is for sale in the swap meet 1 week after I got my Pro.

Been my experience. If the snow is 2 feet deep the pro is tough to beat. Love the sled.

 

[AKSNOWRIDER]

no armchair racing here, I have a pro sitting in the garage, have ran it against both 11M-8 and an e-tec....neither came close in deep snow..thats just fact..As for the new cat?...I think its too early and not enough on snow rides to evaluate how good of a sled it will be in deep powder..I hope its at least as good as the 11 M..but I doubt we know that till next winter..now as for pro's blowing up left and right...not according to the polaris engineer I talked with here a couple weeks ago, less then 100 engines down total (engine includes injectors, pistons,cranks, fuel ,oil and anything that makes it stop running)for the season.....and less then 10% of all sleds sold by polaris have had ANY warranty work done to them(including all 3 in my group , never had any warranty work done since bought new)..so while I do hope cat brings just as good of a sled to market next season,I will wait to ride one before I consider buying one....personally, this is the first time I can remember that all 4 manufacturers have excellent mountain sleds available.....thats good for us all............

 

[Skinner]

no armchair racing here, I have a pro sitting in the garage, have ran it against both 11M-8 and an e-tec....neither came close in deep snow..thats just fact..As for the new cat?...I think its too early and not enough on snow rides to evaluate how good of a sled it will be in deep powder..I hope its at least as good as the 11 M..but I doubt we know that till next winter..now as for pro's blowing up left and right...not according to the polaris engineer I talked with here a couple weeks ago, less then 100 engines down total (engine includes injectors, pistons,cranks, fuel ,oil and anything that makes it stop running)for the season.....and less then 10% of all sleds sold by polaris have had ANY warranty work done to them(including all 3 in my group , never had any warranty work done since bought new)..so while I do hope cat brings just as good of a sled to market next season,I will wait to ride one before I consider buying one....personally, this is the first time I can remember that all 4 manufacturers have excellent mountain sleds available.....thats good for us all............

LOL!

Hey AK!


What else would you expect a Polaris engineer to tell you.......That it sucks

I hope the cat works out great next year. It keeps the bar going higher each year. I think it looks Bad A$$ and the 800 motor is as reliable as they get(The power doesn't hurt too). I haven't rode with the Pro yet but it sounds like a winner too. I don't think you can go wrong with ether.