2018 SKS 146 rear skid
- Thread starter CROW
- Start date
I have not had time to read up on them yet but could it be because it is the same skid in the switchback assault? People loved that thing this year.
Ride quality, and commonality (manufacturabilty) for the 144/146 lengths. Weight and deep snow capability not needed. Not smarter, just guessing.
Sure, well kind of. The main market for these is the midwest guys who want a more "RMK" sled vs the Switchback Assault and their IGX skid is worlds smoother (and easier) to set-up for the trail guys then the RMK skid with the coilovers. Not saying it's right but that is what I was told.
Me personally would rather see the coilovers in a non tipped up rail version but the skid in it would not prevent me from buying one. It's darn close to the perfect crossover sled now with the RMK features as the SBA is a dog off-trail when the snow gets deep or the terrain gets technical.
But it still has the laid back bar and steering setup along with the trail sled tank and over structure. To me this sled is just a 17 SBA with 2 inch longer rails and a 39" front end. Why is it so hard for them to just shorten the RMK 155 4.5 inches, make a 2.6 and a 3" track with rails to match and call it good. For us flat landers who rarely ride at home, unless we get 2 feet in one storm. We ride out west 4 to 5 times a year and maybe a day or 2 at home cause trails are not the thing to do for us. I'd rather it sacrifice more at home and be awesome in the west with real snow then be a trail sled that can meadow mash and then get stuck.
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The 146" SKS is really just a narrower-ski-stance(39-41") SB Assault with the 2.25" Peak track.
It shares the chassis with the 800 SB Assault and 600-Base-RMK.
I think that many people were hoping for the exact same thing as the the 155" SKS...but in a shorter length... Not so
It is a different sled all together than the SKS 155.
It has the "sit down ergos" ... raked-back steering angle and trail style post.
The 146" SKS has Raked back handlebars, all switches on the handlebars (aka Left hand controls), torsion spring skid, deep tunnel with running-boards that sit lower, trail model toe-holds, Different fuel tank etc.... With the narrower RMK a-arms comes the RMK spindles.
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It shares the chassis with the 800 SB Assault and 600-Base-RMK.
I think that many people were hoping for the exact same thing as the the 155" SKS...but in a shorter length... Not so
It is a different sled all together than the SKS 155.
It has the "sit down ergos" ... raked-back steering angle and trail style post.
The 146" SKS has Raked back handlebars, all switches on the handlebars (aka Left hand controls), torsion spring skid, deep tunnel with running-boards that sit lower, trail model toe-holds, Different fuel tank etc.... With the narrower RMK a-arms comes the RMK spindles.
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I think the SKS 146 has the dropped rear skid also but still waiting on that to be confirmed.
But if this is your use then why buy a 146 and not the 155 SKS? If your not trail riding that much then why would you want the shorter sled out west? Just a fun factor type of thing? Even riding my 155 here in MN I would never want anything shorter out west.
But I agree with you. I just don't see why they don't put a shorter 144/146 tunnel on the standard SKS and RMK. The new SKS should really be the Switchback Assault sled in the first place.
We built a 146 axys rmk from a 155 this season and did some engine and exhaust mods to it. Wicked fun sled out west, takes some planning ahead when on a crazy line. If people would look at the past and realize that today's chassis, regardless of length out perform previous generations by huge margins. I'd put money down on the fact that a 146 axys rmk 800 will take down anything that a 163 dragon 800 would. Now for a 300 plus guy, yeah shorter isn't the best but not everyone in this world is 6'5" and 300 pounds. People continue to say these days that the current sleds get them places they shouldn't be..take some length off and go have some fun with it.
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So kinda how Doo has their summit in a 146" is that what we are looking for here? I agree, might as well extend the RMK lineup, that would be cool. There is so many riders out west who ride 146s and even 137s all year long and love them for their track speed. If you are a good rider a 146 is plenty capable out west. Also more ideal to ride around in the midwest where B&M is right, we rely on one or two storms.
Exactly what we were thinking for a sled. Just don't want to buy a doo for myself.
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Being the owner of the 146" Axys RMK that B&M did the tunnel chopping on, I can say its insane. Its a very capable sled in all situations. The more you talk to guys that are getting more advanced in skill level the more I hear things like "I want a challenge" a 146" will climb into serious terrain, but its not going to do it on Autopilot like a 163"/174" sled does, but the folks who want this as a serious MTN machine don't want easy.
The sled as it sits is extremely fun to ride, people that have ridden it have commented that it is faster responding than the 155 in tight trees in terms of changing line direction. I can defend that as I own a 155" sled as well and this does respond quicker to inputs than the 155".
While not for everyone, the 146" will probably be the next area that the manufacturers pursue, the idea of a sub 400 lb mtn sled is a reality on the 146".
I plan on Putting the sled on a bit of a diet and think I can realistically take 25lbs off the current weight.
The sled as it sits is extremely fun to ride, people that have ridden it have commented that it is faster responding than the 155 in tight trees in terms of changing line direction. I can defend that as I own a 155" sled as well and this does respond quicker to inputs than the 155".
While not for everyone, the 146" will probably be the next area that the manufacturers pursue, the idea of a sub 400 lb mtn sled is a reality on the 146".
I plan on Putting the sled on a bit of a diet and think I can realistically take 25lbs off the current weight.
I agree with everything but the drop skid part, especially the last line! The skid and tunnel appear identical to my Switchback Assault, which is plenty capable but would benefit from the narrow front end. Am I going to be able to side hill on a 30 degree slop like a Pro RMK, no, but I have a great flatland boondocker, that rallies the trails. The SKS will be a fun sled for the Midwest and Northeast even with the trail tank/seat combo.
Where we ride, not once has the 155 hindered me. Actually it has helped me to not have to work as hard in some situations. With 163 and 174's out the 146 is actually considered a shorty.
We did find out the skid is not dropped and is in fact in the same position as the SBA.
But your right, it's going to rip and is everything the SBA should have been from the start. I have a buddy snow checking one and I can't wait to try it out next year.
I just sold my 2012, which was the prefect 146. Started life as a SBA. I put pro rmk front and rear overstructure, pro lower panels, pro forward steering post, gripper skis, pro rmk seat, 36" alternative impact front end with pro spindles, narrow burandt boards, 2.86 drivers with a 146x2.4" Polaris series 5.1 track. Sled ripped. Only thing that would have made it complete was an ez-ride skid. Sled excelled 90% of the time, made me a better rider. However, that 10% of the time when we got 3' of fresh, it was not capable. I have since moved on to a 2017 Axys Pro 155, but man did I love that 146.
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I called it the EMK - eastern mountain king
I'd actually like to see the SKS offered in 146/155/163 with all the same equipment on them...The only diff being the track/tunnel length.
I like the "Heavy Duty" aspect of the 155 SKS.... Shocks, cooler, drivetrain etc...
Not something that you can get in the Assault or Pro.
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I like the "Heavy Duty" aspect of the 155 SKS.... Shocks, cooler, drivetrain etc...
Not something that you can get in the Assault or Pro.
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S
SnowWay
Member
I agree 100%!!
I'm soooooo disappointed with the "fake" SKS 146 Polaris came out with for 2018. It's far from an SKS.
All I can hope is that this SKS 146 was just a cruel joke and that next year the REAL SKS 146 will come out.
I would snow check a ~146 pro rmk or SKS in a heartbeat!!!! I have a 146" xm and it is a blast. It's the sled everyone wants to take for a "test ride" because the fun factor is so high.
However, the downsides on a 146 xm are also pretty noticeable compared to my 155 pro:
1) The 146 XM wheelies like a crazy s.o.b. This is a lot of fun much of the time but if it's deep at all you never really get up on top of the snow. you just trench and hope you don't stall.
2) the washout is really bad.
Don't get me wrong. The sled is great, but these are two areas where polaris sleds have been superior. I'd be excited about a 146 sks/pro rmk.
However, the downsides on a 146 xm are also pretty noticeable compared to my 155 pro:
1) The 146 XM wheelies like a crazy s.o.b. This is a lot of fun much of the time but if it's deep at all you never really get up on top of the snow. you just trench and hope you don't stall.
2) the washout is really bad.
Don't get me wrong. The sled is great, but these are two areas where polaris sleds have been superior. I'd be excited about a 146 sks/pro rmk.
