I tell it as it is, always have, always will. I'm an average rider at best. Never will be more. Have worked in the industry for quite a few years. I've been asked numerous times on my YouTube page or Facebook page (Backcountry Bandit) if I could give a review on the big 3 mountain sleds since I've spent some time on all of them. So here goes:
I've always liked the xm chassis. Even though I worked for cat. Considered the xm the king of the mountain. Easy to ride, great power, best warranty.
Proclimb, tough, Reliable, great power.
The pro, liked it's handling but hated it's reliability, or lack there of. Power was down too.
Doo, cat, poo.. In that order.
That was then and this is now... boy have things changed.
Took a short break from the industry and purchased a 17 850 165x. First ride impressions were better than expected. Power was, clean, crisp, and abundant. The lack of rider input to go where you wanted to go... Unprecedented...almost unnerving. Slight shifts of feet were exaggerated greatly, in handling.
But issues ensued. Big ones. I lost complete faith in my purchase. Did it work? Absolutely. Once doo has this thing figured out, lookout. With all the new updates (bulkhead, clutches, etc) they're on their way.
Poo.... Heck you couldn't give me a dragon... Or even a pro. But I tried an axys last season. Everything changed. I actually considered it with the 850 but decided to go doo. I mean, I don't know if I could ever live it down.... Owning a poo after all the grief I gave, buddies!
After my 850 experience, I went in to buy a 17 axys. I was offered a demo and took it on a 4 day trip.
I honestly felt that I've been jipped. All those years on the proclimb. No grace, rammy, get it done riding style. But really had no choice, being that I ran a cat dealer. The mountain cat was a great sled but still lacked the finesse.
This axys has changed everything. I never thought at nearly 40, I could progress in my riding ability. But I have. The axys is a truly awesome sled. Easiest stock sled to ride, bar none. Best running boards, best bars, best skis. Not the most power, I'd say 3rd, honestly. It has terrible, and I mean, terrible trail manners. It's like riding a narrow bucking bronco. But man can it dance in the trees!
The cat...I've been on a cat since 06. I'm not brand loyal in any way shape or form. But you don't crap where you eat. Running a cat dealer I didn't have much choice in sleds. I always praised the competition, especially the doo.
But the 18 Cat.... Isn't hype. It works and works well. Best motor of the 3. Clean, crisp, like the doo but dare I say, more power? It feels so. The motor is spot on. I only hope it's even a third of the Suzuki in the reliability department.
Sidehill? Great. 2nd only to the axys. It still washed out a bit but leaps and bounds better than a 16. I had a 17 mountain cat as a demo. Which until this 18 came along, was the best cat to date. How they thought it was ok to put those controls on the bars, not change the running boards to clear more snow, not change the ski, and not come up with their own quick release tunnel accessory... I don't know.
2018 is going to be the best year to purchase a new mountain sled. Never has it ever been this close. Especially with the doo updates.
Conclusion: if your a tree banger, live for the creek ride, and really techy stuff. The axys is the answer.
If you're a smash it, hit it pussaaay, push it to the max kinda folk. The 18 Cat.
If you're a meadow smasher, big shoot' r, deep pow, down hill turner... The summit.
There is no order any longer. Toss a coin, folks.
What a great time to be a mountain sledder...well except for the effin prices!
Here's Some vids of myself riding all three sleds.
***note*** while I was shopping for the axys I was literally offered a job at the dealership. I am now one of the managers at a polaris dealership. I will never bleed any colour for that is pure insanity. I would never trust anyone who thought any one brand is the best and that all others are inferior. The fact is, they all offer something, to someone.
I have nothing to say about the sidewinder for I've never ridden one. I'd love a chance at one though.
Below are some short videos of myself riding the newest iron from the big 3. As I mentioned prior, I'm an average rider at best. Don't expect to see some serious shiat!
18 Cat https://youtu.be/WfKk69GYIK0
Axys https://youtu.be/MLAyHmDSokE
850 https://youtu.be/kPWinbR8OAo
Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk
I've always liked the xm chassis. Even though I worked for cat. Considered the xm the king of the mountain. Easy to ride, great power, best warranty.
Proclimb, tough, Reliable, great power.
The pro, liked it's handling but hated it's reliability, or lack there of. Power was down too.
Doo, cat, poo.. In that order.
That was then and this is now... boy have things changed.
Took a short break from the industry and purchased a 17 850 165x. First ride impressions were better than expected. Power was, clean, crisp, and abundant. The lack of rider input to go where you wanted to go... Unprecedented...almost unnerving. Slight shifts of feet were exaggerated greatly, in handling.
But issues ensued. Big ones. I lost complete faith in my purchase. Did it work? Absolutely. Once doo has this thing figured out, lookout. With all the new updates (bulkhead, clutches, etc) they're on their way.
Poo.... Heck you couldn't give me a dragon... Or even a pro. But I tried an axys last season. Everything changed. I actually considered it with the 850 but decided to go doo. I mean, I don't know if I could ever live it down.... Owning a poo after all the grief I gave, buddies!
After my 850 experience, I went in to buy a 17 axys. I was offered a demo and took it on a 4 day trip.
I honestly felt that I've been jipped. All those years on the proclimb. No grace, rammy, get it done riding style. But really had no choice, being that I ran a cat dealer. The mountain cat was a great sled but still lacked the finesse.
This axys has changed everything. I never thought at nearly 40, I could progress in my riding ability. But I have. The axys is a truly awesome sled. Easiest stock sled to ride, bar none. Best running boards, best bars, best skis. Not the most power, I'd say 3rd, honestly. It has terrible, and I mean, terrible trail manners. It's like riding a narrow bucking bronco. But man can it dance in the trees!
The cat...I've been on a cat since 06. I'm not brand loyal in any way shape or form. But you don't crap where you eat. Running a cat dealer I didn't have much choice in sleds. I always praised the competition, especially the doo.
But the 18 Cat.... Isn't hype. It works and works well. Best motor of the 3. Clean, crisp, like the doo but dare I say, more power? It feels so. The motor is spot on. I only hope it's even a third of the Suzuki in the reliability department.
Sidehill? Great. 2nd only to the axys. It still washed out a bit but leaps and bounds better than a 16. I had a 17 mountain cat as a demo. Which until this 18 came along, was the best cat to date. How they thought it was ok to put those controls on the bars, not change the running boards to clear more snow, not change the ski, and not come up with their own quick release tunnel accessory... I don't know.
2018 is going to be the best year to purchase a new mountain sled. Never has it ever been this close. Especially with the doo updates.
Conclusion: if your a tree banger, live for the creek ride, and really techy stuff. The axys is the answer.
If you're a smash it, hit it pussaaay, push it to the max kinda folk. The 18 Cat.
If you're a meadow smasher, big shoot' r, deep pow, down hill turner... The summit.
There is no order any longer. Toss a coin, folks.
What a great time to be a mountain sledder...well except for the effin prices!
Here's Some vids of myself riding all three sleds.
***note*** while I was shopping for the axys I was literally offered a job at the dealership. I am now one of the managers at a polaris dealership. I will never bleed any colour for that is pure insanity. I would never trust anyone who thought any one brand is the best and that all others are inferior. The fact is, they all offer something, to someone.
I have nothing to say about the sidewinder for I've never ridden one. I'd love a chance at one though.
Below are some short videos of myself riding the newest iron from the big 3. As I mentioned prior, I'm an average rider at best. Don't expect to see some serious shiat!
18 Cat https://youtu.be/WfKk69GYIK0
Axys https://youtu.be/MLAyHmDSokE
850 https://youtu.be/kPWinbR8OAo
Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk
