The 09 M8 is the SLED OF THE YEAR

[JSun]

No other 800s even came close this past week, and they were all in attendence, dragons and XP's. It didn't matter the conditions, and it didn't matter the rider. Oh, and the XP's and dragons were all set-up with clutching and cans. The M8 was just the way it came from the dealer in Minnesota. Congrats to AC on one heck of a sled.

 

[Butta]

Where was this test done?? What kind of conditions was there that "didn't matter"? Came from Minnesota...hmmm...not much of a place for a "mountain sled".

 

[triple7]

Heard they run good but I really doubt its such a mythical thing...Its heavier than an XP by a bunch and it doesnt make the power of the dragon. Properly prep a dragon, xp, and the cat and then we would have a comparison worth talking about...

 

[boosted1]

Heard they run good but I really doubt its such a mythical thing...Its heavier than an XP by a bunch and it doesnt make the power of the dragon. Properly prep a dragon, xp, and the cat and then we would have a comparison worth talking about...

well...he certainly is telling the facts... I bought a 09 M8 162" sno pro, it has a SLP can and a mountain mod seat outta the box clutching and climbing in the mountains I literally spank the SLP equipped D8...its bad
even in a drag race across a stubble field my 162" pulls a SLP equipped 146" Assault any speed, hard to believe but its true!

By the way the difference between a flull fluids M8 (553lbs RTR) and XP (533lbs RTR)is 20lbs, however I believe the XP has a 10gallon tank and the M8 has a 12gallon tank so correct me if Im wrong but I believe the XP is 6lbs lighter than the M8

 

[BigMan]

I know what you mean.. I had the sled of the year back in '06 ... the 1997 RMK 700!!! Yes!!! I was out on the hill with an 800 Rev and an 800 Mountain Cat and the ol '97 layed the smack down on em. It out performed em both high and low. It was a great time for the old gal to see'er stomping out and beating back the competition.

 

[gerrman]

Heard they run good but I really doubt its such a mythical thing...Its heavier than an XP by a bunch and it doesnt make the power of the dragon. Properly prep a dragon, xp, and the cat and then we would have a comparison worth talking about...

I don't know guys. In fresh deep snow the M8's are rock'n around here. Now, is this a reflection of the new PowerClaw track or the entire combo? In the last three weeks several guys have put a PowerClaw's on. These are on all four brands. No real new snow, so will have to wait to see if there is a difference in performance. M8/10 are by far the most popular new sled purchase in this area. Myself, I like the way my Dragon handles to much to switch(have had enough issues/problems to get me thinking though).

 

[newtrout]

well...he certainly is telling the facts... I bought a 09 M8 162" sno pro, it has a SLP can and a mountain mod seat outta the box clutching and climbing in the mountains I literally spank the SLP equipped D8...its bad
even in a drag race across a stubble field my 162" pulls a SLP equipped 146" Assault any speed, hard to believe but its true!

By the way the difference between a flull fluids M8 (553lbs RTR) and XP (533lbs RTR)is 20lbs, however I believe the XP has a 10gallon tank and the M8 has a 12gallon tank so correct me if Im wrong but I believe the XP is 6lbs lighter than the M8

10.6 to 11.4.

The 09 M8 is a huge improvement, no doubt. Fantastic chassis. But I've seen slightly different results on the hill vs. my well clutched XP 163. Not sure about a drag race, but luckily for me I didn't buy a 163 to race on the flats.

 

[iluv2fly]

Rode with my buddy last week who bought the new 09 dragon 163 and my 09 M8 162 with slp pipe pulls much harder. I let him ride it and he even agreed mine pulled harder in the mid to topend. I do give most of the credit to the new powerclaw track, the thing is awesome. I rode the dragon and it handles very close to my 09 M8.

 

[Frostbite]

I amazed at how much good press the 2009 M8 is getting this season. Amazingly, this unassuming sled of the past two years has risen to become the mountain sled rock star for the winter of 2008-2009.

That's awesome but, I do have to wonder................ If the 2009 M8 is that good, why aren't we hearing about how completely awesome the 2009 M1000s are running?

The M1000s bennefited from the same weight loss plan as the M8, they have the same Power Claw track, they have (the Sno Pros) the same telescoping handlebars.

Is it just a matter of power to weight? Has the M8 just hit the sweet spot?

All the kudos for the 2009 M8 exclusively are making it tough for us horse power junkies looking to buy a new sled.

Frankly, I wish I was reading more good things about the 2009 M1000s because I have a feeling that if I buy a M8 I'll always be longing for that extra 20hp the M1000 offered right out of the box but the extra weight, I could do without.

 

[gerrman]

I amazed at how much good press the 2009 M8 is getting this season. Amazingly, this unassuming sled of the past two years has risen to become the mountain rock star of the winter of 2008-2009.

That's awesome but, I do have to wonder................ If the 2009M8is that good, why aren't we hearing about how compleltey awesome the 2009 M1000s are running?

The M1000s bennefited from the same weight loss plan as the M8, they have the same Power Claw track, they have (the Sno Pros) the same telescoping handlebars.

Is it just a matter of power to weight? Has the M8 just hit the sweet spot?

All the kudos for the 2009 M8 exclusively are making it tough for us horse power junkies looking to buy a new sled.

Frankly, I wish I was reading more good things about the 2009 M1000s because I have a feeling that if I buy a M8 I'll always be longing for that extra 20hp the M1000 offered right out of the box but the extra weight, I could do without.

A couple of thoughts as to why the M8 is getting so much press. It seems to be a pull the rope and go machine. No EFI/ECU, belt/clutch issues like the M1000's, RMK Dragons or XP's. Add a pipe and/or can to the M8 and that's it. M1000's extra weight is all over the ski's. Makes it feel alot heavier, not as fun to ride. IMO. You just might be correct with your statement "...has the M8 just hit the sweet spot..."

 

[Slick]

Heard they run good but I really doubt its such a mythical thing...Its heavier than an XP by a bunch and it doesnt make the power of the dragon. Properly prep a dragon, xp, and the cat and then we would have a comparison worth talking about...

Why would you assume that the ones that were there weren't set up properly.

 

[Vertical Edge]

well...he certainly is telling the facts... I bought a 09 M8 162" sno pro, it has a SLP can and a mountain mod seat outta the box clutching and climbing in the mountains I literally spank the SLP equipped D8...its bad
even in a drag race across a stubble field my 162" pulls a SLP equipped 146" Assault any speed, hard to believe but its true!

By the way the difference between a flull fluids M8 (553lbs RTR) and XP (533lbs RTR)is 20lbs, however I believe the XP has a 10gallon tank and the M8 has a 12gallon tank so correct me if Im wrong but I believe the XP is 6lbs lighter than the M8

Only .5 gal difference in fuel capacity

 

[Frostbite]

So what is the ultimate track length for one of these sleds?

Yes, I know the 162" gives up maneuverability to the 153" but, does the 162" provide any advantage in the steep and deep?

Perhaps the sled is now light enough that the added track length is no longer needed and (like an XP 154 vs 163) does nothing for the sleds ability but, merely adds parasitic drag?

Hum???

 

[JSun]

Where was this test done?? What kind of conditions was there that "didn't matter"? Came from Minnesota...hmmm...not much of a place for a "mountain sled".

You sound exactly like a guy I talked to in West Yellowstone last week, thought he knew everything about ski-doos, but had never heard of Big John and thought his mountain set-ups must suck because no one from the midwest knows anything about mountain set-ups.
The fact that it was set-up by a minnesota dealer though does make me think that the M8 still might have a little left on the table.


As for properly setting up all the XP's and Dragons and what not, they should be well set up from the factory, like the M8, which is why I think it is the sled of the year.

Oh, and according to the latest Snowtech, the M8 is 13 pounds heavier than the XP. And the Dragons aren't cranking out the promised 154hp, more like 146 range.

By the way, expect 10 more hp from the M8 from the the factory in 2010.

And I do ride a ski-doo, so my opinion is about as unbiased as they come.

 

[Vertical Edge]

So what is the ultimate track length for one of these sleds?

Yes, I know the 162" gives up maneuverability to the 153" but, does the 162" provide any advantage in the steep and deep?

Perhaps the sled is now light enough that the added track length is no longer needed and (like an XP 154 vs 163) does nothing for the sleds ability but, merely adds parasitic drag?

Hum???

Going to find out soon with 2 XPs 154/163 with same mods

 

[MPS]

I know what you mean.. I had the sled of the year back in '06 ... the 1997 RMK 700!!! Yes!!! I was out on the hill with an 800 Rev and an 800 Mountain Cat and the ol '97 layed the smack down on em. It out performed em both high and low. It was a great time for the old gal to see'er stomping out and beating back the competition.

That brings a tear to my eye!

 

[boosted1]

dyno tech numbers

You sound exactly like a guy I talked to in West Yellowstone last week, thought he knew everything about ski-doos, but had never heard of Big John and thought his mountain set-ups must suck because no one from the midwest knows anything about mountain set-ups.
The fact that it was set-up by a minnesota dealer though does make me think that the M8 still might have a little left on the table.


As for properly setting up all the XP's and Dragons and what not, they should be well set up from the factory, like the M8, which is why I think it is the sled of the year.

Oh, and according to the latest Snowtech, the M8 is 13 pounds heavier than the XP. And the Dragons aren't cranking out the promised 154hp, more like 146 range.

By the way, expect 10 more hp from the M8 from the the factory in 2010.

And I do ride a ski-doo, so my opinion is about as unbiased as they come.

Dynotech dynoed all three D8, M8 and the XP the hp #s are as follows:
D8 = 145hp
M8 = 147hp
XP = 151hp
All dynoed exactly the same, temps altitude etc...

 

[AKSNOWRIDER]

..well I rode 80 miles with an 09 m-8 today..sure didnt kick my dragon to the curb(and my dragon is pretty well setup.. and mine is only an 08)......the m-8 is a great sled(as is the track) but I think everyone who gets on here claiming the brand they ride is the only sled worth riding needs to remove their head from where its hidden..all the sleds rock and all are perfectly capable of out performing the others on any given day..but none are any better or worse then any of the others....A great rider can make any sled look awesome, as can a well setup sled...pick the sled/dealer you like and ride... and as far as dyno #'s...how often do you see an m-8, an xp or a dragon sporting a dyno on the side of a hill? dyno's are for testing and validating setup...but as anyone who has ever been around a dyno can tell you..it is very very easy to manipulate the numbers to get the results you want....have you ever noticed all these dyno results come with the modifier of " but if you buy our product your disfunctional sled will have the power it was advertised to, our dyno results prove it".....what matters is having a great time with great peeps in a great place...

 

[aktreekiller]

damn

..well I rode 80 miles with an 09 m-8 today..sure didnt kick my dragon to the curb(and my dragon is pretty well setup.. and mine is only an 08)......the m-8 is a great sled(as is the track) but I think everyone who gets on here claiming the brand they ride is the only sled worth riding needs to remove their head from where its hidden..all the sleds rock and all are perfectly capable of out performing the others on any given day..but none are any better or worse then any of the others....A great rider can make any sled look awesome, as can a well setup sled...pick the sled/dealer you like and ride... and as far as dyno #'s...how often do you see an m-8, an xp or a dragon sporting a dyno on the side of a hill? dyno's are for testing and validating setup...but as anyone who has ever been around a dyno can tell you..it is very very easy to manipulate the numbers to get the results you want....have you ever noticed all these dyno results come with the modifier of " but if you buy our product your disfunctional sled will have the power it was advertised to, our dyno results prove it".....what matters is having a great time with great peeps in a great place...

I second that. I don't care what you ride, just ride.

 

[kane13]

They are all great sleds and i am glad to see they are all so close depending on what review you read one wins one and another prevails on the other it all depends on what you get used to riding. You gotta love what Arctic Cat has done this year rumor has it that they are keeping the same chassis next year and bringing the hp numbers on the m8 close to that of the 1000 so unless the others do the same there will be no comparison.