I'm not gonna lie, I just like listening to you talk. It's a mix of your accent (I'm Canadian) and the way you present the info. Excellent. You sound like a cool guy. Keep making vids bro. BRAAAP
Incredible video. Absolutely awesome to have the characteristics described in such great detail and also shown on screen. I'd love to see you analyze the new RMK and Alpha One against the Ski-Doo also. These kind of videos can really influence buyers on the sled they want to buy when they aren't fortunate enough to ride all brands in similar conditions back to back.
Thanks for the review! So many of the more professional reviews always show the snowmobiles in deep powder. But that's very often not the case when riding. You imperfect snow condition review was rather refreshing.
Cheers. Hadn’t thought of that but you’re right. Just about any sled goes good in the pow. I had a massive heavy old Yamaha Mountain Max 600 that turned into a butterfly in the soft stuff.
Cheers for the feedback. The Cats have improved out of sight since my model year-finally they’ve spent some money and addressed just about every issue. Didn’t know the Polaris was belt hungry, although it’s only ever anecdotes rather than data. I’m about to fit the belt cooling upgrade to my Doo 850. Of course Ski-Doo hasn’t admitted to any problem with people blowing belts, so the kit is just for owners who ‘want to upgrade to the 2019 spec.’ Yeah, right.
Fantastic, finally a useful sled comparison. First useful sled comparison I've ever seen (even talking the professional reviews, they suck, not mentioning any of the ski-doo's twitchyness or how its easier to get up on one ski, while the arctic cat is easier to keep on one ski). Funnily enough I compared the doo to my old arctic cat crossfire 7 and its the same, its harder to get the crossfire on one ski but I can do 70mph on one ski and it feels stable, meanwhile I had such a hard time just to ride the doo 5 miles on the trail at 35mph that I felt like jello when I got back on my crossfire. That doo was sooooo twitchy, felt like a bicycle with reversed steering mechanism.
Thanks for the review! I'm on a '14 m8 that's updated to 2016 spec, yesterday I rode an 850 around and thought much of the same. I think the doo is just much more refined, the engine is smoother, ergonomics are better (my opinion) and the fit and finish is a lot better. I think the power similar between the two but the doo seems way more linear, the suzuki engine seems to only want full throttle or no throttle. Also there was a Polaris 850 out there, it blew a 200 mile old belt then 10 minutes later the recoil blew out - not the best first impression of that sled for me lol
I ride a 2019 Alfa 800 165 “ this year I just came off a 2016 Xm 800 174” I have always been a skidoo man The cat is absolutely hands down the better sled Easier to ride goes better
@@ERVDSR better than XM yes! But Alpha is really strange haha tried a G4 and alpha one and the alpha a bit more better than my pro rmk 2012 and a g4... this is really easy to play with it wven on hard spring snow
Great video! Keep up on the TRUTH about the pro's and con's. I live in south west Michigan. I can't make up my mind on witch sled to buy.... I definitely want a longer track and taller lug... mid 80's was my last sled experience. Polaris indy 600 triple... the good ol days. The newer stuff is INSANE! Looking forward to the Alpha video...
Alpha vid coming soon...kind of. The problem with pro and magazine reviews is that everyone is working for someone, so everyone seems to love pretty much everything about every sled. But it's a small, risky, seasonal, high investment industry where no one really makes easy money, so I don't blame anyone for making a buck when they can. All the mountain sleds are so damn good these days you can't go far wrong. Just buy the color you like and thrash it. You will reach your limit way before the machine does. Unless you're someone like Caleb at RideFinesse or the lads at 208.
Would have rather seen you compare the Arctic Cat Ascender chassis to the ski doos gen 4. More apples to apples. Both latest versions of each manufacturer. I don't think the 2016 even had cats new 800 motor yet. But hey, nice video and very well put together. Found it very interesting. Thanks and keep doing more.
Thanks. Yep, good idea. Should be able to grab an Alpha One in the 165 and compare Ascender/G4 this winter. The Cats have come a long long way in 3 years.
Got my first Ski dont this past season '17 850 mxz tnt. i can vouch for the pogo stick front shocks as it's the first sled I've ever had that I had major offload from in 20 yrs of riding. The aluminum bars are junk too snapped like a toothpick i now have Rsi chromoly bars on it. motor has great power but for sure definitely needs upgraded $$ suspension all around pretty sad for what the sled cost. I'll start with fox floats up front for now. Thinking I shoulda pulled the trigger on a Riot 8000 instead. Thanks for your honest opinion on the sleds.
Haha--can't believe I hadn't heard ski-don't before. They make some stonking good sleds, though, and seem to have an endless supply of good ideas with the cash to put them into production.
True that. From what I understand the Suzuki engineers also had a lot to do with the C-tec 800, which is even better. But the engine I most like to hear at full noise is actually the Polaris 800. Just seems to love manic high revs.
I love you a lot: They seem to hold up pretty well-super solid Suzuki engine-but every sled has stuff that wears out. SYXXES channel is a good place for info on M8s.
Ha. Actually it's worse than that. I made the roof ridge on that building a fraction too low and the mezzanine floor a fraction too high, so there's not enough clearance to use an electric winch. All the sleds have to be chain hoisted up by hand for summer storage.
Later Arctic Cat models are totally different breed. Just another animal. You really should try those. They are in somewhay bit too extreme in the handling for average sledder, but otherwise those Ascenders are really cool sleds. What come to Ski-Doo, dude keep the swaybar connected and the front does not dive so much. Also just tighten those springs to almost maxium. You could also change valving / shims on thos KYBS. Just add few shims to comp side and you will be good. Another thing is to thighten those ski mount rubbers, that are way too soft. On ski-doo 154 is way more fun to ride.
Thanks for the info. Agree on the new Cats...will have something new in the shed very soon. So great in powder. For the Dog, I did max out the spring but still hated it so changed out the shocks for some evo 3 air and with the rebound adjustment it completely transformed the sled. Love the Dog now but will retrofit the 2020 updated spindle/rubbers to fix that stupid bendy ski. Until they arrive I'll try your trick of tightening the ski mounts. I've ridden the 154 but for now I'm into longer sleds.
@@AkatarawaJapan Making front more stiff really does help. But for that it is not absolutely necessary to swithc shocks. But it helps. I did just minor revalving and that worked for me. Did that on Two summits and two Boondockers. Summit is a sled wich need soft rear and hard front to keep the balance right. I used on my summit Lynx Blade DS skis, that are perfecet, with some modifications. I stiffened ski rubber and used runners without carbides.
compare with ctec2 at least. But good comparison all round Most of the points you made have been close to the same for models dating back as far as 8 years
frank smith: Fair call. Don’t have a Ctec but have ridden one and agree it is massively improved. Finally rode the Alpha One yesterday. It’s on another planet. Amazing.
My father has a summit 850 and i have a xf6000 high country with 40" front end. But for some reason i feel like my cat is 10 times easier to initiate sidehills and pow turns. I think it has something to do with the steering, not sure. Anyone else had the same issue? The 850 engine tho, so awesome.
kUBA It’s weird, no? I was back on the Summit last weekend and found it wildly uncontrollable after riding the Cat for two weeks. But after a couple of days I kind of get used to the Doo again. Go figure.
Kayaba shocks made in Japan. Showa shocks also made in Japan. They are better than fox products. No professional motocrosser runs fox shocks in pro racing. Either Kayaba (Yamaha, Kawasaki), Showa (Honda, Suzuki), KTM (White power). They are all good, learn to revalve suspension yourself. Fine tune it.
Saddest part about the whole video was both these sleds probably make more horsepower than the transport vehicles and not only that put them to shame in appearance. Lol
@@AkatarawaJapan Kindest thanks for the reply. Entertaining video. Re:Aomori - Hitoshi said their snow was not so good at the beginning of the season, but its good now. If you ever need a great clutch kit, let me know. That will "break that draw" you made between the Dooey and Cat. Regards, Joey. ...Hahaha...I'd love to deliver one personally.
sheddski: Ha, you read my mind. I did try an RMK and liked it a lot but this year there is an Alpha coming. Maybe RMK next time. Don’t really care what brand so long as I’m riding.
Arctic Cat M8 is way better than that doo and I'm a Polaris owner; comparing and 850 to 800 ok yeah the 850 has more power. You should try the Alpha One!
bro ! I don’t think it’s better, although the new Cats might be. Most of the weight difference is from the Cat’s electric start and bigger fuel tank. I think.
@@reesewilliamson3346 nope the cat is not reliable have a mate that owns one, thats an opinion i think the cat looks fat and still has the same chassie as the 2012 modell even now in 2019,
@@AkatarawaJapan Plot twist again 18th march you posted (Arctic Cat Alpha One 154 HC in trees on hard spring snow) lmfao its next winter. Also its the same guy just different account
The Doo has become way more manageable since fitting proper shocks up front, even though the skis still fold up vertically and cause trouble. The 850 totally outclasses the pre-CTEC Cat engine. But for me it's still generally the Doo for the trees and the Cat everywhere else.
I'm not gonna lie, I just like listening to you talk. It's a mix of your accent (I'm Canadian) and the way you present the info. Excellent. You sound like a cool guy. Keep making vids bro. BRAAAP
Accent? It’s you wot talks funny! But thanks. I’ll have a few more bits of garbage ready to upload before too long.
@@AkatarawaJapan I ended up buying a 2013 m800 proclimb. So far so good
Incredible video. Absolutely awesome to have the characteristics described in such great detail and also shown on screen. I'd love to see you analyze the new RMK and Alpha One against the Ski-Doo also. These kind of videos can really influence buyers on the sled they want to buy when they aren't fortunate enough to ride all brands in similar conditions back to back.
Thanks for the review! So many of the more professional reviews always show the snowmobiles in deep powder. But that's very often not the case when riding. You imperfect snow condition review was rather refreshing.
Cheers. Hadn’t thought of that but you’re right. Just about any sled goes good in the pow. I had a massive heavy old Yamaha Mountain Max 600 that turned into a butterfly in the soft stuff.
Keep in mind that the Ski Doo is from 2018 And the cat from 2016. :)
Thunberg: True. The latest Cats are very, very good. Almost everything has been improved.
Very nice to watch thank you. Its nice to have a comparison from someone that is not sponsored from a particular brand.
Cheers for the feedback. The Cats have improved out of sight since my model year-finally they’ve spent some money and addressed just about every issue. Didn’t know the Polaris was belt hungry, although it’s only ever anecdotes rather than data. I’m about to fit the belt cooling upgrade to my Doo 850. Of course Ski-Doo hasn’t admitted to any problem with people blowing belts, so the kit is just for owners who ‘want to upgrade to the 2019 spec.’ Yeah, right.
Fantastic, finally a useful sled comparison. First useful sled comparison I've ever seen (even talking the professional reviews, they suck, not mentioning any of the ski-doo's twitchyness or how its easier to get up on one ski, while the arctic cat is easier to keep on one ski). Funnily enough I compared the doo to my old arctic cat crossfire 7 and its the same, its harder to get the crossfire on one ski but I can do 70mph on one ski and it feels stable, meanwhile I had such a hard time just to ride the doo 5 miles on the trail at 35mph that I felt like jello when I got back on my crossfire. That doo was sooooo twitchy, felt like a bicycle with reversed steering mechanism.
Thanks for the review! I'm on a '14 m8 that's updated to 2016 spec, yesterday I rode an 850 around and thought much of the same. I think the doo is just much more refined, the engine is smoother, ergonomics are better (my opinion) and the fit and finish is a lot better. I think the power similar between the two but the doo seems way more linear, the suzuki engine seems to only want full throttle or no throttle. Also there was a Polaris 850 out there, it blew a 200 mile old belt then 10 minutes later the recoil blew out - not the best first impression of that sled for me lol
Great video i love the cats. Never seen a snowmobile video in Japan. Thanks.
Go figure,cats been Suzuki for years untill the CTec motor
I ride a 2019 Alfa 800 165 “ this year
I just came off a 2016 Xm 800 174”
I have always been a skidoo man
The cat is absolutely hands down the better sled Easier to ride goes better
paul erickson: Interesting. Can’t wait to try the Alpha and compare with the G4. Big snow about to hit Japan so won’t be long.
yes but the new g4 is better
@@ERVDSR better than XM yes! But Alpha is really strange haha tried a G4 and alpha one and the alpha a bit more better than my pro rmk 2012 and a g4... this is really easy to play with it wven on hard spring snow
Thanks for the great review, look forward to update on the fox shocks on the 850. Always thought it would make a huge. improvement.
Good idea. Will do.
I’ve fitted them now. Way way better. Will put together a before after comparison later this winter.
Great video! Keep up on the TRUTH about the pro's and con's. I live in south west Michigan. I can't make up my mind on witch sled to buy.... I definitely want a longer track and taller lug... mid 80's was my last sled experience. Polaris indy 600 triple... the good ol days. The newer stuff is INSANE! Looking forward to the Alpha video...
Alpha vid coming soon...kind of. The problem with pro and magazine reviews is that everyone is working for someone, so everyone seems to love pretty much everything about every sled. But it's a small, risky, seasonal, high investment industry where no one really makes easy money, so I don't blame anyone for making a buck when they can. All the mountain sleds are so damn good these days you can't go far wrong. Just buy the color you like and thrash it. You will reach your limit way before the machine does. Unless you're someone like Caleb at RideFinesse or the lads at 208.
Would have rather seen you compare the Arctic Cat Ascender chassis to the ski doos gen 4. More apples to apples. Both latest versions of each manufacturer. I don't think the 2016 even had cats new 800 motor yet. But hey, nice video and very well put together. Found it very interesting. Thanks and keep doing more.
Thanks. Yep, good idea. Should be able to grab an Alpha One in the 165 and compare Ascender/G4 this winter. The Cats have come a long long way in 3 years.
Can’t compare that old 16 chassis to the cat. Complete different sled all around.
Excellent I hope the manufacturers look at these videos
Great GREAT job dude! Really enjoyed the video! Thanks. Now im going to look it again.
Antti Mustonen: Thanks. Should have some more comparisons up this winter.
Ski doo is known to be forward weight bias, hense it’s not as easy to side hill. Try a Polaris rmk you will think it’s better than both of those.
George Fales: Finally got to ride an RMK last winter. Liked it a lot. Felt very similar to the Cat in terms of balance.
Got my first Ski dont this past season '17 850 mxz tnt. i can vouch for the pogo stick front shocks as it's the first sled I've ever had that I had major offload from in 20 yrs of riding. The aluminum bars are junk too snapped like a toothpick i now have Rsi chromoly bars on it. motor has great power but for sure definitely needs upgraded $$ suspension all around pretty sad for what the sled cost. I'll start with fox floats up front for now. Thinking I shoulda pulled the trigger on a Riot 8000 instead. Thanks for your honest opinion on the sleds.
Haha--can't believe I hadn't heard ski-don't before. They make some stonking good sleds, though, and seem to have an endless supply of good ideas with the cash to put them into production.
Awesome video very interesting details, Keep them coming. Did you have to import the summit? Prob not easy to find in japan?
mudpine: Japan has dealers for all the brands. But they cost a lot more here because reasons.
That m8 is clean
Not today it ain't. Mud season.
Love that 800 Suzuki your right can’t kill them at full throttle they are insane
True that. From what I understand the Suzuki engineers also had a lot to do with the C-tec 800, which is even better. But the engine I most like to hear at full noise is actually the Polaris 800. Just seems to love manic high revs.
does the 16 cat have issues at all? would it be a good sled for me to get or would it cause to many issues..?
I love you a lot: They seem to hold up pretty well-super solid Suzuki engine-but every sled has stuff that wears out. SYXXES channel is a good place for info on M8s.
well id have to say that the one point that this video really hammers home is that you need a gantry crane in your shop!
Ha. Actually it's worse than that. I made the roof ridge on that building a fraction too low and the mezzanine floor a fraction too high, so there's not enough clearance to use an electric winch. All the sleds have to be chain hoisted up by hand for summer storage.
@@AkatarawaJapan haha dang! so close yet so far!! thanks for the vid though!
Great vid! What's the snow situation like in Japan at the moment?
Botanz: Thanks. Nothing yet but on the way this weekend.
Later Arctic Cat models are totally different breed. Just another animal. You really should try those. They are in somewhay bit too extreme in the handling for average sledder, but otherwise those Ascenders are really cool sleds. What come to Ski-Doo, dude keep the swaybar connected and the front does not dive so much. Also just tighten those springs to almost maxium. You could also change valving / shims on thos KYBS. Just add few shims to comp side and you will be good. Another thing is to thighten those ski mount rubbers, that are way too soft. On ski-doo 154 is way more fun to ride.
Thanks for the info. Agree on the new Cats...will have something new in the shed very soon. So great in powder. For the Dog, I did max out the spring but still hated it so changed out the shocks for some evo 3 air and with the rebound adjustment it completely transformed the sled. Love the Dog now but will retrofit the 2020 updated spindle/rubbers to fix that stupid bendy ski. Until they arrive I'll try your trick of tightening the ski mounts. I've ridden the 154 but for now I'm into longer sleds.
@@AkatarawaJapan Making front more stiff really does help. But for that it is not absolutely necessary to swithc shocks. But it helps. I did just minor revalving and that worked for me. Did that on Two summits and two Boondockers. Summit is a sled wich need soft rear and hard front to keep the balance right.
I used on my summit Lynx Blade DS skis, that are perfecet, with some modifications. I stiffened ski rubber and used runners without carbides.
Until skidoo and polaris can figure out how to make a reliable engine I'll stick with the old cat with the bulletproof Suzuki.
compare with ctec2 at least. But good comparison all round Most of the points you made have been close to the same for models dating back as far as 8 years
frank smith: Fair call. Don’t have a Ctec but have ridden one and agree it is massively improved. Finally rode the Alpha One yesterday. It’s on another planet. Amazing.
Artic cat is best
It is nothing people can ssy about it
My father has a summit 850 and i have a xf6000 high country with 40" front end. But for some reason i feel like my cat is 10 times easier to initiate sidehills and pow turns. I think it has something to do with the steering, not sure. Anyone else had the same issue? The 850 engine tho, so awesome.
kUBA It’s weird, no? I was back on the Summit last weekend and found it wildly uncontrollable after riding the Cat for two weeks. But after a couple of days I kind of get used to the Doo again. Go figure.
@@AkatarawaJapan Yeah, i guess it something you have to get used to. Great vids!
Kayaba shocks made in Japan. Showa shocks also made in Japan. They are better than fox products. No professional motocrosser runs fox shocks in pro racing. Either Kayaba (Yamaha, Kawasaki), Showa (Honda, Suzuki), KTM (White power). They are all good, learn to revalve suspension yourself. Fine tune it.
Saddest part about the whole video was both these sleds probably make more horsepower than the transport vehicles and not only that put them to shame in appearance. Lol
losi5ivet29cc: You got it. Sleds 160hp, truck 45hp. ruclips.net/video/MUSyVto0vXA/видео.html
Where is your ride location? Aomori? I have a good friend there Hitoshi, owner of motofactory (Cat guy)
Dynamo Joe: Mainly central Japan Gunma and Niigata pref. and environs. Haven’t ridden Aomori but seems they get epic, epic snow.
@@AkatarawaJapan Kindest thanks for the reply. Entertaining video. Re:Aomori - Hitoshi said their snow was not so good at the beginning of the season, but its good now. If you ever need a great clutch kit, let me know. That will "break that draw" you made between the Dooey and Cat. Regards, Joey.
...Hahaha...I'd love to deliver one personally.
Dynamo Joe: Yes, I meant epic in general rather than this season. But plenty now. You’re in Japan?
Nice video.
he can’t decide which one so it’s a draw and he will ride both and maybe a Alpha or RMK next time ??
sheddski: Ha, you read my mind. I did try an RMK and liked it a lot but this year there is an Alpha coming. Maybe RMK next time. Don’t really care what brand so long as I’m riding.
Arctic Cat M8 is way better than that doo and I'm a Polaris owner; comparing and 850 to 800 ok yeah the 850 has more power. You should try the Alpha One!
ChicagoSox: Sure, can’t wait to ride the Alpha. Was standing on one yesterday but no snow yet.
Heavy, bad running boards, fatter, less power, and more how is the cat better?
bro ! I don’t think it’s better, although the new Cats might be. Most of the weight difference is from the Cat’s electric start and bigger fuel tank. I think.
@@ERVDSR more reliable, better looking, more predictable, generally less fuss.
@@reesewilliamson3346 nope the cat is not reliable have a mate that owns one, thats an opinion i think the cat looks fat and still has the same chassie as the 2012 modell even now in 2019,
I love artic cats
Artic cat is cooler
Skidoo👍
Plot twist he has a alpha one hardcore 165" in 2020 even though he said he wont buy one xd
And definitely will NOT have a 154 HC next winter. Definitely not.
@@AkatarawaJapan Plot twist again 18th march you posted (Arctic Cat Alpha One 154 HC in trees on hard spring snow) lmfao its next winter. Also its the same guy just different account
@@sirhurtfan3073 Busted!
@@AkatarawaJapan Can i really comment on your 154 or 165 since i ride a 137 myself.
@@sirhurtfan3073 You are allowed to make 0.89 or 0.83 of a comment.
Without obcession over detail there is no progress ;-)
True that. Speaking of obsession, more jack hammering soon. I lose my mind.
@@AkatarawaJapan But in a good way, only in order to find it, or someone else's, along the way. The at of the rock, rocks.
In my option the Artick cat is more sexy
Zachary Rogers: I agree. But the Doo probably looks damn hot if you’re a toad.
i need arctic cat ... get my fuc king cash !!!! O_0 !!
K
Sell the doo and get an alpha
Why you carving on nothing
Why not??
The new ski doos are kinda ugly ngl
I think the cat was better
The Doo has become way more manageable since fitting proper shocks up front, even though the skis still fold up vertically and cause trouble. The 850 totally outclasses the pre-CTEC Cat engine. But for me it's still generally the Doo for the trees and the Cat everywhere else.