Thanks for the review. I ride a Summit G4 850 and Cat M8. Both great, but like you once I got on the Alpha I didn't want to give it back. Almost uncanny unstuckiness. Polaris is the one brand I've hardly ridden so always keen to hear thoughts from a non-sponsored rider.
We have both as well. They are both excellent. The cat runs right with or a little stronger in the deep and way easier in the trees and technical stuff. The 850 is faster on the trails and feels faster everywhere but it isn’t. If you ride both all day you will be far less fatigued if you’re on the cat. It’s not even close. Both great sleds. The Alpha is hard to get stuck and it has been flawless. Good luck everyone.
Thanks for your professional opinion. I am not anywhere near your skill level, but powder sledding at Togwotee without working as hard or getting stuck as often sound like the Alpha for me. I'm on my way there in the morning. 40+"s in the last few days!
Been on A new Polaris every year since 2012. The last 3 were Sidekick turbos. In 19 I tried an Alpha. Instantly was easier for me to ride. Bought an turbo Alpha 3/19. Still have that one with 2000 miles. Bought another low mile 19’ turbo Alpha 165 this summer. Put 700 miles on it so far. Another great deal on a 19’ turbo Alpha 165 came up and I just got that 3/21. All 165, all Silber turbos. The rail is fragile but cheap to replace. The rest of the sled is bulletproof. Overall easier to live with than my Polaris’. SkinDoos are fun but their turbo is slower than my Alpha and the S module is to fragile for me to want to deal with.
Your right it is rider preference, I rode both and my same feelings were I liked the Alpha over the 850 had just as much power but the 850 was a 174 I ride a 12 pro now but I did snowcheck the Alpha I just never been loyal to one brand I like what works. 04 king cat 08 ski-doo 12 pro now it will be back to the cat
I can't say anything towards Polaris side as I haven't owned any for years, but have ridden the 850 patriot for a short trip. Seemed that the 850 hp was crisp and powerful so no complaints. Your review on the Alpha is spot on, hate the trail and any hard pack or even moderate snow conditions. I feel more confident in the trees than ever before with the Alpha. Still having issues with boondocker kit but runs great on top end. Loving it in deep snow and climbing, not so happy in the trees when it bogs bad enough to throw you at the bars and put you in a bad place you didn't have any input in doing so. Pretty disappointed in that but my real question is what is your comparison to 850 skidoo? Ive been tempted to go back to gen 4 but don't know if I will enjoy the trees as much as the alpha has been. The turbo kits have been running better for those 850 motors and have more options with them
Mike Altman I rode the alpha 154 today with a lot of wide open throttle and the traction was better than my 2019 Summit x 165x3”. I can’t stand the patriot, digs holes and gets stuck easily
I always thought my Summit 850 was great in deep trees but from what I've ridden so far the Alpha is somehow more mobile and more stable at the same time. Super good traction. So much to like.
For guys who think this sled is just good in deep snow...there is a difference between trail and hard snow The alpha is bad on trail because the monorail is not stable on turns. But in other hand on the hard snow in the fields this is insane. Easy easy to drive like you are in deep snow but you are on hard snow. In deep sbow the alpha is not really easier to drive than other sleds. On hard snow (spring snow for exemple) this is insane.
The Alpha Spanks my 18 Polaris 36” turbo. Much easier to ride. The Axys 850 handles too heavy with the long stroke crank and its extra 6 pounds of rotating long stroke crank. Anyone that says an Axys 850 has much power and it isn’t broken in is a liar. They are useless until they hit 10 hours and it has to be in NONETHANOL.
From my experiences, the 154 need a 2.5 track instead of a 3.25. It dont want to stay over the snow. Push the throttle and dig.. release throttle and it back up on the snow and again you touch the throttle and goes all the way down in the snow.. 165 is better balanced with the track. But I dont know me too which one I want... 154 with cutted track to 2.5 or 2.6 or a 165 and dont touch the track? I will drive few more hours on the 165 and decide
It means a lot less rider input to get the sled to respond to you. Like leaning to left or right to make a turn, if you lean as hard as a typical sled, you will roll over and fall off. It's the number one thing I've heard from riders.... over riding. It will do, what you want it to do, with a LOT Less effort.
@@tylerdurden4080 Yes! This guy is spot on. I believe it's that good. He's confirmed everything I've read, watched and riders I've talked with say about the Alpha One. Remember it's a powder sled not a trail sled and that's how Cat promoted it. I've watched every video that comes out on Alpha one, talked to the guys that make the videos for companies like Thunderstruck and such and they all say same thing this guy says. Easy to override starting out, surprising power, crazy traction and deep snow ability. I'm guessing there might be some tweaks made for 2020. Maybe an 850cc motor. Cat Reps did tell me that they would probably tweak the 800 before they'd make a new motor. Bigger motor, more weight he said. He was more then confident their 800 would run with the 850's. When judging all aspects of a sled, arctic cat has the most pluses that I like. Ski doo #2 and polaris #3. There's way more to it then just having the lightest sled.
@@toddscholze6168 I agree, I'm looking in the next couple of years of getting an alpha one, just don't have the money for it right now. I've also read and heard all the same things, about the Alpha one, it's a game changer.
We just returned from Togwotee near Jackson, WY. Two of us had the Polaris 800 RMK's and the other six guys rented the Arctic Cat M8 Alpha. We hit the mountain with our guide (who always rides the RMK) for the next two days. The guys on the Cat's absolutely hated them. Very difficult to turn and just felt heavy. The second day they all switched to RMK's and couldn't have been happier. I do wish someone rented a Ski Doo Summit so we could compare contrast that as well. But at the end of the day people vote with their dollars and we all voted to rent Polaris. And to be clear - I don't work for nor receive any benefits from any of these companies. I just feel that the differences were so big that I would take the time to comment.
Lets see you have 6 guys rented 6 alphas and not one liked it. I have been reading a lot of reviews of Polaris and doo guys loving the cats and all your guys hated it. Wow , the numbers don't seem to add up for the odds! interesting. lol!
Rouge shadow1O1 yeah it seems like he’s lying and inexperienced, I believe the talker guys have an easier time initiating corners on the patriot. The alpha is the best sled until your in very steep terrain
Thanks for the review. I ride a Summit G4 850 and Cat M8. Both great, but like you once I got on the Alpha I didn't want to give it back. Almost uncanny unstuckiness. Polaris is the one brand I've hardly ridden so always keen to hear thoughts from a non-sponsored rider.
We have both as well. They are both excellent. The cat runs right with or a little stronger in the deep and way easier in the trees and technical stuff. The 850 is faster on the trails and feels faster everywhere but it isn’t. If you ride both all day you will be far less fatigued if you’re on the cat. It’s not even close. Both great sleds. The Alpha is hard to get stuck and it has been flawless. Good luck everyone.
Thanks for your professional opinion. I am not anywhere near your skill level, but powder sledding at Togwotee without working as hard or getting stuck as often sound like the Alpha for me. I'm on my way there in the morning. 40+"s in the last few days!
Been on A new Polaris every year since 2012. The last 3 were Sidekick turbos. In 19 I tried an Alpha. Instantly was easier for me to ride. Bought an turbo Alpha 3/19. Still have that one with 2000 miles. Bought another low mile 19’ turbo Alpha 165 this summer. Put 700 miles on it so far. Another great deal on a 19’ turbo Alpha 165 came up and I just got that 3/21. All 165, all Silber turbos. The rail is fragile but cheap to replace. The rest of the sled is bulletproof. Overall easier to live with than my Polaris’. SkinDoos are fun but their turbo is slower than my Alpha and the S module is to fragile for me to want to deal with.
Good review thanks!
Hey with the ctec what side did u foul the plugs i have a 2019 that fouls the clutch side 250 miles 4 plugs only 500 miles on it
I can't remember but they run supper rich for the first hour or so. Something doesn't sound rt if you are at 250-500 miles.
@@mikealtman2838 its a 2019 high country 141 and it smokes like crazy when i start it and the plug fouls on start up or warm up
Mike it's been a minute...I was across the aisle from you guys at Hey Days this year...
RandalisVandalis haha rt on brotha! Always a good time at hay days! 🤟
Does the alpha pull wheelies?
Nice review. What turbo were you gonna put on the 850?
Your right it is rider preference, I rode both and my same feelings were I liked the Alpha over the 850 had just as much power but the 850 was a 174 I ride a 12 pro now but I did snowcheck the Alpha I just never been loyal to one brand I like what works. 04 king cat 08 ski-doo 12 pro now it will be back to the cat
I can't say anything towards Polaris side as I haven't owned any for years, but have ridden the 850 patriot for a short trip. Seemed that the 850 hp was crisp and powerful so no complaints. Your review on the Alpha is spot on, hate the trail and any hard pack or even moderate snow conditions. I feel more confident in the trees than ever before with the Alpha. Still having issues with boondocker kit but runs great on top end. Loving it in deep snow and climbing, not so happy in the trees when it bogs bad enough to throw you at the bars and put you in a bad place you didn't have any input in doing so. Pretty disappointed in that but my real question is what is your comparison to 850 skidoo? Ive been tempted to go back to gen 4 but don't know if I will enjoy the trees as much as the alpha has been. The turbo kits have been running better for those 850 motors and have more options with them
Do you prefer that alpha over a ski doo 850 in deep snow in the trees? How does traction and flotation compare between them?
Stevenjweber for deep snow in trees I would take the Alpha over all the sleds
Mike Altman I rode the alpha 154 today with a lot of wide open throttle and the traction was better than my 2019 Summit x 165x3”. I can’t stand the patriot, digs holes and gets stuck easily
I always thought my Summit 850 was great in deep trees but from what I've ridden so far the Alpha is somehow more mobile and more stable at the same time. Super good traction. So much to like.
For guys who think this sled is just good in deep snow...there is a difference between trail and hard snow
The alpha is bad on trail because the monorail is not stable on turns. But in other hand on the hard snow in the fields this is insane. Easy easy to drive like you are in deep snow but you are on hard snow.
In deep sbow the alpha is not really easier to drive than other sleds. On hard snow (spring snow for exemple) this is insane.
The Alpha Spanks my 18 Polaris 36” turbo. Much easier to ride. The Axys 850 handles too heavy with the long stroke crank and its extra 6 pounds of rotating long stroke crank. Anyone that says an Axys 850 has much power and it isn’t broken in is a liar. They are useless until they hit 10 hours and it has to be in NONETHANOL.
Pete Jacobs the whole engines weighs 6lbs more not just the crank lot of it is bearing and casting lol
More enthusiasm man! lol Im leaning towards the alpha gonna try and get out with the dealer sales dudes and try demos to decide 154 or 165
From my experiences, the 154 need a 2.5 track instead of a 3.25. It dont want to stay over the snow. Push the throttle and dig.. release throttle and it back up on the snow and again you touch the throttle and goes all the way down in the snow.. 165 is better balanced with the track. But I dont know me too which one I want... 154 with cutted track to 2.5 or 2.6 or a 165 and dont touch the track?
I will drive few more hours on the 165 and decide
What suspension settings did you end up liking on the Alpha?
AtomicTrent still haven’t found anything that I liked lol
Great review. Alpha hands down a better sled
BS... Polaris all day long
Try a studded alpha one, totally different sled.
I heard it helps with washout?? Is that true???...from Wyoming USA 🔫🤠
What do you mean by override?
It means a lot less rider input to get the sled to respond to you. Like leaning to left or right to make a turn, if you lean as hard as a typical sled, you will roll over and fall off. It's the number one thing I've heard from riders.... over riding. It will do, what you want it to do, with a LOT Less effort.
@@toddscholze6168 awesome thanks for the response. So I need an alpha one is what your saying.
@@tylerdurden4080 Yes! This guy is spot on. I believe it's that good. He's confirmed everything I've read, watched and riders I've talked with say about the Alpha One. Remember it's a powder sled not a trail sled and that's how Cat promoted it. I've watched every video that comes out on Alpha one, talked to the guys that make the videos for companies like Thunderstruck and such and they all say same thing this guy says. Easy to override starting out, surprising power, crazy traction and deep snow ability. I'm guessing there might be some tweaks made for 2020. Maybe an 850cc motor. Cat Reps did tell me that they would probably tweak the 800 before they'd make a new motor. Bigger motor, more weight he said. He was more then confident their 800 would run with the 850's.
When judging all aspects of a sled, arctic cat has the most pluses that I like. Ski doo #2 and polaris #3. There's way more to it then just having the lightest sled.
@@toddscholze6168 I agree, I'm looking in the next couple of years of getting an alpha one, just don't have the money for it right now. I've also read and heard all the same things, about the Alpha one, it's a game changer.
I wanna be rich as fuk and buy 2 new sleds
So Polaris owns the trail, Cat owns the mountains, Yamaha owns the lakes and Skidoo is best all round sled???
Dont forget cat has owned the 600 snowcross for years and probably many to come
We just returned from Togwotee near Jackson, WY. Two of us had the Polaris 800 RMK's and the other six guys rented the Arctic Cat M8 Alpha. We hit the mountain with our guide (who always rides the RMK) for the next two days. The guys on the Cat's absolutely hated them. Very difficult to turn and just felt heavy. The second day they all switched to RMK's and couldn't have been happier. I do wish someone rented a Ski Doo Summit so we could compare contrast that as well. But at the end of the day people vote with their dollars and we all voted to rent Polaris. And to be clear - I don't work for nor receive any benefits from any of these companies. I just feel that the differences were so big that I would take the time to comment.
Lets see you have 6 guys rented 6 alphas and not one liked it. I have been reading a lot of reviews of Polaris and doo guys loving the cats and all your guys hated it. Wow , the numbers don't seem to add up for the odds! interesting. lol!
Rouge shadow1O1 yeah it seems like he’s lying and inexperienced, I believe the talker guys have an easier time initiating corners on the patriot. The alpha is the best sled until your in very steep terrain
*taller
Great review but all I hear is that the G4 is still the best sled ever!!!!
Of course the cat is better nothing but
Boring....... Polaris for the win!
The apha walks all over Polaris
@@billbill7894 spose if ya like garbage