On/off trail sled question...

S

Sonsaditches

Member
Not sure if this is right forum for this question, if not sorry.
Used to own a full on mountain sled (15 rmk 600) and had a blast going out west. Decided to get out of mountain riding for a while so sold it. Now looking at getting a crossover sled that would have decent trail manners. Not expecting a trail ripper. The RMK I had was a great deep snow machine but a overheating, ill handling hog on trails as it was designed for steep and deep.
I guess my question is do the newer RMKs (Axys)have better trail manners than the older pro rides? Trying to decide between a Assualt or a 144 Rmk. Generally can pick up an RMK cheaper than an assualt so that why I'm considering the rmk. Would only be used as a back up trail sled on occasion as I have a trail machine.
Or is there another machine I should be considering? Cat high country? Doo Renegade? Price is a factor and I'm looking to stay 600 cc.
 
S

snowho96

Member
The 144 rmk will be fine. I believe they have an extra cooler up front . The only difference between The assault and rmk is the a arm width. We have a pro chassis assault and standard rmk that we use here on trails and out West are are happy with the performance. I think polaris makes a sled in between the 2 models in the axys a rmk sp?
 
J

jedoyle

Active member
Sounds like you are a prime candidate for a 2018 SKS but I am pretty sure they only come in an 800.
The Switchback Assaults are a great crossover sled and you can get them in a 600. I would look at one of those if you know you are going to be putting a decent amount of trail miles on. If not then RMK in 144 skid is probably good choice.
 
A

ac600sp

New member
I rode a 13' Arctic Cat High Country for four seasons. It was a great off trail sled for Michigan and it had decent trail manners, but a fun ditch banger. I did ride a friends new SKS 146" and that sled was very trail friendly, cornered flat and rode smooth. I was impressed for a Polaris. I ride a M8000 153" now, no cooling issues as long as the snow is loose, if it gets packed hard I drop the scratchers down and that takes care of the warm engine temps.
 
R

rp7x

Well-known member
If it ever snows like the old days I don't think a cross over sled will be worth a darn , still waiting for the old days to come back , still may be a long wait
 
O

old abe

Well-known member
rp7x said:
If it ever snows like the old days I don't think a cross over sled will be worth a darn , still waiting for the old days to come back , still may be a long wait[/QUOTE

That would make all us of happy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Woops, good catch frnash!!!!!!!!
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
G

Grant Hoar

New member
Buddy rides a 2015 Cat High Country, I have a 2015 SR Viper STX DX, both 141s. Both happy with them, he has a few more issues with temps on thin trails but not really much of a problem. 80% trails, 20 off. Have had them out to Black Hills Cat better offtrail but enjoyed them both. There is a new 2017 Viper on board for $9995.
 
T

Tracker

Guest
my vote....and this sums it up basically.....

Electronic injection. Ignition, 3D sequential fire, throttle position sensor. Fuel Delivery, Dual stage injection. Exhaust, APV with tuned pipe, pipe sensor and stainless steel muffler

_20161016200939562.jpg
 
D

durphee

Well-known member
I picked up a 2017 Assault 144 with the 1.35 track (not studded) this year and was worried about its trail manners (I am a 70 trail/30 off trail guy). The sled does very well in the trails but I had to put on 6 inch Bergstrom triple points to really make it handle well. I felt extremely comfortable going through the trails and we rode pretty hard through the twistys. We rode Presidents Day weekend in Mercer and the trails were thin and I had zero issues with cooling and I had the temp gauge displayed the entire time. Off trail the sled would be much better with the 2 inch lugs of course but I felt it handled pretty good, its extremely light and "flickable"...whatever that really means. The RMK will be much better off trail with the deeper lugs and narrower stance. I would go with the RMK since you stated you already have a trail sled. But, the Assault fits my riding style about perfect....wish it had the 850 engine though. All in all, the Assault is a great crossover sled.
 
T

Tracker

Guest
durphee said:
I picked up a 2017 Assault 144 with the 1.35 track (not studded) this year and was worried about its trail manners (I am a 70 trail/30 off trail guy). The sled does very well in the trails but I had to put on 6 inch Bergstrom triple points to really make it handle well. I felt extremely comfortable going through the trails and we rode pretty hard through the twistys. We rode Presidents Day weekend in Mercer and the trails were thin and I had zero issues with cooling and I had the temp gauge displayed the entire time. Off trail the sled would be much better with the 2 inch lugs of course but I felt it handled pretty good, its extremely light and "flickable"...whatever that really means. The RMK will be much better off trail with the deeper lugs and narrower stance. I would go with the RMK since you stated you already have a trail sled. But, the Assault fits my riding style about perfect....wish it had the 850 engine though. All in all, the Assault is a great crossover sled.
Click to expand...

try the 4 inch dual side by side carbides and it will turn even better....6 inch might cause tail wiggle while slowing and push in the curves a tad....nothing compares to side by sides....and air pressure if you have floats...they recommend 55 to 85 I think....I run at 100psi with 4 inch duallies....HUGE DIFFERENCE...more pressure...no push...tighter cornering....think aboot it...if there was 2 inchers you would roll the sled over in turns it would dig so good...the smaller the more bite and turning....TOTALLY OPPOSITE from what you been told for 40 years...me 2c
 
U

UP RIDER

New member
I had a 2012 standard rmk 144, I now have 800 Assault with the 1 3/8” track and also have a pro with the 155 x 2 1/2” . As you would guess the 144” rmk landed right in between the other two in both trail riding and backcountry. One thing to consider is the Assault has much better shocks.
 
R

rp7x

Well-known member
Riding powder with a rmk I don't think I need much for shocks , but snow checks can come with the bad *** shocks
 
S

sweeperguy

Active member
rp7x said:
Riding powder with a rmk I don't think I need much for shocks , but snow checks can come with the bad *** shocks
Click to expand...

Don't need great shocks in powder. But on trail YES. I had Fox Float 2's on my RMK that combined with triple points, made for a fine handling trail sled. 2"lugs for off trail, and scratchers for trails with no loose snow.
 
T

Tracker

Guest
2 questions for those that don't need shocks in powder....one....to get to the powder is it smooth or mogully beyond belief? and 2....those soft set shocks that go up and down and float rather easily.....do they widen the ski stance for side hilling and bottom out on powder jumps?



DOH
 
E

ezra

Well-known member
Tracker said:
2 questions for those that don't need shocks in powder....one....to get to the powder is it smooth or mogully beyond belief? and 2....those soft set shocks that go up and down and float rather easily.....do they widen the ski stance for side hilling and bottom out on powder jumps?



DOH
Click to expand...
depends if you ride where every one rides or you have your spots you do not talk about .
why would the shocks widen your stance .
3 no one puts a total junk shock on a mountain sled most are respectable except poss that doo sport not sure what they are running but really they are not to bad the first yr after that toss em in the trash like they are intended to do and put new one on
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top