Hi Ed-
Well, both sleds were a step up from the old Edge chassis that the RMK's had. Much more comfortable ride and more responsive.
With that said, the XTX is a crossover sled and really is exactly that. It is pretty good on the trail and pretty good off trail, but does not do either great. My riding style really requires a mountain sled to give me the best fun factor, so I found the XTX to be lacking in the extreme boondocking area- which is something I do to one extent or another on almost every ride I take.
So for me, if I were to be give the choice betweem my 05 800 RMK or the XTX, I would have to choose the RMK. If I were a more casual backcountry rider (mainly logging roads) and/or did more trail riding than I do, then the XTX would definately get the call. It is a great sled for what it is designed for.
The pluses on the XTX are it's motor- it is so hard pulling, I have a hard time thinking it belongs in the 600 class. Plus the gas and go feature of the 4 stroke is a huge plus. The minuses for the XTX are it's weight. You don't feel it at all on the trail and in the shallower powder. Nor did we find it any worse to get unstuck than other sleds. All stuck sleds are heavy! In the deeper powder (12-14"+), the front-heaviness of the sled started to show up in that the sled liked to nose dive. I also found the sled more difficult to ride in extreme off camber situations. It was more difficult to hold a side hill on.
As for the M8 vs. the RMK's, there really is no question the M wins hands down. That chassis is a boondockers dream and the M8 made plenty of power. It sidehills awesome and is easy to toss around. For my riding style, that chassis is hands down the best, with the IQ in second. I still cannot get used to the XP, but that is just me. I know plenty that love the chassis style of the Doos. So rider preference is very important.
-John
