2014 PRO RMK vs 2015 Yamaha Viper MTX LE Turbo
- Thread starter polarcat39
- Start date
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Jaynelson
Well-known member
They are 2 entirely different sleds for 2 different buyers IMO. If you are split between the 2, you may be fine with a Viper, as I would speculate you aren't doing the type of riding where the RMK shines. If you want to build a turbo sled for big climbs and big power, I think the Viper is a great choice. If you want a nimble sled for techy riding, jibbing off stuff, etc, the RMK is the obvious choice.
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polarcat39
Member
I've only went riding in the mountains 6 times in the past 3 years. I'm still very much a rookie.
I have no desire to have the "highest" mark or the "longest" side-hill. I want a reliable sled that can be prone to frequent "operator error" - i.e. getting UNSTUCK.
I'm very comfortable on my RMK, and it seems to suit me well. With that said, i'm 85% sure I'll go with a 2015 Standard RMK for next year.
But the Yamaha was looking pretty good - who wouldn't love a sled that can go 10,000 miles on one oil change?
Anyone know what a bone stock 2014 162" and 155" Pro RMK weighs wet (ready to ride)?
I have no desire to have the "highest" mark or the "longest" side-hill. I want a reliable sled that can be prone to frequent "operator error" - i.e. getting UNSTUCK.
I'm very comfortable on my RMK, and it seems to suit me well. With that said, i'm 85% sure I'll go with a 2015 Standard RMK for next year.
But the Yamaha was looking pretty good - who wouldn't love a sled that can go 10,000 miles on one oil change?
Anyone know what a bone stock 2014 162" and 155" Pro RMK weighs wet (ready to ride)?
I've gotten enough Nytro and Apex's unstuck to know that if you see one that is stuck it is best to avoid it. They make great snow anchors.
I have yet to honestly get my Pro stuck. I have been stuck alright but every one of them was due to operator error not the machine
But that's the beauty of the weigh-in, it won't ever be much closer for two ready to ride mods. EZ Ryde probably helped the V more than the pro, even if it was a cat skid. The gap only gets bigger as soon as you add stock parts back to the V.
I think they were comparing the Maybe the Same AC sled with the 800 (M8) to the Yamaha. Still seems like it would be more than 30 lbs.
This is from my demo trail ride on the viper. I rode my Pro the same day. The Pro has a lot more power stock for stock.
Well I went on a factory Demo ride yesterday. Of course they had no 2015 mountain sleds but they did have all the current vipers.
We got to trade up and this was a trail ride. I rode the Viper 141, 137, and 121. For the trail I felt the 137 was about the best match. The sleds look cool and the seating position was nice. However, the motor just seemed to lack the power that I am used to with my ProRMK and the chassis seemed fatter. Well I think the ProRMK has the skinniest chassis out right now. So I went into the ride excited about the new Yamahas and left feeling it is a nice sled but probably wouldn't buy one over some of the others current offerings.
At the last switch I jumped on a Phazer. Now this is a fun sled. Too bad there is no power there. I am now considering a used one for my 14 year old son.
Well I went on a factory Demo ride yesterday. Of course they had no 2015 mountain sleds but they did have all the current vipers.
We got to trade up and this was a trail ride. I rode the Viper 141, 137, and 121. For the trail I felt the 137 was about the best match. The sleds look cool and the seating position was nice. However, the motor just seemed to lack the power that I am used to with my ProRMK and the chassis seemed fatter. Well I think the ProRMK has the skinniest chassis out right now. So I went into the ride excited about the new Yamahas and left feeling it is a nice sled but probably wouldn't buy one over some of the others current offerings.
At the last switch I jumped on a Phazer. Now this is a fun sled. Too bad there is no power there. I am now considering a used one for my 14 year old son.
In comparison with the same sled, but 2s...the '13 m8 hcr came in at 569. 41 lbs lighter than the stretched viper.
I have 2014 Viper 162 with 270 MCX, A 09 Nytro 270 MCX and a 2012 163 Pro. Anyone that thinks that the Viper or Nytro can't be ridden thru trees must be seeing some pretty poor riders. I can put my Viper, or Nytro anywhere I ride my Pro. When looking at all the new sleds they are all great machines and a guy needs to be open minded. The weight of the 4 stokes seems to be a barrier for most people but they only time they feel heavy is when they are stuck, my Viper feels the same weight as Pro when riding it, my Pro feels just as heavy when it is stuck and takes the same shovel work as my Nytro
The only beef I have with Polaris Pro (since I do own one) is its under powered 800, some of my riding buddies are on XM's and 800 Pro climbs and power wise the Polaris is under powered compared to them. The chassis are pretty close, edge to Poo.
Now anyone that thinks the Pro 800 will be in the Viper MTX 180 horse turbo league will be sadly mistaken, and if they think this sled can't run the trees they will be mistaken as well
Just my opinion to each there own.
The only beef I have with Polaris Pro (since I do own one) is its under powered 800, some of my riding buddies are on XM's and 800 Pro climbs and power wise the Polaris is under powered compared to them. The chassis are pretty close, edge to Poo.
Now anyone that thinks the Pro 800 will be in the Viper MTX 180 horse turbo league will be sadly mistaken, and if they think this sled can't run the trees they will be mistaken as well
Just my opinion to each there own.
For the same money as a turbo Viper, I would have the Pro with a big bore and X3 track. I would LOVE to see the T-Viper hang with that through the trees. I really would... You could probably even get a turbo Pro for Turbo Viper money. That too would seem like a no brainer to me.
To each his own for sure. I have ridden a bunch of different sleds, I bought a Pro because it is BY FAR the easiest to ride hard all day, at least the way I like to ride. Trying to make a case for not feeling the wieght while riding doesn't fly with me. I can feel it, I no likey.
I keep hearing how the Polaris is under powered compared the competition so I expect it when I ride with other 800s the same year or even newer than my 2012. The weird thing it I have not experienced it myself. I think it more about power to weight ratio. Maybe our snow is different. I don't know.
There's been one for a long time , but I'm a little biased tooUnfortunately it's only human nature to take the easy way out and miss out on the fun .
LOL fair enough!
Sorry I am not buying the weight disappears while moving, sure at speed you can make a goldwing feel like a crotch rocket but at parking lot speeds, or technical tree riding you feel every pound.
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Bacon
Well-known member
Comparing these sleds stock to stock, the Pro wins hands down. I don't ride stock. These sleds would get boosted. The Viper motor is hands down the most reliable boosted motor. It's not even a discussion comparing the poo motor. Yes it will weigh more, but I will have 270 reliable and proven hp on tap. I can deal with the weight cause I am used to those terribly overweight and ill handling Proclimbs.
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The only reason you'd be more tired at the end of the day riding a boosted Viper vs a boosted Pro is because the Viper has way more big reliable HP and is so fun to ride you can't let off the throttle. The boosted Pro well, in the back of your mind your thinking it' flickable and has good power but it might blow up.
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sledless bdh
Member
Look at the difference between the 600 and 800 Pro's. There is a difference in feel and those are on the same chassis and only weight a few lbs different. There is way more to a sled than just weight. Geometry of the the sled coupled with the rotating mass multiplied by the flux capacitor defused with the time warp circuitry.......
little bit different subject.....The two current top mountain sleds are the pro and the xm. With that being said, something that has always looked a little odd to me is the size of the spindles on the cats and yami's. I would have to think that when you have one of these tipped up on a ski, dragging a spindle through the snow.....the larger ones have to drag more, slowing you down, making you fight the pressure, etc.....or is this just frivolous thinking?
Austin
little bit different subject.....The two current top mountain sleds are the pro and the xm. With that being said, something that has always looked a little odd to me is the size of the spindles on the cats and yami's. I would have to think that when you have one of these tipped up on a ski, dragging a spindle through the snow.....the larger ones have to drag more, slowing you down, making you fight the pressure, etc.....or is this just frivolous thinking?
Austin
I couldn't tell you the mechanics of it, but the bdx front end works wonders on the proclimb chassis. http://www.bd-xtreme.com/38spindlekit2012-2013.aspx would be my first mod to a proclimb.
Constantly dragging , there's a crap load of drag from those ditch pounding A-frames .
I'm with ya. I have 12 and 13 Pro 163's and don't feel like I'm lacking power at all. Just spent a few days riding in Northern Utah/ Southern Idaho and rode with some Cat's and Doo's. My buddy told me to take his XM for a spin so I did. I was expecting the Etec to noticiably be more powerful. Not the case. I did like how the XM steered and how easy it was to pull over, but as far as the power, my 12 Pro felt much stronger in the power department. Just an honest observation.
