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2014 - SkiDoo Summit or RMK Pro for a noob?

K

KTMDirtFace

Free Member
I'm buying my first sled this year.

Can't make up my mind, I'm a total noob only ever been on borrowed junkers a handful of times. Going new because I can afford it and i don't want to deal with used issues..rather have a warranty and a reliable machine to start with.

I'm leaning towards the SkiDoo... for no other reason that the flex track and tMotion sounds cool.. plus it looks better in my opinion. But which one would be easier for a noob?

I'm 6'6" 230.

Been riding motorcycles awhile ( offroad ).. and skiing my whole life. Time to try something new!

My experienced friends said get whatever one I can get a better deal on.. and told me to get 163" for sure.

Oh yea sorry this is probably not a very good question, and will probably get people repling with whatever they own.

Just wondered if one is easier to handle than another or if its all marketing mumbo jumbo.
Also does my height make any difference? one got a bigger cockpit?
 
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Was a Ski-doo guy for years and now have 12 and 13 Pro 163's. Am a Poo guy because it's the only game in town. It's kinda like a blonde and brunette. You'd be happy with either one. Go with the dealer that's going to take care of you. That's really the best way to go.
 
Calvin42 said:
Was a Ski-doo guy for years and now have 12 and 13 Pro 163's. Am a Poo guy because it's the only game in town. It's kinda like a blonde and brunette. You'd be happy with either one. Go with the dealer that's going to take care of you. That's really the best way to go.
Click to expand...

Thanks we have one of each dealer in town. Can't say I have ever been impressed with either one. I'll see how it plays out.
 
As a noob I sometimes ride my buddies pro. I instantly turn into a hero.

Never rode a XM.
 
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Before you plunk down a wad of cash, ride each one of them. They are both great machines and you can't go wrong either way. My son rides a Pro and I have an XM. To me the XM just feels better and he thinks the same of his Pro. Ride em both, buy the one you like the best and have a great time this winter. :face-icon-small-win
 
Your friends are right, get the one you get the best deal on. I have a '12 Pro and LOVE it, but demo'd the '14 XM lineup last spring and thought they were awesome sleds to. Actually, I would have seriously considered a freeride if I was looking for a new sled. Bottom line is you'll learn to ride whatever sled you get. I'm 6'5" 200lbs and was equally comfortable on either one.

Track length isn't critical, but longer is definitely more forgiving. Gives a new rider more of a "crutch" to fall back on.

Read up on the forum to look up issues for each brand. Like I said, I love my PRO, but I've got no illusions about the potential ticking time bomb of an engine under my hood.
 
I think the doo is easier to maneuver and sidehill if you don't have a lot of skill/experience. A couple of years (of experience) ago I would have chosen the XM, but now I like the pro better.
 
I thought the conclusion was you had to be a Pro rider to own a Pro?

Honestly, I liked both of these sleds, but ended up checking a XM this year. I like the engine better, and the warranty was a lot better. I don't like how Polaris sells it to an aftermarket insurance company after the first year or whatever they do. Too much hastle when you need something fixed.

I like the Skidoo dealer around here also. They always squeeze us in when we need something fixed quick.

The Pro is an awesome sled, and I really enjoyed riding it when I got the chance. Just read a lot of stories about engines, and a-arms falling apart, and other little problems. They both handle really good, and I think a lot of people will say there the 2 best sleds on the hill right now.

Yes, go with the 163" for sure. I've owned both lengths of sleds, and I'll never go back to the 154, unless they stop making the longer ones. The way these new sleds handle these days, you can't even tell the extra length is behind you. They turn sharper, and handle just as good as a shorter track from a few years ago.

Good luck
 
Ride both if possible. They are both good, the end results are similar....but they feel quite a bit different with regard to ergonomics. Can't really go wrong....
 
Try and ride them both. Generally accepted the Doo is more reliable, the Pro is lighter and less expensive. I feel more comfortable on the XM but have buddies that are very aggressive riders and feel the Pro can take them more places.
 
I will try to ride both but might not be possible.

Sounds like 163 in either one is great i got time to figure it out before the snow comes.

Bought some gear already lol...now im in it!

Thanks.
 
Get ready to be completely obsessed with snowmobiling. Today's sleds are all pretty awesome. I had a 13 Pro last year and my boys rode XMs. I rode them both all year. It seemed whichever one I rode the most was the one that felt "right". I think for a new rider the XM is going to be the better all around sled especially for a bigger guy. The suspension in the rough is a LOT better, a little more power and bigger track(but it also has another 50lbs to haul around), better fit and finish, seems to work better in our Coastal wetter snow, no systemic issues(the pro has several, a-arms, drive shaft, QD belt and maybe the engine) and better gas mileage. The Pro might have the edge in really steep sidehilling, downhill sidehilling and really technical tougher terrain but your won't be riding it like that for a couple of seasons so it's not really an advantage for a new guy. All that said I will be on a Cat Pro Lite 900 this season, STOKED!. :face-icon-small-hap
 
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