Sanity Check

[WhiskeyTee]

New here, and Appreciate ya'lls input here.

Background:
I rode Yami's from 90 to 99. Dad was always a Poo fan and I was just a lil rebelouse back then, (if dad had brand X, I had to have anything but!) Have been off a sled since a big D in 99. At that time I owned a MM 700 Yami. Slung a leg over dads 03 Edge 700 once since then in 04 when visiting home. That was the last time I was on a sled

Time to get back on. My plan is as follows.

Found a holdover 600 Pro RMK in my home town. 700 mi round trip but the price is in the low 8K OTD and Dad would love a visit. The HP of a 600 now is close to the same as the 700 MM was in 97, the ready to ride weight is close to 100lbs less. I am 20 or so lb's more. I loved that sled and what I could do on it.

Ride it for a year or so, renting a 2nd sled from time to time to get my wife in love with the sport.

Depending on what happens, pass down the 6 and get an 8. Or just get her what she wants as long as she will ride with me

So, be harsh. I think I have thought it thru tho

 

[mountainhorse]

I think you'll LOVE the sled... and it is great to cut your teeth on this one...The 600 will flat out amaze you where it will go.... and be the best hand-down for the wife... when you rent... she can use that one and you can try an 800 to compare....


You'll get a lot of people that chime in to say that the 800 is the only way to go.. or "Heck... why get that when you can have more power"... In my opinion, unless you are a power junkie... you don't need it... sure, the 800 is better on a deep day...but a turbo is better than an 800... where do you stop???









.

 

[jbunce]

Where will you be riding? Whats the terrain like? How much do you weigh? Me and the old man had 2013 RMK 800s besides for the issues that you will find in the forum both awesome sleds, My mom has a 2013 RMK 600 super fun to ride doesn't have the balls to do what we want all the time but its fun. Depending on how much riding you plan on doing this year and if you wife will love the sport you could get the 600 and rent your self an 800 and then get your self a new one and pass the 600 on. Personally I wouldn't buy a 600 yes its fn but i think you will enjoy an 800 but fill us in on what you will be riding and I'm sure the rest of us will chime in.

 

[OuraySledder]

If you buy the 600 just know that the bug will bite and you will NEED the 800 in short order. The 800 class sleds rule the mountain. Yes, tubos and other mods make more power. I choose to stop short of that and ride a stock machine for reliability.

I have had an M7 for years, one buddy went to Poo 600's (pre,Pro) and another has a pair of M7s. Fact is, that is just not enough power where we ride. The snow is DEEP more othen than not and, the 600-700 machines just do not keep up. Sometimes they just plain struggle. On spring exploration days there are hills that the smaller sleds simply can not summit to get into the next basin.

The small sled just doesn't make much sense to me. You do not have to use the power of the bigger sled but when you need it, it is there.

 

[Jay]

That 600 will outperform your old 700MM in every way. I'd buy it before an 800 every time.

 

[dktraw]

get the 600 and get it clutched right, vented, and the suspension tuned right and not only will you be having a ball on the mountain, but the 8s will be trying to figure out why an "underpowered" 600 is doing everything they can do
my last sled was a rmk 900 (say what you will...but i love that sled, still have it too), and now ive got a pro 600 and a pro 660, funniest pair of sleds ive been on, and ive been on a couple pro 800s. yes your not gonna get the himark on the hill, but if thats not what your into the 6s are awesome fun good running sleds. my .02

 

[MATCO]

600 rocks!

I know everyone on here says the 600 is underpowered but I have one as a spare sled and ride it more than I ride my 800 turbo. I can go anywhere that anyone else can go on a 800 that I ride with. (except Burandt) and Yes it does not have the low end grunt the 800 does but rips up high.
when I ride with someone new they never believe it's a 600.
If you are a mountain rider go for it! if you are a trail rider then you will not like this chassis. (not sure what type of riding you will be doing)

 

[WhiskeyTee]

Thanks for the replies. To answer the questions asked.

Where will you be riding? I live in central Utah. Mostly ride in the Uinta's 8 - 10K ft. Love riding Black Mountain back home in Colo. But don't get back there much.

Whats the terrain like? Back country mountain.

How much do you weigh? 230ish out of the shower this morning, but should shed 10 - 15 after everyone stops bringing crap food into work during the holidays.

My favorite riding is what I consider boondocking. IE: breaking trail (single track type), side hilling, exploring and meadow mashing. I enjoy slolom thru the trees but not too tight a trees. Wide groomed trails are for sight seeing in Yellowstone, and getting from the parking lot to the single track areas.

Never really enjoyed point and shoot climbing, or highmarking, First sled was a Phaser LT so there was no sense in even trying with my 200lbs on it. Probably why I developed a love for boondock type ridding. Also, early in my riding I witnessed an avalanch while someone was highmarking, not too big of an avy, but it totaled out a sled and busted up the rider pretty good too. Didn't know him but helped get him stable and secure for a toboggan ride, and assisted in dragging the mangled mess of a sled out. Just never appealed to me at that point.

Sled ownership history. (all bought as holdovers)

91 Phaser Long Track (passed down to the X, before she was an X)
94 Exciter Long Track (kept in the trailer for backup or buddies to ride)
97 Mountain Max 700

Figure I will have to re-learn how to ride. Sleds have changed ALOT since I sold all mine in fall of '99

And I guess my old NMFH is going to have to go too

Oh, and wife told me last night. "No f'n hand me downs. If its something I decide I enjoy enouph to get one of my own, It will be a new one!" LOL

 

[Solby]

I think you would have a lot of fun on the 600, but being over 175 lbs you are going to want a little more. Last year I watched a guy that was about 150 lbs in his gear make a pro 600 go everywhere the 800s were going, but he was ballsy and very light. You also are probably going do be down extra on power being at that elevation. If you were running 4-6k you would be happier. Either way the chassis is great and any newer sled will be a blast compared to a MM 700. You will be so surprised at the end of the day you don't feel so tired and sore, you will be ready to ride again.