13 M8 or 13 800 pro RMK

[wweverett]

Ok, buying a new sled this year and I want peoples opinion....and why they have that opinion.

New cat or new polaris...ski-doo not even considered last one (08 xp) was great but bent up real easy. Spun a crank bearing at 400 miles on a warranty replaced engine and doo wouldnt cover it so no more doo.

 

[CO 2.0]

I rode Cat M's for years. Last year bought a new Proclimb 800. Very strong motor as usual with Cat. The sled has a very nice suspension in the bumps and jumps. With the steering mod turning is sharp and easy. The sled was too fat for me though. The front end design would get caught up in wind blown snow and get stuck easier than any M or Pro rmk ever in certain situations. Likes to nose dive. The sled was also more unpredictable with its line in very technical situations like in the trees and steep sidehills. I sold my proclimb 1/2 way through last season, kept my M8, and bought a 2012 Polaris pro rmk. The Pro RMK is the most predictable sled I've ever ridden, and rides the techincal stuff more like an M. In stock form, the suspension is rough though on the pro rmk. It can toss you and buck you in rutted out and whooped out terrain. It needs different shocks BAD. I ponied up and bought Raptors for it. Best thing I could have done to the sled. The Pro RMK is underpowered compared to the proclimb 800. Had many days side by side with one to see the difference. The C3 belt drive helped on my Polaris, but still felt a bit underpowered compared to the proclimb 8. Happy that I switched over to the pro rmk since it's the best for technical riding, but like Arctic Cat's warranty and motor dept WAY better.

 

[R J]

You do realize this will no doubt become brand a is best over brand b sort of thing don't you?

Go with what YOU like, not what all of the talking heads here at SW say.

For what it matters, I prefer Polaris. Would I buy a 2013 model, no it's not in the cards for me to do so. Why I like Polaris, they fit me best. Feel, performace, longevity, features etc.

Dealerships are things to consider in terms of location, where you ride and what may happen in case something goes wrong, also price, incentives, resale not only in the price category but also in the speed at which something will sell.

 

[CO 2.0]

Maybe he hasn't ridden either one to know what he likes, and that's why he's asking the question? Of course you will get brand loyalists coming in here preaching that the brand they ride is the best. Glad I'm not brand loyal. Just giving him the best advice I can for what I thought between the two sleds, since I owned both and rode both for many miles last season...

 

[wweverett]

Dealer has both sleds.....same price out the door, actually one of my buddies is the manager.

I really appreciate all the info.

 

[Leaf27]

Pro RMK all the way.

 

[snowmobiler]

flip a coin

 

[cbc24]

Imma say whichever dealership treats ya better, i went too cat in town and they basically had the most expensive price and no extra features, went to skidoo and waited around for a long time, the salemen made no attempt to really make a deal either, then went too the polaris dealer in town and they were ok but still no extra perks or anything, so i went to the polaris dealer just outa town they wanted to throw another years warranty in for 300$ , give an extra belt and plugs, 15% off parts and the sales men actually made me want too purchase a machine from them. I ride doo and wanted a doo but im going to poo this year just from the salemen

 

[jakey-boy]

I can tell you at heart I am a cat guy. Loved my 09 m8 it was a blast to ride. However after riding with my buddy on his stock 2011 pro 2 years ago I ordered a 2012 Polaris PRO and absolutely feel i made the best decision. I ride with 2012 cats all the time and am very close friends with the local cat dealer and really like the cats. But the pro is such an amazing handling sled. It really does inspire confidence in all types of riders to pull more technical difficult lines. That being said I rode the 2012 cat plenty last year and it also handles very well. Through the bumps in stock form the cat rides better and it will out climb the polaris in a head to head climbing situation. However for me I would rather pick the technical line that nobody can follow through the trees than see which sled can shoot straight up the hill higher. It all depends on your riding style tho. Neither sled is significantly better in any category. I definitely feel the 2013 cat will be a big improvement from 2012 as they addressed some of the issues with what I feel are great solutions.

 

[89sandman]

pro rmk. if your a technical tree rider there is no question.

 

[wweverett]

Thanks again for the replies, I am a technical rider some of the nastiest lines you can find up canyons and such....I loved my xp 154 w/ the ez-ryde just for this but......like I said no doo for me. One of my best buddies recommended the pro but I just hate to ride the same sled as "everybody else". But I dont want to be wishing I had there sled either.


Looks like the pro is getting the nod...got a couple months before I am pulling the trigger, another winter like last year and I will wait for the 14's to come out.

 

[MGM]

Had an M7 that I loved and am still kicking my self for selling, that sled was awesome and never ever gave me problems.

That being said in 11 I wanted a new sled and the M's at the time weren't different enough to warrant buying IMO. I bough the Pro and have never looked back, seamless to ride after coming off the M and just plain old fun, I was pretty amazed with how much I liked it even over my M. I even checked a '13 pro.

In addition I ride with a guy on a new ProClimb and while the power is nice (yes seems a bit stronger than the Pro) That's about where it ends for me. I really tried to give it a chance because of my M series but it just seem to fall short everywhere but power. Constant recalls, really didn't enjoy the boards, and honestly it felt heavy when riding or being stuck. Fit and finish seemed sub par and replacing a belt is kind of a joke if you ask me (especially after exploding one at 280 miles in -5 weather).

So that's my .02 sounds like if it's the same dealer the pro will be hard to beat....

 

[The Fourth Wolf]

I have no real seat time on Cats (my buddy's clutched/piped M8 is impressive) but I have a 12 Pro 163 and love it. Very nimble, even at 163. Lots of talk about HP lacking but in low to mid range the Pro works great--very responsive and the hype about "popping" up onto the snow isn't hype.

Best stock skid, and best stock clutching, and that's where a mountain sled makes its bones.

If you get an '11 or '12 upgrade the boards and front shocks. '13, just the shocks.

I want a 13 but the wife veto'd (I just bought you the 12!!!). Can I snowcheck my '15 now?

 

[polarisfornow]

The 13 cat has a cigarette lighter adapter built in.

 

[madmax]

I had both 2012 pro 155 and 2012 m8 153 last year. Both great sleds. Both have a number of changes for 2013. The biggest for the cat is the 2.6 lug track, for the pro the belt drive. Wish I could take you on a test ride with both sleds. That's what I would recommend. You will love either one, personally I'd get the M8.

 

[Sage Crusher]

If your a tree riding guy and Tech terrian rider- then save some $$ and just go with the Pro RMK 6- why do you need or even want a 8 in those type of conditions? your not pinning the throttle at all

Have ran (owned) M8 2012 and like the power way way over the soft 2012 Prom 8 RMK- but if all your intrested in is the trees, and dont want to get spanked highmarking.. just buy the 600 and smile as it is no slouch

S?C

 

[wweverett]

At this altitude the 600 is no good (10,000+). Looks like it may get put off till next year anyway....had to repo my skidsteer I sold to my brother so now I have to get that deal caught back up.

 

[CANNONMAN]

I'm with CO 2.0. Very accurate post. I too had both last year and having had Cats for many years I just could not get used tothe lack of power in the Pro. The lack of power is noticable. It was like I always wanted to reach around and slap it like a tired/lazy horse. I also couldn't get out of mind all the posts about failed engines. I was always waiting to hear it go boom. Great handling but that is about all. Everyone says the Cat is heavier but I could not feel the difference if indeed there is any. I thought it handled just as well as the Pro. Only thing I would change on Cat is the thin skis. I just traded for a '13. Rode a prototype last Jan. with the new track and there is a noticable difference. Cat for me!

 

[Leaf27]

I'm with CO 2.0. Very accurate post. I too had both last year and having had Cats for many years I just could not get used tothe lack of power in the Pro. The lack of power is noticable. It was like I always wanted to reach around and slap it like a tired/lazy horse. I also couldn't get out of mind all the posts about failed engines. I was always waiting to hear it go boom. Great handling but that is about all. Everyone says the Cat is heavier but I could not feel the difference if indeed there is any. I thought it handled just as well as the Pro. Only thing I would change on Cat is the thin skis. I just traded for a '13. Rode a prototype last Jan. with the new track and there is a noticable difference. Cat for me!

Exact opposite experience I have had with mine. Came off a $30,000.00 mod XP and purchased a 2012 Pro RMK, I thought the power was good, went up agaisnt a 12 M800 and had no problem out climbing/performing it in 3' of fresh.

To the OP dont let the hype scare you about the motor there are guys that have 2500+ miles on there Pro and there are a few that have had failure at 500miles. Just turn the oil pump up and add some oil to your fuel. ****, I know of a few 2012 Cats that went boom with only 2 miles on them. JM2C

 

[summ8rmk]

I'm on the same fence as u. But skidoo is in the mix too.
I'm gonna wait till Dec and demo all 3!
Then let myself decide on which feels best for my riding style!
Sorry but the pro doesn't keep up on the big hills. It has plenty of power and will take just about anywhere u want to go but cat and doo will leave the highmark.