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Rode the HCR yesterday. Was out with the HCR, the M8T w/ 2871 Garrett and the 08 RMK 7 w/ all the SLP bolt on stuff. I own and ride em all so I'm not partial in my review here.
TRACK.
HCR is brand new - we put 40 miles on it yesterday before we had to head down. First thing I noticed was that the track HOOKS UP on the snow. We were switching back and forth on the machines on the ride up into the alpine and as soon as you got off the HCR and onto the other two and hit the throttle you'd see how much better the HCR track hooked up as you'd sit and spin for a bit with the other two. If you live in an area of light fluffy dry powder it's probably not the right track for you, but the snow we get here is usually a bit heavier - doesn't just blow away as you ride around. The HCR track yesterday was stomping both my regular PC on the M8T and the Poo 5.1 track on the 700RMK.
SKI STANCE
The M8T has Simmons Gen2's. Measuring outside ski edge to outside ski edge the distance is 49". Measuring the HCR outside to outside is also 49". Jumping on the HCR felt natural as it is the same stance as I'm used to on the M8T.
The Poo is a bit more rider forward, and a bit easier to play around with in that it wants to roll over and back sooo easy. Some say too easy, I think it's just whatever you're used to. Narrower stance propably comes into effect here. I'd like to hear from someone who's had time on both the IQ Raw and the M with narrow stances.
The M sleds are also fun to play around with, just slightly more stable. Takes a bit more effort (a bit.. not a lot) to set a sidehill or put it on it's side, but once it's there it stays there way in a much more stable fashion. The IQ Raw you can sidehill sitting down on the flat on hardpack. The M you can sidehill easily through major bombholes and ruts without being knocked off track. Pick your style.
POWER
The HCR was outrunning the RMK7 yesterday. Definitely had more hookup. Hard to know for sure power-wise as we didn't have enough clear light or safe slopes to session the same hill over and over in fresh lines to really see. If you believe SLP's claims for their single pipe and intake these machines are supposed to have similar power.
BARS
Could use more rise in the bars. Even at their highest position I was wishing for a couple more inches. I'm 6'4". You may or may not need them any higher.
RUNNING BOARDS
New M series boards are the best stock boards I've used for evacuating snow. Put Better Boards in the RMK7 this season due to snow accumulation in the boards/wells. Better Boards were evacuating better, but be careful - they change the way you can move your feet around - no more sliding your feet front/back mid-air to adjust you're attitude. You've got to pick up your feet and put them back down to move them.
Overall I'm very happy w/ the machines this year based on the snow conditions yesterday. As we get some lighter snow and some clear days I'll get some more feedback on the HCR.
TRACK.
HCR is brand new - we put 40 miles on it yesterday before we had to head down. First thing I noticed was that the track HOOKS UP on the snow. We were switching back and forth on the machines on the ride up into the alpine and as soon as you got off the HCR and onto the other two and hit the throttle you'd see how much better the HCR track hooked up as you'd sit and spin for a bit with the other two. If you live in an area of light fluffy dry powder it's probably not the right track for you, but the snow we get here is usually a bit heavier - doesn't just blow away as you ride around. The HCR track yesterday was stomping both my regular PC on the M8T and the Poo 5.1 track on the 700RMK.
SKI STANCE
The M8T has Simmons Gen2's. Measuring outside ski edge to outside ski edge the distance is 49". Measuring the HCR outside to outside is also 49". Jumping on the HCR felt natural as it is the same stance as I'm used to on the M8T.
The Poo is a bit more rider forward, and a bit easier to play around with in that it wants to roll over and back sooo easy. Some say too easy, I think it's just whatever you're used to. Narrower stance propably comes into effect here. I'd like to hear from someone who's had time on both the IQ Raw and the M with narrow stances.
The M sleds are also fun to play around with, just slightly more stable. Takes a bit more effort (a bit.. not a lot) to set a sidehill or put it on it's side, but once it's there it stays there way in a much more stable fashion. The IQ Raw you can sidehill sitting down on the flat on hardpack. The M you can sidehill easily through major bombholes and ruts without being knocked off track. Pick your style.
POWER
The HCR was outrunning the RMK7 yesterday. Definitely had more hookup. Hard to know for sure power-wise as we didn't have enough clear light or safe slopes to session the same hill over and over in fresh lines to really see. If you believe SLP's claims for their single pipe and intake these machines are supposed to have similar power.
BARS
Could use more rise in the bars. Even at their highest position I was wishing for a couple more inches. I'm 6'4". You may or may not need them any higher.
RUNNING BOARDS
New M series boards are the best stock boards I've used for evacuating snow. Put Better Boards in the RMK7 this season due to snow accumulation in the boards/wells. Better Boards were evacuating better, but be careful - they change the way you can move your feet around - no more sliding your feet front/back mid-air to adjust you're attitude. You've got to pick up your feet and put them back down to move them.
Overall I'm very happy w/ the machines this year based on the snow conditions yesterday. As we get some lighter snow and some clear days I'll get some more feedback on the HCR.
