Rode all 3 brands yeterday- M8, Pro-RMK, XP

[SNOMAN1174]

Yesterday was a pretty fun expierence. I was out on the hill with my 08 TD8 and got a chance to ride with each of the newest sleds. I have read all the reviews of this vs that but yesterdy I got to see it first hand.

Location: Molas Pass Colorado
Conditions: About a foot of fresh in the trees...less in the open
Sleds : 2011 M8 sno pro 153, 2011 Assault 155, 2010 XP 154...and my turbo

So we went to a popular climb that we have dubbed our own "Turbo Hill". I was able to get some first had perspective on the differences between the three. So here is what I observed and or thought after it was all over.

Strait Climb/ Up hill Drag race
We raced all three sleds up turbo hill multiple times. The 2011 M8 seemed to be the quickest of the three. The assault launched very well and got on top of the snow quickly. About half way up the hill all three were within a length of each other. That is where they started to seperate. I dont know if the assault track was a difference but the XP and M8 pulled ahead when the hill got steep and the snow softened a bit. I kinda expected this result. I wish we would of had a pro-rmk 155 to compare but that was not the case. The XP and the M8 traded wins with the assault very close behind (maybe 2 sleds length). Then of course I spotted them all about 50 foot and flew by them, skis in the air and grin ear to ear. Man I love turbos....but thats not what this write up is about. Conclusion....The M8 probably would have to be my winner for this part of the review. XP-2nd, Assault 3rd

Trees, Side-hilling, Tight tech riding
Drag racing is cool and is def bragging rights but that is not what we do most of the time on these mountain sleds. When we got in the trees the sleds started to shine. I can not believe how easy the pro-assault was to manuever quickly through the trees. It really is a balanced chasis and takes very little effort to make it respond. The assault also easily held the best side-hilling ability. This I feel is directly because of the chasis balance. The XP had a tendency to fish out on side-hills but was great through the trees. The XP also was by far the easiest to get unstuck and yes...all three were stuck multiple times each. The ski-doo also felt very nimble in the trees. Both the assault and the XP felt almost like "Dirt bikes". Very thin and responsive. M8 felt like it was heavier for sure in the trees. The m8 chasis felt dated to me. Almost like there was to much weight down low (probably bad description) and took much more effort to charge through the trees. Side-hilling on the M8 was easy though and would be ranked 2nd behind the assault. I really did like the M8 balance front to rear...just a lil heavy for my liking. Conclusion.... Assault 1st, M8-2nd, XP 3rd

Trails.....Who really cares.

I talked to all three owners extensively about what they would change
Assault- He would change the factory clutching (lighter weights), stronger rails( already folded a set this season) and a better rear bumper (his was missing)
XP- He would change the intake(said it has frozen up), factory clutching is terrible, and most of all the price...said he paid just under 13k for his sled
M8- would delete the moving handle bars, said he wished his 2011 didnt look like a 09 still (graphics maybe?), wished it was lighter after riding the pro!

So, I gave it my best to do a fair review. As a polaris guy it hurt to lose each drag race but oh well. I think what I took from this time on the hill is that each company makes a really solid sled, each excelling in different catagories. I have to say that I was very impressed by the pro handling, impressed by the M8 factory clutching and impressed that someone would spend 13k for a sled (WTF). All in all, each machine is very high quality and should make any owner proud!!!!!

 

[gmustangt]

Awesome write up!
There's no point in getting hung up in the hp war, or my sled goes higher/faster than yours. Because unless your on cr racing 750hp rated r
There's always gonna be a sled that'll beat yours.
I mean sure having 300hp and just blowing over the top of every hill would be sweet, but I find half the fun is not being able to get over in a straightlinr and having to picklines, sidehill etc...
These 450+\- pound.. 150hp+\- sleds are incredible!
I feel really fortunate to have one! And not be riding the old phazer still!!
Just find what's comfortable for younand ride it!
Good honest write up!

 

[307 Snow*Moto]

Great Write-up, Very Similar Experience

Because I have had a similar experience on all 3 brands I find this thread very interesting and honest and informative. First off I do own Polaris sleds and have been Psuedo brand loyal because basically Polaris has been what I am comfortable on.

This past month I was contacted by a research company to participate in a 3 brand test ride. Perk #1 - I got paid to ride other peoples sleds as hard as I could; Perk #2 - If I broke it, they were pleased because I pushed a sled to break point.

I rode all 2011 models - Ski Doo etec 800 154 XP SP (Black Powdercoated tunnel); 2011 Cat M8; and 2011 Polaris;

In very similar test conditions as the first post, foot of fresh, bottomless in the trees, I found myself loving the hell out of the Doo for bondocking; Climbing hills was kind of a wash because it was pretty poor visiabilty but I will say the Polaris and SkiDoo got up on top of the snow and climbed well with the Doo on average climbing higher. I loved the response of the cat and actually felt a lot like an IQ chasis to me but was definetly an old feel after being on the new "rider forward" XP and Pro Chasis. I cant stand how horrible an XP is to sidehill but let me justify, and in no way is this a knock on Doo just not my liking, the XP flattens out really fast, meaning it is incredibly stable, whether jumping or on a hill, the sled jumps up on the snow very well and if you dont camber the sled and actually make a cut for it to track it will pop up on the snow and turn down hill. the cat was actually not that bad to sidehill but as mentioned it felt like an IQ which I ride often so it sidehilled well. The new polaris is just amazing and does most everything fantastic, it does have a very fine line before tipping while carving but patience and more seat time overcomes that (the balance point is incredible but to some may feel very easily tippible).

I couldnt echo the premise of this thread any better - each sled is great in its own right. I love the competition between brands and frankly that is what drives each of them to make us such phenomenal sleds. I encourage the haters or the super brand loyals to go ride a different brand sled and go into it open minded. I feel very fortunate to have been chosen to do the research ride that I did because until the minute I walked out to the sleds I had no idea what I was riding. Enjoy the brand you chose and respect the competition because there is a sled out there from another brand that will whip the sh*t out of your sled, guarantee it!

 

[SNOMAN1174]

I want to add that I own a 08 Turbo Dragon 800 155" and have owned a 09 summit x and older arctic cats. All of them rocked. To touch on what Wyo900dragon said....yes, ride the other companies sleds. I wish they would just make a IQR mountain sled from the factory...but they dont so I will shut up. Riding all 3 in one day really was a "special" feeling. I felt lucky to do that. Bottom line is all the new sleds rock

 

[Xrider]

...said he paid just under 13k for his sled

Really?? for a 2010??

 

[AKSNOWRIDER]

first e-tec I rode with this year, a 163, said he paid 13,5.....I was shocked since I paid 10,7 for my 163 pro.......

 

[cb2honk]

That's the only reason i'm going from loyal ski-doo guy(except for my TD8) to polaris this spring. I'm checking a Pro over the XP. I don't see the $2800 difference in these two sleds! Plus, with 4 years warranty, I have very little to worry about.

 

[WyoPro]

I wish they would just make a IQR mountain sled from the factory...but they dont so I will shut up.

Would you be interested in a IQR mod with an SLP 797, twins, EZ-Ryde and custom tunnel? 150" track...

 

[ak]

first e-tec I rode with this year, a 163, said he paid 13,5.....I was shocked since I paid 10,7 for my 163 pro.......

ya and he probably bought the sled at cc ski doo those guys are a rip off.

 

[HiWaYman92]

If you would have had a Pro RMK 155 instead of an assault the Pro would have definately out climbed the M8. I've had both. I haven't ridden a new e tec, or climbed with one, so I can't say how it would do compared to it. I figure I could go anywhere on my 10 M8 that I can on my Pro, other than the steep and deep. I can maneuver my Pro through the trees with less effort; heck I don't even have to put both feet on the same sides of the running board if I feel lazy!

 

[elvis1280]

If you would have had a Pro RMK 155 instead of an assault the Pro would have definately out climbed the M8. I've had both. I figure I could go anywhere on my 10 M8 that I can on my Pro, other than the steep and deep.

that is so true!

today i rode my 10' m8 with an 11' assualt 155 and a pro 155', my M8 would leave the assualt in the dust climbing anything all day. The pro is a different story, I have never in my life seen a stock sled just go and go and go. The pro is from another planet?
The assualt is really a joke compared to the pro?

 

[AKSNOWRIDER]

If you would have had a Pro RMK 155 instead of an assault the Pro would have definately out climbed the M8. I've had both. I figure I could go anywhere on my 10 M8 that I can on my Pro, other than the steep and deep.

that is so true!

today i rode my 10' m8 with an 11' assualt 155 and a pro 155', my M8 would leave the assualt in the dust climbing anything all day. The pro is a different story, I have never in my life seen a stock sled just go and go and go. The pro is from another planet?
The assualt is really a joke compared to the pro?

its just the track on the assault, it is a very very stiff track, makes it trench pretty bad in soft snow, but on hard packed snow...its bad azz....but yeah not a fair comparison with the assault, the pro tracks work much better in soft snow...