Not super impressed with Pro-RMK
- Thread starter RZRNUT
- Start date
not being able to ride or even see a 2011 rmk i have been searching the net and reading reviews. A review in a recent mag. stated that the reg. rmk was a big improvement in all areas, when they switched to the pro they were disapointed with the pro as it wasn't easy to flick around in the powder and the trees, they then rolled it up on it's side and made two full turns off on the shock and as simple as that problem solved... they loved the sled. This gives some encouragement for those who were able to ride the pro and felt it was to much like a rev or xp where it felt to planted and non responsive to body action. Just imagine if a simple turn of the rear shock provides this much of a positive change what several hours of fine tuning will do.
can't wait for my 2011 rmk assault
can't wait for my 2011 rmk assault
S
suitcase
Well-known member
IMO I think polaris did make the sled more stable, just for the people that did not like the D8, which was a large % of riders (More of the trail riders). But there is riders like myself, that need a sled that is top notch off the trail. With the way the new Pro was set up for these demo's IMO they had them very stable for the pulblic to ride so they came away with an attitude of a more stable sled. But I will hold F-bomb to his word, and infact believe that they are going to be a very superior sled. With the proper changes in set up, shocks and skid, a rider should beable to turn on a dime and leave 8 cents. Because if that sled is not capibale of that I will not be upgrading to the new Pro, I will go with the 2010 D8 and ride circles around the Pro. LOL. With riders like Rob and others that rode the new sled this Aprial, and knowing some of the of them that snow checked the new Pro, and the rideing that they do. This new sled should be great. F-Bomb if you read this please chim in hear, with you knowing myslef and keating and the nasty places we take sleds, you know if the new Pro is not a better sled than the old D8 I will not be rideing one. Nore would I beable to take the new Pro to places like this, if it is not as good or better than the Old D8 in handling and performace.
Just my two penny's
Just my two penny's
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If Chris Burandt says its the best then it must be, LOL.
Didn't someone in the promo say "I have been trying to get it stuck all day and can't" or something to that effect? Laughable. Try getting out of the parking lot.
Didn't someone in the promo say "I have been trying to get it stuck all day and can't" or something to that effect? Laughable. Try getting out of the parking lot.
Reese... That guy in the promo was Allen Mangum of Timbersled... and trust me... he was trying to break that sled...one of the best riders I've had the pleasure to ride with... easily up there with ANY of the Pro riders today.
I kind of laugh at the Pro Endorsments for thier sponsors as well....from any pursuit...weather that is Dale Earnheart, or Martha Stewart. But in the end, we are all sukkers.
I'm one of he people in that same promo... To date, it is the best out of the box sled that I have been on (I've been on all the 2011 demos this year for snomobiles)... But that is my opionion..
What the Production sleds do this coming season is yet to be seen.
I hope to get up there and ride with you this year!!
I kind of laugh at the Pro Endorsments for thier sponsors as well....from any pursuit...weather that is Dale Earnheart, or Martha Stewart. But in the end, we are all sukkers.
I'm one of he people in that same promo... To date, it is the best out of the box sled that I have been on (I've been on all the 2011 demos this year for snomobiles)... But that is my opionion..
What the Production sleds do this coming season is yet to be seen.
I hope to get up there and ride with you this year!!
Come up any time. Bring one of them fancy new poo's along so I can have a look.
I was only a sucker once, they won't be reeling me in again any time soon.
Might want to bring Allen along as well, we can show him where you have to go to get stuck.
Ever notice how the production sleds never seem to perform as well as the demo's? Doesn't seem to matter which brand it is either.
I was only a sucker once, they won't be reeling me in again any time soon.
Might want to bring Allen along as well, we can show him where you have to go to get stuck.
Ever notice how the production sleds never seem to perform as well as the demo's? Doesn't seem to matter which brand it is either.
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I'll be seeing you this season then Reese... but I'll be riding the Bane of your existance...LOL....
Me... well you might just get me stuck in the parking lot.
Me... well you might just get me stuck in the parking lot.
The fact that everyone is talking about it and comparing it to an M or an XP must mean something. I think it is going to be a great sled. To me any new sled I will be able to get used to pretty quickly and be able to ride the thing. However, If one is easier to handle than the other at the end of the day you will be less tired riding one that handles with ease vs. one that will take more effort. I think the RMK is one of these sleds that will take less effort. This is based on time spent on my IQ RMK and the new Proride chassis.
Hey suitcase...$100 crisp and new says you buy one of these at some point next season! Most likely immediately after our first decent ride in the Caps. Work hard this summer cause you're gonna need an extra twelve to thirteen mo-gisel and right around Christmas!
Like I stated at the lodge, way back when, whom ever put that bird in your ear that they ruined the off trail performance of the PRO by making it more stable on the trail has ABSO-FRICKING-LUTELY no idea about free ride mountain snowmobile performance. Was that Keating desperate yet futile attempt at handicapping your performance advantages or did you get that gem of knowledge from the all knowing internet sled riding forums? Have you been on Totally Ski Doo or what ever again? BAH HA HA
PAH LEEZ...not even remotely like a stock XP in any way shape of form. Actually hold up... it kind of did feel like an XP on the trail but only around corners as it stays flat and firm. It's closest "feel" rival the rest of the time is a longer tracked stock 2010 M8 right up until you actually get busy in the real goods and then it has no comparable performance peer in regards to efforts or abilities. Especially to those that are accustomed to the feel of the IQ RAW chassis and don't require washing of their brand brain. (that's you dude)
Now that is all stock...you gonna ride it stock? RIGHT! ah ah
Not me...Mine will be "BETTER" and so will yours...IS IT A BET?
Like I stated at the lodge, way back when, whom ever put that bird in your ear that they ruined the off trail performance of the PRO by making it more stable on the trail has ABSO-FRICKING-LUTELY no idea about free ride mountain snowmobile performance. Was that Keating desperate yet futile attempt at handicapping your performance advantages or did you get that gem of knowledge from the all knowing internet sled riding forums? Have you been on Totally Ski Doo or what ever again? BAH HA HA
PAH LEEZ...not even remotely like a stock XP in any way shape of form. Actually hold up... it kind of did feel like an XP on the trail but only around corners as it stays flat and firm. It's closest "feel" rival the rest of the time is a longer tracked stock 2010 M8 right up until you actually get busy in the real goods and then it has no comparable performance peer in regards to efforts or abilities. Especially to those that are accustomed to the feel of the IQ RAW chassis and don't require washing of their brand brain. (that's you dude)
Now that is all stock...you gonna ride it stock? RIGHT! ah ah
Not me...Mine will be "BETTER" and so will yours...IS IT A BET?
S
suitcase
Well-known member
I don't know if that is a safe bet, LOL. My know what of the new Pro is way less than yours, the only thing I have to go off of is the demo that Carl's and Polaris put on early this spring. Which Polaris had the limiter straps sucked all the way up and the new (stiffer) coil over walkers, which would give it a more stable feel. IMO they had them set up that way for the genral peeps. So people would come away with that feeling. But if fact if you set that rear skid up for Mt. riding and maybe a shock change, the ride will be way different, or put the holtz skid under it. After talking to you and some of the other riders as what you guys have to say about the new Pro is very promising. My bigest concern is that my riding has become very competitive with my D8, and it fits my riding like a latex glove. I would hope I won't lose any of that with the new Pro. With a new sled, I always wonder what changes will come, because sometimes there not always good. Keating has tryed to get me to jump ship but he gave up many yrs. ago (I'm hopeless).
As far as comparing the D8 to the M, or the XP, well there is not any. I have had all three in some very nasty places, and by far the agility of the D8 is leaps and bounds IMO. I'm sure the pro there will be more of the same. I will give the climbing to the XP (that darn 16'' track), and of course stock to stock, same track length. But that is for another thread.
So F-bomb hit me again, LOL. Your opinion is valued.
I do hope that Jack comes up with a fit for the boost tube on that new Pro soon.
As far as comparing the D8 to the M, or the XP, well there is not any. I have had all three in some very nasty places, and by far the agility of the D8 is leaps and bounds IMO. I'm sure the pro there will be more of the same. I will give the climbing to the XP (that darn 16'' track), and of course stock to stock, same track length. But that is for another thread.
So F-bomb hit me again, LOL. Your opinion is valued.
I do hope that Jack comes up with a fit for the boost tube on that new Pro soon.
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Oh we have so far to travel! Get comfy................
Keating's climbing advantage is the fact that he is 50lbs lighter then you and his sled is another 30lbs lighter. Did you guys switch and re-test? Bet not. Well the boner stock PRO is a svelt 430ish so if you can go Ethiopian for the summer you guys can probably have a pretty decent heads up comparison for the first time ever. Based on my testing experience on the 2011 demo PRO's even if you don't give up eating you'll be just fine.
Now once more where did you get the "they sucked the limiters down and sprung up the shocks to make them trail or test rider friendly"? I rode four different PRO's on the same day in a wide variation of terrain and found them to be very well setup for all conditions. Shockingly fun on the trail and absolutely outstanding off! Terrain and riding style almost identical to what we do in the Caps every day! All of the demo sleds felt slightly different to me which I attributed to levels of use (or mis-use) and spring pressures. The report also was a couple of different maps but that is un-substantiated and more power based not setup. Irregardless they all rode exceptionally well even with very subtle variations in how they reacted in different riding conditions. None were ever bad but I did notice that one particular sled flat out railed on the tight and very twisty trail with almost no outside ski lift yet wasn't a handicap off free riding. Danger fast and made the trail enjoyable instead of being a chore just to get somewhere fun.
Now one particular riding situation comes to mind that really impressed me. Super thick trees in deep but somewhat heavy snow and down in a steep ravine. Went down into a dead end that I couldn't get across the ravine because of a creek and a very steep opposite bank that would have required a run to climb. Only one option was to spin around and climb back out the way I'd dropped in. By the time I read my situation and had decided what to do it was too late to perform the manuever on the go. Stopped to access. Yep further review and the only viable option is turn around and go back out the way I came down. Pointing slightly downhill and right at a tree blocking the creek about 3 to 4 feet of space to perform my spin around. Way too deep and downhill to back up. Seriously considered admitting defeat, hopping off, and embarrassingly dragging it around by hand to get pointed out. Brain says..."dude you're supposed to be some kind of a hot dog. Hot dogs don't get off and physically drag sleds around when they go into bad spots. They lay em over, spin em around, gloriously ride out to the cheers of the masses while waggling a shocka on your way by. (the guys on the demo that were at the top looking down at the idiot in the bottom) Oh that tree is pretty close for such stunts...but hell this isn't your sled, let's see what she will do" Once again ego out-duels common sense for risk assessment. Weiner or hot dog?
Well it did it! Used two of the three forward available feet to do the complete 180 off camber spin in deep snow under full power, and with serious ramifications. Right up and out a nice steep short climb. Fun, surprising, and very very impressed. Now this is a manuever you cannot do on your sled and I would not do on my own! No disrespect to your skill set Suitcase but a stock suspended 163 IQ Raw doesn't have the goods to do this manuever in such tight quarters. Very cool and I'm suddenly becomming a very big fan of this sled. (this was in the first riding area of our test and about five minutes of seat time) The rest of the day was nothing but positive. I spent well over a mile at the exact same RPM trying to get it to lay down or hesitate. Couldn't find a hole from 6000 to 7200 which is common on the 08-10 versions. Now also note I've also been fortunate to be around another PRO that is being used for shock testing, setup, and further performance testing. This sled has had stuff happen to it that I will not discuss on this open forum but suffice it to say very surprising durability and reliability! Makes me feel pretty good about my decision to have one sent in when I already have two of the finer IQ RAW sleds on the snow. Now once again who knows what we get for final maps and compression on production sleds and for me it really doesn't matter since I'll mess with it anyways and have the luxary of one of the best performance dealers in the world at my doorstep. Hey so do you! Good news!
Charge tubes? Worry more about the tie in with electronics and the two injector system...fitment is done.
Keating's climbing advantage is the fact that he is 50lbs lighter then you and his sled is another 30lbs lighter. Did you guys switch and re-test? Bet not. Well the boner stock PRO is a svelt 430ish so if you can go Ethiopian for the summer you guys can probably have a pretty decent heads up comparison for the first time ever. Based on my testing experience on the 2011 demo PRO's even if you don't give up eating you'll be just fine.
Now once more where did you get the "they sucked the limiters down and sprung up the shocks to make them trail or test rider friendly"? I rode four different PRO's on the same day in a wide variation of terrain and found them to be very well setup for all conditions. Shockingly fun on the trail and absolutely outstanding off! Terrain and riding style almost identical to what we do in the Caps every day! All of the demo sleds felt slightly different to me which I attributed to levels of use (or mis-use) and spring pressures. The report also was a couple of different maps but that is un-substantiated and more power based not setup. Irregardless they all rode exceptionally well even with very subtle variations in how they reacted in different riding conditions. None were ever bad but I did notice that one particular sled flat out railed on the tight and very twisty trail with almost no outside ski lift yet wasn't a handicap off free riding. Danger fast and made the trail enjoyable instead of being a chore just to get somewhere fun.
Now one particular riding situation comes to mind that really impressed me. Super thick trees in deep but somewhat heavy snow and down in a steep ravine. Went down into a dead end that I couldn't get across the ravine because of a creek and a very steep opposite bank that would have required a run to climb. Only one option was to spin around and climb back out the way I'd dropped in. By the time I read my situation and had decided what to do it was too late to perform the manuever on the go. Stopped to access. Yep further review and the only viable option is turn around and go back out the way I came down. Pointing slightly downhill and right at a tree blocking the creek about 3 to 4 feet of space to perform my spin around. Way too deep and downhill to back up. Seriously considered admitting defeat, hopping off, and embarrassingly dragging it around by hand to get pointed out. Brain says..."dude you're supposed to be some kind of a hot dog. Hot dogs don't get off and physically drag sleds around when they go into bad spots. They lay em over, spin em around, gloriously ride out to the cheers of the masses while waggling a shocka on your way by. (the guys on the demo that were at the top looking down at the idiot in the bottom) Oh that tree is pretty close for such stunts...but hell this isn't your sled, let's see what she will do" Once again ego out-duels common sense for risk assessment. Weiner or hot dog?
Well it did it! Used two of the three forward available feet to do the complete 180 off camber spin in deep snow under full power, and with serious ramifications. Right up and out a nice steep short climb. Fun, surprising, and very very impressed. Now this is a manuever you cannot do on your sled and I would not do on my own! No disrespect to your skill set Suitcase but a stock suspended 163 IQ Raw doesn't have the goods to do this manuever in such tight quarters. Very cool and I'm suddenly becomming a very big fan of this sled. (this was in the first riding area of our test and about five minutes of seat time) The rest of the day was nothing but positive. I spent well over a mile at the exact same RPM trying to get it to lay down or hesitate. Couldn't find a hole from 6000 to 7200 which is common on the 08-10 versions. Now also note I've also been fortunate to be around another PRO that is being used for shock testing, setup, and further performance testing. This sled has had stuff happen to it that I will not discuss on this open forum but suffice it to say very surprising durability and reliability! Makes me feel pretty good about my decision to have one sent in when I already have two of the finer IQ RAW sleds on the snow. Now once again who knows what we get for final maps and compression on production sleds and for me it really doesn't matter since I'll mess with it anyways and have the luxary of one of the best performance dealers in the world at my doorstep. Hey so do you! Good news!
Charge tubes? Worry more about the tie in with electronics and the two injector system...fitment is done.
S
suitcase
Well-known member
Thanks LOL I am eating my lean protein right now!! But no chance of me ever getting to a Keating weight, heck the last time I was that weight was in the 10 grade. But I will be back to my lean and mean this next winter.
There is another rider that is able to ride the 3 to 4 days a week with Keating and I, he is also a very skilled rider, that is close to my size, and we have switch sleds. With the same result, the xp pulling away slightly in a long pull. As of last winter I have not had that problem with any other brand, stock or not, my sled seams to prevail everytime!! I must say thow it did depend a lot on snow conditions. Some days are poo snow and some days it is doo snow, now adays it is allways poo snow, LOL.
Your test scenario, was very instructive, and love the sounds of the ending. As far as the set up on the Pro the particular sled that was being rode, and the limiter strap placement, there was not a visual. The set up of that sled was discussed with Larry (last name escaping me) one of Jack's saleman. Which is who I go thru to buy my sleds, so had no reason to doubt. As for the shocks my point on them was that they should be stiffer than last yrs. Walkers, or is that wrong? I do have a question about the demo and the sleds that where used for the public. Where they the same sleds, and if so, where they set up the same? Or was there a diffrence in the days ride because of your position in the industry?
Rest assured I will put the new Pro to the test aganist my RAW this coming Dec. and find out how it is going to work for me, when put under presure! Which I have high hopes, other wise it is another 2010 for me.
Have you forgotten that my sled is a 155''? I'm not a big long track guy, I like a little bit of a challange in the deep snow. Now when the new on comes and I decide to go with boost I don't know if I will stay with the 155", the shorter track on the new sled might not fit into my scope of riding in the next yr. or two, and what I wish to accomplish for myself and my sled. Don't get me wrong the 155'' with the 860 is a monster with the type of riding we most typical endure in the caps. But there are big things on the horizon, of this most incredible winter we will have in just a few short mouths.
I am very glad to hear that the hole in the map is gone, that was a pain, but it was fixable with out to much trouble. I am hoping that the VR problem has been resolved also. That was more of a hassel than anything on those yrs.
With the Pro and fitting the new componets for boost is more of what I ment. I have all the faith in the world that jack and the guys at Carl's will have that ironed out with in a resonable time, and for sure buy the time I am ready for the new arrival. I am suprised that the electroics are that diffrent from the 10. Why is that?
As always Rob great info. And if I dare, HIT ME AGAIN. LOL.
There is another rider that is able to ride the 3 to 4 days a week with Keating and I, he is also a very skilled rider, that is close to my size, and we have switch sleds. With the same result, the xp pulling away slightly in a long pull. As of last winter I have not had that problem with any other brand, stock or not, my sled seams to prevail everytime!! I must say thow it did depend a lot on snow conditions. Some days are poo snow and some days it is doo snow, now adays it is allways poo snow, LOL.
Your test scenario, was very instructive, and love the sounds of the ending. As far as the set up on the Pro the particular sled that was being rode, and the limiter strap placement, there was not a visual. The set up of that sled was discussed with Larry (last name escaping me) one of Jack's saleman. Which is who I go thru to buy my sleds, so had no reason to doubt. As for the shocks my point on them was that they should be stiffer than last yrs. Walkers, or is that wrong? I do have a question about the demo and the sleds that where used for the public. Where they the same sleds, and if so, where they set up the same? Or was there a diffrence in the days ride because of your position in the industry?
Rest assured I will put the new Pro to the test aganist my RAW this coming Dec. and find out how it is going to work for me, when put under presure! Which I have high hopes, other wise it is another 2010 for me.
Have you forgotten that my sled is a 155''? I'm not a big long track guy, I like a little bit of a challange in the deep snow. Now when the new on comes and I decide to go with boost I don't know if I will stay with the 155", the shorter track on the new sled might not fit into my scope of riding in the next yr. or two, and what I wish to accomplish for myself and my sled. Don't get me wrong the 155'' with the 860 is a monster with the type of riding we most typical endure in the caps. But there are big things on the horizon, of this most incredible winter we will have in just a few short mouths.
I am very glad to hear that the hole in the map is gone, that was a pain, but it was fixable with out to much trouble. I am hoping that the VR problem has been resolved also. That was more of a hassel than anything on those yrs.
With the Pro and fitting the new componets for boost is more of what I ment. I have all the faith in the world that jack and the guys at Carl's will have that ironed out with in a resonable time, and for sure buy the time I am ready for the new arrival. I am suprised that the electroics are that diffrent from the 10. Why is that?
As always Rob great info. And if I dare, HIT ME AGAIN. LOL.
J
Jorli
Well-known member
I'm really interested to see how they steer, personally I really like the Ski-Doo's steering because you stand on your hands, rather than push and pull from your elbows. With the Ski-Doos, the steering column descends over the motor, where as the Dragons and Ms descend behind the engine and make the sleds feel like your are steering a school bus.-They are easy to get on side, however I didn't like the Polaris/AC steering as it felt unstable. I would like to know if the steering assembly from the Rush will fit on the Pro, If so, I would bet that would make for the best of both and transform the Pro ride into a pretty good sled.
Jorli... It's all about what you are used to... Change from an Entirely different XP chassis will take more than the 10-minute loaner ride from a friend who wants to swap sleds.
I have heard the same "school bus" comments about the XP... but again... it is what you are used to.
I've ridden the 2011 XP's, M's and Pro-RMK's/Assaults. To me, IMO, the Polaris had the most intuitive feeling/ergonomic steering of them all... but I'm used to a the previous polaris models.
The steering angle from a Rush/Switchback could be done... just pretty darn expesive to change out the entire pyramid/cap assy.
I'm curious as to how much time you spent on the PRO?
You've been on an XP for a while now, havent you??
BTW... Fourcast was awesome!
I have heard the same "school bus" comments about the XP... but again... it is what you are used to.
I've ridden the 2011 XP's, M's and Pro-RMK's/Assaults. To me, IMO, the Polaris had the most intuitive feeling/ergonomic steering of them all... but I'm used to a the previous polaris models.
The steering angle from a Rush/Switchback could be done... just pretty darn expesive to change out the entire pyramid/cap assy.
I'm curious as to how much time you spent on the PRO?
You've been on an XP for a while now, havent you??
BTW... Fourcast was awesome!
J
Jorli
Well-known member
Thanks-glad you enjoyed Fourcast, I haven't spent anytime on a Pro, just checked out the pics on the website with curiosity. I fully respect your opinion and completely agree with you.
I have been riding XP Summits for the last two seasons, and a 600 RS race sled previously which might explain why I like that type of set-up, much as most people that have ridden snocross sleds are like "get me off this piece of crap" whenever they try anything else.
I tend to share the same opinion as KJ with regards to steering, we've learned to work the ski-doo type steering assembly in any environment and it seems to work well around Whistler with our terrain, KJ even modded the steering on his M8 to go over the engine as he doesn't feel confident doing big jumps with the stock steering assembly on the Cats, The Tapio Brothers changed their steering assembly to an over-engine mount, in fact I think that is where KJ got his idea from. Check out the shot in Fourcast of Kyle putting his hood on at the beginning on the feature.
I rode on Burandt's Dragon this last year for a week and never felt all that comfortable with the way it steered either. My GF has a '10 M8 HCR and I love everything about the sled except for the way it steers. So far, my favorite sled is the Arctic Cat 600 Sno Pro race sled because it steers really well even with C&A XT skis.
I agree that it is all about what you get used to, as well as how you ride. I have more of motocross influence to my riding, so I personally don't think I can get accustomed to the straight up/down steering column that was on the M8 and Dragon unless I change my riding style.
I really like the look of the Pro, I just hope it doesn't steer like either the Dragon or the M8, and if it does, hopefully there will be a relatively inexpensive "fix" for it. I kind of think Ski-Doo may have actually done ONE thing well which is build a mountain sled that handles like a long, narrow snocross sled, that is personally the type of sled that I want to ride. (Just not a Ski-Doo! I'm done with that)
Do you think you would have to change the Pyramid? It looks like you could change the caps at the top of the pyramid, columns and pull rod and voila!....Rush steering on a Pro??????
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S
snowmobiler
Well-known member
its a good thing poo copied doo.should be a good sled
its a good thing poo copied doo.should be a good sled
What? What?
So the Front bumpers line up, if you look close the rear doesn't line up, at some point the gas tanks are in the same spot (thank Doo for that one). Handle bars are in different spots. Which leaves the spindles in close to the same spot.
I dunno maybe you were making a joke.
