AmSnow.com is now SnoWest.com
Polaris RMK 600Polaris' RMK 600 in the IQ chassis is an overachiever. It pulls hard, feels light, works as if it is the only snowmobile on the mountain and has a bully mind-set. Polaris built a great sled that's our favorite 600 class mountain machine in '06. This new RMK entry is what the 900 and 750 RMKs wish they were.
It's not often you see bigger mountain sleds being eclipsed by their smaller sibling. But with Polaris, the 600 RMK is our fave over its 750 and 900 RMK techno wizards. Although we understand the '07s have gone on a diet, which should help.
This snowmobile's setup was clean and spot on for the day's conditions and the area's elevation. The IQ chassis comes to life with the compact and lightweight 600cc motor. And it burns snow with a hot attitude.
When sashaying through the trees and gullies, the 600 RMK is easy to flick and toss. With its rider-select handlebars set to 6, you can pull a lefty or righty by simply standing, slightly dropping the corresponding shoulder, lifting the opposite foot and leaning into the turn. The RMK confidently follows your lead and corners well.
But we feel the RMK Sidehiller II skis are inadequate for the chassis - we'd prefer a wider ski with a more aggressive bowed keel. We also wish it had wider running boards like many of its competitors. When jumping from left board to right or vice versa while running through gullies and ravines, our feet sometimes missed the running boards which made us tumble off the sled.
On the trail and burning the moguls, the 600 RMK is flat out in control. It's front and rear suspensions are at home when the sled is forced to perform a little like a snocrosser. Polaris says the high output carburetor reed-inducted twin produces about 120- to 122-hp and 77- to 79- ft. lbs. of torque. It sports a 144-inch track with 2-inch lugs, but we think it has the pull to spin a 151-inch track. We also like the Ryde FX shocks and mountain-specific seat and ergos.
This little brute sneers at every hill ahead of it and will give 700s a run for bragging rights.