How fast can 80 horses on a snowmobile go?

looking at the 05 arctic cat m5, curious about the horsepower.
Anyone know anything about the M5?

2 Responses to “How fast can 80 horses on a snowmobile go?”

  1. David A on June 22nd, 2010 11:47 pm

    It would make more sense listening to Forest Gump then to listen to Linda R , how does one put 3 carbs on 2 cylinders? I have an Artic cat 1000 triple triple that is dynoed at 194 horsepower and has been clocked at 134 mph. If a 650 JLO hits 1/2 that it is doing great. Especially on an antique sled. Your M5 should do around 90 top end. Also for your information they [all major companies] did away with boggies for a reason and you can be sure it wasn’t to make them less good.

  2. Linda R on June 22nd, 2010 11:47 pm

    Well, I have a 1968 Trade Winds Super Cheetah, and that has a 80 horse engine, and, it will do about fifty miles per hour. I also have the same machine, only with a bigger engine… This one has a 650CC JLO opposed twin cylinder, with three carbs… This one is rated at 190 horse power. But, it is kind of a mismatch… Between a 1968, and, a 2005 model. The engines today, have more horse power, with a smaller cubic centimeters. Back in the day, 650CC’s was a big engine. And, heavy, as well. Over the years, lighter weight machines, with lighetr engines have become the rule. Not like years ago, when a machine weighed half a ton. Now, to the Artic cat m5… I have one, but mine is a bit older. It does seem to go good in the snow, to a certain extent. It seems to be a better trail machine, than in the real deep snow. Either of my Trade Winds Super Cheetah’s, are excellent, in the deepest snows. You can bring the machines to a complete stop, and, they won’t bog down, where as the arctic cat m5 will bog down, and eventually be stuck. The Trade Winds have had to pull the arctic cat out, several times, already. But, if you stay on the trails, you are fine. Other than that, it is fine. If you want a all around all purpose sled, that will do most anything, find yourself a Ski-Doo Alpine… This machine will go through anything, including the deepest snows. It has two tracks in back, and, one ski in front. They were made for the ski lodges, if someone would get hurt. This machine was made for work, or play.I have one, and I have used it to haul wood, pull out other snowmobiles, stuck in deep snows, It has electric start, and reverse on it, from the factory. Alot of the convervation departments still use these machines, today. That is the machine, that I would look for, if I were you. One other thing… It has bogie suspension, as well, so, you don’t have to worry about burning up the slides. You can run it in the mud, sand, or just bare ground, if need be. Where as slide suspension must be kept on, and in the snow, to keep the slides cool. Otherwise, the slides will wear out, rapidly, rendering the machine useless, and, giving you a huge bill, for repairs.