Assault Reviews

[Ron Burgandy]

Must be some Assaults out there rippin around, I'd like to hear how they are doing in the mountains for sidehilling/trenching or just overall mountain handling. Can't decide between an Assault or RMK as this sled will be trail ridden also and an Assault is $400 more and has considerably better shocks.

 

[Kestrel2126]

I picked up an Assault last week. 3" Snowcheck model. Overall, I've got to say I am truly happy I went with the Assault over the RMK. First being the shock package, it is significantly better than even the RMK Clickers. That said, I will be throwing my KMOD under it when the turbo goes in. However, up front the ski shocks make a big difference. The other thing I like, but wasn't sure of was ski width. I ran my Pro's at 39", and am running the Axys at 40" (narrowest for the Assault). To me, it feels very similar stance wise, and I am having no issues in the trees. Also, I think the tube A-Arms, are quite a bit stronger than the forged from the stories I am seeing/hearing.
Otherwise, the RMK and Assaults are virtually identical spec.
All that said, I you are going to run aftermarket shocks and A-arms anyway, save a couple hundred bucks and buy the RMK. Eventually, I am probably going to go to a set of ZBroz 39" arms, and have my WE ski shocks shortened and revolved. They are a very capable shock, and that will be a significant savings over a set of Raptors/X-0's/ Evols.

 

[Wood]

I was out on my Assault for the first time this past weekend and am very impressed with the limited miles I put on (60 miles). I did have a chance to try my buddy's new Pro the same day so I got a bit of a feel for both sleds. I ride the NE backcountry and trails so my application may be different than you. I was concerned about the lack of a sway bar in the Assault but those concerns are no longer an issue. I have the skis set in the middle and had to crank up the front susp springs a bit as it was a bit sketchy at first on the trail. After cranking up the springs it's a non issue and is no more tippy than the Pro. The suspension is great and there is a difference between the needle WEs and the remote rezzi standard WEs. Also, for MY application and the terrain I ride, it's very beneficial to be able to transfer weight off the skis and keep the front end light. This allows the sled to be more responsive to get over obstacles. The Pro, IMO, is too 'planted' and the Assault has more weight transfer with the lower front skid mounting position. The Assault just seems to have more dangle factor than the Pro and is a better all-around sled for MY type of riding. No comment on deep snow performance as we are still waiting for winter to kick in here but I am confident that I won't be disappointed there either. This is the first stock sled that REALLY impresses me.....I haven't run a stock sled in almost 20 years and I could happily ride this sled out of the box and be very pleased.

 

[motoracer5]

http://www.snowest.com/forum/showthread.php?t=405587

 

[Ron Burgandy]

Thanks guys, I'm coming from the Doo world so trying to figure out these poos. Sounds like the Assault is right up my alley


To summarize the differences between pro/assault, please add if I miss something.

-chain case on assault
-wider front end
-WE needle shocks on front (rears the same?)
-lower mounted rear suspension
-peak 2.25" option

Anything else?????? Does the assault have a front cooler?

 

[skippy]

No front cooler. You can also get the assault with the 2.6 powder track.

 

[Wood]

Thanks guys, I'm coming from the Doo world so trying to figure out these poos. Sounds like the Assault is right up my alley


To summarize the differences between pro/assault, please add if I miss something.

-chain case on assault
-wider front end
-WE needle shocks on front (rears the same?)
-lower mounted rear suspension
-peak 2.25" option

Anything else?????? Does the assault have a front cooler?

Needle shocks all around. Lower mounted front skid location and rail profile is different from Pro to accommodate mounting position. No front cooler. No sway bar. Front shocks valved to accommodate no sway bar and front springs are stiffer for the same reason (130 lb vs 100 for Pro). Comes with bogie wheel kit as well as scratchers. Steel A-arms vs forged aluminum on SKS and Pro. Snowcheck Assaults have carbon fibre over structure....I think the in-season models have standard over structure...not 100% sure on that one. Peak track will trench more than the 2.6 and the assault in general will trench more than the Pro/SKS due to the rear susp setup. There's always a compromise......

 

[deschutes]

We have a 16 Assault and a Pro. We put Fox coilover shocks on both sleds, so they do have good suspension set ups. Both sleds ski width are set to narrow. Given that we can hop on and off each sled on the same ride, feedback has been that the Pro feels more lively and fun to ride than the Assault. It would make sense given the quick drive, narrower front-end, etc.

That being said, I think the sleds fit the riding styles for the different primary riders of each.

If you are going to be bashing, jumping and a little harder on your rides, the Assault might be the better option. It has the chain case, beefier drive shaft, heavier a-arms, etc. that may be more compatible with an aggressive riding style.

 

[DangerousDave]

Old thread, good topic...
I took my first ride on my new '17 assault yesterday. I've been on a 14 pro 163 for the past couple years and the Axys Assault feels a lot different.
The Axys motor is awesome, I noticed what feels like extreme engine breaking when letting off the gas, the ride is plush, it feels way more playful and fun to ride. As I expected the wider front end makes the balance point more squirly when on one ski. I also noticed the 2.6 track hooks up so well it pushes massively when on the trail. After 18 miles I really like it, will ride it the rest of this season to get used to it before considering narrowing it up. Gotta learn to ride again! Anyone else have a learning curve when switching to an axys? Any other assault advice?

 

[ggcustoms]

Gotta learn to ride again! Anyone else have a learning curve when switching to an axys? Any other assault advice?

Ditto. Huge learning curve for me. First day was a battle. One thing that seemed to help was to have the ski shocks 2 clicks from softest. Next trip I am going to throw a set of Rox risers on there. Currently have the low bars and it was hard to throw over. Got better everyday though. Good luck in your transition.

 

[DangerousDave]

Ditto. Huge learning curve for me. First day was a battle. One thing that seemed to help was to have the ski shocks 2 clicks from softest. Next trip I am going to throw a set of Rox risers on there. Currently have the low bars and it was hard to throw over. Got better everyday though. Good luck in your transition.

I noticed the compression clicker did make a big difference in different conditions it's nice to have that option. I moved the skis in to the narrowest position and am adding a 3/4 inch riser for my 2nd ride this Saturday. I'm 6'4 and already have the taller bars but need just a bit more height to be comfortable standing for a couple miles on a mogul filled road to get to the back country areas. If I still feel it needs to be narrower after this weekend I think I'll order a set of zollinger offset spindles. This will keep the long travel suspension and should make it balance better on one ski. Overall it's a great sled and I can't wait to get back on it!

 

[knikflyer]

Bump for a good thread. Local dealer has left over 2017 Pro's for $9999 or Assaults for $10,700. I'm a bit older and more of a point and shoot rider than a technical tree rider. Strongly leaning towards the Assault. I'm coming off an earlier Pro-ride SBA and want the Axys motor and chassis.

 

[DangerousDave]

18 miles on my new Axys Assault. I contacted Zollinger to order offset Spindles. Unfortunately they don't make them for the Assault and apparently the Pro Rmk spindles don't fit.
That's a bummer, they look like an awesome product.
I ordered an SLP stage 2 kit- pipe, can, clutch kit. I'll Probably get through break in before I install it.
Prepping to ride this weekend...
I moved the skis to the narrowest position, added a 3/4" bar riser and installed a WRP 2" taller seat. I guess I'm going to have to get narrower
a arms and have my shocks shortened if I want to narrow it up a bit. I may try the skid in the upper hole too.

Any input?

 

[DangerousDave]

New Assault update...
We've still got a lot of snow for spring riding and we're still getting some fresh now and then in the mountains.
I've got nearly 100 miles on the Assault now, I could never go back to an old Pro. The motor is great and after getting used to it and dialing it in the ride and handling is great. I'm 6'4 so I added 3/4" bar riser and a WRP 2"+ seat.
Like most places we have to ride a few miles of road to get to the back country areas. They stopped grooming at the end of march so the roads are really beat up, 3'+ whoops one after another for a couple miles. I normally dread riding in and out but the AXYS Assault actually makes it fun, it soaks it up and just goes without beating you to death.
On the mountain I've gotten used to it too. It climbs and side hills great, it makes almost any terrain more fun.
The only thing I'm struggling with is the wide front end is harder to roll up on one ski for turns on packed snow and U-turns going downhill. My hope is that ZRP will make offset spindles for the Assault this year to solve that problem without having to change out the whole Assault front end. I would think most everyone with an AXYS RMK Assault would buy them.
If interested check out this thread and chime in and let ZRP know they would sell!

Own an Axys Assault? Want ZRP offset spindles?

https://www.snowest.com/forum/showthread.php?t=433615

 

[Wintertime]

Put 750miles on a 17" Assault this season love it!!
Handles great, jumps well, what I want it to do. I just like having fun and ride all terrain types.

 

[NWaxys]

Most favorite sled yet... I did few aftermarket parts but I love it.

 

[sno*jet]

Most favorite sled yet... I did few aftermarket parts but I love it.

not ****in around with the tracks. nice.