First sled... 2007 M8???

[Gottheurge]

I'm looking into getting a sled for next season and hoping to find an end of the season deal. I live in Boise and hope to do a variety of trail and mountain riding. I have very little experience with snowmobiling but am in decent physical shape and have a conservative riding style .

I found an 07 Arctic Cat M8 with about 600 miles on it, bone stock, excellent shape for $4100. Not knowing a lot about sleds or knowing any people that aren't totally biased, I'm having a tough time getting good advice on my purchase.

That being said, does this sound like it'd be a good, reliable and capable sled for me? How about the price? Is this a steal, or just an "ok" price for this time of year? I'd like to buy something that I could resell if I got in a pinch and not totally lose out.

Thanks for your advice.

Ben

 

[backcountryislife]

With 600 miles that's a great deal, and a very ideal first sled.

Once you get it, come back & folks here can help you work on making it better! There's a ton that can be done, some cheap, some not so much, but little by little you can make it rip.

 

[Gottheurge]

Cool, thanks for the input. I'm thinking at 140hp it should not need much more in the way of mods to make it rip. In your opinion, what would it "need" to "rip" more than it already does? Are you referring to mods that would increase power or decrease weight, or both?

Is there anything that would have to be done? I'm thinking a LH throttle would probably be a nice start...

Thanks

 

[colorado_matt]

If it's really clean that's a great deal. What elevation will you be riding at? If you're high enough, you can add a full exhaust system without a fuel controller.(y-pipe, pipe, muffler) Hopefully someone will clarify what elevation this is ok. This is a simple mod that will greatly increase performance. Then depending on your budget, there are functional mods such as powerclaw track, newer style float skid, new style rear tunnel and bumper kit, bdx lite diamond drive, and so on that all make the sled work a bit better.

 

[snowmobiler]

good sled.ok price.id offer a little less because 5000 can buy alot of newer sleds.ride it stock and dependable your first year riding.

 

[backcountryislife]

Cool, thanks for the input. I'm thinking at 140hp it should not need much more in the way of mods to make it rip. In your opinion, what would it "need" to "rip" more than it already does? Are you referring to mods that would increase power or decrease weight, or both?

Is there anything that would have to be done? I'm thinking a LH throttle would probably be a nice start...

Thanks

no. left hand throttles are the devil! You'll become a better rider if you learn to ride without one. They create bad habits.

As to what it takes to make it rip... that's all in the eye of the beholder. I can't imagine riding without a turbo again, but feel that anything over 15psi is a waste. Others are happy with stock, others need 20+ psi of boost... we're all crackheads here to some extent though!

A can, a better track, tunnel update, and float skid update are what I would do first, but if you're above 6k you can do a lot of mods without it being difficult to tune.

 

[Marble]

Best N/A performance mod for AC 800 before H.O, it's SLP single pipe kit.

You can get a better track i too, AC Powerclaw or Challenger Extreme 2.5 (The new CE is very good on every all conditions, the older CE is more specific for snow with '' a good bottom'' )

07' have the old footboard, I recommand to get a BetterBoard or other company because the stock board on 05-07' dont get out the snow.

I think that's better mod for start with your new sled! Good ride!

 

[sled-fiend]

If it's really clean that's a great deal. What elevation will you be riding at? If you're high enough, you can add a full exhaust system without a fuel controller.(y-pipe, pipe, muffler) Hopefully someone will clarify what elevation this is ok. This is a simple mod that will greatly increase performance. Then depending on your budget, there are functional mods such as powerclaw track, newer style float skid, new style rear tunnel and bumper kit, bdx lite diamond drive, and so on that all make the sled work a bit better.

Any elevation from sea level is fine with the slp pipe kit, bonus no fuel controller needed

 

[WyoBoy1000]

Its a good deal, get it checked out though. Compression, visual inspection on the pistons, drain and check DD fluid. Have someone look at it to make sure it looks like it has 600miles and not just a new speedo. Ride it once, if all checks out then its a deal but you just as well offer 3700 and maybe you can get a really good deal.

After that you don't need more power, but you do want to make sure its getting all the power and putting it to the ground. Some 07's ran really rich and over oiled themselves. One really good fix is the full slp pipe, I would worry more about upgrading the tunnel and dropping weight because it will make it easier to ride. Like said if you get it ride it then come back and we will help.

 

[Gottheurge]

Thanks for the input. I haven't pulled the trigger yet but getting close. Darn me for looking around though, the 2010 M8 sno pros sound super nice for around 7500-8000. I'm thinking the 07 for 4000 could be a toss up.

 

[WyoBoy1000]

If your interested in that price on the 2010 then you should just throw in a little more and buy my turbo.

 

[Gottheurge]

Done deal. Got the '07 M8.

 

[Stack]

Congrats on the new sled!

 

[WyoBoy1000]

what did you wind up getting it for

 

[snowmobiler]

Done deal. Got the '07 M8.

lets see a pic or it didnt happen

 

[Gottheurge]

I paid $4100 plus tax and $50 title fee. Out the door under $4400. Wait...bought oil, spare belt, 8 plugs, truck/trailer ramp (nice bi fold aluminum), and sled dollys for $280.

All in all, not bad, I think. Coulda shoulda woulda got a 2011 M8 sno pro with a few hundred miles for 8k that was deliver to the shop today...but figured I'd keep my first sled a little less expensive.

Hope to get some good pics tomorrow. Going to go ride up near Idaho city and try her out!

Oh, if anybody needs a new sled, Woodys Outdoor Power in Caldwell, ID just got 4 or 8 2011 M8s in. All seem to be very low miles and I believe they are going for 8k.

Wish me luck on some good riding and good pics!

 

[kidrman]

Oh, if anybody needs a new sled, Woodys Outdoor Power in Caldwell, ID just got 4 or 8 2011 M8s in. All seem to be very low miles and I believe they are going for 8k.

Wish me luck on some good riding and good pics!

Good luck, glad you are in the game.

Do you know if the 11's are rental units?

 

[Gottheurge]

I'm not sure if the 2011s are rentals are not. Might be though, why else would someone have so many with low miles???? I 'm wondering where my 07 came from to be honest...

As for the ride today, it was good except for the fact that I have no skills. Planning to go out tomorrow and get some more practice in.

I did have an issue with the sled dying intermittently once the rpms hit about 2000. I had to apply the throttle VERY slowly to get it to roll through, keep running, and get me going. Kinda sketchy considering I was a long, cold hike from civilization. I'd like to know what was causing that. Any suggestions on where to start? Where do I get good tech info on the whole sled including the fuel control/EFI system?

Ben

 

[Gottheurge]

....also, where is a good place to get a upper and lower control arm on the cheap? I managed to botch a hill climb and watch my day old sled ghost ride back down and smash a tree. Got real lucky is all I can say!

 

[M.M. 700]

....also, where is a good place to get a upper and lower control arm on the cheap? I managed to botch a hill climb and watch my day old sled ghost ride back down and smash a tree. Got real lucky is all I can say!

Good places to get parts.

the swapmeet on this site

PM "FreeAgent" on the forums, she can have parts to your door FAST

www.countrycat.net

www.kenssports.com

Also On the Kens Sports and the Country Cat, check out there E-Bay store. They have some good deals.