Thinking of Moving to Rev XP from Cat- questions

[websledder]

Hi Everyone,
I've owned the following sleds: 92 Formula Mx, 95 Indy 500, 99 Powder Special, 2002 Mtn Cat 800, 2005 M7. I'm based in the prairies but do 2 big mountain trips per year.

This Feb my m7 blew a piston midway through our trip and I rented an 800 Rev XP for 2 days. I was 75% impressed and 25% uncertain

The good things
- that sled could climb! the 16" track floatation and overall setup was superior to Cat.
- good power relative to my M7
- much more comfortable ride overall (especially sitting/trails)

The Uncertainties
- top of the list was the handling. It was just SO different. I have heard these were so EASY to boondock with but at the end of day one I was pretty tired. I chalk this up to unfamiliarity and me muscling the sled instead of finessing it. I am pretty sure this thing is completely different than anything out there and that there is a learning curve that takes time. On day 2 I was starting to improve (move feet back, figuring out the leaning required). Is this (learning curve and good end result) true? Am I gonna absolutely love the handling after driving it a few months? The biggest thing I found was that as I shifted weight to the side it resisted tipping over for quite a while until you hit a point where it tips almost too easily.
- I did not like the rigid feeling of the steering. Seemed way to stiff compared to the m7. Can this be lessened with set-up?
- that throttle was quite a bit harder to pull then an ERI (thumb fatigue), however again at day 2 it seemed to get better, mainly because the throttle on the rental was on the handlebar a bit loose and I could move it up or down depending on whether I was sitting or standing and this seemed to help a lot. It still had too much tension though IMO.
- no storage anywhere (seems dumb, looked to me like there could be a compartment under the seat but the plastic was solid - no flap).

So now I want to snowcheck a 2009. It is between the M1000 sno pro , which I was sure I was going to do, except I keep thinking about the Rev XP! The price difference and recent $800 sno check additional rebate/coupon addition does not hurt either.

M1000: 22 ilb weight reduction, some nich add ons, good power that can be increased with $2K of add ons to very powerful. I went down in engine size on my last purchase (800 mtn cat to 700 M7) and vowed I would never do that again. If its like my M7 it will get poor gas mileage (arctic cat mapping is rich)

Rev XP: 16" track superior climber, $3000 Cdn less based on the accessories and stuff I need. decent power (more than the M7 for sure). But Uncertainties as per the above and counting on all the year 1 quality stuff (blowing belts, snapping driveshafts, etc) to be a thing of the past. Supposedly good gas mileage (?)


The difference I think is the handling. If the Rev XP is truly a subperb handling/boondocking machine that only takes a time/learning investment then this would weigh heavily in my decision.

Sorry for the long post but I'll bet there are others out there in the same boat.

Appreciate any input and experience you guys could pass on.

Thanks & Regards,

 

[Ace Freely]

I have found my xp to be a dream to handle. I seem to have no problem sidehilling, or putting then sled anywhere I want it to go. I am 6', and 225, added a 2" taller riser, and damn, it is a pleasure to ride. My feelings are that the belt issue is taken care of, with the proper alignment and belt. I rode mine 300 miles with proper alignment, and the 166(old belt), and had no issues. The drive shaft on mine was welded up, and on the new sleds, that problem is taken care of. I have put over 1000 miles on this sled, and it would take one hell of a sled to get me off it. I guess the answer lies in the dealer support. Who is going to give you the service you want. I have an exceptional dealer, (Dealer of the year in Wa, Ak, and Id) and had 0 downtime with my sled.

Good luck on whatever sled you go with!


Ace

 

[slyrydr]

have both the 163 xp and the 162 cat....clutch work and single pipe and can on the xp; y-pipe, single and can, clutch work and suspension work on the 1000.....both great sleds.....you do need to rided them differently, where you put your feet and weight is especially important....the 1000 will initiate a turn more easily, especially when you need to do it NOW....the 1000 handily out climbs the xp with the afore-mentioned set-ups, the 1000 lays over more consistently and is more forgiving of rider errors.....the xp handles down-hill, off-camber stuff much easier (can be harder getting the cat going where i want it, due to front end weight), xp turns much tighter than the cat...anytime the terrain is tighter due to trees, ravines, rocks, ridgelines and blow holes, slow going, i like the xp better......like the 1000 better on the trails and more open country, next years sleds correct the problems of last years sled that you mentioned, especially the xps'....cats track, e-reverse and weight transfer, and overall weight are much better also.....if as you say, you only get to the mountains a couple of times a year, the xp would probably be my recommendation

 

[johnny be bad]

first thing, dont listen to anyone that doesnt own one. 90% of whats beening told is a load of crap, yes the 08 had belt problems and drive shafts failed on a hit and miss program. little things like handwarmers were minor issues. 09 should be an awesome sled. my 08 works excellent, no major problems, would buy another one in a heart beat!

 

[quickdraw]

The setup on the XP can be dramatic. I took out a rental in Dec. It was setup so stiff it wouldn't lay over at all. Made some corrections and got it alot better. Bought a 146 dailed in the setup and it is very responsive. There is a point where you set the ski to lay it over that gets touchy. With experience you use the throttle and countersteer at that point and it is very controllable. You will learn to steer with your feet when boondocking by using the weight on each foot. Experience is everything. Time in the saddle. In Dec. I though the XP was OK but...... Now I wouldn't give it up.

 

[Makaveli_Rev]

I'm jumpin ship from a lil dragon to an xp soon! First of all it is not going to out handle like your m7, not many sleds will. Mess with the suspension set up, limiter strap out a hole maybe, sly dog ski's, sway bar removed, and take the wheels to the inside and i think you would have a fun sled!

 

[dragonladyak]

Just a thought....if you have to put this much effort to decide if you want the sled, mabye it's not such a good idea. The scale is just not leveling out!!!! JUMP JUMP JUMP

 

[Makaveli_Rev]

what ^ said. If your happy with an M and can ride it, stick with it.

I've been gettin alot of crap the last couple days about my decision to get an xp 146, everyone has been saying i will never be the rider i once was on my dragons... All the more motivation to learn this piece of canadian fine art As long as the shocks hold up to big drops, unlike my dragon!... I will be happy

 

[pinnedunderdoo#3]

if you think the m has ridgid steering you will hate the new m1000 08 or 09 no people that have been playing with it all year they cant get the pressure off the skis.... the xp gets amazing fuel mileage compared to my ho motor and the 1000..... jump ship cat has been dogging it for improvements since 05....

 

[SkiDooDude]

Hey websledder, it's a no-brainer! I was a die hard cat rider until 2006 when I blew MY cat sky high in the big horns and with no back-up sled and no rentals available I headed to sheridan to buy a new cat , (was thinking about getting one anyway). Got there and they did'nt have any left -I was sooo P. O.! All they had left was 800ho 151 -- I bought it. With out a doubt it was the best thing that ever happened to my sledding career, since , my M ridin buddies switched to Doo's and a couple others got new 08's - I own a couple of 07's but will have a new 09 or 10 for sure!!
Dooooo the right thing and dont wory about your buddies , they're just PO caus there going to get schooled next year

 

[Mikboo]

First off, I know nothing about cats. I love my 2008 xp 800!

If you rode a rental, I'm sure that they had done nothing to the suspension. If you get a new one, you will spend a few trips tweaking the set up to your liking. The xp does take a few days of riding to get used to, but when they are set up properly, They are amazing. For all you bashers out there... shut your mouth and prove it on the mountain! Anyone can say whatever they want and be whomever they want on a forum, but I want to see you back it up on the mountain.

I ride with three guys and three of us own the new 2008 xp's while the forth is just getting into riding and bought a real nicely set up Polaris. I guarantee you that when he is a better rider and gets enough money, he will make the switch.

As far a fatigue, I could ride my xp all week and not be half as tired and sore as on my 1999 summitt! I used to be in pain for days after a good ride. Now, I'm ready to hit the mountain again the next day. You basically turn the sled with your weight distribution. It's very easy to handle I think. (after a couple of rides)

I hope this helps you make the right choice. However, no matter what sled you buy, it's only as good as the rider.

Ride Hard!