Stiff Competition

[IDAHO HOT SHOT]

Well, I've been checkin out the M-series section of the forum. It sounds like the new cat is pretty stout. I'm sure there are plenty of biased opinions, but nontheless, it sounds like Poo better be bringing the "A" game this year. I cant wait to see how the new update works with the twin pipes and Carl's head work. Hopefully they get it put back together before to long.. I guess that if it isn't on the snow then it won't be hitting any rocks or stumps.
Seroiusly, can a Cat run that much better than the Poo????????

 

[milehighassassin]

90% rider

 

[550iq]

Amen to the 90% rider factor. The remaining 10% must be the intangables like helmet, gear, and sled color, machine fit, and type of pick-up one has among others. Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

 

[turbo RMK]

well I myself had a peek on the m-series forum there and there sayin 163 hp stock and i have heard good reviews from there motors.. strong and reliable, chasis feels like my old 550 polaris touring. I have been a strong polaris Fan for about 10 years now but with my 08 800 i don't know what to do. i love the chassis you can't getting a better boondocking chassis out there but the motor.. well it's a shame. If polaris doesn't get there act together in the next few years and maybe bring back the big block! I might just have to go GREEN

 

[buckshot]

After putting on 65mi on the updated motor (which isn't broke in yet) I wasn't impressed. If someone offered me a good price I would dump this dragon in a heartbeat. I love how it rides, except on the trail (my 07summit was far better on the trail),but the engine sucks. I would pick up that new cat no problem.

 

[rmk727]

ya my d8 sucks to . wait ; just like u I havent riden it this year yet but for sure the cat ( again this yr ) is better I'm switching fast , 163 hp stock ya I'm out of here over to the m thread. wait doo has more hp and I kickedm with the last sled and cat had equal hp but I smoked em last season if you switch brands just from some published stock hp number's then so long sucker IMO the top 3 manufactures all make very good sleds and another thing to remember is Quote ( the cloths don't make the man) but for sure if you like an other brand better buy it and hope you have the best fun!

 

[matt185]

wow... lot of bandwagon jumpers out there. i would quit snowmobiling if you told me i had to ride a cat. nothing worse than a ditch pickle.

 

[sum-it]

polaris up date

i have a 09 dragon run good last year have slp single got the new up date piston head flash road about 3 tankes of gass threw sled it has got to be down 10 horse from last year i would say about 140 now i cant beleave polaris did this i ride about 5000 feet i have road polaris for about 20 years this is the last one

 

[600xc4me]

wow... lot of bandwagon jumpers out there. i would quit snowmobiling if you told me i had to ride a cat. nothing worse than a ditch pickle.

Wait till your on your third motor.... You'll be wanting to jump over as well. My updated D8 lasted for a tank and a half of 40:1 premixed gas and it's got really bad scoring on the exhaust side. Both pistons, PTO being worse. But after 5 motors in 1200 miles, yes I am no longer a fan.

 

[thefullmonte]

Yeah, the Cat is going to be an impressive motor from the early reports. The chassis isn't quite as good as the IQ IMO, but it is far more likely to get you home. The Suzuki motors have been very reliable performers for Cat over the years.
Polaris has a lot to prove to the snowmobile community this year and they aren't off to a very good start. It hurts me to see what Polaris has been producing. In a time when American manufactures need to be producing top of the line products Polaris is producing disposable sleds. Quality for dollar spent is not there. My sled has about 800 miles on it, and the air box almost has a hole worn through it from a poorly engineered bracket. I could write paragraphs of what I've fixed and corrected on my sled. All I can do is shake me head whenever I find something else.
Polaris has been crying wolf for too many years and people are taking notice. I know quite a few people jumping ship. Even the weight of a Yamaha looks appealing with motors that don't even require a valve adjustment for 20,000 miles when the Polaris struggles to get 1000 miles or in some cases 75. So, yeah I think Cat brought some pretty stiff competition to the fight.

 

[skibreeze]

If and only if I go thru as many pistons as last year will I be looking to jump ship. I love the way my sled handles and looks. I also hate to lose out on the depreciation of buying another sled so soon. I am pretty confident that I'll be riding my Dragon for another 2 or 3 seasons, but if not, then I'd be riding an M8 for sure.

 

[550iq]

I am fortunate to live in a location where 600's can take care of most of your riding needs. This 800 stuff is just too depressing and if it means moving over to Team Green and others so be it. Our buddy Dan might as well be riding a 340 as much as he babys his 800 around in fear of being towed back. I bailed on Ski Doo in the 80's because they built sleds that could not run in snow and had dismal clutches at best. Everyone left them and it forced them to get it together, and they did.

Maybe it is time for Polaris to re-earn its loyal following.

Well it snowed 4" in town last night and folks are riding to Skwenta, time to go. Cheers.

 

[turbo RMK]

alot of people jumped on the new polaris 800's in 08 like myself when they came out and claiming the most hp out of the 800 class.. so now arctic cat has a new power plant.. thats a big jump in hp from mid 140s to over 160 hp so just sit back relax, maybe take your 800 for a rip and lets see what kind of motor cat has now. Polaris started a good legend with the IQ RAW chassis and there not going to let us down. If your have some patience polaris will take care of all there loyal customers. if they don't things figured out by next year then at least we will know if the cat motor is holding up and then hopfully someone out there has a kit to install those motors in my dragon chassis LOL

 

[Roadtrip]

Sending flowers

I have an 07 700 dragon that runs like a Swiss watch. The chassis is solid and at 6' and 210 pounds, all muscle, I have not been able to put a dent in it. The problem started when someone thought they could just punch-out the 700 and declare it an 800. Not smart.
Polaris, if you are listening, and I know you are, redesign the 800. Enlarge the case, use bigger bearings and separate jugs and give it the same mounting dimensions. Call it a 780 or a 820 or whatever. Otherwise it's your funeral.

 

[D8D]

wow... lot of bandwagon jumpers out there. i would quit snowmobiling if you told me i had to ride a cat. nothing worse than a ditch pickle.

ha ditch pickle

 

[speedemon]

Wow i'm sure glad after reading this thread that I decided to keep my 900. Heavyweight or not, I have yet to see anything other than a turbo sled beat it in all categories. The only really cool thing about the new 09 up sleds is the new nose and plastics, oh and pro taper bars. I am putting all of that on the 900 though, so should be a riot, without any complaints!

 

[CATKILLER]

as said about its 90% rider, when the nytros first came out i thought they were the biggest turds ever but i now ride with 2 guys that have them and even with all that weight they still out ride most of the guys with the 2 strokes that are some times 200 pounds lights
just my thoughts.

 

[Chazmanian]

wow... lot of bandwagon jumpers out there. i would quit snowmobiling if you told me i had to ride a cat. nothing worse than a ditch pickle.

The best one liners in the country can be found here with you Polaris guys!

I like that Ditch Pickle line so much it shall stay with me all season!

I just bought and ride a Doo' although the Polaris was right up there in my deliberations.....If my XP turns out to be a "Ditch Pickle" or "Ditch Banana" I too will soon be joining the ranks of the Polaris crew!

 

[karnedge]

alot of people jumped on the new polaris 800's in 08 like myself when they came out and claiming the most hp out of the 800 class.. so now arctic cat has a new power plant.. thats a big jump in hp from mid 140s to over 160 hp so just sit back relax, maybe take your 800 for a rip and lets see what kind of motor cat has now. Polaris started a good legend with the IQ RAW chassis and there not going to let us down. If your have some patience polaris will take care of all there loyal customers. if they don't things figured out by next year then at least we will know if the cat motor is holding up and then hopfully someone out there has a kit to install those motors in my dragon chassis LOL

did you say if they dont get it figured out by nevt year? and your ok with that? this time it started in 08 now its 2010! poo better get their poo toghther..few thing i see in this post..90% rider? well if the sled is dead that 100% sucks..i think 90% is a bit upthere..or the 90%ers could be on 250 brovos kickn butt.punching out a 700 to make a 800 i agree ..wrong ..but isnt that 700 a punched 600? so that would be 600 punched to a 800..

 

[IDAHO HOT SHOT]

The best one liners in the country can be found here with you Polaris guys!

I like that Ditch Pickle line so much it shall stay with me all season!

I just bought and ride a Doo' although the Polaris was right up there in my deliberations.....If my XP turns out to be a "Ditch Pickle" or "Ditch Banana" I too will soon be joining the ranks of the Polaris crew!

As long as we are talkin about one liners, I heard one the other day that was rather amusing, KTM = Kmart Trail Machine. Now back to the subject. I am as loyal as the next Poo guy. I snow checked a 99 700 RMK. I then rode a 98 700 until 04 when I purchased an 02 800 RMK. Each sled I managed to bun down at some point in time. Because of a huge dissagreement with my Hailey, ID Poo dealer, I spring checked an 07 M8. I like the sled, but after my dealer couldnt tell me how to properly clutch it, switched back to an 08 700 Poo. Great sled, i did manage to burn it down. It was taken care of by the dealership. I then snow ckecked an 09 800 RMK. It ran fairly well. I did have a exhaust valve come unbolted which caused a burn down. And then, we had the mid range burn down. Each were taken care of by the dealership where it was purchased in Twin Falls, ID. I have had my updates done and am very excited to ride this sled. The twin pipes and Carl's head mod should be a great combo. But, what I am getting at here is that despite great dealer backup and support, I'm getting tired of limping my sled out and wasting a day on a $hitty running sled. Hats Off to Action Cycles n Sleds in Twin. They have been great to work with, but if this year does not work out then it might be a ditch pickle for me too. Lets hope Poo gets thier shiznit together.