I was a Cat guy all the way but this weekend i got to ride my buddies 800 pro and i really liked it. What are the pros and cons about them? I cant get a new one so i would like to hear about all years made. Looking for info on a 800 with a 155 Thanks
Need help Pro Rmk
- Thread starter Firecat972
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boondocker155
Well-known member
All I know are pros, and the answer is yes. I'd get a 13 or a 14. It's worth it for the minor changes that were made. Find one with warranty left for piece of mind. When that's up I would find some aftermarket better fitting pistons and put them in. I went with mtn tek. I don't think "turning up the oiler" like everyone does us necessary. They're great sleds and will make anyone feel like a way better rider. Enjoy!
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The motors can be troublesome. Some people have pretty good success and others have terrible luck. Not many of them get over 3000kms without doing some work.
I personally bought an '11 PRO with a blown motor so i could have a Long Rod conversion done to it, IMO its the best option for reliability but also the most expensive.
You can get piston kits for ~800 that will fix the majority of engine problems and give you better reliability.
The 11/12's had a chaincase while the 13/14's have a belt drive. The '13 belts were known for failures but the updated '14 belt seems to be pretty good.
The 13/14's also have carbon fiber overstructure VS the aluminum on the 11/12's, this carbon fiber has been broken by enough people that i stayed with the aluminum. The 13/14's also have glued a-arms, another problematic area. Another reason i went with the '11 (std steel arms).
The 13/14's are a bit lighter due to the belt and carbon fiber pieces.
If you do not turn up the oiler i would recommend venting the tank, one or the other. I had my oiler turned up and then installed a tank vent. Had to turn the oiler back down because i was putting way more oil through the motor once the vent was installed.
I personally bought an '11 PRO with a blown motor so i could have a Long Rod conversion done to it, IMO its the best option for reliability but also the most expensive.
You can get piston kits for ~800 that will fix the majority of engine problems and give you better reliability.
The 11/12's had a chaincase while the 13/14's have a belt drive. The '13 belts were known for failures but the updated '14 belt seems to be pretty good.
The 13/14's also have carbon fiber overstructure VS the aluminum on the 11/12's, this carbon fiber has been broken by enough people that i stayed with the aluminum. The 13/14's also have glued a-arms, another problematic area. Another reason i went with the '11 (std steel arms).
The 13/14's are a bit lighter due to the belt and carbon fiber pieces.
If you do not turn up the oiler i would recommend venting the tank, one or the other. I had my oiler turned up and then installed a tank vent. Had to turn the oiler back down because i was putting way more oil through the motor once the vent was installed.
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Hopfarmer
Member
I have a 2013 PRO RMK 800 155" ......love love love this sled.
Pros - Made me a better rider instantly.
Light and nimble , gets up on top of the snow real quick.
Getting stuck is a thing of the past and when you do get stuck it takes no effort to get out.
Quick drive
Very fuel efficient.
Cons - The stock WE coil over shocks are not that great.
I had my jack shaft replaced at 400 miles. (Warranty/Recall)
* I have had zero problems with my quick drive. (700 miles) But I also check the pulley bolts every other ride. I have rode a 12 RMK w/ chain case and IMO my 13 PRO is more responsive. I rated the WE shocks as not that great but have adjusted them to fit my riding style and weight and it only takes small adjustments to make a difference to the ride and feel. If I was going to be riding it next year I would upgrade the shocks. I like mine enough to snow check a 15' and keep my 13' for my daughter and friends to ride.
I personally haven't heard of too many people having trouble with the 13'/14"'motors. Sure there are the exceptions, and you will hear about them on here for sure. But I don't think they are the junk the 10-12 where. IMO
Pros - Made me a better rider instantly.
Light and nimble , gets up on top of the snow real quick.
Getting stuck is a thing of the past and when you do get stuck it takes no effort to get out.
Quick drive
Very fuel efficient.
Cons - The stock WE coil over shocks are not that great.
I had my jack shaft replaced at 400 miles. (Warranty/Recall)
* I have had zero problems with my quick drive. (700 miles) But I also check the pulley bolts every other ride. I have rode a 12 RMK w/ chain case and IMO my 13 PRO is more responsive. I rated the WE shocks as not that great but have adjusted them to fit my riding style and weight and it only takes small adjustments to make a difference to the ride and feel. If I was going to be riding it next year I would upgrade the shocks. I like mine enough to snow check a 15' and keep my 13' for my daughter and friends to ride.
I personally haven't heard of too many people having trouble with the 13'/14"'motors. Sure there are the exceptions, and you will hear about them on here for sure. But I don't think they are the junk the 10-12 where. IMO
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rugbynitro
Well-known member
Funny thing. I own a 12 and 13 but noticed no real difference in response when it comes to chain drive versus belt drive.
My 13 has a little more pep simply because the 12 had 2000+ miles on it.
Until Polaris comes up with a better belt drive system, I'm snow checking the 15 RMK 163 LE. More cooling, no carbon fiber, and a proven chain case for $1000 less plus the golden ticket.
Just my 2 cents.
My 13 has a little more pep simply because the 12 had 2000+ miles on it.
Until Polaris comes up with a better belt drive system, I'm snow checking the 15 RMK 163 LE. More cooling, no carbon fiber, and a proven chain case for $1000 less plus the golden ticket.
Just my 2 cents.
Well I am 6'2" 230 and ride the crap out of my '13 Pro 800 155. It has the fragile carbon fiber, belt drive, alum driveshaft and glued a-arms. I now have nearly 1000 mtn miles on it and I absolutely love this sled. The light wieght and handling make riding much more fun and less tiring at the end of the day.
If you are going to bang it through the ditches or jump it a lot I would avoid the Pro version with its lightwieght extras. I would probably buy a Cat if that was my plan actually. For boondocking in the trees and creek bottoms the Pro is unmatched and I haven't had any problems with carbon fiber, glue or lack of coolers. The Pro version suits me perfectly.
Otherwise I think the advice is sound, get a '13-14 if you can, plan on a piston set around 1000-1500 miles and ride on.
I think you would be crazy not to turn up the oil if the one you buy is set like some came from the factory at 60 -70:1. Mine is turned up and runs 30:1. It uses about a qt a ride, more than it used but a lot less than my old M7. Oil will help it live longer.
If you are going to bang it through the ditches or jump it a lot I would avoid the Pro version with its lightwieght extras. I would probably buy a Cat if that was my plan actually. For boondocking in the trees and creek bottoms the Pro is unmatched and I haven't had any problems with carbon fiber, glue or lack of coolers. The Pro version suits me perfectly.
Otherwise I think the advice is sound, get a '13-14 if you can, plan on a piston set around 1000-1500 miles and ride on.
I think you would be crazy not to turn up the oil if the one you buy is set like some came from the factory at 60 -70:1. Mine is turned up and runs 30:1. It uses about a qt a ride, more than it used but a lot less than my old M7. Oil will help it live longer.
