Need Help From Experienced Cat Owners

eyefish123 · Feb 14, 2012

My son is looking into buying a new Cat. He is riding a 2010 M6 (wife's sled) and wants to get his own M8. I do not ride a Cat other than occasionally the M6 after doing some maintenance so I do not feel I am knowledgable enough to give him good info. Would he be better off to find a 2010 or 2011 M8 or should he be looking at a 2012 Pro Climb? He is not real big into steep climbs, more boondocking and tree riding. 5' 8" tall and 150 lbs. of muscle. All opinions and comments will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

Chris6060 · Feb 14, 2012

I'm 16, and my Dad just bought me a 2012 ProClimb, I'm coming off an '05 M7.

The M-Series has a lot more room for error when everything is at factory settings, but I feel with some very minor and easy to do suspensions adjustments the Proclimb becomes a better or just as good sled. The 2010, 2011 & 2012 all have the same motor, the 2012 has a different chassis though. The 2011 has better stock clutching.

Keep in mind though, the Pro-Climb takes a little bit more cash to make mountain friendly, because you need a bag, because from the factory it comes with no storage.

I can do things on my Pro-Climb I couldn't do on my M7, partly because I feel like it responds to my input better and partly because the M7's suspension was never set up that well.

I was going to be doing some suspension adjustments to the M7, but my dad offered to buy me a Pro-Climb instead. I've also rebuilt the motor in the M7 on my own.

Anyway you go, they're all awesome sleds, and extremely durable.

WaBackcountry · Feb 14, 2012

Depends how fat ur wallet is and what style of riding you do. Both are great sleds.

CO_MapMaker · Feb 14, 2012

Chris6060 said:
I'm 16, and my Dad just bought me a 2012 ProClimb.

Wow, that's a great Dad.

Chris6060 · Feb 14, 2012

Trust me, I'll be working for it for the rest of my life...

kidwoo · Feb 14, 2012

Chris6060 said:
Trust me, I'll be working for it for the rest of my life...

Good

eyefish123 · Feb 14, 2012

WaBackcountry said:
Depends how fat ur wallet is and what style of riding you do. Both are great sleds.

Wallet will be pretty tight for a while after the new sled.

polarisfornow · Feb 14, 2012

I agree. I think it depends on your wallet. You can find 10's and 11's out there right now at some great prices right now. My 11 is basically brand new with only 140 miles and I think I'd be doing good to get 9k out of it. And in my opinion the 11's are rock solid reliable. Clutching is pretty close from the factory and the set up is usable from the factory.

I've also seen 12's for around 10500 brand new. But the jury is still a little out on those. It seems like some are belt eaters and some are not. That said, it would not stop me personally from buying one because I like to work on them.

If I was recommending one to a friend or to someone that was looking for the most reliable sled I would prob recommend a nice used 11.

eace:

Chris6060 · Feb 14, 2012

polarisfornow said:
I agree. I think it depends on your wallet. You can find 10's and 11's out there right now at some great prices right now. My 11 is basically brand new with only 140 miles and I think I'd be doing good to get 9k out of it. And in my opinion the 11's are rock solid reliable. Clutching is pretty close from the factory and the set up is usable from the factory.

I've also seen 12's for around 10500 brand new. But the jury is still a little out on those. It seems like some are belt eaters and some are not. That said, it would not stop me personally from buying one because I like to work on them.

If I was recommending one to a friend or to someone that was looking for the most reliable sled I would prob recommend a nice used 11. eace:

What this guy said!

Just as he said, some of the proclimbs have problems, some don't. I've never heard of a local '11 with any major problems.

WyoBoy1000 · Feb 14, 2012

I would go with the M, then lighten it up and setup the suspension, (revalve and geo mod). Its a better learning sled than the PC, the PC is easier to a point but if he rides hard it wont be long before he's to the point the M would do more. But the M take a little more effort in some areas but more capable.

eyefish123 · Feb 14, 2012

WyoBoy1000 said:
I would go with the M, then lighten it up and setup the suspension, (revalve and geo mod). Its a better learning sled than the PC, the PC is easier to a point but if he rides hard it wont be long before he's to the point the M would do more. But the M take a little more effort in some areas but more capable.

He has been riding the M6 for 2 years so he is used to that chassis. He is just finally getting his confidence up and is riding much better. Just needs more HP now.

Chris6060 · Feb 14, 2012

WyoBoy1000 said:
I would go with the M, then lighten it up and setup the suspension, (revalve and geo mod). Its a better learning sled than the PC, the PC is easier to a point but if he rides hard it wont be long before he's to the point the M would do more. But the M take a little more effort in some areas but more capable.

I ride hard, and I can definitely do more on the PC than the M, but yes, the M is a much easier sled as far as learning goes.

Going West · Feb 14, 2012

Stick with the M series. Its less money, handles really well, is fully developed and tested. The new platform was rushed into production to line up with their 50th anniversary, IMHO it needs another full year of testing, it may be great someday but not right now.

If I could redo my purchase this year it would be a hold over M8 or a Polaris, then maybe I would be riding instead of wrenching.

Good luck with the purchase.

Chris6060 · Feb 14, 2012

There hasn't been anything wrong with my Dad's M800 yet... But the M is a proven chassis, the PC is still new...

Demo250 · Feb 14, 2012

Definitely recommend a '10 or '11 M8. As far as stock sleds go, they were just dialed from the factory. Obviously always some improvements to be had, but for a stock sled it will perform. Rock solid reliable, super easy to ride, and very affordable now... can't go wrong. :face-icon-small-win

madmax · Feb 14, 2012

If you have the money and want an M, for sure get a 10' or an 11'. The PC is far superior in every way. I would never go back to a sled with the diamond drive. Even though the PC has the same motor as the M, the power delivery to the track is significantly better. With 0/0/0 financing right now with Cat, find a good sled at your dealer. Any of the 10-12' sleds qualify. I know of a few in Utah if you are interested.

WyoBoy1000 · Feb 14, 2012

Chris6060 said:
I ride hard, and I can definitely do more on the PC than the M, but yes, the M is a much easier sled as far as learning goes.

The PC sucks in down hill sidehill decents, the M is a handful at times but way more capable. Same with a regular sidehill the M holds a better line, the pro fights you. But this is the extreme and the kid wont be pushing it that far for a bit. The power and suspension is better on the PC.

AZ800 · Feb 14, 2012

Depending on budget, 09-11 are all great with most of the chassis refinements being the same. 10-11 models have more hp, but you can do alittle work to an 09 (less than $1k with some used parts) to give it as much of more hp than a stock 10-11, still reliable.
I'd go for a '10-11 but if i found a comparable condition 09 for more than $1500 less, I 'd get it if $ was a concern.

WyoBoy1000 · Feb 14, 2012

I've seen a lot of 10-11 primary clutches fail lately, not sure why. If its newer try and get one with a warranty, if you can find a good low mile clean 09 m8 they are great sleds for the right price, I would not go any older than 09.

backcountryislife · Feb 15, 2012

I'd go 2010 or 2011.

That is a refined chassis, that works well out of the box.

Need Help From Experienced Cat Owners

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Similar threads