This is probably the most important part of the decision. Reality is they all break and getting them fixed fast and right is huge. We all buy new sleds so we can have a more reliable sled. Sleds are only as reliable as the guy wrenching on them. Finding a good shop close to your riding area is huge!
XP vs D8 vs M8
- Thread starter Flakey
- Start date
This is probably the most important part of the decision. Reality is they all break and getting them fixed fast and right is huge. We all buy new sleds so we can have a more reliable sled. Sleds are only as reliable as the guy wrenching on them. Finding a good shop close to your riding area is huge!
I completely agree on both of these....I like the M chassis but it does sometimes feel a bit twitchy to me...maybe it is in the suspension setup or maybe the motor being so low pulls it down?
I have been begging for someone to make a steering post kit to push the post forward a few inches. I rode one with the bars straight up from the post and the steering felt soooo much better but then I was just a bit too far back. If someone would make a steering post relocation I think the XP would be a ton more fun to ride.
Good luck Flakey, see you on the hill this year.
Why not
J
Jaynelson
Well-known member
They do it's called the Rev chassis lol
Dry smash it
Ok, not sure if this is already a thread. Probly is but...
I can't decide, I'm buying a sled this fall but I'm not sure which one. I'm really wondering about handeling Characteristics .
First off, I come from ski-doo (04 rev 800) I know ski-doo's and am familiar with the way thay handle.
The Polaris D8, I LOVE the way this sled feels standing on it. The bars, and seat and tunnel are perfect. But I've never ridden one. How do they compare to the cat?
Sat on the XP and liked it except for the super wide tunnel, you have to stand bow legged just to straddel that wide beast.
I've ridden a M7, didn't like it. Just felt weird to me, came over almost to easy and ergos are not what I like, ie not rider forward.
So, If the D8 is halfway between the xp and the M8 as far as handeling goes, thats what I'm leaning twards. HELP ME DECIDE!
XP all the way, don't think twice about it. Have you seriously not see one in action yet? I have an 07XRS800R151 with a powder max track and it isn't in the same league as our 08 Everest154. I honest don't think I'll ever need a better sled. I'm 300lbs and I out climbed every none XP sled we road with, even the M1000. I'm not even that great of a rider. Kind of lazy, like to sit alot. (getting old)
But Buy what you want! I'll cheer for what ever you get. I won't be able to afford another sled for 4 years even if I wanted a new one. So let us know how it works out. Lots of good stuff out there. You'll be grinning ear to ear no matter what you decide on.
M8 162
I've been riding a 08 XP for the last two years, all I ride is the steep and deep. XP riders I'm sure you won't believe me but the 2010 M8 is a better machine. The best improvement I think is how skinny the seat and tunnel is. It allows you to side hill and switch direction in the snow with very little effort. The XP nows feels like I'm riding a bull. Last weekend at Blue Lake in Malakwa BC I took a small group out and we dropped into an area that was 4' of fresh. One of my freinds was having problems getting out on his Xp. I swapped him sleds, by the time we got back to the cabin all he could say is that the M8 is an effortles sled to handle in the deep, deep snow. I also hit a few hills with a guy with a Turbo Dragon from Kelowna, quite impressive, 1300km and still pulls hard.
It took me one full tank to get used to my m8, but now I'm totally satisfied!
I've been riding a 08 XP for the last two years, all I ride is the steep and deep. XP riders I'm sure you won't believe me but the 2010 M8 is a better machine. The best improvement I think is how skinny the seat and tunnel is. It allows you to side hill and switch direction in the snow with very little effort. The XP nows feels like I'm riding a bull. Last weekend at Blue Lake in Malakwa BC I took a small group out and we dropped into an area that was 4' of fresh. One of my freinds was having problems getting out on his Xp. I swapped him sleds, by the time we got back to the cabin all he could say is that the M8 is an effortles sled to handle in the deep, deep snow. I also hit a few hills with a guy with a Turbo Dragon from Kelowna, quite impressive, 1300km and still pulls hard.
It took me one full tank to get used to my m8, but now I'm totally satisfied!
XP all the way, don't think twice about it. Have you seriously not see one in action yet? I have an 07XRS800R151 with a powder max track and it isn't in the same league as our 08 Everest154. I honest don't think I'll ever need a better sled. I'm 300lbs and I out climbed every none XP sled we road with, even the M1000. I'm not even that great of a rider. Kind of lazy, like to sit alot. (getting old)
But Buy what you want! I'll cheer for what ever you get. I won't be able to afford another sled for 4 years even if I wanted a new one. So let us know how it works out. Lots of good stuff out there. You'll be grinning ear to ear no matter what you decide on.
Hmmmm reallly? Just curious how much did the guy on the 1000 weigh?
Buy from a dealer that will treat you like royalty. If you can get seat time like said before do it! My dealer Buttars tractor has been so great to me treat me like a family member.
But have you seen the 10' m8? It's lighter and more powerful has the most hp in the 800 class. Mines great pulls really hard. My second choice would be a dragon. Really liked it when I rode my buddies. They're all great sleds these days you'll be happy with whatever you buy! Good luck and let us know what you get
P
PaulWatt
Member
I just sold my 05 Rev with 7000km of pretty hard mountain riding on it (original motor still has full compression without one bit of work to it, clutch parts, shocks, and suspension parts are the only things it ever needed). I also have an 09 XP. I've spent a good bit of time on an 09 M8 and a bit of time on an 09 D8, all fairly stock. I'm 180 lb, ride mostly coastal BC and the Kootenays. I get about 80 days of riding in each year. I mostly use sleds as a source of transportation rather than pure recreation.
Anyway, the XP is great. It gets you where you want to go fairly easily. It's awesome on the trails, climbs really well, and sidehills, but with some force and suspension set up. It isn't super fun though. I agree with other posters who describe it as tank like. I found the M8 super fun, ultra whippable, and a sidehill dream. Go wherever your mind thinks. I loved how you could sidehill downhill, then up, then down, then up so easily. Not the greatest on the trails though. The D8 was my personal least favourite. It felt strange to me, but again, I didn't spend to much time on it.
Gotta say, with that new motor, the M8 seems like the best choice for actual riding fun. For long tours through the mountains, probably the XP.
Anyway, the XP is great. It gets you where you want to go fairly easily. It's awesome on the trails, climbs really well, and sidehills, but with some force and suspension set up. It isn't super fun though. I agree with other posters who describe it as tank like. I found the M8 super fun, ultra whippable, and a sidehill dream. Go wherever your mind thinks. I loved how you could sidehill downhill, then up, then down, then up so easily. Not the greatest on the trails though. The D8 was my personal least favourite. It felt strange to me, but again, I didn't spend to much time on it.
Gotta say, with that new motor, the M8 seems like the best choice for actual riding fun. For long tours through the mountains, probably the XP.
That is just so funny and false.
Our XP's (5 of them). Total Miles ridden = 7700 miles SO FAR
All still on original belts.
If you dont know how to make stock adjustments on your XP, or care to even do clutch/belt maintenace or after purchase clutching, you have no business stating all XP's eat belts.
Exactly! Thanks to Slim and his expertise I am still on my original belt!
08 XP 154......
Just my perception of what I have seen the last couple years. Xp's do perform well, but so do all of them. Reliability is a big issue.
Xp's I rode with were belt eating machines- they bent fairly easy also
Poo's had t be towed back to have new top ends put on.
Cats -----just needed fuel and oil.
They all perform pretty good, the feel is just personal preference.
Xp's I rode with were belt eating machines- they bent fairly easy also
Poo's had t be towed back to have new top ends put on.
Cats -----just needed fuel and oil.
They all perform pretty good, the feel is just personal preference.
arctic cat did there dyno test when there sleds didtn have to meet emmisions so they obviosly put out more power. look at slps website with there single pipe and can on the new 2010 m8 it dynoed at 160 horse, so probably realisticly the cat puts out 154 horse meeting the emmisions
S
shortstop20
Well-known member
Dynotech had a production Cat 800 HO motor at their shop and it made 158 HP.
The only comparison I can comment on is the xp and dragon .
I own both so same rider input.
One thing I noticed some xp's run stronger and with very aggressive rider they look like stellar performers.
The truth with mine and some I ride with are not so great .
The dragon I have only piped will be the one to get the highmark in the deep.
I own both so same rider input.
One thing I noticed some xp's run stronger and with very aggressive rider they look like stellar performers.
The truth with mine and some I ride with are not so great .
The dragon I have only piped will be the one to get the highmark in the deep.
I
IDAHO HOT SHOT
Well-known member
Congratulations, you have just won the Short Man Syndrome daily award. I am constantly amazed that there is always someone like this guy around.
I agree with your last sentence, they all perform well and I wouldn't be afraid to own any of them. However I have road with a guy with an 08' m1000 that was also a belt eating monster and he also had engine Issues. I think Doo had problems and they addressed them. Poo had there issues too, now no.
Like it has been said before, personal preference and dealer support are the big keys.
I'm going to add my agreement to the folks that listed dealer support.
I've had 2 M7s, and loved them. No complaints. They were my first sleds, so I am very spoiled. Very easy sled to learn on.
This season, I wanted some more power, and reverse (ease of loading/unloading), and after a few years of dealing with my local 'cat dealer, I was fed up. The folks @ the counter were helpful, and friendly, but they didn't stock hardly anything, and they charged 23-46% more than the second closest dealer when it came to parts cost. Now, they've dropped the 'Cat line altogether.
I don't even know who my local 'Doo dealer is, and nobody recommended me to one.
The other local Polaris dealers both came highly recommended, Skagit Valley, and Pierre's. I went up and met the guys @ SVP, and they were helpful, and took the time to answer my questions and educate me a bit about the Polaris line.
Based on the reputation from others, and my personal experience, I chose to go with Polaris. Very glad I did. I actually ended up buying a used sled they took in on trade. I got a fair price, on a sled they sold new, maintained and kept track of. I might have paid less on the private sale market, but to me, it was worth the extra few potential $$ to establish myself as a sled customer with them. When I walk in there, I feel valued. I would highly recommend SVP to anyone.
Now, I haven't ridden the silly thing yet. (but it sure looks cool in my garage!) Hopefully that will happen this week. But in all seriousness, All 3 2-stroke mfgrs make a good product. You're going to find great and horrid experiences with each one. I'm also a firm believer that I can learn to ride anything. So, the differences between the three don't really matter all that much, it just might take a little more time.
Since you live in Arlington, we are virtually neighbors. SVP is 20 min away, (heading away from most traffic problems) and Pierre's is a minimum 35 min away, (going towards most traffic problems).
So, I'd find a dealer with a good rep, that you like and is close to you or your travel routes, and then stick to the brand that dealer sells.
Just my opinion,
PE
I've had 2 M7s, and loved them. No complaints. They were my first sleds, so I am very spoiled. Very easy sled to learn on.
This season, I wanted some more power, and reverse (ease of loading/unloading), and after a few years of dealing with my local 'cat dealer, I was fed up. The folks @ the counter were helpful, and friendly, but they didn't stock hardly anything, and they charged 23-46% more than the second closest dealer when it came to parts cost. Now, they've dropped the 'Cat line altogether.
I don't even know who my local 'Doo dealer is, and nobody recommended me to one.
The other local Polaris dealers both came highly recommended, Skagit Valley, and Pierre's. I went up and met the guys @ SVP, and they were helpful, and took the time to answer my questions and educate me a bit about the Polaris line.
Based on the reputation from others, and my personal experience, I chose to go with Polaris. Very glad I did. I actually ended up buying a used sled they took in on trade. I got a fair price, on a sled they sold new, maintained and kept track of. I might have paid less on the private sale market, but to me, it was worth the extra few potential $$ to establish myself as a sled customer with them. When I walk in there, I feel valued. I would highly recommend SVP to anyone.
Now, I haven't ridden the silly thing yet. (but it sure looks cool in my garage!) Hopefully that will happen this week. But in all seriousness, All 3 2-stroke mfgrs make a good product. You're going to find great and horrid experiences with each one. I'm also a firm believer that I can learn to ride anything. So, the differences between the three don't really matter all that much, it just might take a little more time.
Since you live in Arlington, we are virtually neighbors. SVP is 20 min away, (heading away from most traffic problems) and Pierre's is a minimum 35 min away, (going towards most traffic problems).
So, I'd find a dealer with a good rep, that you like and is close to you or your travel routes, and then stick to the brand that dealer sells.
Just my opinion,
PE
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have rode my xp for about 150 hours on stock 1st belt. my spare is collecting dust
my dragon never went through a belt over 3 years. i must get lucky.
