Pros/Cons - PRO RMK VS RMK Assault

[MDEVO]

Wonder if I could get some thoughts on these....
2013 800 RMK Assault & The 2013 800 PRO RMK 155

I just sold my 2012 SB Assault, and trying to decide which sled to snowcheck. I am a reformed flatlander and addicted to POW. I went from riding 95% trail last year, to 25% this year. i see less trail in my future. My SBA had the 1.352 and although I had an absolute riot, I got stuck alot and my running boards were always filled with snow.

Any and all opinions appreciated.

 

[Steelman]

Someone will chime in and help

 

[MDEVO]

I should have included the type of riding I intend to do and conditions.
Snowcover is usually very good, 2-3ft minimum. Access to most areas require small amount of groomed trail, the rest will be a mix between lakes/ponds, access roads, hydro lines, and hills. I do not have access to mountains, but can get into some deep stuff (5ft) where I like to ride (Mt. Valin in Quebec)

Thanks!

 

[Super Sled]

Sounds like you and I ride similarly. I went for the Assault for the better shocks, better stability, and tougher track as I'm hitting the ground more than mountain guys usually. I'm very happy.

 

[Matte Murder]

Are you a guy who leaves their sled stock or do you mod it a little. If stock I think an Assault would be perfect. If you are willing to put shocks(Raptors are so much better than the stock Walkers on the Assault and even that much better than the stock Pro shocks) and maybe a track then the Pro would be awesome for your riding. I like the belt drive enough that I would get the Pro and mod it.

 

[Wild_Canuck]

I am in the same boat, not knowing if the Pro or Assault would be the best choice for me and where i ride. I am in northern Ontario so most of the time we are riding the un-groomed power lines.

What i would like to know is if the Assault is build up more then the pro or are they the same. (Frame & Tunnel). If the pro is able to take a beating like the assault i will most deff. go with the pro.

 

[Super Sled]

I am in the same boat, not knowing if the Pro or Assault would be the best choice for me and where i ride. I am in northern Ontario so most of the time we are riding the un-groomed power lines.

What i would like to know is if the Assault is build up more then the pro or are they the same. (Frame & Tunnel). If the pro is able to take a beating like the assault i will most deff. go with the pro.

Hill climb competition track, stiffer shocks w/ reservoirs, and tunnel gussets are only things I'm currently believeing.

I was told extra frame support, stronger tunnel, etc. before but I believe differences are fairly minimal, just the items above.

 

[proxr800racer]

im having the same problem deciding,
i like the assault for the better shocks and the 2.1 track for out east riding since we get wet heavy snow. however the pro has the belt drive which i would want. im leaning towards the pro rmk, and buying raptor shocks later. the other thing is gearing, im hoping the pro isnt geared down to much, atleast the assault i could change. im gunna decide after i see them at the show in april.

 

[MDEVO]

Are you a guy who leaves their sled stock or do you mod it a little. If stock I think an Assault would be perfect. If you are willing to put shocks(Raptors are so much better than the stock Walkers on the Assault and even that much better than the stock Pro shocks) and maybe a track then the Pro would be awesome for your riding. I like the belt drive enough that I would get the Pro and mod it.

Thanks for the input.
I won't mod, other than a riser, and will keep it max 2 years.
I wonder if I really need the adjustable shocks? They were great on my SB assault as I had a sway bar disconnect and when I had to jump back on trail to find our next spot i would pump the compression up and have control on trail.

I wonder the advantages/disadvantages of shorter A Arms?

 

[Matte Murder]

I basically put the Assault shocks on my Pro. They are better than the stock shocks and I like the adjustability. Nice to be able to adapt the handling to the conditions. Raptors are just a much better shock all around. You will be able to get the Pro to really work on the trail, double and triple jump the whoops and even when you case it they just soak up the hits. Then when you get to the deep snow you can soften the sled back up and really get it to work for you, not against you. I can make my sled perfect to almost un-rideable just by doing spring and compression adjustments. I didn't think about gearing though. That will happen for the Pro but it will be aftermarket most likely.

 

[live to ride]

Sounds like you and I ride similarly. I went for the Assault for the better shocks, better stability, and tougher track as I'm hitting the ground more than mountain guys usually. I'm very happy.

x2 the rmk assault is a blast

 

[Seabass152]

I basically put the Assault shocks on my Pro. They are better than the stock shocks and I like the adjustability. Nice to be able to adapt the handling to the conditions. Raptors are just a much better shock all around. You will be able to get the Pro to really work on the trail, double and triple jump the whoops and even when you case it they just soak up the hits. Then when you get to the deep snow you can soften the sled back up and really get it to work for you, not against you. I can make my sled perfect to almost un-rideable just by doing spring and compression adjustments. I didn't think about gearing though. That will happen for the Pro but it will be aftermarket most likely.

Are you riding the Raptors now?

 

[MDEVO]

So the belt drive is the way to go?
Are they proven on custom sleds?
Leaning towards the RMK Assault, so they get a year or two on this new tech.......work out any bugs. Looks pretty simple though...

 

[Brett Slagle]

RMK. Belt drive is the future of snowmobile drivetrains because people were lazy with Diamond Drives and failed to realize their greatness. Shocks are a simple and cheap mod and the stock shock situation on either sled is not awesome. Narrow arms will slow you down on the trail, but it will be a different ball game in the pow. If you hate them, it is usually easy to find someone to trade in that direction. The other direction (going narrow) is the more difficult way to trade. Good luck!

Brett

 

[redrockwr]

I am in the exact same boat, trying to decide between an assault and Pro. So is what I am understanding is that the assault does not have the belt drive system? I was thinking the assault with the powder track. So many decisions on what to spend 13k on.

 

[MDEVO]

I am still having a tough time deciding dam it! Hoping for more input.....if possible.

 

[G-Force]

I grabbed an RMK Assault with the powder track. Absolutely love it. The shocks are excellent (yes Raptors are undoubtedly better, but for stock they have a real nice range) and works the powder over as well.
For my style of riding it's the cat's meow. that being said, just bought the booger eaters a Pro 6 lol, so see how that works out next year in comparison..

 

[Prybar]

Having the same decision problems as well. I'm going with the Pro RMK due to the belt drive and narrower arms for trees/ powder. The stock RMK track is much better for the fluffy winter Pow here as well. I'll upgrade the shocks if I feel the need down the road. I'm betting the stock RMK shocks are going to be fine for me though as my days of 30ft drops are all but over. haha.

 

[tdblakes]

If I was snowchecking one... I would snowcheck a Pro simply for the new technology and add RPS springs all around. If you were looking at hold overs, I would lean toward the Assault. I snowchecked a '12 Assault last year and really don't have any regrets. My cousin got a '12 Pro and I can get in just as many places as he can, except mine has better shocks for everything else. I run my skis on the narrowest setting and really dont have a problem laying the sled over. I also have my rear skid bolted into the RMK mounting location for an improved approach angle. I have thought about narrowing my Assault to the width of the Pro but I'm really on the fence about it. I had a nice little convo with Jake at RPS and I'm most likely going to buy the 4pc progressive spring set for my Assault to see if I can set the suspension a little softer but still maintain bottoming resistance. I have the powder track on mine also, I did the f-bomb track mod to it and it works well.

So really(comparing '12 to '12), IMO, the Assault has more capability than the Pro because the rear skid can be bolted up like a Pro, and you get the adjustable shocks. only real difference is ski stance and that isn't a show stoper for me at least because it is still plenty easy to throw around.

Like I said though, if I was snowchecking this year I would check the Pro simply for the drive system and new a-arm geometry.

 

[tbeaton]

i ride in NH and venture to QC a bit. i went with the pro rmk as i didn't feel i needed the shocks of the assault rmk. i wanted the narrow front end. i may be wrong here but i fee like sleds like the assault, freeride and hcr are build more for jumping. maybe not as much with the hcr.

on another note how is the riding in mt valin? its closer than gaspe where we rode this year.