Sorry if this is in the wrong section but wanted to asked the people that ride off trail. I'm looking into getting a newer sled and was going to get an 800 since I have an 05 ptek gade now. But I was reading nov. snowest with the tips to being a better rider (I'm still a newb so I wont be offended if you laugh at me, only been riding for 3 yrs). Tip 13 starts talking about maybe the sled being to big for you and it got me thinking. I feel more comfortable and in control riding my wifes 03 600 compared to my gade, sometimes alittle hesitant with the throttle (again understand the laughing) and feeling overpowered by the sled. Now if I buy a 600 I'm sure it will be fine here in the midwest but we are considering moving west in the next 5 years, will I regret it? Should I just get the 800 and try growing into it? Do the 600's get around ok say in wyo or colo. Just looking for some experiences/suggestions from the western guys. Thanks
sled size ?
- Thread starter 92 coupe
- Start date
You're never going to regret having more power, so if you can afford it I say buy an 800.
You can boondock through meadows and whatnot just fine on a 600, you just have to learn to carry your momentum, etc ... But, like I said, you're never going to be unhappy with more power and the current crop of 800s dont weigh significantly more than the 600s do.
As far as track size goes, its honestly a toss up. Generally speaking, you want the smallest track you can get away with for your riding style. You can still boondock with a 600 144", but if it gets deep you're gonna wish you had. a 155" or something ...
But, on the flipside, come spring, I'd rather have a 144" than anything else
As far as the longest tracks go, ie the 162/3's ... They are more forgiving at lower speeds as far as not getting stuck, but you do give up a little bit of manueverability with them. IMO, it isn't much, but there is a tit-for-tat on that ...
Seems to me in the last 3-4 years the best all-around combination for mountain riding has gravitated towards the 800cc 153/4/5 tracks ...
I ride an 04' RMK 800 159", and it gets me around very easily in CO, lots of power and I can manuever it around faily well (though I am 6' 4" and in decent shape). My buddy rides an 03' RMK 600 144", and he gets around pretty well too. For the really deep days or long fresh climbs I usually have to put in a track for him to make it, but more mellow climbs, somewhat packed hills, or flat areas his sled works great and is noticably easier to make super tight turns with. My buddy is a little smaller than I am, 5' 8" and not as fit, and he struggles on my sled, but he also isn't very aggressive with it (lack of confidence on the bigger sled maybe?).
We're both happy with our sleds, but there hasn't been a single day where I regret the bigger sled (I used to ride a 90' Indy 500 136").
Both sleds are the same chassis (all stock shocks, same skis), neither have the sway bar in them, so its a legitimate comparison.
I would imagine a newer 800 chassis with a 155" x 2.5" would whoop my sled in handling, be on par with power (my motor is not stock), and go more places. If you can afford that sort of sled...
We're both happy with our sleds, but there hasn't been a single day where I regret the bigger sled (I used to ride a 90' Indy 500 136").
Both sleds are the same chassis (all stock shocks, same skis), neither have the sway bar in them, so its a legitimate comparison.
I would imagine a newer 800 chassis with a 155" x 2.5" would whoop my sled in handling, be on par with power (my motor is not stock), and go more places. If you can afford that sort of sled...
H
HOTRODREDNECK
Well-known member
buy all the sled you can afford, or you will be wishing you did halfway through the season
I say go with the 800 if you can afford it also. Last year when we were in the Bighorns I busted the crank on my 04 800 RMK, so I had to rent and all they had were 600 RMK's available. It really sucks going from and 800 to a 600, there were lots of hills I couldn't climb without poaching tracks. You will grow into the power.
track/engine
go 800 and go longer track (162) IMO. learn how to manuever the longer track (is a little harder than shorter) but i think opens up more riding as will be getting around the deeper stuff better. that's my 2 cents
go 800 and go longer track (162) IMO. learn how to manuever the longer track (is a little harder than shorter) but i think opens up more riding as will be getting around the deeper stuff better. that's my 2 cents
if your jumping or riding spring-like conditions then go mid-sized track or smaller, but for boondocking and deeper snow go 800 and big track. It makes riding so much easier and still pick out your spots to have fun. i'm 5'7" 150lbs and with gear maybe 170lbs, but i have 20+ years experiance and ride a 09' skidoo summit 163" X. my buddies and i have been going bigger and bigger with tracks from 144"-151", and now the 159"-163" are the cadillacs of the hills.
Thanks for the replies guys. Guess I never even got to the point of track length yet. I was worried about the 800 to 600 comparisons. Having had an 800 was worried about going to a 6 and regretting down the road. Prolly just stick with the 8 and try to grow into it. Thanks again.
