With todays technology, no matter what brand you buy, you shouldn't be having any problems for first 5000 km.
Letting engine warm up properly (anybody with liquid cooled engine knows how to warm them up).
Also don't use certain pump gas brands, people there is only so many refinerys around for...
I'm not sure what size the M8 takes for a belt, but the M1000 takes the 046 and this is the standard AC belt for around $140.00 and M1000will also take the 060 which is a kevlar belt for around $220.00, which my dealer tells me is the difference. I use the more expensive belt as I get aprox...
You don't have to go through the scales, they set up check stops and I feel they sometimes target the snowmobilers, they have used portables scales to check your weights if they suspect your over.
Last year in Valemount while our group was fueling up, we witnessed 3 RCMP cruisers pulling over...
I run the Jaws can on my 08 M1000, louder than the MBRP and I think it works a little better, but that's a matter of preference. You drop aprox. 14 lbs by getting rid of the stocker.
I've been using electric shields for 25 yrs and they don't fog up, as long you get a good one. I have just let my wire hang and have never had a trees tear it out, only gets torn out when the sled rolls over. They are getting harder to find, when looking for one, make sure it has a 2 wire...
Has anybody had problems with the rear fox air shock on the 08 M1000, I have to pump mine up at least once per trip, I've had it back to dealer & it checks out fine when they look at it. Is there a change over to another shock and spring sytem?