Why A Pro over a Doo or Cat?

[max9string]

I'm a fanatic of snow machine, dirt bike, sport atv and car forums I probably spend more time reading forum then riding my toys,

I currently own a 2014 Assault Rmk

now where I work its always the debate about which brand is the best and teasing each other, most guys that I work with ride artic cat and ski doo, I'm the lone wolf that owns a Polaris

so I would like to know just for the heck of it why you chose a PRO over any other sled out there and why?


Stuff I liked:
-most lightweight most flickable, good looking design, good suspension, love the running boards, the seat, the geometry and most pro riders seems to be riding Polaris

Stuff I don't like:
-the biggest one for me is, the 800 with the less hp on the market, reliability seems not to be the greatest, assault doesn't come with a belt drive, seems to have cooling issues, supposedly doo and cat have better suspension and Walker Evans are out dated, worried that lightweight might be compromising rigidity


but for me as a dirt bike rider the stuff I like was a bigger priority then the stuff I didn't like, that's why I went with an Assault Rmk (POLARIS)

 

[mud99]

I've heard good things about the XM with the bendy suspension, but I bought both of my Pro RMKs before they came out.

I test rode an XP and the Pro RMK in late 2011, the Pro felt natural to me, the XP felt awkward. I think it comes down to personal preference.

Everyone I know was buying a Pro RMK so that also sealed the deal for me.

 

[max9string]

I tried an M8 an Summit free ride last year, M8 front felt heavy and overall heavy, was very crisp power though, Summit was very nice over all but personally I don't like the look of the BRP models,

 

[BILTIT]

I currently own 4 polaris sleds, mostly because I prefer the look of them over anything else. They look more aggressive to me.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[cascadesnowjunky]

I think the proclimb feels heavy and they trench badly, they will not get up on the snow. The factory clutching is garbage and no real way to make it perfect, also for the horsepower they are supposed to have they are a turd. The xm has great power but it's like riding a fat lady, way to wide in the front at the panels and handles like $h!t. The xm takes way to much effort to keep in a sidehill and is not predictable at all. With all of that beeing said I bought another pro, I will be riding a nuclear sunset 163 pro this year. Cheers Now let the bashing begin, but just remember I answered the question that was asked!!!!!

 

[phatty]

1- riding partners are all on pros. Helps to have spare parts amongst the group and knowledge about how to fix things too.

2- great dealers. not that cat and doo dont have them. I still think my cat dealer (Cutler's Performance) is one of the best dealers in the nation, but the poo dealers are awesome in my area and I am working with a great one right now.

3- cost. Ski-doo wants your 2 first born children, cat wants your first born and poo just wants your first born's arms and legs.

4- weight and handling. The pro chassis works and works well. It doesnt take near the effort the other two do and doesnt fatigue you as much through out the day. the xm always wants to go nose up hill. I do miss the cat motor though...

5- time off. sometimes its nice to have a weekend off from riding while you are waiting for your driveshaft or motor to be replaced...

 

[AZ800]

Bought my '12 Pro because it wAs a screaming deal and my M1000 was needin a bunch of work.
Yes the poo is the lowest powered 800 but after riding mine back to back with a 14 XM it is just fine. Felt abou the same to me seat of pants power.

On that same note, Doo finally made their powder sleds easy to carve!
I was blown away that the XM took no time to get used to how it handles and is and is NOTHING like that brick xp!

 

[bobback]

My last 2 sled were M8's; went from a 2008 and just came off a 2011.

I rode a 12 and 13 Pro last season, and when I got back on my M8 I felt a very slight, constant trenching feeling. Put on a 2.6 powerclaw thinking that would help, it didn't. And the 2.6 powerclaw, on the old chasis; would dig in so hard when sidehilling and going into a turn to head up the hill higher; that the a$$ end would kick out. Thus this detered me from looking at the new M chasis as not sure if it would happen with these too.

Needless to say that slight trenching feeling drove me crazy the rest of the season. And reality is the older M chasis is known to trench like this. And I tried the geo mode and that did not work.

Compared to the old M chasis; the Pro flat out gets up and floats on the snow night and day difference. Go faster (fun factor way up!) and gives you more confidence as a rider.

So if it wasn't for that constant slight trenching; I would still be on my 2011 M8. And for whatever reason; I can't ride that doo chasis.

 

[2XM3]

You really need to go and ride all 3, then pick the one you like best...go to cook city or west Yellowstone and rent 1 each day....really all new sleds are good nowadays...just whatever you like. dealer that you trust plays aVERY big part as well.

 

[ilovepowder]

I choose cat and polaris over ski doo because of cost and dealer support just seems to be better as well I prefer there looks and have history with them.
That being said I prefer cats 800 motor and polaris pro chassis. I would buy a polaris but it doesnt do any good to have a great chassis if your in the shop with a blown motor. I will sacrifice some on the chassis for a motor that works flawlessly. I like riding a lot more than riding sometimes.

 

[bobback]

Yep, these motors in the Pro's are blowing motors left and right just sitting on the trailer in storage.

 

[sledneck_03]

Yep, these motors in the Pro's are blowing motors left and right just sitting on the trailer in storage.

yup...... everyone i know that has a pro is always on snowest cause they are waiting on motors. ride one weekend, heli out, wait a month ride and repeat.

TO BE FAIR, best weekend of riding ever tho so totally worth it.

 

[Reg2view]

Until the XM, the Pro was by far the least fatiguing sled to ride in the pow and on the mountain, and simply required the least amount of setup and aftermarket investment. Repairs, outside of the motor, are equal or less between the sleds. Part of the motor is you, and, they do make extended warranties, with all the related noise. Poo is now easiest 2S to turbo. Poo clutching is as close to perfect OOTB as it gets, and easiest to maintain and change.

With that said, the gap has narrowed to - maybe no gap. The 14 M might also be a real option now - it takes cat a few years to work out any new chassis, and it always will. That's who cat is. BRP has a real mountain sled OOTB now, and I was a Summit rider in the ZX, Rev, and XP years. It took some work to make a Summit competitive, doesn't now. Deal(er), your wrenching ability, tools, and how each sled feels would be the difference maker. Approach it as fun, low pressure, good luck.

 

[aksnopro]

ill tell you right now the decision for me to switch to polaris was mainly because the 2014 assault comes ready to ride. it dont need skis, shocks, clutch, running boards or anything to make it a decent handling sled right out the gate. as i transfer my resources and energy over to my child's motocross career i have less desire to mod my stuff out. (just won his first championship)

looking for a pull and go sled and looking at them all as non biased as i could last year the poo was a no brainer coming with walker evans res clicker shocks, descent skis, team secondary vertical pro taper post/bars, and nice air style running boards. i even got mine to come with the powder track!

i dont think your going to find a closer year though the new cats are not eating belts, the new poos motors are better, and skidoos finally dont ride like skidoos!

i have yet to put its name to the test but you bet your *** i will find out soon what this pros weakness's and strengths are!!

-Aksnopro

 

[cateye5312]

ill tell you right now the decision for me to switch to polaris was mainly because the 2014 assault comes ready to ride. it dont need skis, shocks, clutch, running boards or anything to make it a decent handling sled right out the gate. as i transfer my resources and energy over to my child's motocross career i have less desire to mod my stuff out. (just won his first championship)

looking for a pull and go sled and looking at them all as non biased as i could last year the poo was a no brainer coming with walker evans res clicker shocks, descent skis, team secondary vertical pro taper post/bars, and nice air style running boards. i even got mine to come with the powder track!

-Aksnopro

agreed! I just talked to a buddy of mine who bought a new Cat this year - he admitted that to get it to the riding level of a Poo he was dropping about $1,500 on it before he ever even rides it. I'll take the risk of having a warranty claim (which I personally think is pretty low despite all the posts on this forum) over having to spend a bunch of extra $ any day.

 

[JSun]

All kinds of good stuff here...

I agree that the Pro is ready-to-ride right out of the box. That's what I liked about my '12. The only thing I have added is MDS clutch weights and I can't justify spending another dime because for a stocker everything works. Sure I want a '13 seat and airframes, but I haven't had an issue with what I have so why spend the money???

With that said, if I was buying a '14 it would be the M8... I think it's going to rock and deep down I still love Cats. Thing is, before I rode it I would have Powder Pro's and an HPS can on it, so there's another $800 on top.

Rode an XM last year... just not for me. My Pro fits me and I feel like I can do anything on it.

Joe

 

[AdrenalineAddict]

1. Climbs up on the snow like nothing else made.
2. Factory clutching is nearly perfect.
3. Easy on belts.
4. Climbs in powder better than anything else on the market.
5. Submarines without any bogging issues.
6. The most trouble free gas and go sled I've ever owned.
7. Every really good technical rider I know is on one.
8. Virtually impossible to get stuck unless you ride with your head buried up your _____.
9. Track works great in all conditions.
10. No reason to spend any additional dollars on Mods.
11. Side hills like a dream.
12. Predictable in the steep and gnarly (point and shoot).
13. Weight transfer is spot on.
14. Just plain fun to ride.

 

[Solby]

The reasons I have switched to a pro this year have been covered. Biggest two things are that the pro is designed specifically to be the best backcountry chassis and the lightest weight from the factory. I haven't needed to change a bunch of stuff out to make it "mountain ready". My dad has a 14 cat and they have made a lot of nice changes, but it is still heavier. By heavier I mean significantly heavier when lifting the two. I am excited to ride this year and compare them because I also have a friend that has a 14 xm. Try them all and enjoy what you choose.

 

[geo]

Hmm,,,! Almost as many threads now about "should I switch to Poo?" as there are " how long does the Poo 800 last?" lol.

I think that's a good thing in the heavy-brand-loyal-sport. You have to admit, that for Poo to turn around their image and sales in the mountains from the Fusion and Dragon days, they had to do something pretty spectacular.

IMO, in baseball terms, I would call the Pro a grand slam. I'm happy!

 

[Reg2view]

Hmm,,,! Almost as many threads now about "should I switch to Poo?" as there are " how long does the Poo 800 last?" lol.

I think that's a good thing in the heavy-brand-loyal-sport. You have to admit, that for Poo to turn around their image and sales in the mountains from the Fusion and Dragon days, they had to do something pretty spectacular.

IMO, in baseball terms, I would call the Pro a grand slam. I'm happy!

You nailed it. The most stunning turnaround in the history of sleds. From leader to crap to leader again in a single model. Which means, it can go bad again, for anyone...