Opinions on spare/girlfriend mtn sled.

[Dogmeat]

Thanks for all the input. I'm going to really start pricing some of the above mentioned sleds. I did see a holdover 07 600 rmk 155 the other day for 7400 but I really hate to pay that much for a spare sled. Looks like dragon 700's are going for around 8K used. Think I saw a commercial the other day with sasquatch buying a holdover M6 for 7K. Keep the advice coming! What changes were made from 06-07-08 rmk 600's? According to polaris's website, the 08 gained weight over the 07.

06 was the "IQ" chassis, 07 and 08 are the "IQ RAW" chassis ...

The raw chassis doesn't have the rider select steering, and sheds a significant amount of weight and "bells and whistles" that nobody ever liked anyways. There is a cleanfire injection 600 HO for 07 and a carb'd model as well, I believe the 08 600 HO's are all fuel injected (correct me somone if I'm wrong on this) ..

The 08 has different spindles than the 06 and 07's do, the 07's being different even than the 06 if I remember right ... I am pretty sure the 07 and 08's come with the "Gripper" skis instead of the Sidehiller II's, which as much better skis than on the 06'....

I would say that if you can afford it, get an 07 or an 08 ... the 06's are still very good machines but they're a little heavier and not quite as responsive as the 07's are, and I'm assuming hte 08's are even better based on the 700 and 800 I rode ...

 

[PooSlinger]

'08 600 IQ RMK 155 has CFI, thus the weight gain. The 144 has carbs. So does the '08 Shift RMK. The 07 600s all had carbs.

Dogmeat is right about the chassis. The '07 and '08 are nicer than the '06. They're lighter, with better handling and a better design for powder riding. The '08 has updated spindles that make the steering a touch easier. It also has a different seat and gas tank. Oh, and a better track.

I'd recommend an '07 RMK6 or an '08 Shift.

 

[BLONDZ]

All really great advice on what type of sled to go with. But you want to make sure you get your money's worth... if she is only riding a few times a year - the key is to get her more amp'd about riding so that she goes more often. Get her out with groups she is comfortable with and challenge her, but don't push her too much. I have seen a lot of guys turn their women off to the sport because of their chauvinistic attitudes. Have her go out on some "girl rides" with just women, that has helped a lot of women I know.

 

[Angermangement890]

I would say agree with the others that have said an 06-08 600 HO RMK. We purchased one for my girlfriend based on a couple different areas. the reasons she bought the 600 RMK.

1. Seating. the seat is narrow and comfortable, she says its something lots of guys over look.

2. Engine, she wanted the 120 hp class, but likes a smooth powerband.

3. Upgrades, if there was something she did not like on the sled, she felt the polaris had more parts availability.

4. Warranty/price/options. She bought a 06 in March of 06 as she actually wanted the gas rack, bag rack for her camera. Plus we got a smoking deal on it.

5. Eazier for her to control, start and ride. She says it doesn't feel as big as her previous 01 RMK 700. She also likes how it handles on the trails compared to the other A-arm sleds.

6. Reverse with no extra weight.

7. Gauge package, she really likes all the little features built into the gauge, watertemp etc.

Those are her reasons for having the Polaris over the M series, or rev. A couple things we have done to improve her ride and make it easier for her to ride.

Carls front track spring, Carls Sway bar, SLP Straight Line Trackers, 2" bar riser, and a 151" track, and chassis vent kits.

 

[irideabigpumpkin]

Get her an M5!!!!!!! They are cheap and nothing is more reliable. I tried the macho, get my wife a big sled thing, it DOES NOT WORK!!!!! SHE WILL NOT HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!!!!! My wife had a summit x 670, very light, very powerful for the day, she hated it. It was complete misery for both of us. Bought her the m5, she loves snowmobiling now, it is a powder busting dream!!!!!!!!! Don't believe me, that's okay!!!!!!!

 

[senorjeem]

My wife and daughter both ride with me, which makes for a lot more riding than if I had to try to get a kitchen pass every time I wanted to go. My wife has always enjoyed riding, although she will be the first to tell you that riding anywhere in the mountains with a touring sled, and with a kid on behind is not much fun. ANYWAY!! The key is to let her pick her new ride, with some gentle guidance from you of course. First, it is important to get electric start. Women don't like having to rely on anyone to start their sleds so that they can sneak off to pee. They also seem to have issues with being abandoned on the hill, especially if they cannot start their own sleds. My wife went from the 700Skidoo Grand Touring, to a Summit 600zx chassis (her choice because it wasn't sooo big, my choice because I wouldn't have to jet it ever) to a Rev 800 Summit w electric start. Have to say the rider forward postioning has improved her riding, and with it her confidence level greatly. She was more amped than me to get in the first mountain ride this year, and when I was boondockin in the trees....there she was right behind me. Great to share that with her. Given all that, I would probably choose (oops I mean suggest) a 600 summit rev with electric start. And start having fun!! The 16 wide track will give huge addition to flotation for the same track length, and you won't find yourself yanking on sleds stuck in meadows full of nut deep powder either.

 

[sleddin pete]

Bought an 07 RMK 600/144 for the wife.She loves it,doesn't have e-start but she has no problem starting it after it's been warmed up.The 144 track is long enough to reduce the stucks, but not too long as to make it hard to steer.Slightly tippy compared to her RMK 500 but the suspension far outweighs any tippiness.She feels confident on the 07 and that makes for a better time for both of us. I also like her sled and sometimes ride it for a change of pace.I've got an 07 X.The 600 is not going to outclimb my X but it is at a 200cc disadvantage.The polaris also hasn't been to the dealer 3 times for clutch updates and oil pump recalibration

 

[foxyrmk]

Well I have been riding a Polaris 700 RMK's for awhile now, and enjoy the ride. I have gone from a 136" to now a 151", and I'll newer go back on length. Like everyone has said, let her try riding different sleds, let her find what's comfortable for her that way she'll enjoy riding with you and do not buy a Phazer, I rode one and didn't like it at all, it's a kid sled.
My boyfriend and I enjoy riding together, I have learned to keep up with him when I don't have to lead the group and he enjoys having me with him as well his buddies, they enjoy having me taking pictures when I just want to stay at the bottom of the hill.

 

[HighonBoost]

I wouldn't recommend a phazer, trenches in all but of the hardest snow conditions, unless its gota longer track. I don't think you could go wrong with any new sled in the 600/800 class.

 

[madcat]

My wife has her sled which my old mod, which she likes to ride. Last year I let her ride my M8 162 (800 BB) and she didn't want to give it back. any of the 6 or 7s would be fine.

 

[TCar]

Speaking as a girl and friend, I have been riding the ski-doo's and love them, I think either a 600 REV or like mine the 800 would do great. As far as track lenght, I prefer the 159, The longer the better in the steep and deep. I did not notice much handling diffrence going from the 144 to the 151, and now the 159. But I am not digging out as much. And my guy loves that.

 

[05900]

600 somethin or another,decent track length,144 plus. Few light mods to loose weight

 

[GMCRMK]

We just retired the wife's 2000 Yamaha Mountain Lite 500 (8,500 miles) and got an '03 RMK 600.

Why: good motor, easy to mod, reverse, good windshield, 144 track, pretty purple

 

[Ultra]

So I think for the most part most agree the 600/700 class is where its at. The big decision now is track length. My observation is most gals are light on the throttle till it's to late. It's uasually just enough gas to make it go. So every track upgrade my wife gets she likes it a little better (not stuck as much) and actually does better on it. We went 136, 141, 144, and now on a 151 or ok, good, better, best. So I'm thinking 162 should be great, but she don't know. Looking for some experienced input on this topic.

 

[mtnclimber]

I would get her an m6 or an m7. reliable, light, nimble. plus......its big enough for you to have fun with if you need it for a backup. Also, efi makes it nice for her to start. less than 3 pulls every time. JMO though

 

[CoyoteGirl]

So I think for the most part most agree the 600/700 class is where its at. The big decision now is track length.

We went 136, 141, 144, and now on a 151 or ok, good, better, best. So I'm thinking 162 should be great, but she don't know. Looking for some experienced input on this topic.

I am 5'10" (putting that out there because my height helps in maneauvering), in better shape than most and I ride a 156. I CAN fling a 162 - 174 around, yup. But as the day goes on, it starts flinging me around. Granted, I do ride a bit different than some, I'm happier with atleast one ski off the ground. I'm usually carving every where I go. Doing this all day on my 156, by the time I'm out of fuel, my body is to. On the few times I've ridden the longer tracks for the day, my body was tired (and I started making big mistakes) long before my sled ran out of fuel.

However, there are other factors. One being the kind of snow you are in. This WA concrete that we have over here the majority of time would kick my butt in an hour on a 162. When we go up to Revy we are usually riding in 3' of powder, a 162 is more managable.

Shorter sleds are more fun to jump, easier to boondock through the trees. Longer tracks keep you floating.

One thing about going with a 16" wide track is that you can go shorter, say the 150 and have the same footprint as a 159 w/o that extra 9" out the back to huck around. (Not sure which/if any sleds offer the 16" stock........)

 

[PJ-Hunter]

Oh, crap. I thought this would be a thread on how to get a spare girlfriend.

Me too! Anybody with tips on that?

 

[mtnclimber]

I personally wouldn't go any longer than 153 or so. That will take her anywhere she needs to go, and you will not lose so much of the fun factor. She will be less fatigued at the end of the day. JMO though

 

[Ryan-41]

I would say a 2000-2004 mountain max 600

They are great sleds they float and are very reliable!!!

 

[sledchickie]

I have a 2001 700 RMK with a 151 finger, slp, boss seat, fabcraft riser bars, chromed out and sweet, I love the ride more then anything, mind you I ride hard, with the big boys and keep up. It is a light ride, easy, amazingly easy to control and handle, Im sure she would enjoy it. I just bought an M7, also a good ride for me- Im 130lbs adn 5'8 so it handles the way I want. My RMK is the best thing ever, I hope the cat can stand up to that!!. Hope you find something for your woman, make sure she has good gear, most women complain...(not me)lol, and from what I can see, dont race to far ahead, she might think your leaving her....haha. Have a great season!! thats awesome your looking out for her!!