2015 Arctic Cat M8000 Review

[snowrideadventures]

so with you getting a demo sled from a local dealer would be the same somewhat as a sponsorship right?? I don't see many of us getting demo sleds from dealers to do reviews on a sled. just asking??

I think it likely depends on your relationship with your dealer. "Somewhat the same as sponsorship".....maybe for some, it depends if all your looking for is a free sled, thats not my M.O. I would rather buy/finance a machine, not be bound by any obligations and enjoy riding. $250/month on a payment plan isn't that hard to swallow. Today's "sponsorships" usually entail a partnership with numerous obligations from both parties, each contributing to the others financial well being, especially if people are trying to make careers in this sport. Burandt and Rasmussen are good examples, I find it highly doubtful that my operation will fashion any measure of support from an OEM remotely close to what they in place, I've accepted this and I won't feel insulted if our opinions defer, nor do I think that it it works for me, it will work for everyone else.

For those that question the integrity of the review, I alternated between sleds a fair bit this winter. I had mixed feelings about the 2014, there were some people that were not happy that I wasn't joyfully waving the AC flag as I was never confident with the machine and felt there was a fair bit of room for improvement. To my surprise, the 2015 seems to be significantly improved, enough that I really enjoyed riding it. I feel that my assessment is honest but I also like different sleds for different types of riding.

SnowRide Adventures mid-winter feature with Jorli Ricker - YouTube

 

[noob]

I heard you were in talks with cat next year for a fleet of sleds??

 

[snowrideadventures]

I heard you were in talks with cat next year for a fleet of sleds??

That is not correct, I've reached out to various manufacturers (for years), AC being one of them, my outreach has never been related to purchasing a fleet of sleds- that has been their desired outcome, not mine. AC has offered to sell us snowmobiles at a slightly discounted rate for rental purposes, however I am not in the business of renting snowmobiles, and won't be unless the company takes a dramatic change in direction. The addition of a snowmobile rental program would also significantly increase insurance premiums. The website clearly states the arrangement regarding rental units and I am very content with the current arrangement.

Ultimately, I think it would be cool to produce an independent shootout between Doo, Poo and AC. Put all the machines to the test against each other and see which one comes out on top throughout various criteria. I can't imagine any of the OEMs would want to subject their machines to real independent scrutiny where they have no leverage to influence an end result, this would provide the right environment to be brutally honest.

 

[maxwell]

That is not correct, I've reached out to various manufacturers (for years), AC being one of them, my outreach has never been related to purchasing a fleet of sleds- that has been their desired outcome, not mine. AC has offered to sell us snowmobiles at a slightly discounted rate for rental purposes, however I am not in the business of renting snowmobiles, and won't be unless the company takes a dramatic change in direction. The addition of a snowmobile rental program would also significantly increase insurance premiums. The website clearly states the arrangement regarding rental units and I am very content with the current arrangement.

Ultimately, I think it would be cool to produce an independent shootout between Doo, Poo and AC. Put all the machines to the test against each other and see which one comes out on top throughout various criteria. I can't imagine any of the OEMs would want to subject their machines to real independent scrutiny where they have no leverage to influence an end result, this would provide the right environment to be brutally honest.

I fully agree. You also need a variety of good riders not someone that comes to the hills once a year to tear mountain snowmobiles like most magazines (other than mountain sledder)


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[lilduke]

SnowRide Adventures mid-winter feature with Jorli Ricker - YouTube

Sweet vid man, that looks awesome! I might have to do a season in Whistler...