2009 700 rmk vs 800 Dragon

[polaris_rmk_shift]

Buying a new sled this year. I have it narrowed down to two. 09 RMK 700 155" or 09 Dragon 800 155". Heard the 700 is very reliable and we all know about the 800. Two questions, is the 700 really that reliable and is there a big differance in power

Any input would be awesome
PS who else is Excited for winter

 

[mod03rmk800]

I would say the only difference you would see is in the deep snow climbing stock for stock. After market IMO favors the 8.

 

[TheFlyingFynn]

Just put a can & bikeman head on that 700 and you be right there with the 800 especially after the detune update they all need.

800 would be awsome if you own a shop or are a dealer....live next door to one. But for those of us who need pull and go....I think the 700 reputation speaks for itself.

 

[F-Bomb]

Who you buy it from and how they set it up is about twice as important as which model you pick.

Also note: If you're an average size person there won't be much variance in overall performance in like vehicles. The 8 can pack around a bit more tonnage without showing ill effects. If you weight about 150-180 we could set up a bone stock 155 6, 7, and an 8, remove the stickers and a spectator would have a challenge telling you which is which. Heads up in identical (although nearly impossible to really scientifically test and prove heads up) scenerio you can see and feel each cc progression but it's not as dramatic as in the old EDGE chassis days.

Good news .....the answer is it doesn't matter just enjoy!

 

[karnedge]

i have to say...i 100%agree..
size matters but if your a reg to xl.. 700 is lots its the xxl and bigger that want the 8



Also note: If you're an average size person there won't be much variance in overall performance in like vehicles. The 8 can pack around a bit more tonnage without showing ill effects. If you weight about 150-180 we could set up a bone stock 155 6, 7, and an 8, remove the stickers and a spectator would have a challenge telling you which is which. Heads up in identical (although nearly impossible to really scientifically test and prove heads up) scenerio you can see and feel each cc progression but it's not as dramatic as in the old EDGE chassis days.

Good news .....the answer is it doesn't matter just enjoy![/QUOTE]

 

[Top]

I weigh in at 240 lbs and I LOVE my little 700! The 800 will out climb it but I'm a boondocker, so I don't care.

 

[Lovesnow]

What would be the "can" of choice to put on an 09 700 RMK? Thanks and think snow!!!!!!

 

[thebigtreeman]

I'm 220lbs with no gear. I carry a loaded pack, fuel, water, etc. I run a bikeman head and can like theflyingfynn mentioned in post above. My 700 keeps up just fine. With all things being equal will it get the highmark? No. However, it will be close. My 700 takes me plenty of places that I have no business going. So for me it works just fine. Everyone is different. You really just need to ride them and decide. I'm very happy with the power of my 700 with just a few bolt ons.

If that doesn't convince you, look at it this way...if you decide that you don't have enough power and you go with a turbo you'll be happy with the reliability of the 700 when you throw that hairdryer on it.

 

[Bkinz]

I would go with the 700, I can out climb my dad on his 800. Doesn't matter on what type of snow conditions either. The 700 just isn't as torquey on the bottom end, and maybe a few mph on top end. Not a whole lot to notice between the two. Plus the 700 engines are almost bullet proof.

 

[IDAHO HOT SHOT]

I rode an 08 700 RMK for most of the winter 2 years ago. It was pretty much stock besides an SLP single. I would guess that I weigh around 210 - 220 loaded up. I found the sled to be a little low on torque. It was most apparent when I was climbing through the bumps. Each time the suspension would compress, it would bog out. My 800 doesn't do that. The 700 seemed to be a little lighter to handle that the 8. The 700, I believe, comes with 10-58 weights. They run better with 10-56 at elevation. Chris at Carl's suggested installing a stiffer secondary spring but this was after I was on the new 8. All in all, it was a great sled for me, but the twin piper 8 is my fav.

 

[AndrettiDog]

I've owned both sleds...

Some people say just mod the 700, but you could do the same to the 800 right?

So and apples to apples comparison...I found that the 700 didn't lack much on top and that both sleds were comparable (I had the 19t gear on the 700 as well). Where the difference really shined through was that the 800 got up to power quicker. This was evident when trying to climb or trudge powder with only a short take off. The 700 would bog down quicker because it didn't get spooled up. The torquer 800 had more "usesable" power down low.

That being said, I was always able to go where anyone else went when I was on my 700. I just didn't put the high mark up. My 700 was bulletproof. Probably the best sled Polaris ever built. However, my 09 D8 has not given me one problem at 500 miles. I think Polaris is under a lot of pressure to make sure they are reliable this year.

 

[All4traction]

I was in the same position as you last year. I opted for a new 09 700 155". I was considering the 800, but stuck with the 700 for reliablility. I've rode the 800 as well, but it wasnt worth it to me for the small difference. I like the throttle response on the 700, the powerband felt more linear, where the 800 seemed to have more peaky power. I ride with 700/800 iq rmk's and 800 XPs, the 800's have an edge, but dont blow the 700 out of the water. I've seen a good rider on a 700 go places 800's wouldnt dare.

I dont look back for one nano second regretting gettin the 700, I'm stickin with my choice and cant be convinced otherwise.

 

[440dart]

i wanted a new sled so i went to polaris i wanted an 800 they couldnt get me one in a 163 so i got a 700 they had, i finally got to ride an 8 it was a turd then i got to ride another thinking maybe it was the sled and this one felt the same just makes alot of intake noise and i let the guy ride my 7 he come back and asked me if i had a pipe i said its stock he didnt beleive me i showed him then i showed him i only had 300 something miles on it made me glad i didnt get an 8