This may be played out, I'm not sure. I was just looking for some input from all you fellas. So I have an 08' Summit with the 146". It's alright but just had to do a top end rebuild at 1400 miles, and I really just want something newer and better handling. The riding I do mainly consists of powder shredding, bits of boondocking, Snomo skiing. Hill climbing hardly ever. But I do double up a lot. Getting two folks to the top is necessity. That's about it. 600 with pipe/can? Or just stick with the 8? Thoughts?
600 Pro vs. 800 Pro
- Thread starter cristfrcarr
- Start date
A
AK IQ Pilot
Well-known member
800 for sure. For the type of riding you do the 8 will work much less than the 6 and it will get equal or better fuel economy because you won't be holding it taped as much as you would the 6. There is only maybe 18HP difference between the two sleds. They both use the exact same ecu, throttle bodies and injectors. Fuel delivery is directly proportional to throttle position and RPM.
PS. Keep in mind the seat on the '13 Pro is not conducive to 2 up riding. It can be done but it's not comfortable for either person. It's not even safe going down a bumpy trail. My wife wanted to slip away from camp this past weekend so we went on a little 2 up jaunt. Not a good idea. We had to creep on the rough trail. My knees were banging the plastic and she was one throttle blip from going off the back. And we have 25 years of 2 up experience.
Z
ZPLOL
Member
600 uses a 46mm throttle body vs the 8's 48mm.
I own a 13 600 and If I was to pick again today it would still be the 600 since I'm only 155lbs with gear and I ride at rather low elevation...
Like pilot said, the seat will need to be changed or modified. I think its on the limit of being too short.
I own a 13 600 and If I was to pick again today it would still be the 600 since I'm only 155lbs with gear and I ride at rather low elevation...
Like pilot said, the seat will need to be changed or modified. I think its on the limit of being too short.
A
AK IQ Pilot
Well-known member
You are correct on the throttle body differences but the injectors and ECU are exactly the same between the two motors. If you have to ride the 600 hard to keep up with an 800 ridden not quite as hard the 600 is going to use the same amount of fuel if not more.
IMO there is really no longer an advantage to the 600 over the 800 especially on these CFI-2 motors.
Cool. Thanks for the input. The seat is no problem. We were actually doing some doubling today on both the 600 and 800. Can you pep up the 6 with a can/pipe or would it not make that big of a difference?
I dont mean to offend. Unless ur riding a 2up sled with a 2up seat the passenger should never be behind the driver! It is not a safe way to ride. On a single rider sled the passenger must be as far forward as possible and holding on to the mountain bar. The driver should be standing behind. Unless the passenger is to big to reach around.
As far as 6 vs 8. Get the 6. Unless ur trying to highmark the 6 will get u everywhere u want and last more than 1500 mi. And its cheaper to buy!
The best thing to do, is buy a 2up sled if its mandatory to ride 2 people most of the time.
As far as 6 vs 8. Get the 6. Unless ur trying to highmark the 6 will get u everywhere u want and last more than 1500 mi. And its cheaper to buy!
The best thing to do, is buy a 2up sled if its mandatory to ride 2 people most of the time.
I rode my 13 600 and a 12 800 back to back yesterday. 800 is torque, 600 is higher revving and zippy. Aside from throttle response the most notable difference was the running boards. I kept sliding off the 12 boards. 13s hold you. The 600 is amazing. I love the engine characteristics and there is a ton of power. Riding again today and the 800 rider is beat up. I am not. If you want the best of both worlds put a head on the 600. Hill climbers will need the 800 I assume but technical boondockers will love 600. I ride at 9 to 11k elevation and weight 170 in my birthday suit.
The 800 rider loved the 600 and said crazy stuff right off the bat, like I love that sled...maybe I should have gotten the 6...I'll need to ride it more to know. We share a love for technical tree riding in UT and CO pow.
The 800 rider loved the 600 and said crazy stuff right off the bat, like I love that sled...maybe I should have gotten the 6...I'll need to ride it more to know. We share a love for technical tree riding in UT and CO pow.
IMO the hands down best buy in the new sled mountain segment is a 13 600 RMK Pro with a PA head. This is a sled we could only dreams about 5 years ago.
Cheap, reliable, light, forgiving, goes.
Cheap, reliable, light, forgiving, goes.
0
05 tmk 900
Member
snomo ski
I do a lot of snomo skiing with my rmk 900 with a 166 track, I could not imagine trying to double up with anything less than a 900 or a 166" !
A 800 would certainly do the job. I think double up riding is the equivalent to a hill climb and a 600 would not do the job.
As far as weight goes, I don't think the 600 is much lighter. As far as longevity goes, the 800 will last longer than a screaming 600. Either one will need its oiler turned up !!!!
i have never heard of "too powerful", but have heard of not powerful enough.
When we double up we stand side by side, one on the gas and one on the brake, with our middle hands on the grab loop, not in front or behind. The only time I ride with someone in front are small short passengers less than 120 pounds.
I do a lot of snomo skiing with my rmk 900 with a 166 track, I could not imagine trying to double up with anything less than a 900 or a 166" !
A 800 would certainly do the job. I think double up riding is the equivalent to a hill climb and a 600 would not do the job.
As far as weight goes, I don't think the 600 is much lighter. As far as longevity goes, the 800 will last longer than a screaming 600. Either one will need its oiler turned up !!!!
i have never heard of "too powerful", but have heard of not powerful enough.
When we double up we stand side by side, one on the gas and one on the brake, with our middle hands on the grab loop, not in front or behind. The only time I ride with someone in front are small short passengers less than 120 pounds.
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reliability
I'm sorry but the guys who think the 8 will last as long as the 6 are in denial. I've had both a 12 800 and a 13 600 and I don't ride the 12 800 anymore. Oh and by the way I'm about 250 riding weight and if you don't think the 6 will keep up with the 8 you need some riding lessons!
I'm sorry but the guys who think the 8 will last as long as the 6 are in denial. I've had both a 12 800 and a 13 600 and I don't ride the 12 800 anymore. Oh and by the way I'm about 250 riding weight and if you don't think the 6 will keep up with the 8 you need some riding lessons!
600 was my choice. Sick of the whole 800 burn down crap.
The 600 lives in the trees, so nimble and grab a mit full of throttle and it pulls.
The power is snappy and reminds me of a two stroke dirt bike.
The 600 lives in the trees, so nimble and grab a mit full of throttle and it pulls.
The power is snappy and reminds me of a two stroke dirt bike.
Talk about denial, yes when I go out riding I always say to myself I wish I had a 600 instead of my 800. I also say man I wish I had a shorter track than my 163.
Get with reality boys, is the sky blue in your world?
Sent from my SGH-I747M using Tapatalk 2
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5
550iq
Well-known member
I was ignorant for decades swearing to all that the 600 engine was all one will ever need. Really? The engine in my new 800 Polaro is the finest snowmobile engine I have ever throttled up and to consider going back to the 600 is to consider regression. Won't happen. 550iq.
I could not agree more.Like you said when was the last time you wished for less power,except when my LML duramax breaks the rear tires loose passing @ 70mph.
We have done short distance doubling up getting up hills by having each person stand one on each side, each running either the brake or the throttle, and hanging the other hand on the mountain bar, depending on which side you're standing. It allows the sled to work properly and you can lean to turn and maneuver obstacles. Just another idea. Sled size doesn't really matter in this position.
You might want to look into the 12 Pro RMK 600.
Longer seat
No EDSEL type quick drive
No chewing gun assembed driveshaft
No brittle carbon fiber overstructure
No pain in the butt 100 mile break-in everytime you change belts
If you want to go one further then try a standard 12 RMK 600 x 155, if you can find one. With the extra front tunnel cooler, you can actually tow another sled without overheating, or even do a little spring riding when you have icy trails to get up higher. Then make a deal with the dealer to upgrade to some Walker Evens needle shocks on purchase. Then you have the best of all worlds.
If you went with a standard 13 RMK 600 x 155, you can find a longer 12 seat off of the internet, and make that deal on the Walker Evans needle shocks.
Longer seat
No EDSEL type quick drive
No chewing gun assembed driveshaft
No brittle carbon fiber overstructure
No pain in the butt 100 mile break-in everytime you change belts
If you want to go one further then try a standard 12 RMK 600 x 155, if you can find one. With the extra front tunnel cooler, you can actually tow another sled without overheating, or even do a little spring riding when you have icy trails to get up higher. Then make a deal with the dealer to upgrade to some Walker Evens needle shocks on purchase. Then you have the best of all worlds.
If you went with a standard 13 RMK 600 x 155, you can find a longer 12 seat off of the internet, and make that deal on the Walker Evans needle shocks.
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It all comes down to the rider a good rider on a 600 can ride circles around an ok rider on an 800!!
