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samiams2
Well-known member
No diff than the 13' cat LE with the short Cooler. I personally don't think it's a real big deal. Takes two seconds.
I might jump ship & would like your opinions.....
- Thread starter samiams2
- Start date
No diff than the 13' cat LE with the short Cooler. I personally don't think it's a real big deal. Takes two seconds.
1) Obviously the motor is worrisome but if you leave it stock and keep your warranty that isn't a problem.
2) Front and rear bumper replacement is a must if you have a tendency to ride above your skill level. (me)
3) Quarter turns are junk. They work fine in the garage when brand new but as soon you hit something with the front bumper they're a pain. I took them off and use IQR hood straps.
4) Stock venting. Most vents need to be blocked off by some sort of filter material. When riding in dry powder, there's a ton of water in the engine compartment. Also needs footwell block-offs.
5) Oil neck warping - easily fixed.
6) Exhaust valve vent making a mess of the bulkhead.
7) The stock shocks leave something to be desired.
8) Stock A-Arm replacement is expensive (again with the riding style haha)
2) Front and rear bumper replacement is a must if you have a tendency to ride above your skill level. (me)
3) Quarter turns are junk. They work fine in the garage when brand new but as soon you hit something with the front bumper they're a pain. I took them off and use IQR hood straps.
4) Stock venting. Most vents need to be blocked off by some sort of filter material. When riding in dry powder, there's a ton of water in the engine compartment. Also needs footwell block-offs.
5) Oil neck warping - easily fixed.
6) Exhaust valve vent making a mess of the bulkhead.
7) The stock shocks leave something to be desired.
8) Stock A-Arm replacement is expensive (again with the riding style haha)
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theletup
Well-known member
I'm honestly a fan of going with the standard RMK. (on the 13 models they don't have the belt drive if that's even and issue to you?). I have an 11 standard rmk 800 that i bought as a new holdover for $8000. 700 miles so far without a single issue (other than crashing a few times). The standard has an extra cooler and I've never seen temps above 140 even on hard pack without my scratchers down (I installed some and usually do put them down though for my hifax). The standard also has extra bogie wheels. The stock standard shocks are junk. Sacked out within a couple hundred miles for me. Bottomed out right from the get go (I'm about 230# geared up). I swapped them.
The standard handle bar controls were really annoying so I bought the rocker switches for the pro model and wired them/installed them in the center console and got rid of the stock master cylinder and switch console. Also the standard bar height is a little lower than the pro and they're steel so the hand warmers actually work. I ended up switching the bars out for RSIs and cut them down an inch on each side after bending my stock bars. They're about 2" shorter than the stock "pro model" now with fits me perfect.
Factory kill switch is annoying as hell (kept accidentally hitting it) so I installed a tether and eliminated the kill switch completely. Stock front bumper was bent almost right away so I replaced it with a Van Amburg and love it. Don't even bother with extreme bumper. I bent that one too just from lifting the front of my sled and none of plastics would fit correctly. Which brings me to my next "dislike": The quarter clips that hold the side panels in place drove me nuts so I eliminated those and replaced with rubber hood hold down straps and love how they work.
Storage is non existent so you'll have to figure out some bags to install. I have an underhood bag that works great and usually pack everything else in my backpack but am going to install some other bags to get the weight off my back.
I would like the seat on the 11s and 12s to be smaller but the 13s are nice. I think I may grab the super low skinz seat.
I replaced the stock 11 boards with air frames. There was quite a bit of snow build up on the 11s but the 13s are rad. They didn't have them yet when I bought my air frames or I would have gone with the 13 boards (cheaper and more available). Also I felt the footwell vents were a must, got quite a bit of snow around my clutches and chain case before I add them (most likely from trying to kick the snow clear of my stock running boards).
All in all there's a bunch of little things that were rider preference for me so I customized to my liking and absolutely love the sled. Never had so much fun in my life!
The standard handle bar controls were really annoying so I bought the rocker switches for the pro model and wired them/installed them in the center console and got rid of the stock master cylinder and switch console. Also the standard bar height is a little lower than the pro and they're steel so the hand warmers actually work. I ended up switching the bars out for RSIs and cut them down an inch on each side after bending my stock bars. They're about 2" shorter than the stock "pro model" now with fits me perfect.
Factory kill switch is annoying as hell (kept accidentally hitting it) so I installed a tether and eliminated the kill switch completely. Stock front bumper was bent almost right away so I replaced it with a Van Amburg and love it. Don't even bother with extreme bumper. I bent that one too just from lifting the front of my sled and none of plastics would fit correctly. Which brings me to my next "dislike": The quarter clips that hold the side panels in place drove me nuts so I eliminated those and replaced with rubber hood hold down straps and love how they work.
Storage is non existent so you'll have to figure out some bags to install. I have an underhood bag that works great and usually pack everything else in my backpack but am going to install some other bags to get the weight off my back.
I would like the seat on the 11s and 12s to be smaller but the 13s are nice. I think I may grab the super low skinz seat.
I replaced the stock 11 boards with air frames. There was quite a bit of snow build up on the 11s but the 13s are rad. They didn't have them yet when I bought my air frames or I would have gone with the 13 boards (cheaper and more available). Also I felt the footwell vents were a must, got quite a bit of snow around my clutches and chain case before I add them (most likely from trying to kick the snow clear of my stock running boards).
All in all there's a bunch of little things that were rider preference for me so I customized to my liking and absolutely love the sled. Never had so much fun in my life!
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geo
Well-known member
Some old guy form China or Tibet once asked something like "If a tree falls in the forest and no hears or sees it, did it really happen?" LOL
About the Poo
Some people say the suspention is poor. I think it is the best stocker I've been on.
Some people say the power is low. I feel it has plenty and never felt a shortage.
Some people say Poo has poor fit and finish. I say they use quality parts and they fit just fine on mine
Some people say are unreliable. Mine bumpers ain't broke yet and getting close to a 900 miles on the same engine and belt lol.
I don't know, but I am pretty sure they are all still assembled by humans working a Mon. to Fri. shift so s**t happens.
I think they are all still ridden by humans too (you know; short, tall, fat, skinny, experts, beginners, black, white, SFP's, mountain divas, lol) and everyone doesn't wear a 32W 34L pair of jeans.
Some people say,,, I think,,, Who really cares when your out on the snow. Ride what FEELS right (your heart is more important than the handle bars).
I honestly believe that with the power of social media today, if you're a worry wart and don't see the snow because of the trees, you may best make your decision based on which forum you like the best.
About the Poo
Some people say the suspention is poor. I think it is the best stocker I've been on.
Some people say the power is low. I feel it has plenty and never felt a shortage.
Some people say Poo has poor fit and finish. I say they use quality parts and they fit just fine on mine
Some people say are unreliable. Mine bumpers ain't broke yet and getting close to a 900 miles on the same engine and belt lol.
I don't know, but I am pretty sure they are all still assembled by humans working a Mon. to Fri. shift so s**t happens.
I think they are all still ridden by humans too (you know; short, tall, fat, skinny, experts, beginners, black, white, SFP's, mountain divas, lol) and everyone doesn't wear a 32W 34L pair of jeans.
Some people say,,, I think,,, Who really cares when your out on the snow. Ride what FEELS right (your heart is more important than the handle bars).
I honestly believe that with the power of social media today, if you're a worry wart and don't see the snow because of the trees, you may best make your decision based on which forum you like the best.
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samiams2
Well-known member
Geo……the modern day Plato.
True true and true. Will know a lot by the end of feb when the 14's drop. If poo goes with billet belt drive components, a new driveshaft design(or old one lol) and cat releases BNG then I might switch. If new motors drop, cat drops mega weight(20lbs or +) or someone releases a 170+hp factory 2stroke turbo(doubtful but love to dream) then I will go that route.
Like the comments tho.
True true and true. Will know a lot by the end of feb when the 14's drop. If poo goes with billet belt drive components, a new driveshaft design(or old one lol) and cat releases BNG then I might switch. If new motors drop, cat drops mega weight(20lbs or +) or someone releases a 170+hp factory 2stroke turbo(doubtful but love to dream) then I will go that route.
Like the comments tho.
Hmm, I'm considering a 2014 too. I am leaning toward the standard RMK. I have a 2012 Pro RMK 600 now. I love it but it heats up WAY too easily. My wife has the standard RMK. Her ride seems to be better and it doesn't heat up like mine does. My handwarmers work plenty fine for me but then my hands don't get cold very easy. this sled is so ridculously light that the extra nine pounds the standard has doesn't seem like a big deal to me. I think I would like a powdercoated tunnel. I don't like the way snow sticks to everything because it does really load up with snow.
The two things I do not like about the pro.
1. It does not have the AC Suzuki built 800 motor
2. It does not have the Powerclaw 2.6 track.
All the other stuff is minor or biased based on rider preference and style.
To be honest it is so hard to judge a sled these days, as they are all so close. It's like shopping for a Diesel truck do you get a Dodge, Ford, or Chevy? One rides better, one has a better motor, one has better drivetrain, etc....
Test ride one or buy one. The only critic that counts is you and what you feel confident and comfortable riding.
1. It does not have the AC Suzuki built 800 motor
2. It does not have the Powerclaw 2.6 track.
All the other stuff is minor or biased based on rider preference and style.
To be honest it is so hard to judge a sled these days, as they are all so close. It's like shopping for a Diesel truck do you get a Dodge, Ford, or Chevy? One rides better, one has a better motor, one has better drivetrain, etc....
Test ride one or buy one. The only critic that counts is you and what you feel confident and comfortable riding.
I just bought a 12 pro a week ago and rode it for the first time yesterday.........Dude I had a perma grin all day. My buddies just laughed at me the whole time. Never rode anything quite like it and am pleased to say Im stickin with it! 
The other thing too is we pulled up to this bowl that I never go into unless its hardpack cause I can never get back out. We were sitting on the edge in 2.5 ft of fresh pow and I said "Boys I never go in there when the snow is like this". The other 3 pro owners looked at me and with out hesitation dove off into the abyss. I thought well hell lets see what shes got. Dove off and had the ride of a lifetime and made it out with no problem.
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rmscustom
Well-known member
Try this http://www.provendesignproducts.com/Pages/Snowflap Logo/snowflap_logo_pro_rmk_long.html if your having problems with overheating. A couple weeks ago I had to run about 5 miles of plowed roads to and from the riding areas. My temp never got above 131 while the guys with the stock flaps were getting above 150 almost instantly and had to climb the banks to get loose snow.
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camocat1000
Well-known member
I don't like the hooks on the handlebars.coming of a cat that has the little taper on the end I liked better....wish I had more to complain about for u but all I have is smiles
I am new to the pro this year and have a 13. Coming from doo since 05 had a pol before that I am not brand loyal. The sled just rides light and carves great. Have not had any issues with mine more power is the only upgrade I see needed. The pol clutch is way better than the tra. I know everyone wants more durability in some spots but if you want lightweight there is a price to be paid. At 420 lbs for a factory sled its amazing. 5 years ago you would have spent 20000 to get this sled. The brand loyal riders are missing some great opportunity to experience something new. Any of the new sleds are great but weight matters and that's the bottom line.
D8 Crazy
I traded up from my 08 Dragon to a 2012 Pro. I decided rather than test a new belt drive system to take the $$ and put a proven CMX belt drive on it and see what happens. Now that we have 500 miles on I love it and to say the least it is one of the best upgrades I have ever put on a sled. It comes with a new track shaft and window drivers so that problem is gone. They run a CMX gates belt that has never had an issue so that worry is gone. I put fox air on it so the ride is as good as you want it. The bumper sucks but a 32$ upgrade from Holtz fixed that. With some clutch work and a pipe it goes any where I point it so far this year. I have been riding with friends and there 2013 pro's and have seen the belt come apart. Maybe the 2014 will have everything fixed who knows. We all say wewant a sled we can just buy it and ride it but half the fun is playing with it in the shop at night! RIGHT
I traded up from my 08 Dragon to a 2012 Pro. I decided rather than test a new belt drive system to take the $$ and put a proven CMX belt drive on it and see what happens. Now that we have 500 miles on I love it and to say the least it is one of the best upgrades I have ever put on a sled. It comes with a new track shaft and window drivers so that problem is gone. They run a CMX gates belt that has never had an issue so that worry is gone. I put fox air on it so the ride is as good as you want it. The bumper sucks but a 32$ upgrade from Holtz fixed that. With some clutch work and a pipe it goes any where I point it so far this year. I have been riding with friends and there 2013 pro's and have seen the belt come apart. Maybe the 2014 will have everything fixed who knows. We all say we
want a sled we can just buy it and ride it but half the fun is playing with it in the shop at night! RIGHT
The motor and warranty process is my biggest complaint. I had an 09 Dragon. Failed 3 times in 1500 miles. Got warranty denied for having heat tape instead of hood foam. Said fvck it and jumped ship to Cat. Have owned 2 M's and one proclimb. Had great engine reliability out of them, but did not like my '12 PC. So decided to jump ship back again and give Polaris another chance. Loved riding my '12 pro except the shocks were horrible, especially coming off the proclimb suspension. Bought Raptors for it. Very nice and compliant now. Rode it for 670 miles and boom, down goes the motor. All stock motor, cracked a piston skirt and ruined the motor. Waiting on Polaris now for a motor backordered until March.
It's all in how you want to look at it. Yes, the Pro RMK is the best and most technical sled I've ever tossed a leg over. Yes, Polaris still cannot build a motor anywhere near Suzuki quality. Thank god for warranty, AND a backup sled.
It's all in how you want to look at it. Yes, the Pro RMK is the best and most technical sled I've ever tossed a leg over. Yes, Polaris still cannot build a motor anywhere near Suzuki quality. Thank god for warranty, AND a backup sled.
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samiams2
Well-known member
EVERYTIME I start leaning toward the pro I hear/read a story like this. EVERYTIME! I would be so pi$$ed! I get 10 days/yr if I'm lucky. I don't know if I can bring myself to take the risk.
