WHAT SLED?

[cole_151]

Buying either a 2012 pro rmk 800 155 or Rmk assault back country 155 leaning towards the assault the only thing is the pro rmk rates higher on just about everything in the buyers guide but it says the assault does bumps better wtf is that about GIVE ME SOME FEED BACK thanks!!

 

[AndrettiDog]

This question gets asked a lot. My response is that if you are not sure you should probably go with the RMK. The Assault has stiffer shocks, wider stance and in some cases a seriously stiffer competition track. It doesn't sound like you have a lot of sledding experience, so I'd stick with the Pro RMK. It will likely do a lot more than what you are used to. Good luck, both are great.

 

[jdw1]

I see your from MN, if you want to ride it back home i would consider a Assault Switchback and get a 144 x 2 track for going out west, and then again maybe you don't!
More info on your riding style and places you ride.
m2cw

 

[cole_151]

Im gonna ride some logging trails i like to getting into deep ditches and find any powder i can im gonna start going out to the horns and dont want to be the small guy starting out i want the sled that is gonna high mark really well and get around good out there

 

[cole_151]

the last sled i had was 1999 xc 700 i put a 136 1 3/4 track on so i know either of them are gonna be way different i havent rode a sled at all in the last 4 years and next week im buying one of those to sleds so just kinda curious if there is any down sides to them thanks

 

[tek9tim]

I think you're trying to talk yourself into more track than you need. Also, I had to spend last winter in northern lower michigan with a 154 track, and it was plain silly riding that sled out there. Although, on the one day when we got a 2 foot dump, it was nice being the only one out riding since the 121 tracks couldn't get out of the parking lot. Most of the time it wasn't too good to ride on the trails. To own a sled to be ideal for a minority of your season is not really the best idea.

 

[jdw1]

Im gonna ride some logging trails i like to getting into deep ditches and find any powder i can im gonna start going out to the horns and dont want to be the small guy starting out i want the sled that is gonna high mark really well and get around good out there

Well the other reason i asked is that the PRO RMK and the ASSAULT RMK don't have a front close off cooler and if you try to ride it here in Mn you will have to watch the temp real close, you will also have to run in lose snow all the time to keep your temps in check, just wanted you to know all of this, thats why i mentioned the Assault Switchback 144, they have the front close off cooler and wont have this heating issue.
Just to give you an idea of the heating issue, last week we got about 6" of snow south of the citys, i have a new pro rmk, i took it out just to get some engine time on it, out in our bean fields and at 20 mph it took a while for it to cool down after it got up to about 160 degrees!
fyi

 

[06IQRMK]

Coolers

Hey,
Just going to throw my opinion out there... First of all last post says the assault and the pro RMK dont have the front close off cooler... Which is not true. The PRO does not, but im 99% sure that the ASSAULT Rmk DOES. Either way worth checking into. I would say if your stuck on a Long track the Assault would be the way to go if your planning on riding at home at all. I am from Iowa. Couple years ago was riding Assault RMK's with the 2.25" tracks... When the new switchback assaults came out i bought one with the 2" paddle track on it. I can say from personal experience these sleds rock. I would think it would be perfect for you. I make 2-3 trips out west (big horns, snowys...) a year and theres not a terrible lot that a 155 pro RMK can do that I couldnt. Then again, we come back home and do some ditch banging and i was right at home there too. You get the same walker shocks that the assault RMKs come with and the added cooling for the traikls. If i was going to be doing at least 50% of my riding out west, i wouldve bought a Assault RMK myself. Just dont think it would be as good of an all around sled as the switchback Assault is.
My moneys on the SB Assault. But thats just my 2 cents. Long term you have to think about that competition track on that assault also. They tend to tear lugs off and throw them at people. Coming from riding 2 Assault RMK's (09' and 10') I know from experience...

 

[cole_151]

Guys i like the feedback does anyone have any tips or aftermarket parts to keep this back country assault cool on trail rides? cause it looks to be the one im getting.

 

[Way2Fast]

Always ride with the scatchers down and keep an eye on the temp. On the trails it can overheat in no time. Some people are also putting solid mud flaps back on to help with the heat.

 

[F-Bomb]

People do not buy a 144 thinking that you'll get superior performance because it's a short track v the 155. You don't get the new suspension with the 144 and you're riding 10 year old technology that is so far inferior to the new skid that you might as well have bought an old used IQ RAW chassis and saved the money. You can rail a properly setup of 155 all day long on a trail. Scratchers down and haul a$$! If it is anything but sheet ice you'll do fine. Guys who have cooling issues are puttering around in the trees on hard pack. You get that thing plus 7500 rpm with any wetting capacity on a snow covered trail and cooling is not an issue.

Buy a PRO trim the track to 2.1. Simple and superior each and every day from trail to pow pow irregardless of where you ride. Or buy an Assault and spend the time and money to get the comp track off and put on a trimmed 5.1...that way you get the superior shocks and a bit more cooling capacity (which has already been discussed). Either way you don't want the coil spring suspension (old school) and you don't want the comp track (unless you race hillcross or hillclimb out west which you don't). The rest is a toss up that you probably would never be able to tell the difference on.