Bisledular

Old-Soul

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Comfort level on any sled takes time....

Not to but in here and derail (I also rode a '13 PRO this weekend, albeit for 10 minutes because it's my uncles and he just picked it up haha) but I too just picked up a REV Mr. Bogger, and after the first day I "did not" like it much at all...but after the 4th (saturday) I really like it. Like you said, comfort lever takes time and I find myself getting for comfortable with me "new" machine and I'm sure you would too. If I can ride it, anyone can haha.

Sorry. As you were. ;P
 

Bogger

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I'm sure I could get used to and even comfortable on one, but I'm just getting the hang of my M and actually look and feel like I know what I'm doing now, so I don't know if I'm big on starting over.... I do find that once you plant the track on an M it holds a line nicely while the rev & xp tend to "float" a lot more...

Anyway I am picking up what your laying down and agree with you.....

We now return you to your regularly scheduled brand bashing....

Not to but in here and derail (I also rode a '13 PRO this weekend, albeit for 10 minutes because it's my uncles and he just picked it up haha) but I too just picked up a REV Mr. Bogger, and after the first day I "did not" like it much at all...but after the 4th (saturday) I really like it. Like you said, comfort lever takes time and I find myself getting for comfortable with me "new" machine and I'm sure you would too. If I can ride it, anyone can haha.

Sorry. As you were. ;P
 
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duck

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First impressions on a new ride go a long way huh?

You have to ask yourself.......If the XM did what it did and felt like it did in 15 minutes, can you get any other sled to do the same or better?
Hell, can the XM be made to ride better with minor adjustments as well? What about overall quality of the product?
Thanks for the info Krista.....I hope you find what you like....
 

Bounce

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Rowdy,

The best advice I would give you is to test ride until you are comfortable about your decision. What you are asking for in a new machine costs money and if you are going to shell out the money the ride has to be perfect! Keep test riding as long as you can, or until something sticks!

I personally have switched brands but will not tell you from what to what....

Good luck in your search....
 

SledMamma

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Nice review Rowdy!! I do think you are right to try and get more seat time...I know when I first got my 2012 Proclimb I hated it compared to the 2011 SnoPro M8 and worried for weeks that I was not going to be able to learn to ride it. I eventually learned to love the machine, but it took about 5 solid rides. In February, I smashed the right side of the machine all to heck and had to ride my 2009 M8 chassis: Could barely make it turn and had my husband sell it ASAP :)

I rode Lara (Skinnybitch's) ETEC in 2011 and couldn't even make it turn out when climbing, but the power was beautiful. Coming from a Cat chassis, I think it would have taken a significant amount of seat time to get used to the steering. Fast forward to present day and I am on a ProRMK 155" (2013). It is a great sled and very nimble. BUUUUUTTTT, my decision to buy a PRO was based on riding my husbands's 2012 ProAssault, which I was able to jump on and ride better than my Cat from the get go. I test drove a 163" ProRMK and didn't like it much, but I attributed it to the extra length. When it came time to snocheck, I chose the RMK over the Assault bcz of the lighter weight and the belt drive. I wanted to try the new technology and I assumed that they were basically the same sled with only a few differences in ski stance and suspension. Yesterday I rode my husband's Assault all day because my daughter was riding mine. It TRULY is easier to ride, even with the suspension set up for someone 100 pounds heavier than I am. Those little differences in set-up make a WORLD of difference in handling. I am somewhat regretting my decision to buy the RMK with very little seat time on it. I should have trusted my gut. It's not that I don't like my sled, its that I like my husband's better. Now I will have to spend more coin to bring them closer to being similar in handling :( or trade mine in next year and take a hit on equity difference :( :(

I guess what I am saying is that if your gut is telling you not to jump without more seat time, then listen. If your gut says you feel at home on the XM and it will be something you love, then listen to that too... But don't listen to Maxwell or TMOcrankypants16###. There is nothing wrong with being a Mom with a sled with a stupid name :)
 
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catinthehat

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Rowdy has given us a very honest review of her test rides, she admits which sleds she didn't have enough seat time for a true evaluation.
There is a lot to be said for familiarity as far as how each machine feels from the hop on and go standpoint, we all would probably find the one that felt the best is the one closest to what we ride all the time.
Good on you Rowdy for being smart enough to recognize this fact and be willing to risk another couple of riding days trying to be sure what is best for you.
 

Summiteer

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Rowdy, I went from an 06 144" Rev to a 162" '12 pro. I fought with the steering for a little while, found it more awkward on the trails than in the deep. I've changed a few things on the pro (2" riser, '13 boards, simmons Gen 3 skis, fat guy spring for rear shock) and with 1000 miles on the sled I'm pretty comfortable on it now. (jury is still out on the skis). The chitty thing is, I rode my buddy's 163 XM and loved it right from the get go. (Same as when I first rode the Rev). I originally bought the pro because I hated the XP, although I didn't ride it a ton. Not sure what my point is except maybe the time you spend learning the pro COULD be spent enjoying the XM..... OR you could grow to love the pro... Glad it's you making the decision, not me... :)
 

maxwell

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rowdy, i went from an 06 144" rev to a 162" '12 pro. I fought with the steering for a little while, found it more awkward on the trails than in the deep. I've changed a few things on the pro (2" riser, '13 boards, simmons gen 3 skis, fat guy spring for rear shock) and with 1000 miles on the sled i'm pretty comfortable on it now. (jury is still out on the skis). The chitty thing is, i rode my buddy's 163 xm and loved it right from the get go. (same as when i first rode the rev). I originally bought the pro because i hated the xp, although i didn't ride it a ton. Not sure what my point is except maybe the time you spend learning the pro could be spent enjoying the xm..... Or you could grow to love the pro... Glad it's you making the decision, not me... :)

bazinga!
 

maxwell

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Nice review Rowdy!! I do think you are right to try and get more seat time...I know when I first got my 2012 Proclimb I hated it compared to the 2011 SnoPro M8 and worried for weeks that I was not going to be able to learn to ride it. I eventually learned to love the machine, but it took about 5 solid rides. In February, I smashed the right side of the machine all to heck and had to ride my 2009 M8 chassis: Could barely make it turn and had my husband sell it ASAP :)

I rode Lara (Skinnybitch's) ETEC in 2011 and couldn't even make it turn out when climbing, but the power was beautiful. Coming from a Cat chassis, I think it would have taken a significant amount of seat time to get used to the steering. Fast forward to present day and I am on a ProRMK 155" (2013). It is a great sled and very nimble. BUUUUUTTTT, my decision to buy a PRO was based on riding my husbands's 2012 ProAssault, which I was able to jump on and ride better than my Cat from the get go. I test drove a 163" ProRMK and didn't like it much, but I attributed it to the extra length. When it came time to snocheck, I chose the RMK over the Assault bcz of the lighter weight and the belt drive. I wanted to try the new technology and I assumed that they were basically the same sled with only a few differences in ski stance and suspension. Yesterday I rode my husband's Assault all day because my daughter was riding mine. It TRULY is easier to ride, even with the suspension set up for someone 100 pounds heavier than I am. Those little differences in set-up make a WORLD of difference in handling. I am somewhat regretting my decision to buy the RMK with very little seat time on it. I should have trusted my gut. It's not that I don't like my sled, its that I like my husband's better. Now I will have to spend more coin to bring them closer to being similar in handling :( or trade mine in next year and take a hit on equity difference :( :(

I guess what I am saying is that if your gut is telling you not to jump without more seat time, then listen. If your gut says you feel at home on the XM and it will be something you love, then listen to that too... But don't listen to Maxwell or TMOcrankypants16###. There is nothing wrong with being a Mom with a sled with a stupid name :)

you mean the guy that rides a million days a year or the other guy that rides a million days a year? ya dont listen too them thats dumb! or the same guy that took a pro out for 3 straight days expecting to love it and didnt. he must be wrong aswell and he didnt even like the xp before!!

dont knock it till you have tried it.


i think your taking my post incorrectly. im not saying the pro or the cat is a BAD sled. what im saying is shes comfortable on the xm so why fawk with that.

im in no way saying one cant spend a week and become a super star on another sled. but whyyyyy waste that time. maybe if your going to gain something but your not. all your going to gain by TRYING to learn the pro rmk is saving 500$ on the purchase price and then losing 2000 to do upgrades to it. JMO
 

Bnorth

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I can really relate to being comfortable on what you're used to. I tried a 2012 pro last season and it was impressive but felt like it would take a solid month to get used to. Hopped on the XM yesterday and I was right at home from the get go. I try not to be brand biased but apparently my muscle memory is cause it's programmed to doo and the horizontal steering.

Also does anyone else think the fact the footwells are more forward on the XM is useless? I had the riser in line with the post so the bars hold you back in the middle of the boards, the only way you can use the more forward positioning would be wrong foot forward with the bars practically behind you.
 

CUSO

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It all depends on your gut feeling. If I spend a couple of hours on any sled it feels somewhat comfortable. Some are easier than others though.

First impressions are pretty much what is the end result. You know doo's, their traits, etc. (plus you have all the clutch tools for maintenance lol)

When I took a '12 pro out I had to think about what I had to do all the time I rode it... should I lean more, less, should I turn more, etc...

Jumping on the XM, I thought WTF it's so tippy.... but then after about 10 minutes I felt like I could go anywhere without thinking about it.
It felt like an extension of my body. That's my impression.


Think about it this way Krista, if you had get out of a sticky situation, and it was "make it or yard sale" Which sled would you choose?

Try all the sleds a bit more, and try to sidehill and carve with your eyes closed.... for a little distance...
 

Cat401

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Great video.....valuable info in regards to TRUE SLED WEIGHTS

Starting Weights;
Cat - 564 lbs
Doo - 558 lbs
Poo - 516 lbs

Snow & Ice Buildup;
Cat - 47 lbs
Doo - 83 lbs
Poo - 94 lbs

True Weights after riding;
Cat - 611 lbs
Doo - 641 lbs
Poo - 610 lbs

Arctic Cat Weight Test - YouTube
 

CUSO

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HAHA your earlier posts made me think of this BIASED video.. funny how the cat looked like it was wiped clean around the seat...:rolleyes:

Brought to you by.....


Great video.....valuable info in regards to TRUE SLED WEIGHTS

Starting Weights;
Cat - 564 lbs
Doo - 558 lbs
Poo - 516 lbs

Snow & Ice Buildup;
Cat - 47 lbs
Doo - 83 lbs
Poo - 94 lbs

True Weights after riding;
Cat - 611 lbs
Doo - 641 lbs
Poo - 610 lbs

Arctic Cat Weight Test - YouTube
 
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~Rowdy~

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Great video.....valuable info in regards to TRUE SLED WEIGHTS

Starting Weights;
Cat - 564 lbs
Doo - 558 lbs
Poo - 516 lbs

Snow & Ice Buildup;
Cat - 47 lbs
Doo - 83 lbs
Poo - 94 lbs

True Weights after riding;
Cat - 611 lbs
Doo - 641 lbs
Poo - 610 lbs

Arctic Cat Weight Test - YouTube

Ok not to be offensive but I am tired of hearing about sled weight. If I really cared that much about 10-20lbs I wouldn't drink beer, order the salad and I'd be at the gym more lol.

Even if I get the lightest sled I'm still loading it up with gear, and my back pack I swear weighs 30lbs. I really can't believe the "lightest" is the best. Set up, horse power, maneuverability all have more to do with it than anything. I know a handful of guys on turbo nytros that can ninja them thru the trees like nothing. Doesn't mean I want one tho!! Lol
 

~Rowdy~

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It all depends on your gut feeling. If I spend a couple of hours on any sled it feels somewhat comfortable. Some are easier than others though.

First impressions are pretty much what is the end result. You know doo's, their traits, etc. (plus you have all the clutch tools for maintenance lol)

When I took a '12 pro out I had to think about what I had to do all the time I rode it... should I lean more, less, should I turn more, etc...

Jumping on the XM, I thought WTF it's so tippy.... but then after about 10 minutes I felt like I could go anywhere without thinking about it.
It felt like an extension of my body. That's my impression.


Think about it this way Krista, if you had get out of a sticky situation, and it was "make it or yard sale" Which sled would you choose?

Try all the sleds a bit more, and try to sidehill and carve with your eyes closed.... for a little distance...

I'd "like" this post but I can't on Tapatalk lol. I also agree with most things you said
 

Cat401

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Ok not to be offensive but I am tired of hearing about sled weight. If I really cared that much about 10-20lbs I wouldn't drink beer, order the salad and I'd be at the gym more lol.

Even if I get the lightest sled I'm still loading it up with gear, and my back pack I swear weighs 30lbs. I really can't believe the "lightest" is the best. Set up, horse power, maneuverability all have more to do with it than anything. I know a handful of guys on turbo nytros that can ninja them thru the trees like nothing. Doesn't mean I want one tho!! Lol

Just showin you the facts Jack!

The doolaide boys like to skew the truth and then giggle and high five each other and call all the others POS's..... In the end they are all damn good machines....pick the one that feels right to you.
 

~Rowdy~

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Just showin you the facts Jack!

The doolaide boys like to skew the truth and then giggle and high five each other and call all the others POS's..... In the end they are all damn good machines....pick the one that feels right to you.

I hope you said that like Si! Hehe

Yeah I know there's also poolaide and catlaide that people are trying to get me to drink. I just like to sit back and listen, at the end of the day I don't care what brand I ride as long as it works, I'm comfortable and $hit don't break on me! :) but I do have to say, and sorry I know you are a cat guy, I'm truly not interested in hopping on a cat as my next sled. I know I know hate me but they just don't get me excited lol.
 

CUSO

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Whoa..

Feel the love!!

tumblr_lqq1j75Va21qbotu4o1_400.jpg



Just showin you the facts Jack!

The doolaide boys like to skew the truth and then giggle and high five each other and call all the others POS's..... In the end they are all damn good machines....pick the one that feels right to you.
 

~Rowdy~

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Neocitron is kicking in better go to bed will read the rest tomorrow and respond. Guess I had too much fun the last two weeks...lol.
 
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