Bought a 2015 M8000, now what?

skegpro · Nov 21, 2017

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 · Nov 21, 2017

2016 front end is a must IMO

Allseasons · Nov 21, 2017

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 · Nov 21, 2017

how do you accidentally buy a snowmobile lol

chickenman · Nov 21, 2017

250mark1 said:
how do you accidentally buy a snowmobile lol

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

AGGRESIVEZEBRA · Nov 21, 2017

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 · Nov 21, 2017

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 · Nov 21, 2017

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 · Nov 21, 2017

Bnorth said:
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 · Nov 21, 2017

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

Master fake Chow my friend.

skegpro · Nov 21, 2017

250mark1 said:
how do you accidentally buy a snowmobile lol

Lunch meeting
**** happens

AGGRESIVEZEBRA · Nov 21, 2017

skegpro said:
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 · Nov 21, 2017

AGGRESIVEZEBRA said:
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 · Nov 21, 2017

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 · Nov 21, 2017

ducati said:
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 · Nov 21, 2017

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 · Nov 21, 2017

Sounds like lunch is getting a whole lot more expensive LOL

AGGRESIVEZEBRA · Nov 21, 2017

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 · Nov 21, 2017

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

skegpro · Nov 22, 2017

AGGRESIVEZEBRA said:
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!

Bought a 2015 M8000, now what?

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