I currently ride a 09 rmk 144 800, I want a pro ride but the only 144 800 is the assault and thats more money and heavier than the 155 pro. My question is how much different is it, I realize its only about 4 inches contact patch, 70 % of my riding is trails and low elev. and 30% is mountain riding with 1 or 2 trips per year. Our mountain riding style is medows, alot of boondocking and some climbing, thanks for your help guys.
144 vs 155
- Thread starter SNOWMANN
- Start date
i had a 2010 800 155 and found that i really don't climb really all that much in the mountains. i like playing in the trees, meadows and jumping. i found the 155 to long for my riding style. i went to the 155 from a 144 switchback. the 155 has great flotation over the 144. but i found the 144 was better for my riding style. so sinse my 155 got stolen, and the only 144 in the 2011 was the switchback, i went and picked up a 144 800 rmk. i think it will suite my riding style alot better.
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aebsledder
Well-known member
I rode the new pro rmk in a 155. It's on the trail manners were phenomenal, and off trail even better. The sled is so nimble and easy to control in a 155 platform that it is almost instinctive. Go with a 155. It is nice to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. Plus I think your resale might be a little better with a 155. My 02.
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IDAHO HOT SHOT
Well-known member
I think you have a good point with the re-sale aspect, good call. Years ago, on my edge, I went from a 144 to 151. I didn't notice any diff in handling or jumping, but loved the extra perf and traction. GO 155. I was thinking of going with the 163, but this sled is gonna kick so much A$$ that I think a 155 will rock.
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pura vida
Well-known member
there are a few geometry differences between the assault 155 and 144. from my understanding the 144 is "basically" a stretched 121. which will effect its ride and handling. plus the 144 is not getting the coil over which if i am dropping that kind of coin on a new sled then want all of the bells and whistles that comes with it. i was bummed to learn this b/c i prefer the 144 length over the 155, even in the mountains. (i currently have both) so i am talking with carl's to see what it would cost me to get the 155 assault and have different rails and track installed. but then the tunnel will be a little long. but that can be fixed too... so, my point is even though i'm a 144 guy i'm probably going to go with the 155 and you will "probably" be happier if you do the same. but to each there own.
Im thinking 155, I will be going to the dealer tomorrow to get a price on a 155 pro rmk, I will be trading a 09 rmk 144 800 with 2000 miles. Any guess's on what Im gonna have to pay?
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THA_Natty
Member
I ride a 800 155, and the sled rips. it was great response on the trail, and you dont feel as if the track is trying to push you straight. it climbs really good and i dont really have problems jumping it. Im not hucking it over 90' gaps or anything but it does alright. go with the 155 you wont regret it.
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sledneck_03
Well-known member
the switchback assault has 2009 144 rmk suspension, the 121 longer suspension your thinking of is a coupled 136 like the 2011 600 switchback
i have a 155, you wont notice the length unless you are coming from a 121 and expect it to go over 100 and have zero body roll. i came from a 136 edge and i have to say i LOVE my 155. its never held me back.......just remember "you can drive a long track anywhere, you cant go where its fun with a short track"
another thing is im 6'2" 230lb and a 155 is good. a 170 lb guy on a 144 could probably go as good as i can go. I also because of my size and strength can throw the sled around for its size............i think a 144 with me on it would struggle were we ride yet lighter guys do good, i could probably go to a 163 yet but i dont ride the mountains more than 1-2 weeks a year.
The fact that you don't get the coil over with the 144 is the single main reason to go 155. If you ride a 155 2011 you will find the 155 to feel exactly like a very very well set up 144 iq raw. There is that much improvement in handling characteristics on this new chassis and a huge new benefit is the Holz copy suspension. The only thing we didn't really do is air that sled out (minor pops a few feet in the air was it) so if you are a very hard core air guy you might want to hold off until you can test fly/ride both options. There are some cool snow check benies but you can always hold off and find one that a guy can't take when they roll out first of next season.
I live in Quebec in the Outaouais region. Im 5' 6 and 165 geared up. Current sled is 09 600 rmk shift 144.
Im having the same concern. I ride trails with the family and spend half the time carving up meadows and small hillsides. Im looking at the Pro 155 and want some reassurance that it wont be too much to handle. I would be putting a 2" Challenger and wheel kit. Anyone have opinions on the track? Should i just cut the stock? Will cut last as long?
Before I pony up my cash I want to make sure im not biting off more than i can chew...
My options are keep my shift install exits, boards and a 660 over the next 2 seasons or pick up the Pro.
Thanks for all your help
Im having the same concern. I ride trails with the family and spend half the time carving up meadows and small hillsides. Im looking at the Pro 155 and want some reassurance that it wont be too much to handle. I would be putting a 2" Challenger and wheel kit. Anyone have opinions on the track? Should i just cut the stock? Will cut last as long?
Before I pony up my cash I want to make sure im not biting off more than i can chew...
My options are keep my shift install exits, boards and a 660 over the next 2 seasons or pick up the Pro.
Thanks for all your help
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pura vida
Well-known member
sledneck, i was talking about the front geometry not the rear skid. from what i see/heard you are correct on the 09144 skid use.
ramcharger, i think you will be fine with the 155. i doubt it will be too much to handle. i would save your money and just cut the stock track down as mentioned on other threads. the life of the track won't change. if anything it will increase but probably not noticeably. fwiw, i cut my 09 track per f-bomb's instruction, have ridden it like i stole it and am missing zero lugs and have no track damage.
then again, 660 setup's are very B.A. if it means anything both jack and chris from carl's chose to run 660s this year rather than 800s. they are supper fast and a kick in the *** to ride. but it probably won't win a flat out hill climb comp but at 165 geared up you will not have an issue keeping up with anyone, anywhere. plus it wouldn't hurt the pocketbook nearly as bad. good luck, enjoy.
ramcharger, i think you will be fine with the 155. i doubt it will be too much to handle. i would save your money and just cut the stock track down as mentioned on other threads. the life of the track won't change. if anything it will increase but probably not noticeably. fwiw, i cut my 09 track per f-bomb's instruction, have ridden it like i stole it and am missing zero lugs and have no track damage.
then again, 660 setup's are very B.A. if it means anything both jack and chris from carl's chose to run 660s this year rather than 800s. they are supper fast and a kick in the *** to ride. but it probably won't win a flat out hill climb comp but at 165 geared up you will not have an issue keeping up with anyone, anywhere. plus it wouldn't hurt the pocketbook nearly as bad. good luck, enjoy.
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snow4me
New member
I am in the same boat as you. The PRO RMK 155 has so much to offer I don't see myself going with anything else. I noticed that on the regular RMK it has an added inner and outer wheel kit installed. I think with my 50/50 on/off trail riding this would be a great addition to the PRO RMK for me. Also thinking of the running board supports. Oh yea, I'm going to cut down the 5.1 per f-bombs instructions, seems like a great idea.
Daryl.
Ive never heard anything bad about a 660. The only down side is you wont really get your money backdown the road.
At the sneak peak they had an assault rmk but no pro. I found 4 wheels tucked away under the clutches. Im confused...
At the sneak peak they had an assault rmk but no pro. I found 4 wheels tucked away under the clutches. Im confused...
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pura vida
Well-known member
as i said above, the 660 kits are awesome and just flat work. but if you are going to do it, do it right and get a complete setup. i would recommend carl's. just go to there website and look at their 660 kits and everything else they recommend and get all of it. it makes the kit more expensive but you will be the happiest with it and it will work the best. if you don't do a complete setup (pipe, reeds, airbox, etc) then you may be disappointed with the results, especially with all of the hype the 660s get. remember, very rarely does one additional item make that "oh my god, this thing rips!" feeling, it has a lot more to do with all the little things coming together. that and properly set up clutches. but, as was mentioned before, you won't get your money back out of it when you sell it, but you never get money back from any extras you install.
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sledneck_03
Well-known member
yah i think your right with the front. if you look at the 144 is seems to have the same front bumper hight as the 121s where the rmk assault is alot taller.
