I was lucky enough to be invited on a small demo ride yesterday. The snow wasn't great but we were able to find some fresh powder. There we six of us in the group.
I started out on a 2009 M8 LE 153" Urban Camo with a Boss seat and a SLP single, no fuel controller and the stock helix.
Then I rode a 2009 M1000 LE 162" in Urban Camo with a Boss Seat, SLP single, Boondocker (I think) fuel controller with M8 gearing.
I started on the M8 153" because it was what I considered the easiest to ride due to the light weight and less horsepower. I have to say in a mile or two I was already liking the sled. I played with the adjustable handlebars moving them up and down but, with the high rise Boss seat the bars in the fully extended position seemed about right on the trail to and from the riding area. Once boondocking I was wishing for another 2,3 or 4" of bar height for a bit more leverage. This sled was a demo and there definately was considerable slop in the steering post. I think that's what caused me to lose the handlebars for a brief period when climbing through a deeply rutted area. I noticed the toe holds seemed to push down on the top of my toes like the bar for the toe hold goes across about 2/3rds of the way up the front of my boot. That could be bothersome. The clutch engaged with a BANG that I could see would want to burry a sled in deep fluffy snow. I'd want to work to find a less dramatic engagement. I just love how the new reverse setup works!
I was very impressed with the M8. It was light and flickable. Had good snappy power with the SLP pipe. The Power Claw track worked great. Several times I knew I should be stuck but, the track pulled me through. I rode the 153" too and it worked so well that now I really am wondering if a I'd ever need a 162"?
The Boss seat was just the right height, the foot wells dumped the snow very well except on the backs of the foot supports. It's like snow is being thrown forward as the track rotates and dumping it on the rear portion of the foot supports. Maybe thin pieces of sheet metal covering the open area would help?
The M1000 was not what I was expecting. I figured it would be like the M8 with just more power. That's not what I found. The M1000 (at least the one I rode) shook like crazy at idle and you could really feel the vibration during a good portion of the ride. The power didn't seem to come on as quickly (it wasn't as snappy) as the M8. It had more of a big block slow reving nature that seemed to build torque more linearly than the M8. We did a little improptu short drag race from the bottom of a hill in less than ideal conditions and it seemed like the M8 jumped out in front and got up on the snow quicker but I'm sure the M1000 would probably run it down in anything longer.
All in all, the M1000 just didn't click with me the way the M8 did. It was a nice sled but, It felt heavier, it vibrated more, it wasn't nearly as flickable and it felt like there was something (like a crank lobe) that was out of tolerance.
One of the other sleds in the group was a 2009 M8 153" with a race gas turbo. I can't recall the brand but it started with an "O" (I think) and has an Aerocharger turbo and has three letters. First off, let me tell you this guy can ride! The lines he was picking and the stuff he was climbing was completely insane. I'd need a ball enhancement to do what he was doing!
Bottom Line: I think I'm in love with the M8 153" Sno Pro. They are fairly inexpensive and respond well to mods. If the mods aren't enough for you there is the pump gas or race gas option.
So, can someone tell me when and why a guy would need a 162" when you have a Power Claw track?
So for the long post and thank you to a great dealer for allowing me this opportunity.
I started out on a 2009 M8 LE 153" Urban Camo with a Boss seat and a SLP single, no fuel controller and the stock helix.
Then I rode a 2009 M1000 LE 162" in Urban Camo with a Boss Seat, SLP single, Boondocker (I think) fuel controller with M8 gearing.
I started on the M8 153" because it was what I considered the easiest to ride due to the light weight and less horsepower. I have to say in a mile or two I was already liking the sled. I played with the adjustable handlebars moving them up and down but, with the high rise Boss seat the bars in the fully extended position seemed about right on the trail to and from the riding area. Once boondocking I was wishing for another 2,3 or 4" of bar height for a bit more leverage. This sled was a demo and there definately was considerable slop in the steering post. I think that's what caused me to lose the handlebars for a brief period when climbing through a deeply rutted area. I noticed the toe holds seemed to push down on the top of my toes like the bar for the toe hold goes across about 2/3rds of the way up the front of my boot. That could be bothersome. The clutch engaged with a BANG that I could see would want to burry a sled in deep fluffy snow. I'd want to work to find a less dramatic engagement. I just love how the new reverse setup works!
I was very impressed with the M8. It was light and flickable. Had good snappy power with the SLP pipe. The Power Claw track worked great. Several times I knew I should be stuck but, the track pulled me through. I rode the 153" too and it worked so well that now I really am wondering if a I'd ever need a 162"?
The Boss seat was just the right height, the foot wells dumped the snow very well except on the backs of the foot supports. It's like snow is being thrown forward as the track rotates and dumping it on the rear portion of the foot supports. Maybe thin pieces of sheet metal covering the open area would help?
The M1000 was not what I was expecting. I figured it would be like the M8 with just more power. That's not what I found. The M1000 (at least the one I rode) shook like crazy at idle and you could really feel the vibration during a good portion of the ride. The power didn't seem to come on as quickly (it wasn't as snappy) as the M8. It had more of a big block slow reving nature that seemed to build torque more linearly than the M8. We did a little improptu short drag race from the bottom of a hill in less than ideal conditions and it seemed like the M8 jumped out in front and got up on the snow quicker but I'm sure the M1000 would probably run it down in anything longer.
All in all, the M1000 just didn't click with me the way the M8 did. It was a nice sled but, It felt heavier, it vibrated more, it wasn't nearly as flickable and it felt like there was something (like a crank lobe) that was out of tolerance.
One of the other sleds in the group was a 2009 M8 153" with a race gas turbo. I can't recall the brand but it started with an "O" (I think) and has an Aerocharger turbo and has three letters. First off, let me tell you this guy can ride! The lines he was picking and the stuff he was climbing was completely insane. I'd need a ball enhancement to do what he was doing!
Bottom Line: I think I'm in love with the M8 153" Sno Pro. They are fairly inexpensive and respond well to mods. If the mods aren't enough for you there is the pump gas or race gas option.
So, can someone tell me when and why a guy would need a 162" when you have a Power Claw track?
So for the long post and thank you to a great dealer for allowing me this opportunity.
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