06 900 Dragon or 09 800 Dragon
- Thread starter 06 Dragon
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B
Billy Bigrigger
Member
I'm in the same boat. I've decided to keep the 900 because I never had a 800 anything put the boots to me on the hill. I love the low end power
The sleds are similar but different...
The front end geometry (if you run the holz spindles on both) is the same [same a-arms and location]... a snowcheck 900 will have a better skid/shocks than a D-8, IMO.... The skid itself is identical... the shocks are different. The 900 has about 11 lbs more weight in the front end from the motor weight. The 2009's have different rails that account for less than a 1 lb reduction in weight.
The 900 will take a bit of money to get the chassis as light as a stock 800... I have a 900 that has been whittled down to 453 lbs dry (with coolant, no oil or gas)... but that invovled a lot of work and even more $$. Fro the same money invested in the 800 in lightweight goodies... the 800 will weight much less.
Reliability is an issue with the broken cranks, motor mounts etc with the 900... these can be fixed though.
A reliable 900 (actually 866cc) will cost you as much for the same level of performance and handling as a good used STOCK D-8 will...
Stock For Stock: The D-8 will have better handling because of the weight, the 900 will have much more grunt than the D-8 (the 866cc motors have a 10mm longer stroke than the 800 and 12mm longer than the 700... 900=80mm stroke, 800=70mm stroke, 700=68mm stroke). The 800 will be even with the 900 on the top end, stock for stock ONLY the 800 will be a better sled than a 900. The wieght loss on the D-8 compared to the 900 is what makes the biggest difference.... A STOCK 900 RMK is a pig and is outdone by a stock D-8 without a doubt.
The 900's are a great sled WHEN you set them up correctly OR you buy one that already is...
IMO, you can get a better performing 900 (used) for less money than a similar performing used D-8.
Better bang for the buck.
Here is my suggestiion.
Find a used 2006 (not a 2005) 900 RMK with all of the goodies on it.... SLP full 170hp performance kit, Holz front and rear skid, fox shocks, boss seat, skis, spindles, etc etc for about $5500 - $6500 and send the motor to IndyDan for the 35mm PTO using the Cat M-1000 primary, fresh pistons and motor mounts and you will have a sled that is pretty much untouchable on the hill it will take a good running 860/840 to to beat the 900 RMK I'm describing here. Both will run pump gas. You would be into the 900 sled for about $8500 all said and done. If you really want to drop the weight, find a good used take off RAW from a 2007 - 2009 tunnel and install that.
I prefer the improved low end torque of the 900 to the 800's I've had a chance to throw a leg over.
The 860's are a whole different animal and require an expensive sled to buy and expensive mods to get it there. I'm not using
If you get a 900, the resale will suck.... you better be happy with it... you will have it for a while.
Turbo's are a different sled all together and really should not enter this conversation as we are talking about a $15000 sled with a turbo.
The front end geometry (if you run the holz spindles on both) is the same [same a-arms and location]... a snowcheck 900 will have a better skid/shocks than a D-8, IMO.... The skid itself is identical... the shocks are different. The 900 has about 11 lbs more weight in the front end from the motor weight. The 2009's have different rails that account for less than a 1 lb reduction in weight.
The 900 will take a bit of money to get the chassis as light as a stock 800... I have a 900 that has been whittled down to 453 lbs dry (with coolant, no oil or gas)... but that invovled a lot of work and even more $$. Fro the same money invested in the 800 in lightweight goodies... the 800 will weight much less.
Reliability is an issue with the broken cranks, motor mounts etc with the 900... these can be fixed though.
A reliable 900 (actually 866cc) will cost you as much for the same level of performance and handling as a good used STOCK D-8 will...
Stock For Stock: The D-8 will have better handling because of the weight, the 900 will have much more grunt than the D-8 (the 866cc motors have a 10mm longer stroke than the 800 and 12mm longer than the 700... 900=80mm stroke, 800=70mm stroke, 700=68mm stroke). The 800 will be even with the 900 on the top end, stock for stock ONLY the 800 will be a better sled than a 900. The wieght loss on the D-8 compared to the 900 is what makes the biggest difference.... A STOCK 900 RMK is a pig and is outdone by a stock D-8 without a doubt.
The 900's are a great sled WHEN you set them up correctly OR you buy one that already is...
IMO, you can get a better performing 900 (used) for less money than a similar performing used D-8.
Better bang for the buck.
Here is my suggestiion.
Find a used 2006 (not a 2005) 900 RMK with all of the goodies on it.... SLP full 170hp performance kit, Holz front and rear skid, fox shocks, boss seat, skis, spindles, etc etc for about $5500 - $6500 and send the motor to IndyDan for the 35mm PTO using the Cat M-1000 primary, fresh pistons and motor mounts and you will have a sled that is pretty much untouchable on the hill it will take a good running 860/840 to to beat the 900 RMK I'm describing here. Both will run pump gas. You would be into the 900 sled for about $8500 all said and done. If you really want to drop the weight, find a good used take off RAW from a 2007 - 2009 tunnel and install that.
I prefer the improved low end torque of the 900 to the 800's I've had a chance to throw a leg over.
The 860's are a whole different animal and require an expensive sled to buy and expensive mods to get it there. I'm not using
If you get a 900, the resale will suck.... you better be happy with it... you will have it for a while.
Turbo's are a different sled all together and really should not enter this conversation as we are talking about a $15000 sled with a turbo.
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R
Ron
ACCOUNT CLOSED
You already have the 900 so that makes your decision easier. They are two different animals. I look at sleds with resale in mind because it costs a lot even if you have good resale in your old sled. (Don't have that with the 900!) Say what you want the two sleds handle & perform very differently in spite of the similarities. Stock for stock the Dragon 8 for 09 is tough to beat. You can mod the 900 & lighten it but you can lighten the 800 more & mod it too. One of the most impressive sleds I have ever ridden was a lightweight 06 975 but I wouldn't own one. A mod 800 will cost you more but will also have higher resale value.
Your riding nuances are important-type of riding (hill climber or boonies), snow conditions (deep dry powder vs coastal wet & heavy) & mod vs stock are different decisions for all of us.
On paper the 09 Dragon looks just like the 08 but the 09 rides better even with the stock Walkers. Moving the swaybar isn't much, til you take a ride. The stock 06-9 has more bottom end grunt but just isn't in the same league-comfort & handling, IMO. You can make either of them run better for a price!
A new chassis will show up in 2010 & may be in full production in 2011 so do you want to wait 2 years would be the other question?
My vote would be for the 09 Dragon but hey it's your money I'm spending!!!
Your riding nuances are important-type of riding (hill climber or boonies), snow conditions (deep dry powder vs coastal wet & heavy) & mod vs stock are different decisions for all of us.
On paper the 09 Dragon looks just like the 08 but the 09 rides better even with the stock Walkers. Moving the swaybar isn't much, til you take a ride. The stock 06-9 has more bottom end grunt but just isn't in the same league-comfort & handling, IMO. You can make either of them run better for a price!
A new chassis will show up in 2010 & may be in full production in 2011 so do you want to wait 2 years would be the other question?
My vote would be for the 09 Dragon but hey it's your money I'm spending!!!
Stock for stock.... Ron is correct... the D-8 is a better choice.
You will be able to get about $5500 out of your 900 with the Dragon color scheme if it is mostly stock...
To get into a 2009 D-8 add $6000 to that to buy the D-8 and add the standard items (clutching, can, risers etc).
It all depends on what you want to do, if resale is your main concern and what level of performance you expect.
If the new chassis comes in 2010.. It will be 2011 before I consider buying a new chassis. No first year sleds for me.
What is the current setup on your 2006 900? (suspension, engine, exhaust, shocks, chassis etc?)
You will be able to get about $5500 out of your 900 with the Dragon color scheme if it is mostly stock...
To get into a 2009 D-8 add $6000 to that to buy the D-8 and add the standard items (clutching, can, risers etc).
It all depends on what you want to do, if resale is your main concern and what level of performance you expect.
If the new chassis comes in 2010.. It will be 2011 before I consider buying a new chassis. No first year sleds for me.
What is the current setup on your 2006 900? (suspension, engine, exhaust, shocks, chassis etc?)
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Sawer,
Would you mind giving us a evaluation of how your 900 ran with the SLP full perf kit on it? (Power, torque, boondocking, climbing etc)
Would you mind giving us a evaluation of how your 900 ran with the SLP full perf kit on it? (Power, torque, boondocking, climbing etc)
S
SNOW JW
Well-known member
Sawyer and MH nailed it on the head. The 900 when modded is hard to beat in a all out climb. I had the same SLP performance kit that Sawyer did on his and it ran hard all the time and was a whole new sled after that.
But I will say the 800 Dragon with Twin pipes is hoot to ride and I don't think I could ever go back to my 900 other than if all I done was hillclimbing but if you want to pull the shoots a turbo is the only way to go. But the 800 is not cheap but the warranty is something else that is nice but I never did have many problems with my 900.
But I will say the 800 Dragon with Twin pipes is hoot to ride and I don't think I could ever go back to my 900 other than if all I done was hillclimbing but if you want to pull the shoots a turbo is the only way to go. But the 800 is not cheap but the warranty is something else that is nice but I never did have many problems with my 900.
i'm by no means an expert on sleds but i rode a stock 08 dragon 800 (don't know how different it is from an 09) and i thought there was no way it was as quick or powerfull as my 06 900. the guy that rode mine thought the same thing i don't know if he just had a dog or what. the 08 did handle better though no doubt about that.
T
trench
Member
My Bro has a 06 900 159 2.4 with the slp stuff on it.
I got the D-8 163 , we compared all last season in all conditions.
In the begining of the season I ran stock , there was no comparision.
Then the d-8 broke in and I put the slp single on it ect,gearing down clutching.
Guess what I was in the game , some big deep pow days I had a slight edge now, and on more set up snow he would edge me out maybe by a little though ,but all in all for my 8 to come all that way I am keeping it.
On many deep days he would always call me up and say , " stick together today because you are the only one that can get to me If I get stuck up there " .We rode with alot of doo's.
I got the D-8 163 , we compared all last season in all conditions.
In the begining of the season I ran stock , there was no comparision.
Then the d-8 broke in and I put the slp single on it ect,gearing down clutching.
Guess what I was in the game , some big deep pow days I had a slight edge now, and on more set up snow he would edge me out maybe by a little though ,but all in all for my 8 to come all that way I am keeping it.
On many deep days he would always call me up and say , " stick together today because you are the only one that can get to me If I get stuck up there " .We rode with alot of doo's.
SnowJW.... wasn't yours the monster 166"... what is your Dads D-8?
B
B_DIDDY_SHOEY
Member
Keep it!
I would keep the 9 at least til they come out with something that is better. i mean by that, the d-8 will ride nicer, handle a little better, etc. But performance and power the d-8 is no big difference. In fact I think that the snow conditions is all that seperates them depending on the day who will win! I ripped up my buddies d-8 and then another guy that i ride with once in a while on a d-8 in Mccall all year. Then at the end of the year when the snow finally setup hard and heroic the d-8 was competition again. Same for my buddies m1000 w/aftermarkets. It took hero snow for them to finally pull with me, before that I had the high mark and in the deep pow walked all over them up-down-flat. The d-8's also had pipe,can, clutching both sleds.
I loved it all year and up til april I had to laugh as they talked **** all year about their new sleds being this and that then could'nt outperform me in the end. I think I seriously saw a tear in one of their eyes, I won't mention names when they were getting passed up every pull in the deep pow early on!
So why buy new if your buying less or w/aftermarkets just the same as you have depending probably on what mods your 900 has! stock-bb-nos,etc
I was running an 05 900 with the 975 Carl's BB, pipe, can, clutching, slp skis, v3's, fox around, vents up the ***! I love it and am adding Boss Noss 30hp shot to it this weekend so that next year I will have nobody bothering me except for those pesky Turbos!!! Should be at least 200hp in 5 days!
So keep the 9 and make it better and you'll appriciate it more when your rip'n up guys on their brand new shinny sleds who just paid like $10k for a stocker!???????????????????????????????? Those are the guys i like, buy the new one every year so I can buy your used 1 yr old sled for half price and make it worth having!
Does anyone agree with that last part especially or what?
I would keep the 9 at least til they come out with something that is better. i mean by that, the d-8 will ride nicer, handle a little better, etc. But performance and power the d-8 is no big difference. In fact I think that the snow conditions is all that seperates them depending on the day who will win! I ripped up my buddies d-8 and then another guy that i ride with once in a while on a d-8 in Mccall all year. Then at the end of the year when the snow finally setup hard and heroic the d-8 was competition again. Same for my buddies m1000 w/aftermarkets. It took hero snow for them to finally pull with me, before that I had the high mark and in the deep pow walked all over them up-down-flat. The d-8's also had pipe,can, clutching both sleds.
I loved it all year and up til april I had to laugh as they talked **** all year about their new sleds being this and that then could'nt outperform me in the end. I think I seriously saw a tear in one of their eyes, I won't mention names when they were getting passed up every pull in the deep pow early on!
So why buy new if your buying less or w/aftermarkets just the same as you have depending probably on what mods your 900 has! stock-bb-nos,etc
I was running an 05 900 with the 975 Carl's BB, pipe, can, clutching, slp skis, v3's, fox around, vents up the ***! I love it and am adding Boss Noss 30hp shot to it this weekend so that next year I will have nobody bothering me except for those pesky Turbos!!! Should be at least 200hp in 5 days!
So keep the 9 and make it better and you'll appriciate it more when your rip'n up guys on their brand new shinny sleds who just paid like $10k for a stocker!???????????????????????????????? Those are the guys i like, buy the new one every year so I can buy your used 1 yr old sled for half price and make it worth having!
Does anyone agree with that last part especially or what?
Thanks guys. have not modded it to much. slp torque stops, slp performance package. reeds,singlepipe and can, clutch kit, rad removal kit and slp shocktower vents/ hot air elimination package, extroverts. Also have boondocker nitrous and control box, but not installed yet.
What other mods are a must for this sled to make her a keeper and perform at its best. I had thought about a turbo and made a few calls but with some of the problems being had with the 900's. I thought a person should steer clear of that mod.
What other mods are a must for this sled to make her a keeper and perform at its best. I had thought about a turbo and made a few calls but with some of the problems being had with the 900's. I thought a person should steer clear of that mod.
The sled has very little done to it from stock. Has slp performance kit, slp hot air elimination kit, extroverts, slp clutch kit, slp air box / rad removalkit. simmons skis and 5" rox riser, sway bar removed, boondocker control box and nitrous not yet installed. Still has factory gearing, not sure what to go with 19/42 or 20/45 set up. Any info on other mods to make it run at its full potenial and make it a keeper would be greatly appreciated. Was kicking around the idea of a turbo, not sure if it is a good investment for the 900 being issues the engine can have. The machine has only 1600 mi and a new short block. mint cond.
Finish the full SLP kit with the cyl head.
Send the shocks to ARS-FX (Zbroz), have them install their triple rate spring set... this will allow you to pull the swaybar.
Find a Boss seat for your sled.
Ditch the SLP airbox... get the Fire N Ice and install the TCP bumper with the SPG float plate.
Go with some better skis.
The timbersled skid will drop some serious weight out of the sled and keep the front end down in climbs.
Reliability issures... pull the motor, and send it to Indy Dan to "blueprint" the bottom end...he can do the torquemaster treatment to the stock crank and true everything up. Install new pistons, worth the effort at 1600 miles... especially with nitrous. Have the injectors checked and cleaned, install a new fuel filter. Have the primary clutch shimmed for the new 3211115 belt I'm sure you are running by now and then have it and the flywheel ballanced. Replace the throttle body boots that are cracked by now. Replace the pull start rope with a high strength one and leave the bottom bolt and bottom out of the recoil housing so that you can remove it if you break a rope in the future. Order and install the throttle/oil cable from fatboyzfrenchie on the forum here. Install some of F-bombs black powder coated better-boards. Strip all of the foam out of the underhood area. Install one of the billet chaincase covers that will be out in about 2 weeks, inspect the chain and gears...clean and change the oil. Make sure that the fuel tank recall was done (free even if you dont have the warranty). Make sure that the fuel float update was done. Port the track down the center. Install one of Vanamburgs low profile front-tunnel coolers (not on thier website, give em a call). Add scratchers and remove some/all of the bogie wheels.
Even though its a "Dragon" with the cool graphics... the resale is not that great on these sleds. You can have a killer sled that would be hard to touch on the hill, even by a twin piped D-8.
Send the shocks to ARS-FX (Zbroz), have them install their triple rate spring set... this will allow you to pull the swaybar.
Find a Boss seat for your sled.
Ditch the SLP airbox... get the Fire N Ice and install the TCP bumper with the SPG float plate.
Go with some better skis.
The timbersled skid will drop some serious weight out of the sled and keep the front end down in climbs.
Reliability issures... pull the motor, and send it to Indy Dan to "blueprint" the bottom end...he can do the torquemaster treatment to the stock crank and true everything up. Install new pistons, worth the effort at 1600 miles... especially with nitrous. Have the injectors checked and cleaned, install a new fuel filter. Have the primary clutch shimmed for the new 3211115 belt I'm sure you are running by now and then have it and the flywheel ballanced. Replace the throttle body boots that are cracked by now. Replace the pull start rope with a high strength one and leave the bottom bolt and bottom out of the recoil housing so that you can remove it if you break a rope in the future. Order and install the throttle/oil cable from fatboyzfrenchie on the forum here. Install some of F-bombs black powder coated better-boards. Strip all of the foam out of the underhood area. Install one of the billet chaincase covers that will be out in about 2 weeks, inspect the chain and gears...clean and change the oil. Make sure that the fuel tank recall was done (free even if you dont have the warranty). Make sure that the fuel float update was done. Port the track down the center. Install one of Vanamburgs low profile front-tunnel coolers (not on thier website, give em a call). Add scratchers and remove some/all of the bogie wheels.
Even though its a "Dragon" with the cool graphics... the resale is not that great on these sleds. You can have a killer sled that would be hard to touch on the hill, even by a twin piped D-8.
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For gearing ... what is the track size?
