Thinking of going from m-series to a XP

[schmeric]

I bought a 2008 M8 153 and just went on my first trip with it and I was very dissapointed in how it performed. The guys I was riding with had 3 ski-doos all 3 sleds are 07 800 summit 151s. I was a die hard arctic cat guy untill this trip. I was getting stuck 3 or 4 times for every 1 time that they would get stuck. They were faster on the trails and faster on the hill climbs. We even changed sleds to see if it was my riding that sucked but after I didnt get stuck on the ski-doos and the ski-doo riders were getting stuck on my M8 we knew the majority of the problem was coming from the sled.
I want to know your thoughts on the xps and if most of the problems have been recalled. I also want to know if any one else has seen this poor of performance on the m8. I may have to swallow my pride and get a ski-doo.

 

[bailer]

I love my xp, but I have to think the problem is set up related. Pulling your limiter strap up drasticly reduces trenching. Probably go to the cat forum for all the hot set up tips is a good first step. I ride with a cat that does very well.

 

[badass1000]

I have a 153 m7 with a racin station m8 kit in it and a 154 xp. I would say the m7/8 definatly has more power, but not enough track. the 16 wide on the doos really helps out vs the 15 wide on the cat. I would really like to see what the m7/8 would do with a 156x2.5 on it. It is almost like you need a 162 cat to compare to the doos 154 and then I believe the cat has a little bit of advantage from the longer track.
Getting stuck and getting high marked have alot to do with the rider. A buddy of mine has a 154 xp also and he got stuck 5 times last sun. He has ben riding 3 years longer then me or twice as long. I didn't get stuck all day. Really close a few times, but was able to turn out before I did.
I can climb stuff some guys can't, but it takes a little skill on picking out a line and side hilling. It was bottom less fluff a few weeks ago and I could climb a hill that took quite a few tries, I had to side hill, and turn 3 times to get to the top. I had a buddy on a 05 162 attack 20 1m. He couldn't get to the spot where I made my first turn after several trys and getting stuck 3 or 4 times. The only way to really test two sleds climbing abilities is strait up on a deep day side by side taking the same line. Need to have the same speed or the same start point close to the botttom that you take off full throttle from. Speed or run at the hill makes a huge difference in how far you make it. In the bottom less stuff a couple extra mph ground speed before hitting the climb can make a big difference.
riding the xp will take a few days to get used to after riding a m. It took me a good 3 days before I could start getting used to it good. In stock form I would definatly say the m is easier to control. After putting a two wheel kit on and removing the sway bar off of the xp I would say it is close to the m. Definatly two totally different handling/riding sleds.

 

[trinitypowder]

My 154X XP has been pretty good. Mine came with the handwarmers fixed. So no cold hands. I went through 3 166 belts in 265 miles. I just got the new 377 and have 35 on it. So far so good. I have not paid a dime for any belts. It's not fun popping belts that often, but when they're free, it softens the blow a bit. My driveshaft hasn't broken, yet. Maybe it won't maybe it will. When it breaks, BRP will fix it. I've been trickled pink with my XP. In the powder, they are awesome sleds! I don't know about the M8, but the XP KILLS an M7. I did ride with one guy on an M8, 141, so the comparison isn't really fair. My sled KILLED it though. Just my two cents brother. SLICK (and many others)will show up in a minute and tell you that I'm stupid and the XP sucks! Don't believe them

 

[Impatientforsnow]

GO SKIDOO!! and youll never look back..

 

[schmeric]

I may have had some rider eror but the thing that I was impressed with on the ski-doos was the fact that we race up powder covered hills and every time the ski-doos won. We even changed riders and the ski-doos always won. What concerns me is that I was going against 07 summits and not the XPs. I may have to adjust my suspension but is it going to make that much difference.

 

[bailer]

Minor set up and clutching can make a huge difference. I used to ride a Yamaha 700. Before and after clutching etc was a night and day difference. Even with the XP's already, you see huge differences on the hill.

 

[Wyoming T/A]

i had a motor go at 200 miles and pulled a thread on 2 belts---we got the new mill and aligned it and i have over 700 miles and its the funnest sled i ever owned--my grandson is gettin it for next year and cant wait--i'm snow ckn a 09 154 x for sure and so is VE--few minor issues but great sleds in the steep and deep VE has almost 900 on his and 2 belt did the same thig in the first 3 00 miles---we did regear to 19
PS--rode a 08-153 sno pro and thought it was pretty ill handeling and not much grunt--could have been set up but was the dealers sled and he was there---

 

[Goose Lake]

I bought a 2008 M8 153 and just went on my first trip with it and I was very dissapointed in how it performed. The guys I was riding with had 3 ski-doos all 3 sleds are 07 800 summit 151s. I was a die hard arctic cat guy untill this trip. I was getting stuck 3 or 4 times for every 1 time that they would get stuck. They were faster on the trails and faster on the hill climbs. We even changed sleds to see if it was my riding that sucked but after I didnt get stuck on the ski-doos and the ski-doo riders were getting stuck on my M8 we knew the majority of the problem was coming from the sled.
I want to know your thoughts on the xps and if most of the problems have been recalled. I also want to know if any one else has seen this poor of performance on the m8. I may have to swallow my pride and get a ski-doo.

The XP's are great Schmeric. They had some "dial in" issues with the first gen here but mine are all worked out. Dealer even welded the shaft on BRP's dime. Next years should be sweet. But you may have set up issues and you may want to save a buck by finding out what those are like we have done with doos. OR...give into "light is right" and join us little snow feathers...floating like butterflies...stinging like bees. Goose

 

[dejadoo]

I went from a very good running modded M7 162 to a XP 163
I was real happy with the M7,
but am more happier with the XP,
it is probably the most happiest sled I have ever owned

 

[Teth-Air]

I bought a 2008 M8 153 and just went on my first trip with it and I was very dissapointed in how it performed. The guys I was riding with had 3 ski-doos all 3 sleds are 07 800 summit 151s. I was a die hard arctic cat guy untill this trip. I was getting stuck 3 or 4 times for every 1 time that they would get stuck. They were faster on the trails and faster on the hill climbs. We even changed sleds to see if it was my riding that sucked but after I didnt get stuck on the ski-doos and the ski-doo riders were getting stuck on my M8 we knew the majority of the problem was coming from the sled.
I want to know your thoughts on the xps and if most of the problems have been recalled. I also want to know if any one else has seen this poor of performance on the m8. I may have to swallow my pride and get a ski-doo.

You think the 07's are good, wait till you try an 08! Welcome aboard, oh ya, I hope you like tinkering with clutches and belts, it helps if you do.

 

[mcrc]

I bought on 05 M7, three years ago. Excellent sled, My brother bought an 06 our buddie bought an 07 M8 and the fourth member of our group bought an 08 M8. The M- series is an excellent handling sled. I just picked up an XP it probably took me 50 miles to get comfortable on it but I would never go back. This sled eats up rough trails like my RM 250. I found it nice to double and triple the whoops on the trail out. Its a doo so it was made to climb. What I found so great was how well it turns down hill. This was always something I did not like about the revs but the XP feels very neutral.

Here is vid of my group and I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61dsXaSuFog

Of all the 800 this year the xp feels the most violent. The M8 is smooth with good torque a little bit of vibs but not like the XP. The Polaris 800 is butter smooth and makes great power but it is very deceiving. It actually feels like the slowest of the bunch, but you line it up and will out climb and accelerate the m8 every time. The dragon will not climb with the xp though. The best thing about the M8 and the pol is that EFI results in a nice easy throttle pull.

I read all the bad things about xps on these forums before I bought mine and thought "hey not everyone is having problems maybe I will get lucky". Mine eat belts, I welded my driveshaft, had the hand warmers updated so basically you should expect to have to look after this all this stuff and more.

If you are a diehard arctic cat guy you should hold out till next year, the M-chassis must be in its last year. Then that means that they will have the snow-cross chassis which is very xp like and arctic cat have been behind in HP for awhile now on the 800 so they must have something new in the wings.

If you do not care what you ride, have some mechanical ability and want something that all the manufactures will be aiming for for the next 5 years buy the xp.

 

[ericbigbore]

Check your set up, the M8 is a great sled and you should be able to make it work well until BRP works the bugs out.

 

[Throttle Junkie]

One huge thing to keep in mind here is the XP's run even better than the 07 800 151 Ski-Doos that you were riding with.

 

[MTm7]

i think you have some setup problems. cat leaves alot on the table and there is alot of potential there hp wise. but you cant go wrong with the xp. i got a chance to ride one and i was impressed. it will take a few rides to get used to coming off of an m sled. the day i rode with some xp's they were the king in deep bottomless snow. on the other hand i hear cat is losing 30lbs., electronic reverse, and more hp. we shall see if the rumor mill is true.

 

[Doo_it!]

I think what you will love most about the XP aside from all of the performance differences is the rider position. Cat comes with a nice low couch for a seat that you could rest your chin on you knees. You will feel more like you do on a motorcycle when you ride an XP, it allows you to transition from sit to stand easier and jumping the seat is way easier!