13 pro 700 mile review

[Danbot]

Just cleared 700 miles on my 13 800 163 es, figured I would share my thoughts, and experiences. Mine is pretty much stock... clamp on the driveshaft at about 600 miles, and an mbrp can. I love the sled, It really inspires confidence and has let me do things I wouldn't have tried before on my iq... really nice package.

Things I love about this sled:
-Deep snow maneuverability is so easy, it carves and sidehills like a dream.
-Trail manners are pretty damn good for a mountain sled.
-Controls are tidy, and well thought out. I'm really starting to like the protapers
-The running boards are simply the best stockers out there!
-Call this engine underpowered all you want, I don't buy it.... so responsive and midrange snappy.
-The wiring.... a polaris weak point for years seems higher quality on this sled. I like the connector pouches, and routing.

Problems I have had:
-The lower quick drive pulley bolt mysteriously snapped at about 400 miles. I found the washer in the belly looking it over before a mountain trip. The snapped off piece came out with a drill / easy out and I replaced it with a grade8 bolt, and red locktite. No problems since.

-Exploded a belt yesterday. Not much left but 2 or 3 inch long chunks, and some cords, didn't feel like a big hit to the crank at all. This belt lasted for almost 700 miles, many over the hood, no ventilation days so I'm not disappointed in it's life span. If I had been watching it closer, I'm sure I could have caught signs of fatigue and avoided the failure.

-Ice buildup in the tunnel is out of control! The ice around the drop brackets is huge, and rubs on the sides of the track. Large sheets of ice collect on the insides of the tunnel and fall to their demise randomly. It really sounds and feels horrible when one of these large sheets drops and gets munched up by the track. Has anyone had luck with a spray-on solution to this buildup? pam? wd40 or something?

Always anticipating my next ride on my pro!

 

[geo]

I second that and would like to add that everytime I pull something apart to service I smile at the fit and finish, engineering, and attention to detail.

The plastic is light, sealed and strong using added webbing and innovative bends and folds in the right places. The hole in the belly pan gets rid of a ton of pipe heat.
Most of the suspention pivot points are aluminum dowels with a plastic sleeve bushings just like the better aftermarket stuff. Not used to that from the factory.
Fasteners are Honda quality and no self tapping screws or bolts on anything structural.
Easy peasy to service.
Starts so easy.

 

[Ken Climb]

At the 250 mile mark on mine and alway riding with a perma-grin.
When your back at the cabin and the guys ask you how you like the pro, it's so hard not to sound like gloating.
I've been riding m8s for the last few years and thought they were the sh!t. I hopped on my kids 2010 m8 yesterday for a quick rip and it honestly felt like a dinasour.
Light, Precise,rigid,snappy, popped in my head when I was back on the pro.
I hope this thing holds together, cause it kicks ***!

 

[94fordguy]

Good to hear that you're loving your Pro Dan!


Just one question though.... How the heck have you managed to get 700 miles on that thing already, it's not even January yet?!?!?!?!?

 

[Danbot]

Good to hear that you're loving your Pro Dan!


Just one question though.... How the heck have you managed to get 700 miles on that thing already, it's not even January yet?!?!?!?!?

No kids, no wife, 3 weeks holidays in Dec.... and a severe addiction to snow!

 

[blackie205]

got my sled on dec 21 st i have about 200 miles 180 r mountain miles,coming off a 2011 rmk 800 and this 13 is leaps and bounds better and the rmk rocked and i rode the sh!t out of it this past week,even down the mountain when the trail is faked with 2 foot woops held up to 60 mph ripn,so far two thumbs up from this guy,cant wait to c how it holds up to some sask smashing lol

 

[AndrettiDog]

I too noticed the ice buildup on the drop bracket but never had any problems. Just keep it running so it can't rub on the track! 300 miles and no problems with the belt yet. Sled feels strong and I'm loving it. It's been very cold in Colorado for the last few weeks so I've been nervous, but the sled has been running great. I just make sure to warm it up before taking it out.

 

[Danbot]

Just about 900 now!

Ive been riding some great snow in BC, a half dozen truly bottomless days... noticing alot of snow / ice buildup around my lower quickdrive gear. I'm planning to block the footwell opening, and the chaincase drain hole. Otherwise this sled is rockin, no problems!

 

[rp2000r]

I put gorilla tape over the chain case hole and it's still on after 200 miles..
Easy to replace an seems to work..

 

[blackie205]

i am at 451 miles and loving it and i built some footwell vents if u r interested pm me i live in sask

 

[seth25]

Wow, thats alot of miles!! Glad you are getting to enjoy some great snow up north, send some down this way!

 

[High Velocity]

900 miles !! Fug, I hate you !! J/K. Glad you're having a great season on your Pro.


Sent from my iPad when I should be sledding.

 

[Scott]

Holy crap that's a lot of Mikes. I'm at 295 and thought i was doing well.

 

[mickyd32]

I'm at 714 miles on mine.
So 14 miles since my stage 2 kit went in and 14 since I blew my QD belt up

Love everything riding oriented about this sled, comments differ only slightly from what's already posted

What I don't like:
- snow build up
- lack of any kind of useful storage
- I still manage to find the kill switch even with the new throttle block and kill switch set up
- suspension sagged out early in my opinion

 

[Danbot]

I'm at 714 miles on mine.
So 14 miles since my stage 2 kit went in and 14 since I blew my QD belt up

Love everything riding oriented about this sled, comments differ only slightly from what's already posted

What I don't like:
- snow build up
- lack of any kind of useful storage
- I still manage to find the kill switch even with the new throttle block and kill switch set up
- suspension sagged out early in my opinion

Try my kill switch location! it's completely out of the way, but can still be smacked to kill the sled if needed.

 

[Danbot]

Here's some recent alpine freeriding from my gopro
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rge30NEkBNs

 

[Scott]

I'm at 714 miles on mine.
So 14 miles since my stage 2 kit went in and 14 since I blew my QD belt up

Love everything riding oriented about this sled, comments differ only slightly from what's already posted

What I don't like:
- snow build up Where?
- lack of any kind of useful storage Underseat bag stores my toilet paper, tow rope and fire starter. All in ziplock backs. Handlebar bag stores my beanie, multitool, SPOT and sunglasses. Underhood google bag stores my spare goggles. Backpack does the rest.
- I still manage to find the kill switch even with the new throttle block and kill switch set up MOVE THAT SUCKER!!!!
- suspension sagged out early in my opinion

...

 

[Danbot]

More miles, and still loving it!
Im over 1400 now, this was before yesterdays ride

Since my last post, I have installed a wrp gauge lifter, and set the ski stance to the narrowest position. I also put SLP prefilter material over all stock vents except the small brake duct below the headlight.

I have had a few problems since 700 miles:
-Left grip started spinning in wet conditions, and tore the wires off the warmer. On my list for hopeful warranty fix.

-In very deep conditions, or rolling sled over, the throttle assembly is constantly icing up, preventing the flipper from returning to fully closed, as well as disabling the TSS. I have had moderate success with spraying it with wd40 before each ride.

-I just snapped another lower QD pulley bolt. This time the pulley had slid out on the shaft slightly and was rubbing on the battery box. I heard it right away and saw the problem... no real damage. I bent the tab on the back of the batt box that was rubbing the pulley, and rode it out.
I have a thread in the drivetrain sub about this, but I have now installed large flat washers on the pulley bolts in place of the OEM bellville washers. Bolts and washers are indexed and I will be watching this closely. I will keep a drill and easy out in my truck from now on.

-Ice buildup around the QD, completely encased in ice at times. I ran 3 strips of black duct tape under the belly where the chaincase drain hole and seam to the bulkhead is. This has gotten rid of 90% of the problem.

There's also A list of things I love about this sled:
-The air intake system works very well. Ive been fortunate to ride alot of VERY deep snow this year, with all brands and years of other sleds. Everyone around me plugs up and bogs down pretty regularly, while it just doesn't seem to affect my Pro as much, if at all.

-Fit and finish of the bodywork is still 100%. Very easy to get in and out of the right side to quickly dry some goggles on the engine. No other brand has the room under the hood like the Pro.

-I have been able to find the balancing points on this sled so easily. It really becomes so effortless to sidehill, and carve around on complex terrain that it opens up more stuff to ride that I could never get to before.

-Fuel mileage is awesome, I regularly outlast everyone in my group. Even when I spend more of the day riding. Yesterday I bested an etec by a long shot.

I have never racked up miles so quickly on a sled, and I am having the time of my life doing it!

 

[akrevrider]

2013 Pro 1400 mie update

Excellent update. Thank you.

 

[Danbot]

Just lost my original quickdrive belt, the other day at a little over 1500 miles. Started by shearing a row of about 7 cogs, we decided to tow it out of the alpine in hopes that it would drive itself out on the trail.... no dice. It lasted about 1 mile until it sheared some more cogs and split. It was a hair raising experience learning how to tow a sled with no brakes.

This belt took some side loading when my lower pulley bolt broke recently, so I am not surprised that it failed really. Installed a new belt in about 30 mins the next morning and continued the trip for 2 more days. Break in on the new belt consisted of a 24km trail ride up to the alpine.