Bought a 2015 M8000, now what?

[skegpro]

Ok so yesterday at lunch I accidentally bought a 2015 M8000.

What does a guy have to do to this sled?

I have read steering bushings is a must.

Aluminum gear in the chain case?

How about a 36" front end?

Thanks

 

[Bnorth]

2016 front end is a must IMO

 

[Allseasons]

Ride it and see. From 15 to 16, 16-17, 17-18 there were a lot of changes. Arctic cat seemed to do little things, but each year made huge strides in handling and ability.

Steering slop means nothing to me. Only time I feel slop in steering is when I’m garage riding wishing I was on the mountain. But front end, evol shocks and 3” track was a massive deal for me. Then again, nothing wrong with a 2.6 pc. But if you took the 15 and only changed front end, it makes it a pretty enjoyable ride in the powder- less work.

 

[250mark1]

how do you accidentally buy a snowmobile lol

 

[chickenman]

how do you accidentally buy a snowmobile lol

Id like to slide this one past the bride too! Tell us your secrets! Lol

 

[AGGRESIVEZEBRA]

front end is what will take that from feeling like a crossover sled to a true mountain sled. 3 inch track is nice but that 2.6 will chew through more than most think. if it has the adjustable steering post i would do either the z bros delete or the oem fixed post kit. as well the 15's come with the older quite narrow skis that like to submarine a bit in deep powder or when the front end comes down from the heavens. other than that pull and go. oh and touchy subject but a can is a nice way to get rid of 12-15 pounds.

 

[Eldereldo]

Skis are the critical thing, everything else is nice, and will make an improvement, but start with the skis, then the 36” front end. After that just ride it.

 

[bgraff1]

skis are junk so get rid of them. 36" front end is a huge change from the 38" and I highly recommend. 3" track is nice but not needed. put a can on it also, easy cheap way to save weight. running boards also suck but I went since 2011 on my proclimb without changing them so I wouldn't say needed. SLP kit makes some good power and saves a lot of weight. belt drive saves a lot of rotating mass, more efficient and don't have to worry about the auto tensioner failing and taking out the whole chain case

 

[skegpro]

2016 front end is a must IMO

So the stock is a 38"
I'd wanna go to a 36", would I be able to reuse the stock shocks?

Best place to buy?

 

[skegpro]

Id like to slide this one past the bride too! Tell us your secrets! Lol

Master fake Chow my friend.

 

[skegpro]

how do you accidentally buy a snowmobile lol

Lunch meeting
**** happens

 

[AGGRESIVEZEBRA]

So the stock is a 28"
I'd wanna go to a 26", would I be able to reuse the stock shocks?

Best place to buy?

Yes you can use the stock shocks the kit comes with a spacer. you do need to rebuild the shocks as the spacer goes internally. as for best place to buy, any arctic cat shop will have the same price in the catalog. i would go to where you bought the sled or a dealer your good with and see if they can cut you a deal on either the parts or the labor to rebuild the shocks.

 

[skegpro]

front end is what will take that from feeling like a crossover sled to a true mountain sled. 3 inch track is nice but that 2.6 will chew through more than most think. if it has the adjustable steering post i would do either the z bros delete or the oem fixed post kit. as well the 15's come with the older quite narrow skis that like to submarine a bit in deep powder or when the front end comes down from the heavens. other than that pull and go. oh and touchy subject but a can is a nice way to get rid of 12-15 pounds.

Running boards check.
Track Check.
Can, Check. But I don't think I saved any weight.

I do need to deal with this front end.
Aftermarket or cat?

 

[ducati]

On my 15 I put the 2016 front end and a set of Mohawks on, made a huge difference IMO. Rode it back to back with a stock 2016 and actually still liked how my 15 with those mods handled so i think the skis made a big difference.

Really happy with mine and, like a previous poster said, you only notice the steering post slop when you are garage riding.

 

[skegpro]

On my 15 I put the 2016 front end and a set of Mohawks on, made a huge difference IMO. Rode it back to back with a stock 2016 and actually still liked how my 15 with those mods handled so i think the skis made a big difference.

Really happy with mine and, like a previous poster said, you only notice the steering post slop when you are garage riding.

So what did a front end kit cost you?

Called Alberta Cycle they are $1100 this year.

Last year they did a bulk buy and they were $725.

 

[skegpro]

How about these for a-arms?

Re-uses stock spindles.
Re-uses stock shocks.

Canadian made.

http://barcodeperformance.com/product/yamaha-sr-viperarctic-cat-proclimb-365-kit/

 

[Trukker]

Sounds like lunch is getting a whole lot more expensive LOL

 

[AGGRESIVEZEBRA]

i have not heard anyone having any experience with the bar code kit. lots of talk on them but no real world tests. i know the cat front end has been getting guys switching over from other aftermarkets like skinz. They really dialed in the front end before they put it out there. i would say go cat front end it is guaranteed to work and work amazing, and parts are very easy to get. ill take a look at what i could do pricing for you as i work at a cat shop in Edmonton to help out a fellow S&M member.

 

[niner]

What kind of can is that? Doesn’t look lighter but might add power. lol

 

[skegpro]

i have not heard anyone having any experience with the bar code kit. lots of talk on them but no real world tests. i know the cat front end has been getting guys switching over from other aftermarkets like skinz. They really dialed in the front end before they put it out there. i would say go cat front end it is guaranteed to work and work amazing, and parts are very easy to get. ill take a look at what i could do pricing for you as i work at a cat shop in Edmonton to help out a fellow S&M member.

Awesome thanks!