So I'm already saving for a new sled for next year but I'm having a hard time because of how all the Xms pros and pro climbs are priced differently. How many miles? If it's a rebuild should I get it? Terrain I live in northern idaho so there is lots of boondocking and climbing? What one is better. I ride a 05 skidoo rev 800 151". It has to be used.
What should I get?
- Thread starter 14mkramer
- Start date
Have you rode any of the new ones? There all good anymore just some "feel" better to others. I ride and prefer the PROS. I like the ski-doo power but can not get used to how it handles, Id love to try a 14 snopro but there is non around here that I can try.
L
leadfoot33
Well-known member
exactly what phil said, if you can get soem seat times on the poo, AC or the doo and see which suites you best, also depends on your dealer to.
im with phil i dont like the doo that much, mostly the lay down steering that i cant stand. they are all good, just pick which one works for you
im with phil i dont like the doo that much, mostly the lay down steering that i cant stand. they are all good, just pick which one works for you
I actually find them to be consistantly priced with the exception of the dreamers. For 10k you can have a new sled, any brand. For 9k you can have an under 500 mile last years sled. For 8k you are into the low mile 2 year old models.
The pitfall is that they get better every year. '11 PRO's had the most issues, '12s are maybe the best chassis with the same motor. '13s get cylinder improvements but the belt drive and a-arms required to get the wieght down further can be a liability. My '13 with ~550 miles has blown both a QD belt and the drive belt. Otherwise it is AWESOME, no regrets. 14's appear even more reliable with better a-arm gluing and stronger QD belts.
'10-11 Cats are pretty good buys. They are reliable, durable, powerful and great Mtn sleds. Going back to one from my PRO though makes them feel dated. They work, just not as well as the PRO. '12 Cats were panned pretty hard. Not the best riding sled, and not light. '13's get the better 2.6 PC track and I think some steering changes. Better, not great. The '14's are a better ride, pretty close to the rest of them, '14's and a viable choice.
One of my riding buddies is on an '11 XP e-tec. Other than him repeatedly crashing it, it seems to work great for him. I don't like how the Ski-Doo rides. I did a demo ride last spring on the '14s, good sled for sure, just not as natural for me as the PRO. Everybody raves about the Doo motor, doesn't impress me any more than the other two 800's.
I did a ton of research before dropping the coin on a new(er) sled. I found a '13 PRO in Dec for $9500, with 5 miles on it and it was in my town. I know that I will probably have to put pistons in it this summer. I have 400 miles on the second QD belt, seems to be taking the abuse of lots and lots of deep snow.
I think the PRO can be the highest maintenace of the three. I also think it is the most rewarding ride. I am not a fan of either of the other two chassis. I opted to take on potential motor issues over riding a 50 lb heavier, less nimble sled. The XP or XM might feel great to you coming from the Rev. I can't fell ANY difference in the XM track and suspension sillyness, just be SURE to get the e-tec motor. Doo has the best warranty. Make sure you have a GREAT dealer if you intend on using a warranty. Otherwise it is easy to loose the best month of the season in the shop.
I would want the lowest milage, well cared for 12,13,14 PRO I could afford.
The pitfall is that they get better every year. '11 PRO's had the most issues, '12s are maybe the best chassis with the same motor. '13s get cylinder improvements but the belt drive and a-arms required to get the wieght down further can be a liability. My '13 with ~550 miles has blown both a QD belt and the drive belt. Otherwise it is AWESOME, no regrets. 14's appear even more reliable with better a-arm gluing and stronger QD belts.
'10-11 Cats are pretty good buys. They are reliable, durable, powerful and great Mtn sleds. Going back to one from my PRO though makes them feel dated. They work, just not as well as the PRO. '12 Cats were panned pretty hard. Not the best riding sled, and not light. '13's get the better 2.6 PC track and I think some steering changes. Better, not great. The '14's are a better ride, pretty close to the rest of them, '14's and a viable choice.
One of my riding buddies is on an '11 XP e-tec. Other than him repeatedly crashing it, it seems to work great for him. I don't like how the Ski-Doo rides. I did a demo ride last spring on the '14s, good sled for sure, just not as natural for me as the PRO. Everybody raves about the Doo motor, doesn't impress me any more than the other two 800's.
I did a ton of research before dropping the coin on a new(er) sled. I found a '13 PRO in Dec for $9500, with 5 miles on it and it was in my town. I know that I will probably have to put pistons in it this summer. I have 400 miles on the second QD belt, seems to be taking the abuse of lots and lots of deep snow.
I think the PRO can be the highest maintenace of the three. I also think it is the most rewarding ride. I am not a fan of either of the other two chassis. I opted to take on potential motor issues over riding a 50 lb heavier, less nimble sled. The XP or XM might feel great to you coming from the Rev. I can't fell ANY difference in the XM track and suspension sillyness, just be SURE to get the e-tec motor. Doo has the best warranty. Make sure you have a GREAT dealer if you intend on using a warranty. Otherwise it is easy to loose the best month of the season in the shop.
I would want the lowest milage, well cared for 12,13,14 PRO I could afford.
I am riding a 14 xm and my wife has a 12 pro. I have had every pro except a 14. I would find the newest pro your wallet can stand. Find one with warranty and have fun. I don't think you need to take a new sled and put pistons in it at the end of the year. I would get a 13 or 14 if you can stand it. The running boards and belt drive alone are worth it and each year seems to run a little better than the previous.
If you are looking at an xm, The 13 and 14 are basically the same. The biggest difference between a pro and xm is the steering. I can ride either one. The xm steers easier which my growly shoulder likes. The biggest hinderance, I find with the xm, is the drag from it's wide running boards and wide body. The pro is under powered compared to the other two but it is the whole package that makes it awesome. I can still jump on a pro and do lines that I struggle with on the xm. I can even steer the pro left when I am on the right running board. The xm is harder to pull that off with the t motion. The xm is a great sled.
13 and preferably 14 cat no 12. Suuposedly about the same geometry that the revs were and be better in every aspect.
I can't pick your sled and they are all 10 times better than what you are coming off of but my favorite is still the pro.
If you are looking at an xm, The 13 and 14 are basically the same. The biggest difference between a pro and xm is the steering. I can ride either one. The xm steers easier which my growly shoulder likes. The biggest hinderance, I find with the xm, is the drag from it's wide running boards and wide body. The pro is under powered compared to the other two but it is the whole package that makes it awesome. I can still jump on a pro and do lines that I struggle with on the xm. I can even steer the pro left when I am on the right running board. The xm is harder to pull that off with the t motion. The xm is a great sled.
13 and preferably 14 cat no 12. Suuposedly about the same geometry that the revs were and be better in every aspect.
I can't pick your sled and they are all 10 times better than what you are coming off of but my favorite is still the pro.
What are you thinking of for a budget?...That will help us to zero in on a target with you.
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It would be time and money well spent to get some seat time on all brands.
I switched to the pro this year from cat which I have owned quite a number of them. The transition was pretty easy.
Switching from a rev chassis to anything newer than a 2013 is going to be a pretty big change. IMO the revs were man-killers, but when rode right they are beasts. All the newer sleds will be a lot easier to ride than a rev.
I have been out with all the new 2014s and they are all great sleds. Each has its own style, strengths, and weaknesses. So far I am very impressed with the "underpowered" pro. I am 175 lbs and it runs neck and neck with XMs and cats. I haven't had enough time with the other brands in all snow conditions to give a full review, but I will say I am very very impressed with my pro. It seems like the tougher the conditions (deeper, softer, steeper) the more the pro shines.
I switched to the pro this year from cat which I have owned quite a number of them. The transition was pretty easy.
Switching from a rev chassis to anything newer than a 2013 is going to be a pretty big change. IMO the revs were man-killers, but when rode right they are beasts. All the newer sleds will be a lot easier to ride than a rev.
I have been out with all the new 2014s and they are all great sleds. Each has its own style, strengths, and weaknesses. So far I am very impressed with the "underpowered" pro. I am 175 lbs and it runs neck and neck with XMs and cats. I haven't had enough time with the other brands in all snow conditions to give a full review, but I will say I am very very impressed with my pro. It seems like the tougher the conditions (deeper, softer, steeper) the more the pro shines.
