olsmann-
Switching brands for me would be no problem. I think folks misread the fact that I have been riding a Polaris of one type or another for the past 9 years as being brand loyal. Truth is, the first Polaris I got (94 XLT) just happened to be a sled that was in great shape and available to me at a good price. The next- the 03 700 RMK was sort of the same situation. Just a sled that was available to me at a really good price. I did choose the 05 800 RMK because I had become familiar with the ride of the 700 and also knew how to fix a lot of things on them.
However, I could have just as easily been on a SkiDoo or Arctic Cat these past several years and a Yamaha before they went to all 4 stroke. While I think the jump to all 4 strokes for Yamaha was a bold and good move, it just did not work with the type of sledding I do (boondocking). That was until I rode this latest sled.
You are right in your observation that I was surprised by the XTX's performance on and off trail. I still would like to try it out in the steep and deep, but feel pretty confident that with a deeper lug track it would perform just fine in any boondocking situation. Throw a turbo in it and I have a rocket ship for here and out west!
So, back to the question... I feel that every manufacturer has a sled for me. This is not some politically correct BS answer either. I would be very happy to be riding a Dragon 800, an M8, an 800 XP or the new Nytro XTX.
I think it will all boil down to what happens to present itself as the best deal as I do plan to be riding a different sled for next season.
(Read: interested parties in my 800 should be saving their $)
-John