Would like to hear from technical riders who have come off an XM ski doo and moved to a Pro. Need to buy a sled this week and too torn for words. I ride technical steep areas with as much powder as possible and have been riding for a very long time. I have till this saturday to buy a ski doo or else the 3 year bumper to bumper warranty ends and the 2 year warranty ends this Saturday for Pro and need to make a decision.
Switch from XM to pro? positives, negatives?
- Thread starter dh1
- Start date
I have been riding for years. Back and forth between all the makes. Revs are awesome sleds. XPs are not that good. XM is a XP with a bandaid. Pro is a steak knife, XMs are butter knives. If you want to pull a long sidehill you wont buy a XP or a XM. Pros are for those who want to take it to the next level.
The XM has all the same problems the xp's have mainly because they are xp's. S and E modules every year, leaking chain case, the ever so awesome QRS secondary and my favorite the weak running boards. For me it really came down that I wanted to ride something different than I have since 08 so that's why I went with the 14 assault. XM, Pro or M8000 doesn't really matter as long as it fits you.
The XM is not without it downsides, from what I've heard the engine likes to go into some kind of protection mode, limiting power, when you need it the most.
This winter I will be riding both a '14 RMK 800 with Float Evol R's, and a '14 Freeride 146. At the end of the season I should have a pretty good idea of what's hot and not
This winter I will be riding both a '14 RMK 800 with Float Evol R's, and a '14 Freeride 146. At the end of the season I should have a pretty good idea of what's hot and not
Have not owned the doo, but my riding buddy has had a couple. We trade sleds quite often, so I have quite a bit of seat time on both. Simply put, I would not trade the doo for the Pro. I love the power of the doo, but that is about it. The handling of the Pro for me is significantly better. You being a very technical rider, I think that the Pro outshines the Doo in every aspect of technical riding. It holds a sidehill and line much, much better, is sooo easy to maneuver in tight, technical areas and responds to rider input much better that the Doo. Now again, this is just me. As far as the power, you can always add more - a little bit or a lot
. I have over 1000 miles on my Pro, did the Northstar kit, clutching, etc and it has all the power that I need. Good luck with your decision, either way, you will have fun!
One thing you won't miss about the doo is that f'in TRA clutch.
O
overboard
New member
I was really torn between the two, waited until last minute (snocheck) and went back to a Pro.
I think both are great, compared to what was available even 5 years ago. For me the Doo dealers were either dckheads or crooks. My Polaris dealer has always treated me fair, and so that is where I went. Point being, don't discount "other stuff". Performance is not everything.
I think both are great, compared to what was available even 5 years ago. For me the Doo dealers were either dckheads or crooks. My Polaris dealer has always treated me fair, and so that is where I went. Point being, don't discount "other stuff". Performance is not everything.
S
snowmobiler
Well-known member
one has a smooth clean running engine
C
champyfz450
Well-known member
Ive been riding pros since they came out in 2011 and have loved every moment I've spent on it. I tried for years to ride an XP and HATED it. However I was lucky enough to put some seat time in on some different XM's last year and Id love to tell you that I hated it too, but I didnt, I loved it. Did I love it more than my pro? No. But I didnt love it any less either. As far as choosing between the two Id say make your selection based on whichever dealer has the best reputation or whichever you currently have the best relationship with.
The one problem I do have with the comparison that people make between the two is the apparent horsepower advantage that the XM has over the pro. I know according to the countless dyno comparisons that are out there that the XM has the pro beat handily, but when riding in the real world (which I have done a lot of with the new XM) and comparing side by side (ie uphill drags in deep snow or hard pack) that they are practically identical in acceleration, top speed, and ability to climb. I know that an uphill drag isnt the "be all end all" but it does show that all the talk of the pro being underpowered just isnt exactly true. Seat-of-the-pants feel does seem like the XM is more powerful but the smooth delivery through the Pro drivetrain keeps it right there with it, if not ahead of it.
Whichever choice you make just be glad that youre on one of the best mountain sleds out there! And when u take either of these monsters to the top of the world take a few minutes to look around and think of how lucky you are to be standing right there. Good luck!!
The one problem I do have with the comparison that people make between the two is the apparent horsepower advantage that the XM has over the pro. I know according to the countless dyno comparisons that are out there that the XM has the pro beat handily, but when riding in the real world (which I have done a lot of with the new XM) and comparing side by side (ie uphill drags in deep snow or hard pack) that they are practically identical in acceleration, top speed, and ability to climb. I know that an uphill drag isnt the "be all end all" but it does show that all the talk of the pro being underpowered just isnt exactly true. Seat-of-the-pants feel does seem like the XM is more powerful but the smooth delivery through the Pro drivetrain keeps it right there with it, if not ahead of it.
Whichever choice you make just be glad that youre on one of the best mountain sleds out there! And when u take either of these monsters to the top of the world take a few minutes to look around and think of how lucky you are to be standing right there. Good luck!!
I switched this year from an XM to the Pro. I found it almost impossible to compare them while riding last year because they handle so much different than each other.
I really like the XM and have been riding Doo's for the last ten years. But it was time for a change.
We had two Pros in the group last year That preformed really well and so I decieded to make the change this year.
I like the light weight, coil over sus, and quick drive features over the Doo, and the fact I can work on the clutches much easier.
I won't be able to give my full opinion on the change untill we get more snow. But I can tell you just changing brands will make the winter more interesting.
I really like the XM and have been riding Doo's for the last ten years. But it was time for a change.
We had two Pros in the group last year That preformed really well and so I decieded to make the change this year.
I like the light weight, coil over sus, and quick drive features over the Doo, and the fact I can work on the clutches much easier.
I won't be able to give my full opinion on the change untill we get more snow. But I can tell you just changing brands will make the winter more interesting.
W
waxer
Well-known member
A
autowrench
Member
I demo'ed both last year and snowchecked the Pro. I was coming off an XP and it just wore me out fighting it. I don't pretend to be an expert rider, just trying to get better. On equal days, it would have been hard for me to choose between the 2. The XM on hard pack and the Pro on hard pack with 4" fresh, no contest for me. A arms are much easier to change out too. Hope this helps some.
Tom
Tom
Very helpful guys. thanks. Ive been on an M8 the last 3 years and this year will be very fun on a different ride. Either way I go. I'll ride one then give some feedback here for anyone else in my situation come spring time sale time next season.
Dh1, this has turned into a very good thread. It almost seems like people aren't nearly as brand loyal as they were even five years ago. That's good. I too am on my first Arctic Cat ever (A M8) and I too am ready to move up to a new sled. The two you ask about are at the top of my list as well or maybe a snowbike? Thanks for all the info. I will keep reading an learning.
I think they are both about as good as it gets in the mountain segment, I looked very hard at a new xm and decieded to stick with Polaris and am picking up a 2014 pro today, my Polaris dealer is really great and local,and the fact that my 2011 turbo pro had been pretty much flawless. Either way it comes down more to what you like better, there really is no other answer in todays sled market poo,doo,ac all great sleds. 
I think the XM is a great sled. It has an amazing motor, and it has made vast improvements in handling over the XP. But I found it doesn't inspire confidence in technical terrain like the pro does. To me, it is like riding a exercise ball, it really easy to roll over, but you don't have an edge to stop you from overriding it. It likes to trench a lot in deep snow and transfers a ton. But this could of been from my friend's suspension set up. The clutching leaves something to be desired also. It does have great light steering vs the pro and man the motor just sings! I think you wouldn't be disappointed with either, but realize they both have their pros and cons.
With the improvements to the 14 M, all three are good choices, and be made to do what you want. Each have their quirks, and their fun points. For me, it would also come down to how much more I had to invest in tools, since I do all of my own maint, and most mods, and clutch tools are not free. For many, it is also the quality of the local dealer. For example, if you can get your sleds from Carls, why not ride a poo? Before the XM, I did find the pro to take less energy for me to ride, especially in the back half of a good day. And they are easier to work on than an etec or cat 2 stroke (and I do have an etec XP). But that's me.
These are expensive and highly capable toys, but when ridden hard, they can break. Look at what we do to these things now, compared to just 10 or 15 years ago. A dealer, or the ability to fix them, is important. Rider skill is more critical, in the end, then the ride itself.
These are expensive and highly capable toys, but when ridden hard, they can break. Look at what we do to these things now, compared to just 10 or 15 years ago. A dealer, or the ability to fix them, is important. Rider skill is more critical, in the end, then the ride itself.
