XP evaluation vs. M8

[moderatebill]

I now have 400miles on the XP since switching from an 07 M8 and here is my feedback. I know I'm going to get ripped on by those that are brand loyal.

Climbs better than the M8 and really floats in the deep powder. Love the sharp turn radius. In the really deep powder (3ft plus) it does very well.

I hate the way it always wants to right itself. If you hit some hard snow while sidehilling, you better hang on. The sled is very unpredictable on hard snow. Miss having the M8 that you can trust in any situation.

Hate starting the thing! Takes ten pulls if you roll the thing. At the end of the day my arm is tired. Parts are stupid expensive!

Overall I really miss my Cat. May not make the high mark, but more fun to ride.

 

[M Turbo]

How can you compare a 2007 m8 to 2009xp. 09 m8 rocks !!!!!!!!!!!! How about 2007 xrs vs 2009 m8. I own a HCR and high mark xp's all day!!!!!!

 

[summ8rmk]

The 09 M8 is a huge improevment over the 07 M8. The XP's don't highmark me. I still think the Ski-doo rides alot better on the trail though. and they have a better fit and finnish. But I luv my CAT.

 

[Jaynelson]

^ No reason to rip on the guy, seemed like an honest review and hit some good points.

 

[GlennRMK]

Nice review

So, does this mean your getting an 2010 M8? Or keeping the XP?

Loving the 09 M8!

 

[Little Cat]

Xp / m8

It makes for a tough comparison , Between an 07 M8 and a 09 XP ...
The 07 M8 Clutching was off from the factory, So your M8 may have never worked all that great , I have a 07 M8 and after i put the right weights in the clutch it has no problems with any XP's , 08 or 09 , The 09 XP does work better than the 08 XP i must say .
The M8 is predictable and the XP isn't , I've rode both and for me it's a no brainer , The cat is my choice , i'm not brand loyal i just want to ride what works good , The cat climbs as well if not better and i don't fight the sled all day , Heck i've rode the new 800 Dragon and i would ride a 800 Dragon before the Xp ... It's all just personal choice thats why the don't just make one sled for everyone.... If they only made one sled it would have to be a Cat though ....

 

[themtguide]

I use to ride a m7 and yes it was a good sled. sold that for a 08 xp x and would never go back. You have to have seat time on the xp's. Im not talking just one day or two. I have also had a lot of seat time on the new m8s and m1000s and would take my xp over those sleds any day. Not bashing cat, they are good sleds but I think my sled is very nimble and easy to ride. And as for climbing the stock m8 cant stay with a stock xp.

 

[89sandman]

yes i'm a cat guy through and through but have not seen a stock m that will highmark a stock xp. ride with both and the xp will always get the mark with the same skilled riders. however put them in a tight technical spot or deep in the trees and the M will outpreform the xp everytime. that self leveling option they put in the xp is a big hinderence when carving slow. now when the new 2010 M hits the snow i think thats all gonna change. the new M should do both better... just my opinion, others will vary but they will be wrong

 

[finndoo]

yes i'm a cat guy through and through but have not seen a stock m that will highmark a stock xp. ride with both and the xp will always get the mark with the same skilled riders. however put them in a tight technical spot or deep in the trees and the M will outpreform the xp everytime. that self leveling option they put in the xp is a big hinderence when carving slow. now when the new 2010 M hits the snow i think thats all gonna change. the new M should do both better... just my opinion, others will vary but they will be wrong

I have noticed that self leveling thing on my Xp, my dealer told me not to complain because that was the only thing they threw in for free.

 

[mtnpull]

This so called self leveling feature of the xp is a complete hearsay. I feel the same way when I jump on my friends dragons (like they want to stand back up). I think you just need to get to know the sled your riding. I can carve, sidehill, do figure 8's, and work through the tight trees without concern. All on my self leveling xp. Either I am an extremely amazing rider to be able to do this on such a hard to ride chassis or I probably just got to know the machine and chassis. I'm guessing it's the latter.

 

[ACMtnCat]

This so called self leveling feature of the xp is a complete hearsay.

Actually it's a fact that can be explained and proven by simply looking at the mechanics and geometry of the two sleds.

The XP has a low and wide center of gravity and the 16" wide track combined with the stock skis and stock setup and the low angle of the steering post. Not to mention the stock stabilizer bar that few Skidoo'ers take off. All of that resulting in a more stable and up right (self leveling) chassis/ride.

Compare that to the M chassis that is narrower, taller and has a 15" wide track no stabilizer bar and with a higher/narrow center of gravity and up right angle of the steering post. Resulting in a more nimble and tippier acting chassis/ride.

Two totally different feeling chassis's, completely different riding/handling characteristics.

You can set each chassis up to ride more like the other but, only to a point. Your riding two completely different machines and they will do some things better then the other and thats a FACT! not HEARSAY!

 

[triple7]

Id be interested to go riding with anyone on a kitty that wants to compare self leveling xp's to cats in the trees. Eastern side of the Cascades in washington. Let me know.

 

[moderatebill]

Sandman and MC nailed it. The XP is self leveling. If I had not owned both I may would discount it to. I have pulled the sway bar, messed with shocks but still there, just a little less. I can see why some riders would love the XP. If you like a stable sled or like to be a sit down rider they are great. I like the trees and need a predictable sled. Sometimes it lays over easy and sometimes not. Going across a chopped up hillside you better hang on!

For the record my 07 M8 153 was reclutched and ported by RS, but chassis is bassically the same 09. Granted the 09 is a lot better sled, but I would still take my 07 over an XP.

I can see why a lot of XP owners have electric start! What a pain in the Azz.

 

[tcpeterson]

I use to ride a m7 and yes it was a good sled. sold that for a 08 xp x and would never go back. You have to have seat time on the xp's. Im not talking just one day or two. I have also had a lot of seat time on the new m8s and m1000s and would take my xp over those sleds any day. Not bashing cat, they are good sleds but I think my sled is very nimble and easy to ride. And as for climbing the stock m8 cant stay with a stock xp.

One thing is that i would never say "can't". Some of that depends on rider ability. I can take a cat a lot further than an xp. Where since you are used to the xp you might do better on that. Overall i like the power of the xp's that i have rode but i'd still take a cat over a doo any day.

 

[snowmanx]

I have about 300 miles on my new 09 XP and I really like it. I don't think there is any doubt about it, the M sleds pull over easier, and I often debate owning one. (I owned a 98X when a lot of people daid they were tooooo tippy, I like it) That being said, I don't have any issues pulling my XP over, holding a side hill, and going through the rough with it.

It is more difficult than the M sled, I would like some more seat time on an M, but again, I do like my XP.

 

[mtnpull]

Actually it's a fact that can be explained and proven by simply looking at the mechanics and geometry of the two sleds.

The XP has a low and wide center of gravity and the 16" wide track combined with the stock skis and stock setup and the low angle of the steering post. Not to mention the stock stabilizer bar that few Skidoo'ers take off. All of that resulting in a more stable and up right (self leveling) chassis/ride.

Compare that to the M chassis that is narrower, taller and has a 15" wide track no stabilizer bar and with a higher/narrow center of gravity and up right angle of the steering post. Resulting in a more nimble and tippier acting chassis/ride.

Two totally different feeling chassis's, completely different riding/handling characteristics.

You can set each chassis up to ride more like the other but, only to a point. Your riding two completely different machines and they will do some things better then the other and thats a FACT! not HEARSAY!

Ok. Fair enough. It can be proved by the physical geometry of the sled. My point was not that technical though, I was merely trying to say that a huge portion of it is ride time on a given chassis. I have jumped on dragons dozens of times and I can't turn the things. Give me a week or two on one and look out. I have zero experience with the m sleds, but I would love to jump on one and see for myself. I am not a ski doo or die type guy either. I believe all the top end sleds have great features and rides. I do know that I NEVER struggle with my xp. I prefer to ride in the trees and climbing is the last thing I like to do. Boondocking and climbing through the trees is what I love. I am confident I can take my xp anywhere the next guy is going on his m or dragon. Just my experience. If I didn't have that confidence, especially given the type of riding I like to do, I'd be looking at buying a different sled.

 

[ACMtnCat]

Ok.I am confident I can take my xp anywhere the next guy is going on his m or dragon. Just my experience. If I didn't have that confidence, especially given the type of riding I like to do, I'd be looking at buying a different sled.

I feel the same way when I'm on my M8. All it takes is a half hour ride on one of your buddy's sleds to see and feel what your missing or not missing. Electric start is soooo cool!

Hopping on an XP makes me realize that my M8 is lacking some low end grunt that the XP has on a drag race. But my top end power absolutely destroys that same XP on a long pull. Also makes me realize I'm only as good of a rider as I am on my sled and not a good rider on the XP! Is it the man or machine? A person can get used to any chassis, the fact still remains that each machines geometry works better for some riding styles than others.

 

[Rprecision]

The XP I rode for about 20 minutes seemed hard to roll over and difficult to steer. It felt like I was tryign to drive a sled while sitting on the hood? Its a differant feel, some like it some dont.

good honest review

 

[Makaveli_Rev]

How can you compare a 2007 m8 to 2009xp. 09 m8 rocks !!!!!!!!!!!! How about 2007 xrs vs 2009 m8. I own a HCR and high mark xp's all day!!!!!!

Your on somethin? ha don't you think its funny how one person says he highmarks xp's all day, and i'll say right now i have ran against 3 stock 09's and haven't got touched by any of them ha you gotta love the forum.. everyone has their own opion and experience and their all different the arguments will never stop

 

[Crasher]

Going across a chopped up hillside you better hang on!


I can see why a lot of XP owners have electric start! What a pain in the Azz.

Boy O'Boy.
That is no sh^t. Not just XP, but all Doo's. I hate that frikin pull rope. 3 pulls almost every time. Tip it over and have your buddies line up to pull on it like a bucket briggade at an old fashion fire.

The windblown snow while side hilling is a pretty exciting ride to say the least.

My buddies M7 is on it's top idleing away, we roll it over and off he goes.