i ride a dragon and have never rode a pro.
what is the difference if any between the two sleds ?
thanks
what is the difference if any between the two sleds ?
thanks
pro's ride vs dragon's ride
- Thread starter wyowinterwhitedust
- Start date
I still believe that the IQ can be an awesome sled but it does take more changes out of the box. As for boondocking ability, the Pro is much better. But the IQ has a good balance point that makes it easy to get on it's side. the plastic fenders on the IQ protrude too far. That causes the sled to kick it self back up when digging into the sidehill. The IQ just feels fatter (because it is). The IQ needs some shock work on front and back, different track (CE for me) and it loves a high compression head. But right out of the box the Pro is the best IMO.
so are you saying the IQ turns over on its side easier than the pro?
Nope, not at all. The Pro rules in riding on one ski. But the IQ comes over better than the XP/Rev and balances better (doesn't fight you as much). Some people don't like that though, they like the stable XP/Rev platform.
I would compare an IQ to the Pro in the following ways rode them both and have been happy with both. The Pro was a step up for me.
The IQ has larger % mass forward the rider. This mass will pull you around all day but after 80 miles it is more noticeable than the pro. Climbing or side hilling that mass decides to go one way you go with it. I hit hard pack on the IQ side hilling and down I went, not able to pull it around until we got to a shallower slope. On the Pro this can happen but you go a few feet and can rest the sidehill. I think this is because on the pro you are able to move the mass with your body, arms, legs with less effort. The IQ is wider in the front so in deeper snow the tub pushes back, it was harder to pull over even in the trees with loose snow. The Pro seems to like scratching its panels on the snow, it has that itch.
After putting in 75 to 100 miles on the IQ I would be wiped out, on the Pro I am tired but not nearly as much. The IQ is a bugger once it is stuck, I think the low CG/ tub makes it harder to pull around. The pro feels easier but maybe because I am not as stuck as much.
Again I liked both sleds, would have kept the IQ but 1000 miles in one season did not want to press my luck with the CFI.
When you say "ride" ... what are you referring to?
What kind of riding do you do (where, what kind of snow, trails or off-trail, fast etc etc)??
What kind of riding do you do (where, what kind of snow, trails or off-trail, fast etc etc)??
boondocking , sidhilling, meadows.
no trails.
ride colorado /wyoming 10,000 feet.
i like am ok with my IQ but i have owned other brands and seem to like them better. i dont need a sled that comes over real easy.
so if i was to buy a pro i would like for it to be not as tippy as my IQ.
I guess what i should do is find someone who has one and try it out.
as a sidehilling machine ... the pro chassis with the narrower body work and lower engine location ECLIPSES the Dragon.
The PRO is THAT much better in tight technical situations... and you will be less fatigued at the end of the day...
I would not call the PRO "tippy"... it does require much less effort to get it on edge and hold it there than the Dragon and favors a more active riding style... The 2013's that I rode this past friday were much more predictable when finding the balance when "on edge".
The Ski stance, A-arms and relationship to the rear skid are almost identical on the two chassis.
It sounds to me like you need to rent a PRO RMK for a day and make up your mind for your own riding style. Plenty of places in your riding areas to rent them.
Good luck in your quest.
The PRO is THAT much better in tight technical situations... and you will be less fatigued at the end of the day...
I would not call the PRO "tippy"... it does require much less effort to get it on edge and hold it there than the Dragon and favors a more active riding style... The 2013's that I rode this past friday were much more predictable when finding the balance when "on edge".
The Ski stance, A-arms and relationship to the rear skid are almost identical on the two chassis.
It sounds to me like you need to rent a PRO RMK for a day and make up your mind for your own riding style. Plenty of places in your riding areas to rent them.
Good luck in your quest.
Bottom line is that you need to ride the Pro to figure out what you like/don't like. If you think it comes over too easy and you want more stability, you could go the Assault route. Wider front end with stiffer shocks. But that cuts into the ability of the sled to side hill as well.
I would say that the Dragon/IQ is much less controlable on a sidehill, in the trees or any other tight spot. My first ride I got stuck because I was used to the effort I needed to keep the IQ on the hill. Put that force into the PRO and it did a 180 up hill so fast I was out of position and stuck.
I agree with renting one but put some miles on it, it takes a bit to get used to the ride. Have a IQ with you so you can compare, after riding the PRO , I swap with my partners and get on a older M8 or 2012 summit and am not impressed.
I find that I need to be much more forward on the PRO compared to my IQ in order to keep it from pointing uphill. Once I cure my bad habit, it's effortless!
B
BigWill
Active member
X2, I have an 08 Dragon and an 11 Assault and take turns riding them each time out. The dragon seems to roll and tip alot easier, which isnt always a good thing. Still tweeking suspension on the pro but definatley better in the tight stuff and doesnt trnch nearly as much. I get on it after the dragon and always seem to over ride it
Go with the Pro
pro's ride vs dragon's ride
We had two 09 Dragon RMK 155" We now have one 2011 Pro RMK 155" and one 2011 Pro RMK 163" For me, being a flat lander riding in the mountains the Pro is far better than the Dragon. Fantastic sled right out of the box.
pro's ride vs dragon's ride
We had two 09 Dragon RMK 155" We now have one 2011 Pro RMK 155" and one 2011 Pro RMK 163" For me, being a flat lander riding in the mountains the Pro is far better than the Dragon. Fantastic sled right out of the box.
What everyone else said and this:
Find a bombed out hill, the kind with some craters and deep trenches in the soft stuff where everyone gets stuck.
Now take your IQ and cut a sidehill thru it.
Now sidehill the Pro thu it.
Now find some untouched stuff on a hill and go downhill and make like a skier doing turns.
Now turn around without stopping and go back uphill.
Repeat the downhill to uphill transition on a packed hill.
Now go get stuck up high somewhere where your buddies can't or won't get to you. First on the IQ. Then on the Pro. Do this right away so there is still daylight when you stick the Pro.
Now reflect on the above for the performance of each chassis. I know I finnd the Pro to be a lot more effortless and fun than the IQ/Raw. But, I've never had a 431lb Raw chassis even after throwing a lot of lightweight goodies at it. YMMV.
Find a bombed out hill, the kind with some craters and deep trenches in the soft stuff where everyone gets stuck.
Now take your IQ and cut a sidehill thru it.
Now sidehill the Pro thu it.
Now find some untouched stuff on a hill and go downhill and make like a skier doing turns.
Now turn around without stopping and go back uphill.
Repeat the downhill to uphill transition on a packed hill.
Now go get stuck up high somewhere where your buddies can't or won't get to you. First on the IQ. Then on the Pro. Do this right away so there is still daylight when you stick the Pro.
Now reflect on the above for the performance of each chassis. I know I finnd the Pro to be a lot more effortless and fun than the IQ/Raw. But, I've never had a 431lb Raw chassis even after throwing a lot of lightweight goodies at it. YMMV.
I loved my predictable handling 09 D800 and enjoyed it for 3 seasons.I traded for a 12 Pro 800 before I had engine issues
On ride the pro out handles the IQ on trail by a large margin[we all have to ride the trail to get up high]
Biggest things I have noticed about the pro is that all transitions while aggressevly boondocking require a lot less effort.The sled does not get upset near as much when crossing over an old track while power turning.Sidehilling is also easier ,not that I had any trouble on the IQ.On off camber situations where your not sidehilling the pro tends to want to tip right over and I had this happen twice on my first demo ride,not an issue now.My Pro is less wheelie prone than my IQ and I find it much more stable when climbing.
2 other things not related to handling are the fantastic fuel economy and how this sled pulls hard 8250-8300 even in the deep pow[my D800 was only pulling 7900 in the same cond. It took me 1 ride to never regret trading in my IQ.My buddies on IQs are very jelous.To set my sled up for my pref I installed BBoards.1" riser,MBRP can nad a tunnel bag and bar bag.I can pretty much put the gas rack on my wifes 09 RMK 700 because I now always have enough fuel.LOVE this sled
On ride the pro out handles the IQ on trail by a large margin[we all have to ride the trail to get up high]
Biggest things I have noticed about the pro is that all transitions while aggressevly boondocking require a lot less effort.The sled does not get upset near as much when crossing over an old track while power turning.Sidehilling is also easier ,not that I had any trouble on the IQ.On off camber situations where your not sidehilling the pro tends to want to tip right over and I had this happen twice on my first demo ride,not an issue now.My Pro is less wheelie prone than my IQ and I find it much more stable when climbing.
2 other things not related to handling are the fantastic fuel economy and how this sled pulls hard 8250-8300 even in the deep pow[my D800 was only pulling 7900 in the same cond. It took me 1 ride to never regret trading in my IQ.My buddies on IQs are very jelous.To set my sled up for my pref I installed BBoards.1" riser,MBRP can nad a tunnel bag and bar bag.I can pretty much put the gas rack on my wifes 09 RMK 700 because I now always have enough fuel.LOVE this sled
J
Joe57
Member
I came off an 09 D 8 I am more one with the 2012 pro than any other sled I have been on. I liked the D 8 and thought the pro would have taken a time to get used to it but it only took one ride Thier similer but the pro is just flat easer to make it do what you want it to...........Love the pro and the Gas milage.............
