2011 RMK 155" Purchase Dilemma

[Bamboozled]

I was looking at a couple of used 2011 RMK (standard) to possibly purchase one. Both have high miles on chassis (about 3000 each as they were rental sleds from out west) but new motors with only about 200 miles on the motors. The new motors were put in as part of warranty by Polaris. They are both in pretty decent shape (one has a little bend in rear tunnel where it looks like they bottomed out so I'm not sure how concerning that would be. it does have a new track though). The other sled has the original track and is missing a few lugs---seller tells me he didn't notice a difference when riding in powder. Should I be concerned about track condition at this point? I'm reading mixed reviews on whether the stock track is any good versus something aftermarket.

Appreciate your thoughts as I'm moving from '02 Summit to something much newer. Thanks.

Here are two options--both sleds same price and otherwise the same:

#1 new motor, new track, small bend (bump out) in rear tunnel where they bottomed out. Usually the tunnel storage bag would cover this area.

#2 new motor, original track (3000 mi) with a few lugs missing (2-4 lugs). No bends in the tunnel.

 

[SLDHVN]

i would vote sled #1 i think, is the dent in the middle section of the tunnel or the outer section(coolers)?

 

[Bamboozled]

The dent is in the middle and towards the back---about 4" from tail light. I was told the coolers are closer in towards where the track ends. Not sure if that's correct or not.

 

[tdblakes]

I would go with sled #2. You can find a good track on here for $400 where if the tunnel is actually bent, you have a "totalled sled". Could hurt resale value for you down the road if it is legitimately bent (if coolers are bent I'd say). Pics would help us all decide. A track is simple enough to change... just my .02

 

[Bamboozled]

Its more of DENT compared to being BENT. I'll see if I can get some pictures and post them. Almost as if someone punched up from the bottom with their fist---its raised about 1/2 inch maybe.

 

[tdblakes]

Oh, like it sucked a rock and threw it against the inside of the tunnel. If its in the middle of the tunnel then yea I wouldn't worry about that, like someone said before...
I would really take a close look at the area tho and make sure someone didnt eff it up and hammer it straight again... I'd still go with sled #2 I think. Thats just me.

 

[t stone]

I was looking at a couple of used 2011 RMK (standard) to possibly purchase one. Both have high miles on chassis (about 3000 each as they were rental sleds from out west) but new motors with only about 200 miles on the motors. The new motors were put in as part of warranty by Polaris. They are both in pretty decent shape (one has a little bend in rear tunnel where it looks like they bottomed out so I'm not sure how concerning that would be. it does have a new track though). The other sled has the original track and is missing a few lugs---seller tells me he didn't notice a difference when riding in powder. Should I be concerned about track condition at this point? I'm reading mixed reviews on whether the stock track is any good versus something aftermarket.

Appreciate your thoughts as I'm moving from '02 Summit to something much newer. Thanks.

Here are two options--both sleds same price and otherwise the same:

#1 new motor, new track, small bend (bump out) in rear tunnel where they bottomed out. Usually the tunnel storage bag would cover this area.

#2 new motor, original track (3000 mi) with a few lugs missing (2-4 lugs). No bends in the tunnel.

Go with the one with the bad track and buy the brand new track I took off my 2012 pro. Its a 163 so you would have to get rail extensions. $450 plus frt.
Stone

 

[tbeaton]

go with sled # 2 and buy a new 155" track.

 

[EricW]

Whats the money difference (cost) in the sleds. I would have a tech run the VIN and see if the motor failed under warranty or did the owner just freshen the top ends. If one or the other failed, how come? Was the cause fixed in the rebuild? To many variables here to give a good direction in my opinion.

My 2011 Pro 155 went for $8800 (from the dealer) with about 800 miles on it. It had the Carls clutch set up, a quality tether, and a cool HTR US/Canadian flag wrap. It was cherry. I know other deals like that are out there as part of the Polaris trade-in program that i did. I would look around for a non-rental with some after market goodies unless your price is way lower than what mine went for. Good luck. EW

 

[jafraune]

Just curious..did the seller say where the sleds were from specificallyy ouwest?

 

[Bamboozled]

These are new motors----not rebuilds.---I"m in the process of running the S/N's on them to be certain. My understanding is that there was an issue with oil line getting kinked.

Asking around $7700

 

[EricW]

My understanding is that there was an issue with oil line getting kinked.

I would look into that, the kinked oil line thing was from the factory as I remember. I can't imagine making 3000 miles with a kinked line then a rebuild with only 200+ as a result. I would have to think that failure would have happened in the first 500 at most. Maybe not.

Good that you are looking into it. Maybe you can find out which dealer did the repairs and then talk to an actual hands on tech. Being a rental, I wouldn't be afraid to ask for contact info for the last few customers to see how they thought the sled performed. The seller may be reluctant based on personal info, but it may be an indicator just to see how he handles and responds to the question. In those situations I will leave my info and ask that the customer contact me if they are comfortable.

If I rented that sled and had a good experience with the sled and the biz, I would be glad to contact you and give the guy a good review. If the seller runs like hell from the idea, you should give that strong consideration. Good Luck. EW

 

[dmkhnr]

I'd be concerned with the motors as-well, seems that I hear more and more about pro's with blown motors.

 

[Outlaw525s]

Just my .02 cents i would NEVER buy any kind of rental sled.....just my .o2 i dont want to offend anyone.

 

[Bamboozled]

Great points made here guys and I appreciate the feedback. To address the last few posts:

1. Motor Replacement---I asked the question as to why Polaris replaced these motors but I can't exactly remember what he told me. They did not burn down but there were indicators that there may be problems based on this faulty oil line design. If there are any dealers here maybe they can elaborate. Not all of them got new motors but I can't remember exactly what criteria needed to be met to get a replacement.
2. Purchasing a former rental sled---like any time you buy a used sled there are questions. My feeling is that in order to have 3000 mi in 1 year there must have been alot of trail riding. The trails out West are about at good as it gets.---smooth and good snow cover. I think alot of people rent these big power sleds because they think they need them when actually they have no intention of boondocking in the mtns. 3000 mi on a chasis is not really concerning to me. Slides looked good (must have been replaced), bearings changed in wheels, chaincase relatively clean, clutches seem to be in good shape---I'm told Polaris has a pretty reliable clutch system.
3. Good point about talking to rental company out West. He gave me the name but I didn't pursue it any further than that. I may make some calls.

 

[Bamboozled]

I'd be concerned with the motors as-well, seems that I hear more and more about pro's with blown motors.

Who agrees with this statement?

 

[skibreeze]

Who agrees with this statement?

Any mention of blown Pro motors scares me a bit, as I had a ton of issues with my 08 800. The good news is that I pulled my Y pipe on my 11 this morning and the pistons looked perfect after 1500 turbo'd miles. Makes me feel 100% better, and I hope so, I bought a '12 also.

 

[sleddin pete]

Who agrees with this statement?

Not me.

There does not seem to be a major problem like the 08-10 800's.

Seems like a majority of the 2011 failures were related to oil line routing.Of course a small percentage of motors do fail for other reasons but,that is the luck of the draw.

Big reason why I bought my first year 2011 Pro was the 4 year snowcheck warranty.

I know some on here have had failures tell us what was the cause??

 

[dmkhnr]

Were these sleds out of Togwotee?

 

[polarisIQmn]

I'm guessing these are the ones that came from Bear Lodge. I bought one of the sleds from the guys that buy Bear's fleet each year and the one I got was in great condition. It has 4100 miles on it but it looked like brand new when I bought it. Mine had a new track on it but the original motor, checked the hours and calculated average speed = 18 MPH.

Chad