Thoroughly satisfied with my purchase

[Jaynelson]

Been lucky to rack up some great miles (by my standards) over the last couple months; getting out on some nice deep pow days for both screw around rides and technical rides. I've doubled my girlfriend quite a few times, packed camping gear, etc, etc. I also see quite a few threads popping up from people considering the pros/cons of this sled; possibly considering snowchecking for next year or whatnot. That got me thinking, we always hear the crabbing about what broke and what could be better on theses forums and often miss the "my sled runs just fine" topics....

This is my 6th season riding, and the first ever aboard a new sled. Was very apprehensive about shelling the cash for a brand new machine, but justified it to myself with both the warranty coverage and the exciting new chassis. With the bank-account sting long forgotten, and the season rolling on, I enjoy the sled more and more everytime I ride it. It might sound corny, but I can't believe now that I second-guessed buying this thing. Straight up, it has made me a better and more confident rider, and I can do things on it that I couldn't before. Beyond that, it is a FUN machine to ride....I have no ambitions of going on the pro-tour (no pun intended) anytime soon, so fun is basically at the top of my list. When quizzing someone on a purchase, I think one of the most important questions is "would you buy it again?" I definetly would....wouldn't even have to think about it actually. Hell, if I had the money, I'd buy 2! I'm not a diehard Polaris fan, and we have excellent dealers for the big 3 brands all within 15 minutes of my door.

So far, my sled has been trouble-free and all I have done to it is added 2-cool side vents, and the pol bags for the bars and under the seat. Outside of that....quick polished the tunnel, keep the clutches/belt clean and that's it. I'm 6'2" and the bars, seat, tunnel, etc all fit me very well in stock form. I love that the steering turns so much further than its competitors (particularily XP) and has a much more "lighter on its feet" feeling. If you could never figure out counter steering and big sidehills on other sleds.....this thing will basically teach you. Track works great for our snow conditions, stock clutching is just fine. The motor gains and loses rpm faster than any sled motor I have experience with. This sled hates getting stuck even more than I do....it's crazy the situations it will chew its way out off. It'll hang the skis a foot about the snow going 2 mph and just keep clawing....strangest thing ever (in a good way). I had a chance to ride my old sled (07 rev 159) that I had dialed in pretty well a couple times....and I can't believe how much less effort it takes to do the same things on the Pro.

That said, it is a mountain sled. It rolls a lot in hard cornering on the trail. You need the scratchers down pretty quick in marginal snow conditions. Not a problem for me, but those who refuse to use them will have problems I think. I think the 163 slightly exacerbates these items over the 55. The controls being located off the bars is awesome for me....but not for some. I don't miss breaking off my high-beam switch evey year AT ALL...haha. Digital temp guage is cool....haven't really used any other display functions beside RPM to tell the truth. Again, it is a true mountain sled IMO....which is exactly what I was hoping for. You can mod/monkey it up as with anything, but if you want to just get out and have a helluva time.....just gas it up and away you go.

Just thought that might help some guys who are on the fence. Not intended to be some fist-pumping gayness.....just one man's experience. I honestly have barely any pictures from this seasone because I can't stop long enough to take them haha

 

[08TNT]

Thanks for the post. Was gunna snowcheck a 2012 but with recent medical bills gunna be looking for a 2011 or a 2012 next fall. Really appreciate the feed back.

 

[j-s]

So it look like you have the assault not the pro, did you keep the assault standard track or the pro track? Since your in Nelson you guys have lots of powder over there if you say the assault track is good there I wont even concider changing for the pro track for what we have here in Qc

 

[Jaynelson]

Mine is an RMK with the 163....I wouldn't be interested in the stiffer assault track here whatsoever. I'm sure it would be "ok," but not the way I'd go.

 

[Skeld]

So it look like you have the assault not the pro, did you keep the assault standard track or the pro track? Since your in Nelson you guys have lots of powder over there if you say the assault track is good there I wont even concider changing for the pro track for what we have here in Qc

I'm from Maine and I ride up near the QC border. I just snowchecked a 2012 RMK Assault yesterday and I'm still sweating bullets over the track choice. I told him to get me the 2.125 Comp Track but I don't know if it's the right choice at all...worried I'm just going to dig a big hole and have the most feeble 155" sled ever.

 

[Tree Boss]

I also want to chime in here about how much I have loved my Pro. Coming off of Doo's since my first sled in 04 I can't type enough words on this forum expressing how much this sled has made me a better rider. I have had countless comments from everyone I ride with telling me how much better I am on this sled then I was on my rev's or XP. My confindence in this sled is off the charts. I can put this sled in any situation and have 100% control of it at all time. It is an extension of my body and does everything I ask it to.

I have loved this sled so much I am snow checking another sled and will sell this one in the summer after I put it away which will hopefully be after July 4th. Polaris did there homework on this sled and made us a mountain built sled that will leave you less tired at the end of the day and also make you feel like you have accomplished more in your riding skills because you have.

With over 1200 miles on it so far the only issue was the spider broke off the primary and left the sled in gear so we limped back (on it's own power) to the truck and trailer. This was around 100 miles and that is the only problems I have had with this sled. Put gas in it, check the oil and go ride

Good job Polaris!!!!

 

[Jaynelson]

Skeld,

For what it's worth, my 07 Rev came with the stiff Camo "Challenger Lite" track and I rode with that track for 2 years. It was a trencher in the deep stuff, but it hooked up like crazy on harder stuff. No one could touch it in the spring or on the road and I just dealt with in the deep stuff. Still went everywhere I needed to go, but definetely room for improvement. IF I lived somewhere where the majority of the year had harder snow, I would go stiff track. Out here, it's better to go with the softer track for the powder, and deal with the spinning in the spring. That might be the opposite tho....depending where you're from.

 

[AndrettiDog]

Good post, I feel the same way about my Pro. I don't want a new sled I wouldn't give mine up for anything out there. People talk about how "underpowered" this sled is and I just laugh. I've climbed hills where other sleds that supposedly have a ton more power didn't go.

I still say that if there wasn't a Polaris sticker on the side, more people would buy them.

 

[Skeld]

Skeld,

For what it's worth, my 07 Rev came with the stiff Camo "Challenger Lite" track and I rode with that track for 2 years. It was a trencher in the deep stuff, but it hooked up like crazy on harder stuff. No one could touch it in the spring or on the road and I just dealt with in the deep stuff. Still went everywhere I needed to go, but definetely room for improvement. IF I lived somewhere where the majority of the year had harder snow, I would go stiff track. Out here, it's better to go with the softer track for the powder, and deal with the spinning in the spring. That might be the opposite tho....depending where you're from.

If you were going everywhere you need to go out in BC I should be ok. I suspect even our powder here is wetter than what you are calling powder due to the low altitude. I could be wrong...but our altitude here is only 200 to 1200 feet or so.

 

[Calvin42]

Thanks for the post. I have owned all the big four at one time or another, but have been on Yami's and Doo's ever since 2001. Have snowchecked a new sled every year. However, with my current location I was limited a bit as to a local dealer. Polaris is 5 minutes from the house and the other three two and half hours away. Have done a lot of research over the past year and had it narrowed down to Cat or Poo. When it came down to it, it was who offered the best deal. Poo won. Having a local dealer that knows sleds was also a HUGE bonus. In the end, it's positive posts like this one that helped me with my decision. Am really looking forward to next season and putting this new Pro through it's paces. Thanks again for your honest unbiased opinion. Need more of those.

 

[aebsledder]

I do agree with you, my pro has definitely made me a much better rider. Mine was not as trouble free as yours, but I made it through the season OK. I can't get over how phenomenal this sled handles. TreeBoss hit the nail on the head when he said his sled inspires confidence. I couldn't agree more. I find myself getting into and out of situations I wouldn't attempt on another snowmobile. Makes me look like a way better rider than I am. Put almost a thousand miles on this year, and felt like I got better by 5 thousand miles. I honestly believe if you could install a true zero lag turbo in these sleds and keep the handling the same you would have the ultimate mountain snowmobile. I need to win the lottery.

 

[Jaynelson]

I can't get over how phenomenal this sled handles. TreeBoss hit the nail on the head when he said his sled inspires confidence.

For sure....and I believe one of the biggest contributors to that, is that you can hit ruts/trenches/old tracks in the middle of a sidehill and still hold your line. The always thought I could sidehill my Rev pretty dang good, however, I would always cringe when I saw an old track coming....wait for the big bump and see if you're going to get shot up or down the hill. This thing just keeps going, no drama whatsover.

 

[M8Chris]

I also want to chime in here about how much I have loved my Pro. Coming off of Doo's since my first sled in 04 I can't type enough words on this forum expressing how much this sled has made me a better rider. I have had countless comments from everyone I ride with telling me how much better I am on this sled then I was on my rev's or XP. My confindence in this sled is off the charts. I can put this sled in any situation and have 100% control of it at all time. It is an extension of my body and does everything I ask it to.

I have loved this sled so much I am snow checking another sled and will sell this one in the summer after I put it away which will hopefully be after July 4th. Polaris did there homework on this sled and made us a mountain built sled that will leave you less tired at the end of the day and also make you feel like you have accomplished more in your riding skills because you have.

With over 1200 miles on it so far the only issue was the spider broke off the primary and left the sled in gear so we limped back (on it's own power) to the truck and trailer. This was around 100 miles and that is the only problems I have had with this sled. Put gas in it, check the oil and go ride

Good job Polaris!!!!

It's true.. now instead of being scared to get off trail. he thinks about it and likes it when its not too steep and deep or too many trees. then he gets a little scared...haha

Drew you have turned into a better rider going from the xp to pro. Its a great sled. I think next year I'll be better when I have mine. I lvoe that sled. I can't wait to get one!

 

[icerider600]

I just wanted to say thanks for this post also I was a die hard Skidoo fan until I seen the new RMK, my last 7 sleds have all been Doo's and I still like my XP but after talking to many people and seeing posts like this one and now a Dealer in my home town just took over Poo and not 35 miles away fro my Doo, I went and snowchecked my 155 this week! I am so pumped I cant wait to get it into my garage and make some vents and risers and a couple other things. Also you guys talking about the sidehilling and seeing a old track coming I cant wait to float right by it and not get nervous or bounced all over the place. Thanks again for all the posts it makes me Very happy that I made a good choice!!

 

[j-s]

I have to say thanks too. I was going to get a summit at first and then I took a look at the RMK and was now hesitating on which one to choose but post like that comfirm that I'm snowchecking an assault this morning

 

[black swan]

honest review, thanks. After riding nothing but cats for the last 8 years, and owning 7 from the 1m to f7 to m8's and 1000s.
And no demo for us here in colo, i took my money elsewhere.
Just sayin, the last demo ride i went on in 08, I ended up snowchecking 2 weeks later.


1st ride on my new assault will be today!

 

[Jaynelson]

Found a few more pics,

You can make snowboard tracks with this thing all day!

My GF givin it a try,

Back at one of the Nelson homesteads,

 

[MGM]

Chalk another satisfied customer up for this Sled. I came off a well running M7 which I loved and was scared to death about snow checking a brand let alone a chassis I'd never ridden.

Since the first ride I haven't been able to get the grin off my face, every time we go out I'm amazed and what and how easy this sled performs. I've gone places I wouldn't have dared take my M. It seems to get better every time I take it out and can't be happier with my purchase.

Anybody on the fence about one of these needs to stop worrying and pull the trigger!

 

[live to ride]

I'm from Maine and I ride up near the QC border. I just snowchecked a 2012 RMK Assault yesterday and I'm still sweating bullets over the track choice. I told him to get me the 2.125 Comp Track but I don't know if it's the right choice at all...worried I'm just going to dig a big hole and have the most feeble 155" sled ever.

i'am in eastern canada,much the same conditions as you, i have had my 2011 assault in 4 - 6 feet of bottomless powder, hard packed, ice and everything else, i love tis track it hooks up great, now anyone riding behind me doesn't like it very much , they say it's like being in a snowball fight 916 miles to date...man i love this sled!

 

[icerider600]

Hey Jay just wanted to let you know I showed this post to my buddies that were on the fence about snowchecking a POO or Doo. They havent decided yet, were going to look at one of my other buddies new Pro but after your post I think they will be riding a new Pro like me next year also Thanks again for a great post!!