Should I be scared of this sled?....or should I own it?

[BeeGee]

So I've researched and researched for my first sled purchase. I have my heart set on a 2008 or 2009 RMK 600/700 because the their reputation for reliability and friendly handling for both newbies and growing riders.....BUT I've come across what seems like a great deal. Please comment about whether or not I should jump on this 2009 800.

Description as follows:
2009 RMK 800
155 track
700 miles (not sure if this is before or after engine kit was installed)
Engine kit is a mountain tek (MtnTk)with new cylinders at the start of last season. Custom clutching in primary and secondary
SIP twin pipes
power commander 5 with auto tuner and air/fuel gauge
V force 3 reeds
Timbersled intake
10' rocks adjustable riser with custom flex bar and flex mount bar
underseat and tunnel bag with shovel.
Custom airbrush painted hood
slp vent kits
needs high octane fuel.
$4800 is low price right now...I'm leery of the piston problems, but from what I've read that the MtnTk engine kit effectively fixes the motor issues for the 800 in this year. Any other problems that could arise? Really tempted to pass on a few 08' 600/700's that I found for this big block. Please share your wisdom that my first sled purchase is a wise one.


Thanks to all.

 

[Rockies rule]

It sounds like a really nice machine. I love mine. I have the piston kit in mine as well. It is running very good for me. It has great handling. all in all an awesome sled. I am not too experienced with any other issues other than having that fix kit.

 

[R44guy]

So I've researched and researched for my first sled purchase. I have my heart set on a 2008 or 2009 RMK 600/700 because the their reputation for reliability and friendly handling for both newbies and growing riders.....BUT I've come across what seems like a great deal. Please comment about whether or not I should jump on this 2009 800.

Description as follows:
2009 RMK 800
155 track
700 miles (not sure if this is before or after engine kit was installed)
Engine kit is a mountain tek (MtnTk)with new cylinders at the start of last season. Custom clutching in primary and secondary
SIP twin pipes
power commander 5 with auto tuner and air/fuel gauge
V force 3 reeds
Timbersled intake
10' rocks adjustable riser with custom flex bar and flex mount bar
underseat and tunnel bag with shovel.
Custom airbrush painted hood
slp vent kits
needs high octane fuel.
$4800 is low price right now...I'm leery of the piston problems, but from what I've read that the MtnTk engine kit effectively fixes the motor issues for the 800 in this year. Any other problems that could arise? Really tempted to pass on a few 08' 600/700's that I found for this big block. Please share your wisdom that my first sled purchase is a wise one.


Thanks to all.

BG, The price sounds right to me and it sounds like a real nice sled to be honest. The only small concern I had regarding the sled you described is the Vforce reeds. The Vforce reads are good stuff generally speaking and they make more power in most applications but on the Polaris 800 motors the reed pedals have been known to come loose and get sucked into the engine and in most cases some internal engine damage has happened. The Vforce reeds have not proven to make much more power compared to the stock polaris reeds so the cost of replacing them every year to save your engine compared with maybe making less then 1-2 HP difference to avoid engine damage is a no brainer not to use them unless you can get them for free. The stock orginal reed set up makes decent power and is not known for coming apart. Other then that it looks like a great buy but if you have not also heard about the VR (voltage regulator) and ECU (engine control module) concerns to may want to do some additional research since it is very common that when the VR fails it burns up the ECU usually too.

 

[donbrown]

This is your first sled purchase?

What motorized experience do you have?

Where are you gonna ride? Have you any riding style?

Can you wrench a sled?

Who can help you wrench a sled?

 

[fonetikal]

sounds like he's done a lot of engine work "for some reason"

around here that's a really good price, if you know what I mean

 

[judger101]

i would say it sounds like a good price, not sure if that is a good or bad thing. also i would also ask how comfortable you are working on things mechanically. this sled has quite a bit done to it and it helps alot if you are able to spot things before it goes really bad and or fix the small things as they arise.

 

[diamonddave]

So I've researched and researched for my first sled purchase. I have my heart set on a 2008 or 2009 RMK 600/700 because the their reputation for reliability and friendly handling for both newbies and growing riders.....BUT I've come across what seems like a great deal. Please comment about whether or not I should jump on this 2009 800.

Description as follows:
2009 RMK 800
155 track
700 miles (not sure if this is before or after engine kit was installed)
Engine kit is a mountain tek (MtnTk)with new cylinders at the start of last season. Custom clutching in primary and secondary
SIP twin pipes
power commander 5 with auto tuner and air/fuel gauge
V force 3 reeds
Timbersled intake
10' rocks adjustable riser with custom flex bar and flex mount bar
underseat and tunnel bag with shovel.
Custom airbrush painted hood
slp vent kits
needs high octane fuel.
$4800 is low price right now...I'm leery of the piston problems, but from what I've read that the MtnTk engine kit effectively fixes the motor issues for the 800 in this year. Any other problems that could arise? Really tempted to pass on a few 08' 600/700's that I found for this big block. Please share your wisdom that my first sled purchase is a wise one.


Thanks to all.

That's an awesome price for that sled and what has been done. The fix kit from MTNTK eliminates the engine problems of the 800 CFI. Period, end of story. Just follow smart warm up procedures like you should any sled and you will have a happy motor and happy riding for a long time.

People need to remember that the price of the Dragons took a big hit with the amazing popularity of the Pro. Over the past 8 years, 4 year old sleds have been around the $5,000 range +/- $1,000. I could see why a Canadian might think it's cheap because sleds are more expensive up the hill but alot of guys are willing to "dump" their Dragons just to get a Pro. Because of this and the SW reputation of the 800 CFI are a big reason for this.

The twin pipes SLP has absolutely rock on the 800 when combined with Carls Cycle head mod and even better with their porting. This set-up is recommended for above 5,000 ft and will outpull 860's with single pipes. Ask F-Bomb.

R44 mentions the ECU, and VR issues. The 600 and 700's run the exact same VR and ECU so buying one of those to advert that issue won't help. Keep a VR in your back pack and if you ever notice an issue (headlight or instrument cluster flickering on-off), shut it down immediately. Add a couple of ground straps from the chassis ground to the motor should also be mandatory for this issue.

The 6's and 7's have a better reputation but it's only because the 800's outnumber them in a huge ratio. Up until last season, I had rebuilt more 700's than 800's and this is because of the Pro and the fact that the 700 is no longer built.

The "bulletproof" reputation on SW is skewed and only exists because for every 600 and 700 out there, there are 10 800's.

I'm asking $5,500 for mine with the same mileage, same fix kit, new monoblock but it has a FTX drop n roll, 153 Powerclaw, fox shocks, avid drivers, holz spindles, etc, no twin pipes though.

 

[jim9006]

X2 with what diamonddave said. (except I'm not sell'n mine).

 

[capnkirk]

So I've researched and researched for my first sled purchase. I have my heart set on a 2008 or 2009 RMK 600/700 because the their reputation for reliability and friendly handling for both newbies and growing riders.....BUT I've come across what seems like a great deal. Please comment about whether or not I should jump on this 2009 800.

Description as follows:
2009 RMK 800
155 track
700 miles (not sure if this is before or after engine kit was installed)
Engine kit is a mountain tek (MtnTk)with new cylinders at the start of last season. Custom clutching in primary and secondary
SIP twin pipes
power commander 5 with auto tuner and air/fuel gauge
V force 3 reeds
Timbersled intake
10' rocks adjustable riser with custom flex bar and flex mount bar
underseat and tunnel bag with shovel.
Custom airbrush painted hood
slp vent kits
needs high octane fuel.
$4800 is low price right now...I'm leery of the piston problems, but from what I've read that the MtnTk engine kit effectively fixes the motor issues for the 800 in this year. Any other problems that could arise? Really tempted to pass on a few 08' 600/700's that I found for this big block. Please share your wisdom that my first sled purchase is a wise one.


Thanks to all.

sounds like a gr8 sled... i would watch out for that 10' riser tho... might be a bit tall...

 

[R44guy]

That's an awesome price for that sled and what has been done. The fix kit from MTNTK eliminates the engine problems of the 800 CFI. Period, end of story. Just follow smart warm up procedures like you should any sled and you will have a happy motor and happy riding for a long time.

People need to remember that the price of the Dragons took a big hit with the amazing popularity of the Pro. Over the past 8 years, 4 year old sleds have been around the $5,000 range +/- $1,000. I could see why a Canadian might think it's cheap because sleds are more expensive up the hill but alot of guys are willing to "dump" their Dragons just to get a Pro. Because of this and the SW reputation of the 800 CFI are a big reason for this.

The twin pipes SLP has absolutely rock on the 800 when combined with Carls Cycle head mod and even better with their porting. This set-up is recommended for above 5,000 ft and will outpull 860's with single pipes. Ask F-Bomb.

R44 mentions the ECU, and VR issues. The 600 and 700's run the exact same VR and ECU so buying one of those to advert that issue won't help. Keep a VR in your back pack and if you ever notice an issue (headlight or instrument cluster flickering on-off), shut it down immediately. Add a couple of ground straps from the chassis ground to the motor should also be mandatory for this issue.

The 6's and 7's have a better reputation but it's only because the 800's outnumber them in a huge ratio. Up until last season, I had rebuilt more 700's than 800's and this is because of the Pro and the fact that the 700 is no longer built.

The "bulletproof" reputation on SW is skewed and only exists because for every 600 and 700 out there, there are 10 800's.

I'm asking $5,500 for mine with the same mileage, same fix kit, new monoblock but it has a FTX drop n roll, 153 Powerclaw, fox shocks, avid drivers, holz spindles, etc, no twin pipes though.

BG, If I was you I would strongly look at and consider DD's 800 which may be a little more money but with several other options and I know DD has taken better care of his machine besides he has been proactive with his machine and he knows his Stuff. Honestly when it comes to taking care of his sled and if you follow his posts he is extremely detail oriented and in a good way down right anal about his stuff. Hats off to Diamond Dave and thanks for all the good posts.