Install the app
How to install the app on iOS

Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.

Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.

  • Don't miss out on all the fun! Register on our forums to post and have added features! Membership levels include a FREE membership tier.

Upgrading to a newer chassis

Probably not this year, but within the next year or two I'm probably going to be looking to change things up and get a newer sled. I've been riding Gen2/Edge RMK's for about 6 years now, so I'm real comfortable and used to this chassis style. I'm leaning towards Doo or Cat, but I have spent very little time on either of the two and would like to try and pick the sled that is going to work best for me. We do have to do some trail burning to get to the good riding spots, so a sled with decent trail manners but still capable on the hill would be a big plus. So...

Rev 800- seem pretty solid for the most part, a few minor issues with carb boots delaminating or crap clutching (07 XR-S) but overall seem to work well
Rev 1000- not going there!
M8- don't really know much about this sled
M1000- heavy from what I've heard, venting a MUST. Probably overkill for me
Dragon 800- not real familiar with the chassis, but don't like what I'm hearing about the Walker Evans shocks or the burn down issues.
XP- spent a small amount of time on 2 different sleds, 08 X 163" and 09 Everest 163. Seem okay on the hill, HORRIBLE on the trail (rode the 08 on the hill and the 09 on the trail)

Before someone chimes in and says "go with the one that has the best dealer"- not really an issue for me. I won't be buying new, and I don't have a local shop for any of the brands, but reputable shops close for Polaris and Doo (not sure on Cat but I think there's one close).
Thoughts/suggestions/input? Which sleds are easiest to work on? What are the strengths/weaknesses relative to each other?
 
Last edited:
If you really like the way the VE rides I would go with a M7 or M8...Dragon rides way different, nice but different.
 
First off congratulations on moving into the next century;)

You will be very satisfied with what ever "rider fwd" sled you choose and your sledding experience will be that much better.
 
First off congratulations on moving into the next century;)

You will be very satisfied with what ever "rider fwd" sled you choose and your sledding experience will be that much better.
You sound like my Ski-Doo riding buddies... "WTF is up with those long goofy arms on the front of your sled? TRAILING arms? Oh those are the suspension..."
 
?

have not riden a dragon or m7-8,g-force has a m7 his girlfriend has an 06 rmk600,he likes the rmk better(more fun)interceptor has an 08 xp,i rode that,was very impressive in the steep and deep,but i thought it was difficult to ride compared to my edge,but i only rode it for about fifteeen minutes,so that might be too short of a time to really get the feel of it,how come you didn't list a yammy as one of your choices?cheers:)
 
how come you didn't list a yammy as one of your choices?cheers:)

Not sure I wanna go 4 stroke just yet. If I did, it would probably be a Nytro, and it wouldn't be boosted 'cuz I'm too poor to afford a sled that expensive :D Not sure how the power delivery on a stock Nytro compares to what I'm used to... guessing it's close. Love my Yammie dirt bike, not sure I want a 4 banger sled yet though :D
 
I use to have an 02 edge chassis that i really did love but then i made the switch to an 05 Rev 800 151. At first I was really uncomfortable on the sled and didn't think too highly of it. Infact on the first few rides i was really missing my edge chassis but once i became comfortable on the rev there is no way i could go back to riding the old style sleds. I can go places on my rev that i wouldn't think about taking my polaris just because i didn't feel as manuverable on it. Also the rev rides a 100 times better on the trail than my edge did. If you have any specific questions about the rev style chasis feel free to PM me or post them here.
 
M1000 is no heavier than an m8, not by a noticeable amount.

Rev's have a host of engine problems.

M-chassis is a pretty natural transistion from an edge. Anytime I have been on my buddies M8 or other buddies Dragon I was much more comfy on the M.
M-thou is about the best bang for the buck IMO.
Thats what I plan on moving to.
 
My last sled was an 02 800 RMK and I felt very comfortable switching up to my friends M1000... it was a bit heavier in the slow speeds than I was use to, but climbing, it was very light, almost effortless to make it up a hill. The lower center of gravity and seat also made it more familiar than my other friends 900 IQ. I decided to go with the IQ tho because I liked the riding position better, taller and more comfortable, tho at the same time, less familiar.

my $.02
 
The transition to an M-series or the Pol raw chassis will be easier than the XP. I went from an 03 800 RMK to an 06 600 rmk and could not believe the diff. My 600 would go places my 800 would not. I have an 08 D7 and love it. Just pull and go. No melt down issues and will go most places a stock D8 will go. I have spent a lot of time on an 09 M8 and it is an awesome sled as well. No real diff in handling. I can jump from one to the other without missing a turn. I just can't seem to make the XP chassis turn. One of the guys I ride with has one and he can make it dance but I flounder on it.
The M10 is a blast to ride as well but they can be a bit finicky to jet/clutch. Once dialed in they are like an M8 on steroids! And they a lot of sled for the money.
 
Lots of good info in here! I've got 2 buddies on XP's that are trying to convince me that's the way to go... but I wasn't super impressed with the XP's handling on the trail (stock 09 Everest 163). I also rode an 08 X 163 on the hill and it was okay... it really wanted to flop back down onto its skis when pulling a sidehill, but either of those issues could probably be addressed in suspension setup. Never rode a Rev, IQ, or an M-series but maybe I'll get a chance this winter to feel them out a little bit.
 
funny that you like the M on the trail but not the XP.. I have two '08 XP's and a '09 M8.. I like either the 154 or 146 XP over the 153 M8 on the rough trails..

Cat is easier to throw around and side hill, the XP's float better in the powder and climb better in the soft.

Easier to make BIG power with a pump gas turbo kit on the Cat.

Chief
 
funny that you like the M on the trail but not the XP.. I have two '08 XP's and a '09 M8.. I like either the 154 or 146 XP over the 153 M8 on the rough trails..

Cat is easier to throw around and side hill, the XP's float better in the powder and climb better in the soft.

Easier to make BIG power with a pump gas turbo kit on the Cat.

Chief
Never rode an M-sled... and I only rode my buddies XP for a few miles down the trail. Coming off my 03 Escape, it was... well a lot different. It took way more rider input to keep the XP going where I wanted it to than my sled. Could have been the way the sled is setup, or the fact that I was riding a sled completely different than what I'm used to.
 
Sorry, thought I'd read that in your original post... I guess confusion comes with old age...:face-icon-small-hap
 
RMK, lets get ya hooked up early on to try all the above. I've got boosted and non in the IQ, M-1000, and several buds north of the border with XP's. You would only need one trip to get some seat time on them all. Let me know, as soon as there is enough up in Castlegar we could load n go. EW
 
RMK, lets get ya hooked up early on to try all the above. I've got boosted and non in the IQ, M-1000, and several buds north of the border with XP's. You would only need one trip to get some seat time on them all. Let me know, as soon as there is enough up in Castlegar we could load n go. EW
Damn... outstanding offer! I don't know about making a trip north of the border, but if nothing else it would be nice to meet up with you sometime this winter around here. You are in Colville IIRC?
 
I'm in the Colville area (Kettle Falls). What is IIRC? I suggested N of the border just to hit the first ridable snow. I'm game for anywhere there's snow though. Let me know when your ready. Could even meet part way, Sullivan/Harvey, Calispell, even Priest if the Caribou wouldn't mind. Let me know. EW
 
I rode a gen 2 700 for a few years and then this year i bought an m8. I rented and 09 M6 to test out the chassis and i felt very comfortable on it (lacking power however). Last year my dad bought an 09 RMK 700 that i got some seat time on. That was a very natural transition for me, I liked the way it handled and since it is not the dragon there are no issues with the walker evans shocks. I decided to go with the M because i have heard great things about them and form what little i rode one it seemed to be true.

Good luck on the upgrade!!
 
Premium Features



Back
Top