Having hard time jumping ship from Doo
- Thread starter frog
- Start date
It's kinda funny that a 460lb 160ish HP sled is now considered heavy 
....we've come a long way the last 10 years! Not long ago you could hardy build a sled like that for under $25K and it would handle like crap, no warranty and ran race fuel.
The biggest argument is which sled is a little easier than the other to perform maneuvers with that those $25K mods could never do and often required a tow rope and constant tuning.
They are all amazing machines that are capable of more than most riders so buy what you like and have fun!
....we've come a long way the last 10 years! Not long ago you could hardy build a sled like that for under $25K and it would handle like crap, no warranty and ran race fuel. The biggest argument is which sled is a little easier than the other to perform maneuvers with that those $25K mods could never do and often required a tow rope and constant tuning.
They are all amazing machines that are capable of more than most riders so buy what you like and have fun!
I would buy the doo and put some time and money into setting it up a little better. I'd rather do that than buy the pro and put money into the motor.
People get mad when you say that the Pro is underpowered.... but it is. It still gets the job done and gets on top of the snow great... but it needs more power. I could accept the lack of power if it was in a extremely dependable motor..... but being low on power and questionable dependability?? That's where you lose me.
On a side note- If you get the polaris get the best warranty, even if its just for resale value. A guy from here has a 2011 with around 1800 miles for sale (and no warranty... not sure why- its not a mod) and people are not very interested... unless way below book.
People get mad when you say that the Pro is underpowered.... but it is. It still gets the job done and gets on top of the snow great... but it needs more power. I could accept the lack of power if it was in a extremely dependable motor..... but being low on power and questionable dependability?? That's where you lose me.
On a side note- If you get the polaris get the best warranty, even if its just for resale value. A guy from here has a 2011 with around 1800 miles for sale (and no warranty... not sure why- its not a mod) and people are not very interested... unless way below book.
CRF did you see where the OP is from? MN is Minnesota, lots of trail riding there. I know it's not cool on Snowest to ride the trails but it's the biggest segment out there and lots of guys love it. I don't think I have ever unloaded and jumped right into the fluff. Sometimes it's 20 miles in to where the riding is good where I ride.
Two Pros Two Seasons
2011 800 Pro RMK 155" 1871 miles
2011 800 Pro RMK 163" 883 miles
Our problems with our two stock Pro RMK's now in their second year.
Both sleds leaked oil between the Y-pipe and the exhaust pipe. Permatex Ultra gold fixed that.
One leaky gas cap.
One exhaust temp sensor failed.
One belt.
If your more into trail riding maybe toss around the idea of a Switchback.
If your like me and everything is about snowmobiling in the mountains, the Pro RMK for sure.
I have a ton of trail riding miles in my life and I can tell you the Pro RMK is not a good trail sled. It wasn't designed to be. But I do believe it's the best stock mountain sled out there.
I don't hear of many Pro RMK guys jumping ship.
But there will be if more motor issues show up.
The worst part about a Pro is you can't get your helmet off because all that grinning makes your face fat.
2011 800 Pro RMK 155" 1871 miles
2011 800 Pro RMK 163" 883 miles
Our problems with our two stock Pro RMK's now in their second year.
Both sleds leaked oil between the Y-pipe and the exhaust pipe. Permatex Ultra gold fixed that.
One leaky gas cap.
One exhaust temp sensor failed.
One belt.
If your more into trail riding maybe toss around the idea of a Switchback.
If your like me and everything is about snowmobiling in the mountains, the Pro RMK for sure.
I have a ton of trail riding miles in my life and I can tell you the Pro RMK is not a good trail sled. It wasn't designed to be. But I do believe it's the best stock mountain sled out there.
I don't hear of many Pro RMK guys jumping ship.
But there will be if more motor issues show up.The worst part about a Pro is you can't get your helmet off because all that grinning makes your face fat.
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pura vida
Well-known member
MM, serious question. why are you wasting your money on the pro? you have stated multiple times you prefer the doo in almost every situation, and that is the xp. with how well the xm handles in the powder now, your one trick pony that is under powered and unreliable, now has absolutely zero advantage in any situation over the doo and you won't end up riding it. honestly, i truly believe you would be better off buying two xm's rather than one of each.
now, i think it is clear from my other post that i couldn't disagree with you more, especially with the trail handling, but that is just my opinion. now even with my polaris bias if i wasn't building a house this year i would have both the pro and xm in my garage. and that is saying something coming from me considering how much i have hated the handling of ski-doo for a number of years. from my single ride the xm is a completely different story but b/c of the house and huge difference in dealers (plus my own bias) i will still be on a pro next year. as far as the OP is concerned, with how much you like doo i would really try to ride the xm before you switch brands. amazingly it is nothing like the xp and handles very much like a pro does. good luck
pv
now, i think it is clear from my other post that i couldn't disagree with you more, especially with the trail handling, but that is just my opinion. now even with my polaris bias if i wasn't building a house this year i would have both the pro and xm in my garage. and that is saying something coming from me considering how much i have hated the handling of ski-doo for a number of years. from my single ride the xm is a completely different story but b/c of the house and huge difference in dealers (plus my own bias) i will still be on a pro next year. as far as the OP is concerned, with how much you like doo i would really try to ride the xm before you switch brands. amazingly it is nothing like the xp and handles very much like a pro does. good luck
pv
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I would recommend the Rush, or MXZ or other trail snowmobiles, seeing that you are a flatlander and that the trail market is the largest market for the Manufacturers it is really not a good choice buying a Mountain sled to ride on the trails...is it?
We do ride about 10km sometimes to get to the "steep and deep" but i would never base my mountain sled purchase based on the 10km - 30km of trail riding.
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I took that two ways.
#1-Humorous.
#2-If your buying a Pro it's for mountain riding, and not trail riding.
Anyway, we all win. Plenty of good info here!
No doubt about trail sleds being the lion share of the market but the buzz is all about the mountain riding largely because of so many poor snow years.
I used to put 5000-6000 miles on a year riding in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ontario, and Quebec. And we did this from home. Didn't trailer, but did get on a train and ferry a few times. But I do prefer mountain riding I will have to admit.
No disrespect to the type of riding back east. I have never done that type of riding but would definatly like to take the family on a trip. With that being said my Pro RMK mountain sleds would be staying at home.
And to the people that can afford to buy 2 brand new mountain sleds for yourself I give you a big pat on the back. Personally I can afford 2 but UNFORTUNATLY one goes to my Wife.
To the OP buy the Doo
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tbeaton
Well-known member
really, i prefer my rmk to my doo bcx on the trails, mostly in the bumps. better front suspension and the rear stays planted unlike my bcx that likes to hit me in the *** all the time. being an easy coast flatlander i ride planty of bumpy trails to get to the back country.
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Super Sled
Well-known member
I'm in this boat too. Prefer the Pro to the several Doo's I've ridden with recently. They preferred the Pro also. Except the poor cooling capabilities of the Pro. I'm hoping Water Wetter and longer flap help with that next year.
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tbeaton
Well-known member
i did the pdp longer flap and engine ice, only a few issues this year with cooling, but without snow nothing cools, lol.
I have rode three different pros and two e-techs and even if the dyno says the advantage to doo. The pro still holds it own on the hill. I still ride doo but snowchecked the 13 pro I was impressed with the power transfer of the chasis to the snow. I have been to the dragstrip with a car and had more ponys and been beat by less ponys. It all about setup and pro is the best that is out there now in my opionion. You have to ride them side by side the same day and compare the pro suprised me.
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frog
Well-known member
If I was you, I would stick with Skidoo for the simple fact that you already have the matching jacket!!!
Next time I get over to tractor supply I will be able to get some gear like you got. I was so jealous last year.
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frog
Well-known member
Bottom line after riding Doo since 05 I am ready for a change, so....... issues or not, a 2013 pro 155 black w/ 4yr warranty is what I am ordering and also a good friend is the service manager at the dealer and that doesn't hurt either.
After talking to a good friend and well known sled engine builder about basic 2-stroke theory and the failures involved with the 800 I think a possible solution is available but, time will only tell. To say the least I am very optimistic and looking forward to next season.
I'd much rather deal with a ill-performing mountain sled on the trail than an ill-performing trail sled in the mountains.
After talking to a good friend and well known sled engine builder about basic 2-stroke theory and the failures involved with the 800 I think a possible solution is available but, time will only tell. To say the least I am very optimistic and looking forward to next season.
I'd much rather deal with a ill-performing mountain sled on the trail than an ill-performing trail sled in the mountains.
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That's funny!!! Nice gear!
Personally, I am very seriously considering switching over to Doo this year.
I had a 2008 Dragon 800 and have a 2011 Pro 800. In the past 4 winters, I had approximately 10 months riding and 5 months down time (mechanical issues) between the two machines. The warranty doesn't help much when waiting on parts to be shipped, often backordered, and once, actually had Polaris ship out the same part 3 times before getting it right! Sounds like there are a lot of CFI 800s out there with no issues, so guess I was one of the unlucky ones. I do have personal knowledge of quite a few sleds in the area that have had multiple engine failures. Mostly Dragons, but the Pro essentially still has the same motor, less 2 injectors...
I do LOVE the Pro for its performance. Easy to handle and fun to ride. I really hate to give up the handling and weight advantage. I just don't think I can handle another bad experience with a bad Polaris engine. I already endure enough abuse from my friends, even my wife, for buying another Poo, after having so much trouble with the Dragon (engine 3 when traded at 2000 miles). God help me if I buy another one, after the Pro being in the shop most of this winter (though I would like to, too bad they didn't change the engine...)
Best of luck with whichever choice you go with!
Personally, I am very seriously considering switching over to Doo this year.
I had a 2008 Dragon 800 and have a 2011 Pro 800. In the past 4 winters, I had approximately 10 months riding and 5 months down time (mechanical issues) between the two machines. The warranty doesn't help much when waiting on parts to be shipped, often backordered, and once, actually had Polaris ship out the same part 3 times before getting it right! Sounds like there are a lot of CFI 800s out there with no issues, so guess I was one of the unlucky ones. I do have personal knowledge of quite a few sleds in the area that have had multiple engine failures. Mostly Dragons, but the Pro essentially still has the same motor, less 2 injectors...
I do LOVE the Pro for its performance. Easy to handle and fun to ride. I really hate to give up the handling and weight advantage. I just don't think I can handle another bad experience with a bad Polaris engine. I already endure enough abuse from my friends, even my wife, for buying another Poo, after having so much trouble with the Dragon (engine 3 when traded at 2000 miles). God help me if I buy another one, after the Pro being in the shop most of this winter (though I would like to, too bad they didn't change the engine...)
Best of luck with whichever choice you go with!
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skippy
Well-known member
Too funny... I love my jacket! Congrats on switching to Polaris.. So did you end up snow checking the black 155 with the factory prebent tunnel?
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skippy
Well-known member
Sorry about my pretty lame first attempt at photoshoping... LOL Spent a hour trying to mastermind something funny.... Had something totally different in mind but couldn't figure it out, so I gave up... I had to post the picture of my wasted hour. I was trying to paste that picture of you wearing your Skidoo jacket onto your new Polaris ... Hahahhahah
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as a doo guy I look at it like this - poo finally made a good mtn sled and everybody drank the coolaid for a few years anyway. Xp's have had problems but have always been light years ahead of poo pre pro. Its great for us all the new 13's are giant leaps forward, its a great time to be a sledder. This kinda stuff only came from mod shops as little as 5 years ago. I will just keep sidehilling the xp past the pro's and buy new in 14, it's always amazing to me people still think it's the sled that gets ya to the top wow..
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