RMK vs. Swicthback

[KMG]

So I am looking for a new to me sled for Ditch banging, MI, and out for out west. I was personally thinking a 600 RMK with a 144. I was supposed to look at one yesterday and the guy decided he did not want to sell it, it was an 08 HO. Today I found a 07 Switchback 144 1.5 inch track 600 HO cfi. I have a lot of questions so bare with me. First off cfi would be great but I have heard that around this era they had some issues? He is the second owner, he never had it re-flashed, don't know about the original owner. I have also read that because of where the heat exchangers are that the inside of the tunnel builds up with ice. Is it bearable, or a pita? Next, is gearing. I am not a "go as fast as I can kind of guy" I like playing in the deep stuff or the power lines. So do I swap it to the RMK gearing? Weight wise, looking up specs I notice the switchback is 20 pounds heavier. Wheres that weight come from? Being CFI? Is this sled going to handle like the RMK in the deep stuff? I noticed just by pics, not sure, that the back of the switchback skid is turned up a little, I'm sure that would be great if your on trails. Any differences I would love to know. Last but not least, price, guy wants $4495 2300 miles, he says, "showroom condition." I did not go look at it yet.

Thank you very much! It is appreciated!

 

[ezra]

I got a 07 155 600HO with slp pipe set up less than 1000mi less than 900 I think.with a set of used walker Evans f shocks I have not installed I got at the grass drags last week. I would sell for that 4495.show room no it has seen some branches and what not boondocking but nothing big just few scuffs.
on to your questions I have never owned a sled that did not benefit from dropping a tooth on the sprocket.as far as out west a 144 1.5 not with my back. unless you plan on just romping around a few bowls

 

[alwaysright]

it you go with the switchback it would be a great overall sled. If you ride in deep snow all day everyday then go with the rmk. IMO the switch would do just fine outwest (would benefit from a 2" track) but if you ride any marginal snow in the ditches then I would say the switch might be a better option. Extra weight is from the more trail friendly rear suspension, and some extra idler wheels or something like that. I would not worry about ice build up. If you see it, give it a little kick with the boot and it will fall right off. Most on this board will say 155 is better than 144 and 163 is better than 155. it's up to you and what type of riding you do. Again if you ride ditches I'd go with the 144. Don't buy a machine for out west if your going once a year, think about where you do MOST of your riding and plan accordingly. I'd offer low 4's for the sled and buy another track for out west. the 1.5 is great for ditches with icy hard or slushy snow, typical of what you see in the ditch.

 

[ezra]

and if u plan on doing a lot of track switching buy a cat with DD. I can swap a DD track in under 1 hr by my self. the same era cat is a better of trail sled but the poo is better on trail .

 

[KMG]

Thanks for all the good info, I think this will be my sled of choice unless I can find an assault for cheap at haydays

 

[ezra]

dont buy at hay days people hall there stuff there that dont want u to know where they live.
buy from a bud or a bud of a bud so u know the history.unless u know every thing about the sled u are looking at I have seen lots of prob sleds go to hay days to get dumped off on people caught up in the frenzy of the day.
watch u will see tons of sleds up for sale after hay days and the closer u get to x mass with no snow the cheaper they get.

 

[KMG]

Hmm, good point...

 

[Polarice]

If you get that '07 you will need to change the intake boots if they haven't already. If you don't it will burn down. Other than that update that sled will work awesome.

On your question about the flash I don't think it needs it. If it was the 800 that would be a different story.

 

[ezra]

that is true the one I bought last yr had less than 600mi on it when I pulled the boots the pto side was shot

 

[red_dog]

KMG,
I still have '07 with the 1.5 track and CFI. Mine is stock and over 6000 miles now. If you do get it have dealer look over all the bulletins\updates, there were quite a few with Oiler adjustment being the first one to review. Others for chain case flexing, they put a bracket on, like the newer ones, cable rub, Flash updates, and a couple others. Yes it builds up tons of ice in the tunnel and is sucks on really cold days as in a lot more weight to tow around, warm days not an issue. I just saw some permanent coating you can get that may solve that issue, might have been in Snow Tech this month. Anyway I'm trying that this year. I've used sprays that work but more screwing around when I could be doing other things and more stuff to buy. It's fast enough for me, still does 100 (or so I've heard). I take it out West every year and just swap weights and go. It would help to change sprocket but I haven't yet. Also IMO it handles more like a trail sled with a trail front end susp. and mountain rear susp. The skis are still 42.5 apart and not adjustable like mtn sleds so it just doesn't turn the same in the deeper stuff but like I said I still take it out west one week a year and have a blast, the shorter track does let you throw it around pretty good and the 1.5 you "get by" in deep and are glued on trail. On trails it's pretty good. I've got the upgraded shocks you can pound them hard all day and the ride doesn't change much. Better skis would help I'm told but I still have the stock skis for now. For that low miles I wouldn't mind having a second one if the price is right. Last year I put the extra guage options in for Altitude and temp and also the "Train" headlight, got them for closeout dirt cheap. I usually get put in front riding at night now. It's almost ridiculous how bright that light is. Also put in some extra air intake vents and sealed up around the headlight area where powder gets sucked in. Some of extra weight is there is a radiator in the front that some people remove. I crushed mine first 20 miles I owned it coming down on chunk of ice hard and square but no leaks yet. Only thing bugging me a tiny bit is that the tunnel roll has smooth grooves all the way down and my feet slip too easy when on the edge compared to tunnel roll with notches and teeth like newer ones. Coolant runs through there so I don't want to get too crazy wit the grinder. All in all good over all so far with compromizes in few areas being a cross-over sled. Also the handle bars are adjustable with push of a button, kinda trick more than anything.

 

[Riderraverripper]

Rmk 600 144 is the only way to go.... So if you don't want the big lugs, knock em back with a hot Knife. Better to start with more than leave your self wanting. The 144 has the tipped rails so it has the same "footprint" as the switchback on hard pack and more in the loose snow. The rmk also has an adjustable ski-stance. 39' to 41' in. Wide for trails, narrow for the bush, you decide. Assaults and switchbacks are fixed ski stance. The rmk comes with the nice gripper powder ski, extremely under-rated in my mind. If you are looking to carve and throw the sled around then the rmk is the way to go, the 144 is the "true" crossover and the switchbacks are trail sleds with creature comforts. Also if you are concerned about the 2in. paddle just throw some scratchers on the skid and it will help with cooling and hyfax wear. Just some suggestions. I ride one and wouldn't trade it for anything!

 

[KMG]

The assault is adjustable 43.5 to 41.5. Were the 144 rmk cfi in 09 10? 08 they were not.

 

[Riderraverripper]

The assault is adjustable 43.5 to 41.5. Were the 144 rmk cfi in 09 10? 08 they were not.

Yes "Rmk" assaults are adjustable. However they are all 155's we are talking of the 144's which makes it a switchback "Assault" and they are not adjustable. The Rmk base 600 has the exact same skid as the assault switchback but gives adjustable spindles.

 

[KMG]

Oh ya, I'm talking the 09 10 146 inch track. Which is a rmk.