Pro-rmk coolin?

[rotax]

The only time I notice cooling issues is early morn on these spring days when everything is FROZE solid still. I've seen 180+ish [note: with scratchers down]. Its kind of annoying having to keep an eye on it/worry bout it. And there is still a lot of spring riding to do..in warmer temps.

And, what is the true "worry point" in temp? When should it be shut down. I saw one guy say 220 above...thats getting warm...?? At least from its normal running temp of 120ish.

Oh, and how did/is the Water Wetter working for those guys that have tried that.

 

[mountainhorse]

You can buy the front cooler and hoses from the Base RMK and install them on a PRO. The cooler itself is kinda $$$ but would work.

The cooler is $300 at a discount price.... plus about $100 in adhesive supplies and disassembling pretty much the entire sled to install it... plus de-bonding the stock front cooler(remove... engine, rear suspension, track, chaincase, body panels, gas tank, seat, console, overstructure, etc etc)

If you wanted that cooler... you would be money ahead to buy the base and change out the other items shocks, handlebars etc...

 

[Skeld]

Great. Where was this thread two weeks ago...

 

[GoBigParts]

RMK STD

Thats a bummer. Already ordered. Where do I find the information on the polaris website that states the standard rmk has coolers and the Pro does not?

 

[TIM]

does anyone know what temp sends the sled into limp mode?

 

[sledcaddie]

pros and cons

This has been a great exchange of info on this subject. Trading everyones experiences and knowledge should be of great benefit. I thought I was snowchecking a PRO, but after weighing in all my options, I'm going with the base RMK 800. FOR ME, it fits my needs best. For OTHERS, the PRO will be the best choice. It's good to have this website to draw upon.
To recap, the differences between the PRO and the base RMK are: shocks, handlebars/controls, heat exchanger, snow flap, extra bogie wheels on base RMK, and different drive shaft and brake rotor. Weigh YOUR options.

 

[gman086]

The only time I notice cooling issues is early morn on these spring days when everything is FROZE solid still. I've seen 180+ish. Its kind of annoying having to keep an eye on it/worry bout it. And there is still a lot of spring riding to do..in warmer temps.

And, what is the true "worry point" in temp? When should it be shut down. I saw one guy say 220 above...thats getting warm...?? At least from its normal running temp of 120ish.

Oh, and how did/is the Water Wetter working for those guys that have tried that.

Exactly. Guys can spout off here on how the Pro is a "mtn" sled but I ride in SPRING conditions IN THE MTNS and you need to have better cooling than the pro does! (very glad I kept my '07 Summit as my "spring riding" sled).

I ran my Pro on wet/soft snow on the trail for less than 2 miles, without scratchers, and it started shutting the motor down at 215-220 or so as that is about the limit (didn't notice it spike that fast!).

As for water wetter... I have used it extensively and it hasn't worked well in the Pro. Then it dawned on me as to why; it is a surfactant that allows better wetting of the surface area of the coolers by water, thus better heat transfer. The Pro has much smaller cooling surface area to begin with so... not as much margin for helping! It works great in sleds with standard size coolers like my Revs.

Have FUN!

G MAN

 

[skibreeze]

I thought it was bad when my Pro got to 170 without any scratchers on Saturday.

 

[icemanmg]

I'm so glad I started this thread about the coolin...I was 100% sure I was gettin the pro. Now I dont think im gettin a sled at all. I dont like the rushes at all. I really dont want a basic rmk. and the sb assault is the same sled I had since 2003. If im spendin 11,000 on a sled I want what I want. Im goin to call fastrax tomorrow and ask what they have for a cooler. I guess if anything the head from brad will be put on hold if I have to buy a cooler.

 

[polaris6]

I've ridden with several pros on trails in Wisconsin,Michigan, with scratchiest and never ever has one gotten hot. Even on glare ice over lakes. Out West never seen it get hot as we were in the fluffy. Even ditch banging and corn field riding too. Got a group heading to the Snowiest right now. Just my 2 cents

 

[GoBigParts]

I'm so glad I started this thread about the coolin...I was 100% sure I was gettin the pro. Now I dont think im gettin a sled at all. I dont like the rushes at all. I really dont want a basic rmk. and the sb assault is the same sled I had since 2003. If im spendin 11,000 on a sled I want what I want. Im goin to call fastrax tomorrow and ask what they have for a cooler. I guess if anything the head from brad will be put on hold if I have to buy a cooler.

I'm still not 100% sold on the need. I know of at least 3 guys running Pros in the Midwest and have not heard of problems over heating on the trails yet from them. I got a message in to one of them to get his thoughts.

 

[opel]

Definately an issue. I rode my wife's, with scratchers down and running fast, and it went as high as 184. No way she could keep it cool since she goes slower up the trail. She had it almost to 220 one day. I finally had to take it from her and it ran 168 for me. I always ran scratchers for hifax. Never had a sled that was this easy to heat up. Once in the powder it will run 123-125. havn't been out on any warm spring days. They will probably be really bad. Polaris screw up!

Ditto 100%. Pain in ars watching the temp gauge all the time. I was averaging 15 to 20 mph through the trees in packed untouched snow and had a hard time keeping 195 or less. Sometimes you have to ride through low snow or hard snow that the carbides will hardly cut just cant be avoided. I have two dragons right be side me at 130. NEEDS more cooler.

 

[sledfreak89]

Just got the drawings out to get the dies made today.

We increased the pitch of the flap which should shoot more snow back in the tunnel as well as a solid flap with no holes.

If we get the dies back in time, we could use a couple testers to try it out.

Anyone interested?

-Matt

 

[icemanmg]

I'm still not 100% sold on the need. I know of at least 3 guys running Pros in the Midwest and have not heard of problems over heating on the trails yet from them. I got a message in to one of them to get his thoughts.

let me know what u hear...I'm thinkin about goin with slidekicks with carbide tips on them. Buddies said they throw lots of snow on the track.

 

[GoBigParts]

let me know what u hear...I'm thinkin about goin with slidekicks with carbide tips on them. Buddies said they throw lots of snow on the track.

Pro comes with the hard wire scratchers already on them.

 

[danjpohl]

Not sure how dumb of a question this is but.....

The cooler runs the full tunnel, correct? If you do need to ride the trail and it is getting warm, any reason you could not put snow on the back top of the tunnel?

Maybe someone could make a the RMK Trail Master Cooler...

A bottomless box that you stop and fill with snow!

All kidding aside, could something like this help you in a bind?

 

[icemanmg]

Pro comes with the hard wire scratchers already on them.

I know they do...but if u reverse they are toast if u bounce them off something they are toast...slidekicks are flexiable and the carbide tip is flat and digs in deeper into the snow.

 

[sledfreak89]

Only problem i have with the sidekicks is the carbide tip always bends out making it not dig..


Has anyone had this problem, or a fix to this problem?

-Matt

 

[gman086]

Just got the drawings out to get the dies made today.

We increased the pitch of the flap which should shoot more snow back in the tunnel as well as a solid flap with no holes.

If we get the dies back in time, we could use a couple testers to try it out.

Anyone interested?

-Matt

I would be happy to Matt! We're getting dumped on right now so we'll be riding for a while yet!

Cheers,

G

 

[Jaynelson]

Not sure how dumb of a question this is but.....

The cooler runs the full tunnel, correct? If you do need to ride the trail and it is getting warm, any reason you could not put snow on the back top of the tunnel?

Yes that would work, but some people are too lazy to even use the scratchers that come with the sled, so I'm sure stopping to do that is out of the question. Hell I remember on my 01 RMK we regularily had to drag our boots or, gasp, stop to kick some snow at it! The main difference with the Pro is that it has a digital temp guage everyone is glued on.....

Also if you can't keep your's cool with the stock scratchers, I highly doubt slidekicks will do a better job....likely the opposite.