Tips from all that own PROS

[koben]

Currently riding an 08 XP and still stoked on it, but it might be time to upgrade to a PRO...

I haven't done my homework yet on what problems there are too look out for, but for any of you that want to through some advice out to give me a head start it would be greatly appreciated.

For example:

Competition Track: Read it trenches and burns through Hyfaxs, (True??)
Footwell: Read snow gets in and burns belts pretty easy. (True??)

Thanks in advance guys

 

[dyllaboy]

Currently riding an 08 XP and still stoked on it, but it might be time to upgrade to a PRO...

I haven't done my homework yet on what problems there are too look out for, but for any of you that want to through some advice out to give me a head start it would be greatly appreciated.

For example:

Competition Track: Read it trenches and burns through Hyfaxs, (True??)
Footwell: Read snow gets in and burns belts pretty easy. (True??)

Thanks in advance guys

Overall a good sled. It does have some things to look for though/change. I know that the belt will slip without the foot well vents. I have the ones by Mike Taylor on mine. It is also beneficial to look at upgrading the bumpers but mine have been strong so far so I have yet to upgrade them. It would also be a good idea to check compression before you buy a used sled to make sure the pistons and rings are good. The rear shocks seem a little soft if you ride aggressively so an revalve would be nice to have from someone that knows shocks to keep the cost down. But if you are having Carl's Cycle revalved them you might be better off selling your stock ones and buying an aftermarket shock since it'll be around $600-700 by the time you ship them and everything. There are numerous deals on used aftermarket shocks on SW. It would also be a good idea to have a dealer check the tps and oil pump ratio to make sure it is not running lean. I can't speak for the comp. track, but in the right snow I've heard people love it. Overall a good sled though.

 

[TGitt]

Competition track does trench like a sob. However that track is only on the assaults. The Pro has a series 5.1 powder track on it that floats very well in my opinion. You can find some 2012 assaults with the 5.1 track instead of the competition because you could snow check it that way.

As for snow getting in and burning belts, I have yet to have that problem, but I have heard of a FEW cases of that happening.

Are you looking at a new or used one? The difference between an 08 XP and the pro is night and day, but it'll be the best decision you've ever made.

 

[himarker]

Mine sure feels light and sidehills like a sumbeach...on the concrete in the shop that is...

seriously: I have spent a fair amount of time on a 08 xp and never really was comfortable on the chassis(just my opinion). Rode a 08 D8 for the last 3 seasons. Spent some time on my buddies PRO and honestly felt right at home on the pro. It just felt right. I could make it do what i wanted with a lot less effort. He has around 1200 on his '11 and hasnt had ANY troubles at all. Cant advise on the comp track, but the 5.1 works well. Havent heard a lot about the belt/footwell issue. Have to wait for someone else to chine in on that one. I am on a 13 PRO 163 for this year and looking forward to this season probably more than any in the past.....

himarker

 

[koben]

Competition track does trench like a sob. However that track is only on the assaults. The Pro has a series 5.1 powder track on it that floats very well in my opinion. You can find some 2012 assaults with the 5.1 track instead of the competition because you could snow check it that way.

As for snow getting in and burning belts, I have yet to have that problem, but I have heard of a FEW cases of that happening.

Are you looking at a new or used one? The difference between an 08 XP and the pro is night and day, but it'll be the best decision you've ever made.

As of right now, I'm still debating. I found a NEW 2012 Assault with the competition track for $9,999. Pretty good deal I thought.

Thanks for the tips.

 

[joshua335]

I came off an 08 XP last year to a 12 Pro RMK. As mentioned it does everything better, it sidehills way better and it doesn't feel like you're constantly fighting it. No regrets whatsoever!

 

[mud99]

Not too many problems to worry about. Motors seem to be holding together quite well, clutches only really need venting if you are an aggressive rider. The 5.1 track is awesome, the chassis is set up great, their really isn't much to be improved on.

2011 & 2012 were both solid reliable sleds, and the 2013 has a new belt drive, new seat, new running boards, which should be fantastic from what the reviewers have said.

They have quirks just like other sleds - they tend to not use much oil from the factory according to some people here, so many turn up the oiler to increase the oil rate.

They cool down really fast when you get trenched or stop, so you should pay attention to your temperature gauge, it is not unusual to take a 5 minute break and find that the engine has dropped 50 degrees!

The clutches seem to only heat up badly for people who stay pinned wide open for long periods of time, I have not needed venting for normal medium-pace mountain riding.

 

[AKSNOWRIDER]

bone stock they work pretty good, as said turn the oiler up to burn 1 qt per 10 gal of gas, and add 1 pint to every 10 gal of gas..clutching..slp blue/pink spring with a heel heavy weight(I run slp mtx weights) helps..a helix can but watch for excess clutch heat, for deep snow try to keep the skid springs as soft as you can(especially the frt track shock), avoid carring stuff on the tunnel if you jump or bottom the suspension all the time...other wise..ride it(try it stock first...the sled is damn good as it is delievered ) if you ride extremely hard..might want to brace up the tunnel..(they can kink the tunnel in the rear and up frt between the frt skid bolts and the chaincase(I do make brace kits as do others ....)

 

[AndrettiDog]

As of right now, I'm still debating. I found a NEW 2012 Assault with the competition track for $9,999. Pretty good deal I thought.

Thanks for the tips.

Make sure you want an Assault. They are not for everyone even though they are still better mtn machines than some others! They are wider, stiffer suspension and in some cases have the comp track. Everyone I know left that track and went to the 5.1, PC or CE track. The competition track is for...competition (hil lclimbing, drag racing). The Pro RMK has a more narrow stance and comes with the 5.1 track which works much better on the Pro than it ever did on the IQ chassis (D7/D8).

The Pro really is a pull and go machine. My major complaint about the stock Pro is that the shocks are too spongy - particularly the rear. Get them re valved or go with Fox, Exit or Raptor for huge upgrades. Those spongy shocks make for a super easy to side hill machine. The XP was a strong sled but the Pro will literally do circles around it on a side hill.

 

[polarisboyc]

My suggestion, atleast buy a 12. More so just cause they run better than the 11's. Buy one and leave it the freak alone. I had an 11 and loved it. Put 800 miles on and didn't have a single issue, than bought a 12, again loved it! not a single issue, sold it with 460 miles on it. I got a 13 sitting in the garage waiting to be ridden! These sleds don't need to be tampered with. Just get on it and go and it'll be the funnest time you've ever had riding a sled!

 

[koben]

Thanks for all the help guys. Great advice.... I'm not extremely savy on the tech mods, but will definitley look into the tips.

 

[Pro-8250]

As of right now, I'm still debating. I found a NEW 2012 Assault with the competition track for $9,999. Pretty good deal I thought.

Thanks for the tips.

In MN a friend of mine bought a new 2012 800 Pro RMK 155" ES, $9100.
Don't waste your money on vents, and we have never had snow getting on to the drive belts, never.
After the proper break in. Gas, oil, pull rope, and pin the throttle. Thumbs up man!

 

[Covelli44]

Came off a 10 XP went to a 12 Pro RMK. When they say "flickable" it is just that. Very easy to maneuver and maintain sidehills. Good luck with your choice. As said above, make sure you want an Assault over an RMK. They are both built well, but built for different purposes.

 

[Old Scud-doo]

Sorry to disagree but BUY THE VENTS for the footwell. I love to lay the sled over and cut donuts. If you do too, snow gets pushed in from the backside. If you never do that, then don't worry about it. I noticed the problem the first time I rode my 11. Actually had to build my own screen since nobody was building anything at that time. My 13 has Mod Rods / Mike Taylor foot well screens/vents.

Turn the oil pump up and run 1 oz per gallon of oil in the tank. Cheap insurance.

 

[seth25]

My suggestion, atleast buy a 12. More so just cause they run better than the 11's. Buy one and leave it the freak alone. I had an 11 and loved it. Put 800 miles on and didn't have a single issue, than bought a 12, again loved it! not a single issue, sold it with 460 miles on it. I got a 13 sitting in the garage waiting to be ridden! These sleds don't need to be tampered with. Just get on it and go and it'll be the funnest time you've ever had riding a sled!

Curious why you say the 12s run better?

 

[joshua335]

Sorry to disagree but BUY THE VENTS for the footwell. I love to lay the sled over and cut donuts. If you do too, snow gets pushed in from the backside. If you never do that, then don't worry about it. I noticed the problem the first time I rode my 11. Actually had to build my own screen since nobody was building anything at that time. My 13 has Mod Rods / Mike Taylor foot well screens/vents.

Turn the oil pump up and run 1 oz per gallon of oil in the tank. Cheap insurance.

I agree footwell vents are a must. Just think if the weight savings your also getting from not kicking a bunch of snow/ice under the hood!

 

[AndrettiDog]

Curious why you say the 12s run better?

I wondered the same thing. There is very little difference.

 

[M8Chris]

I love my assault and the shocks on the assault were very worth the wider front end. I put my front end on the narrowest setting and I've yet to struggle sidehilling. It doesn't take any effort. either way you'll love the pro or assault.

 

[polarisboyc]

I had a 12 last year and to me it just felt stonger on the top compared to my 11. Than me and buddie who has an 11 ran them on the flats and i was pullin away from him. Both were stock except his had a power claw track.

 

[joshua335]

I had a 12 last year and to me it just felt stonger on the top compared to my 11. Than me and buddie who has an 11 ran them on the flats and i was pullin away from him. Both were stock except his had a power claw track.

I've heard a few reports of the 12's running better then the 11's