What do the ladies think 600 vs 800?

[Jaynelson]

Money permiting, we're going to buy a 2nd sled next season for my GF. She is on the small side....5'2" maybe 120lbs. Most of the time she rides 800's because, frankly, that's what everyone has laying around....BUT they are a bit big for her to lean over and also a little hard for her to pull start. She has a good grasp on riding theory, but has never been on a sled set up for her and not a larger human...lol

At first I was thinking a 600 class would be perfect....less money, generally less breakdowns, lighter, and easier to start and manuveur (???). But the more I think about it, riding a smaller sled might lead to getting her stuck more often, which kinda wrecks the party. Also, I would likely lend out the sled to my male friends on occasion, in which case the 800 would be the hot ticket.

Given that the track would have to be 146" - 155" , do you girls find the 600's noticeably easier to live with than a comparable 800? Or the other way around? If you have one, would you buy it again or go bigger (or smaller) next time? As for brands, she'll have to try a couple out and see what fits good....but just want to get started on the right track!

I have a hard time relating at 6'2" 210, maybe someone her size riding a 600 has as much power as me on an 800 LOL. Your opinion is much appreciated!


Jason

 

[skidoochic]

This is a great post and perfect timing for me! I too am looking at getting a new (or newer sled), and I've been debating whether I want to wrangle an 800 or go with the smaller, lighter 600 (right now I have a 440 mod skidoo mxz). We went over to the local sled shop and they only had one 600 in stock and we couldn't test drive, so I'm very interested in the girls opinions! (I'm 5'6" and 160, so a bit of a difference from your girlfriend, but still in the same boat).

 

[klr]

i just got a 09 600 ski doo summit with a 146, and love it. i can keep up with the boys.

 

[MORSNO]

Jason, Most believe "bigger is better" but not always so with sleds. A 600 has less centrifugal forces and is easier to throw around than a bigger engine. She will get stuck less if it is easier to ride, and the HP to weight ratio is nothing if she is only 120 lbs. My wife loves her 600!

 

[Marmot]

Well I'm going to say bigger is better lol. I'm not much bigger than your gf and ride an m1000. Ok so I'm not saying a 1000 is what she needs I'm just saying it all depends on her desire to be there, not how big or little she is. If she is already on an 8, already has the basics down and with a sled set up handlebars ect and she is aggressive she will most certainly out grow a 600 in no time. Don't overlook the 7's those are also very killer machines. Its all dependent on how aggressive she is IMO. Track length... stick to the 150's long enough for some forgiveness but short enough it doesn't feel like a boat.

 

[whitegold46]

I TOTALLY agree with Marmot!! I ride 800s and love them. Unless your gf is going to ride trails, she will outgrow the smaller 600's in a hurry. Is she going mountain riding with the guys? If so, then she has to ride what the guys ride in order to keep up....which is generally a 700/800.I wouldn't rule out the 700 as they can be more reliable sometimes then the 800. The extra power will come in awfully handy in a pinch, she will just learn how to control it.... which she may already know if she has been riding an 800. I would also stick to the 150 plus inch tracks for the same reasons.... best of luck with this!

 

[Puddy Tat]

I don’t know about that I think that a 700 is just about The most perfect sled for most women....
I ride an M-800 141 with a power claw and I Just love mine. Best sled I have ever owned, I wouldn’t think of going back to a 600 or 700 Just didn’t have a enough power for me.
but when I was learning many years ago we didn’t have these kinds of sleds that you guys have now. Man what a difference they make. buy her a 700 something she won’t out grow so fast... she’ll be happier and so will you… Just one women’s point of view…….

 

[live2ride]

I also don't believe bigger is better, although I ride a XP 800 154" and 5'2" 115 lbs. BUT I have rode for 32 years.....SO with that said, I believe start smaller to learn skills needed for those future times on a bigger sled. More power in my personal experience has got people injured or in spots they should not be as they don't know what to do once they get there. For example, on a Phazer many years ago, I had to zig zag to reach the top of the hills, this last weekend there was so much snow, that is what I had to do to get to the top. I had to learn when to turn out, when and where to stop in the powder. Most people will disagree with me, but like I said this is just my personal opinion......the 600's are much easier to throw around, you can get the engine mod kits to give it more power if she needs it.

 

[whitegold46]

I think you missunderstood me... I'm not saying the 8's are a better choice then the 7's or 6's.... it depends on the application. I have ridden with couples when the guy has an 8 and the wife rides a 6... and she struggles to get that 6 where the 8's are going. By the end of the day, he is riding the 6 and her the 8. Sometimes I think you have to be a better rider if you ride the smaller sled as it is less forgiving. You can be climbing a hill with an 8 and let off the throttle to get past an obstacle and then get back into it and have the power and the track to carry on.... but if you try that with a 6 you will be stuck or simply not make the hill. There is not that much weight difference in the 2 sleds either, if you can manover a 6 then you will probably do fine with the 8. I know where I ride a 6 simply doesn't have the power to get up the hills, so then you have to side hill a large part of it just to get to the top... thus back to having to be a better rider then just a straight pull. It all depends on where you want to go.....

 

[CoyoteGirl]

There is NO one perfect sled for all women. We never say that about men, why would we about women? lol

We had Poo 600, 700 & 800s together this weekend.

800 goes right over a hill, prolly 3/4 throttle. 700 goes straight, but full throttle. 600 has to wiggle it's way there, side to side and full throttle the whole time. Now, looking at this particular time, it would have been better to have the less experienced (doesn't know how to sidehill) on the most capable sled so she can just go up and over. However, starting out on a 600 and having to adapt and work your way there should make you a better rider. It, for one, will force you to use all of your throttle.

Another way to look at it - if you have an aggressive minded person they might love being full throttle all the time on a 600. If you might need more forgiveness, a larger torgue range is sure nice. The other flip side is if you are aggressive, starting on a 600 might get boring and you might out grow it quickly.

You can go back and forth with positive arguements for each sled... lol But, please don't base it soley upon the NUMBER 600,700,800 and thinking that there is a huge weight difference. For example.

2010 Polaris 600 RMK 155 - 484#
2010 Polaris 700 RMK 155 - 486#
2010 Polaris 800 RMK 155 - 487#

IMO if you take the time you can make an 800 as nimble as a 600 if you want to.

I didn't take the time to check out the HP difference between each of above sleds. But in our circumstances (story above) I notice (feel when riding) a big difference between the 600 and 700. Not so much between the 700 & 800.

Not sure if any of this helps you... but gooooooooooooood luck!

 

[Jaynelson]

Thanks for all the different opinions! I doubt she would be a hugely aggressive rider to begin with, we just go out to have fun....she just wants a machine that's capable for powder days and easy to throw around.

Not many 700's out there right now, but I would definetly consider the Polaris 700 as I had very good luck with my last one.

I suppose a better question would be: Given that she likely won't be pulling the big hills right away...for average riding in the mountains, given a beginner skill level and small stature, would a 600 be any easier to woman-handle than an 800? It will have a 146 track if it's a Doo, or a 153-155" in another brand, so with track alone that's already a pretty serious machine compared to a few years ago....

 

[Chief]

I'll reply for Tink (my wife) as she doesn't post much:

She's a size 4, 130 pounds; was riding a '05 Rev 600 and is now on a '08 XP Summit X 800 146.

She'll never want a lower powered sled again. Old enough to know when to grab more throttle she doesn't want to be back to praying she has enough power to get over the hill. Weight difference between a 600 and 800 is less then she puts in the lunch pack.

We men sometimes think the sled with less power won't get them into as much trouble... but we drive the same cars and trucks as them.. or that the less expensive sled for them will be "OK" but buy them diamond rings...

Get the sled with the most power that she's comfortable on; she'll learn when to use the power and when not to... just like you did...

 

[Crash Test Princess]

I vote for the 800.

I'm 5'5" and 140 lbs.

My boyfriend just bought an Arctic Cat 2007 M-8 with a 162 track as "my" sled, and before that I did my first ride on my girl friend's Rev 800. Still a beginner: I had my fourth ride ever two days ago. I had to pin the throttle on the 800 for at least two big hill climbs just to get up to where everyone else was hanging out.

Since I've never driven a smaller sled, I'm not sure what they're like, but it hasn't seemed too bad to get used to throwing my weight around on this sled, and the long track does seem forgiving in terms of getting stuck. I already can't imagine having less power than this, and I'm just getting started.

You don't need height, weight, or big muscles to pin it!! Plus it seems throwing a sled around is much more about timing and throttle control than how big you are.

Momentum and sheer power can get you out of so much trouble!

 

[CatWoman]

A LOT of great advice already given here.

You definitely do wind up having to work harder on a 600 to keep up. I am probably more tired at the end of the day than need be. You do learn some skills will a lower CC machine that you might not otherwise learn. I do think those can be taught on a 7 or 8 though.

One thing to keep in mind, is what type of riding. As said, riding with the boys, and sometimes just the path getting to someplace takes us over some hills with a good pull. Kind of can be scary if you are WOT, and running out of oomph. So unless she's taught to do the other maneuvers (sidehill, turn outs, etc), she can still get into trouble. Either way, there is teaching/learning involved.

All depends on what kind of rider she is, or becomes (that is always to be determined on down the road as one grows). Something I look at now, that I didn't personally think about when I chose my 600, is how soon I'd grow into it, and out of it. It was awesome to learn on, but it's been a couple of years now that I've been wanting more HP, and it just hasn't been in the budget yet for a new sled. Had I known back then, what I know now, I would have definitely went with a bigger HP sled.

Good luck!

 

[Engine Pro 5x]

When the entire family goes on a trip we have 3 females in the bunch. We own an 2008 M/8, 2006 M/6, and a 2000 P/S 700 and rent what we need for the rest of us. The sled of choice for the ladies is the M/6 so we have a sort of a problem on who gets to ride it. From my personal experience put her on the best and smartest equipped sled you have. The 600s will get around good and when you choose a deep lug track it not only helps from getting stuck but it will stop better as the short lug tracks will just slide. Remember put her on the best sled you have and all will go well !!! >>>>.

 

[Jaynelson]

One thing to keep in mind, is what type of riding. As said, riding with the boys, and sometimes just the path getting to someplace takes us over some hills with a good pull. Kind of can be scary if you are WOT, and running out of oomph. So unless she's taught to do the other maneuvers (sidehill, turn outs, etc), she can still get into trouble. Either way, there is teaching/learning involved.

Absolutely, and I agree that it would be cheaper to buy a better model up front, than buy something too small and want to change it right away.

As far as getting over stuff....I think/hope that she gets very comfortable with different riding techniques before we bring her anywhere with long pulls. Anyone can pin it at a hill, it's what you do when you don't quite make it that counts. I see lots of guys that are ho-hum riders highmarking on big sleds get f'd up because they just want to piiiiiiinn it....lol

 

[rockymountainqueen]

I started on a 2002 Polaris 600, then got a 2004 700 and finally ended up with my Assault 800. When I got my 600 I never thought in a million years I would end up wanting a more powerful sled, now even my 800 with improvements isnt enough. I was the ultimate green rider when I got my 600, I didn't grow up riding sleds, my boyfriend (husband now) introduced me to it and I fell in love. I outgrew that 600 after about a season of riding. Got the 700, rode it for a season and a half, then got my 8. I guess what I am trying to say is that if you think this is going to be something she is going to get into, make the initial investment now to get her a newer sled that is super rider responsive, with more power. I would say if you think an 800 is too much, go with a 700. With the resale values on sleds now a days, you might as well get her something thats gonna last her awhile.

 

[bfchiro]

Ok I'm a 145lb rider, and in my opinion my 07 600 RMK 155 with SLP pipe and can, airhorn F-bomb track mod is an awesome sled. I have yet not gone where all my buddies 7 and 8's have gone. It is power vs weight, and 130hp is plenty for me right now.

 

[SixtySevenGT]

Weight and CC's ?

Consider this an 800 cc VES motor weights the same as a 600 cc VES motor.

You go from there ---

Real issues are rider controls, suspension.

My 125 Girlfriend couldn't tip the Sled , I threw the Sway bay away softened up the shocks.

Get em a lefty, Put the handle bars where they are comfortable, show em to ride. soften up the suspension

 

[PowderGirl]

I believe what it really comes down to is how well the sled is set up/tuned, what type of terrain the sled will be ridden on and typical snow conditions it's ridden in. A well tuned Polaris 600 or 700 will eat a Polaris 800, and I dont think AC's or Doo's 800 is really any or much better than Poo's 800. (However, I dont think that AC's 600 or Doo's 600 is quite the 600 that Polaris' is.) A 600 that can run 8200/8300 rpm's will outrun a 800 only running at 8100 rpms. Even in heavy snow conditions, I consistently see well tuned 600 and 660's out perform slightly modded 700's and 800's of all brands. I ride a 07 Dragon 700/155 with some mods (pipe, can, air kit, no sway bar and suspension built/set up for me) and it's a strong running sled and is zippier than our 800 Dragon and any other 800 we've ridden. It doesnt have as much torque but it's more responsive. A well tuned 600 is even more responsive. A responsive throttle makes a sled more agile, a sled with less rotating mass will not tire the rider out as soon as sleds with more rotating mass if a rider is having to throw that sled around a lot like riding in trees and inconsistant terrain demands. (A 600 has less rotating mass than an 800.) Although I like the pull of my 700, I dont like that same pull towards the end of the day and hate it in heavy snow conditions. I cant get my track spinning soon enough to set my self up for a carve or sidehill - the sled just wants to rip out of my arms before I can get it on edge. Part of that has to do with the long track too. Longer tracks are much harder to handle in technical terrain in set up or heavier snow conditions - especially for someone light who could get away with riding a 144 in deep powder.

For the stuff we usually ride here in McCall (lots of tight trees and typically in deep soft snow) the 700 works well and the 155 is pretty ideal! When the terrain opens up and the hills become long pulls up mountainsides - more motor would certainly be nice but if all we're doing all day is riding the tight stuff (which is what we usually do) - I find the 700 is a little much, I'd rather be on a modded/finely tuned 600 or 660 - something without the torque that has more throttle response.... something that winds up faster without pulling on me as hard in otherwords. I can practically slide my 155 around in the soft fluffy stuff and carve it pretty tight but it takes a lot longer to do in the heavier stuff so I'm torn on track size. Track spin is a key component to a sleds agility and when I cant wind the track up right away, it takes me for ride! I don't have the weight to over power it's directional tendancies like the guys I ride with do who are 175% to 200% heavier than me. A 144 would make my sled easier to handle if I were a more confident, aggressive rider. However, maybe the 144 would make me more confident and allow me to be more aggressive b/c I'm not fighting the power or the ski pressure or the extra track that needs to be dug into the snow in order to pull off maneuvers?

Food for thought: I'm 125lb - my sled weighs nearly 4 times what I do, my husbands sled isn't even twice his weight. Last month, he and I took our two girls out boondocking. Yes, actual tree riding in some of the sweetest powder conditions we have had all season! Carving around with my 90lb daughter on board made me realize how much easier heavier people have when it comes to weighting their sleds. I barely had to put any effort into carving - just a little "influence" on the carve side of the sled and we were on edge! Power of my 700 was more manageable too - I could actually really rap the sled out and use it to it's potential! In other words, it's not real helpful to only use half your sleds power - you don't get as good of handleing results. Listen to any pro rider (like Burant) and hear how his sled is just wrapped out when he's in the trees - that fast spinning track makes it easier to slice through even the heavier snow conditions he's shown riding in and pulling off some sick moves!

Most important - what ever she gets, it should be set up right and tuned right - that makes the biggest difference!!!!

Again, a 600 will be less tiring to ride once a rider learns to carry momentum and rides a little more aggressively (or confidently maybe the best term). Even my 260 lb husband would rather be on a well tuned 660 over his or any modded and well tuned 800. A 700 would work too as both the 600 and 700 seem to produce the most reliable mods. Neither of us are sold on a 800. Had to ride it breifly last time we went out and I couldnt wait to give the thing back. The tourque is fun but it does not come on like a smaller motor does, thus less agile, not as fun to ride for especially a light weight like me.

I'm waiting for Polaris to come out with a Pro RMK with a 600 motor - I hope they offer it in a 144 although I'm torn - the 155 is great when it's fluffy and deep.