Why the 800 over the 600?

[rhino$parky]

So for years all i remember people saying was "man I would love just a reliable 120 HP sled that weighed round 400#". Now people have that option with the 600 PRO RMK. Yet all of the masses are running out buying the 800 with well know motor issues then compaining about the issues. (The new gripes about the driveshafts are a legit gripe).

I am as brand loyal as anyone on the planet, but with polaris not able to build a motor over 600 cc since the fuji days, Why would anyone buy a Polaris with the 800 over the 600?

Its only down about 12 hp. The six revs faster. Its lighter. And bullet proof.

But that being said WTF is up with this company who makes its reputation off of the big bore mountain market' yet can't put a larger then 600cc motor in a sled that rocks?

680 ultra?
800 ves?
900 rmk?
700 dragon?
800 CFI?

I for one will not buy a 800 or anything else for years to come. But i will be on a PRO.

 

[meathooker]

went with a 600 pro this year, we'll see how it plays out. so far i went with (2) XM's with 163" and was able to hang just fine. love the sled!

 

[teal_210]

Same reason why some guys feel the need to put huge lifts on their pick-ups...

Over compensating

 

[Leaf27]

And some people that have the 800 have not had the problems that you say the 800 has.

 

[Kooter]

800 for me

hmm...do you supersize your order at the drive thru? Large fries or small? Do you get a 20oz soda when there's a 12 or 16 oz right next to it? Do you buy a big V8 for your truck or do you get the small V8? Do you see where I am going with this?

I truthfully haven't priced a 600 in years, but last time I did, I think there was a $200 difference. If that still holds true, you will be hard pressed to add 12hp for $200. Since I live at around 1900 feet, when I go to the mountains I want every bit of displacement I can get. My 160hp sled becomes 130 at altitude. I guess my personality is the type that wants all the power I can get...reliably! Does that mean buying an 800 polaris??? I guess it did this year....hope I don't have egg on my face by April!

 

[rhino$parky]

The altitude argument has no bearing on the argument. 10,000' had the same efect on a 6 as an 8.
Riding a six that runs is a whole lot better then a 8 that is down with a crank or skirt issue.

 

[tbeaton]

i want more power and i love my lifted truck. not over compensating for anything, just like my sleds with power and my trucks with lift. most people that say its over compensating for something either don't have the money to do it or their wife has their balls in her purse. what normal red blooded american guy wouldn't love a lifted truck?

 

[Leaf27]

The altitude argument has no bearing on the argument. 10,000' had the same efect on a 6 as an 8.
Riding a six that runs is a whole lot better then a 8 that is down with a crank or skirt issue.

Or you could just really play it safe and go with peddle power.

 

[snowking]

buy the 6 and put carl's 900 in.

 

[bholmlate]

If you looked at the total number of sleds that Polaris produces all over the world and compare it to the number of sleds with problems be it a 600 or 800. I would be willing to bet that the total number or problem sleds is quite small. You add to that the people who are not happy unless they are complaining about something in their lives and a public forum that they can use to rant all day long you get a one sided picture.
The people who are not having problems are the last ones to sit down in front of a keyboard. They are too busy out riding to care about anything else

 

[Flying Dutchman]

This year I ordered a 13 ProRMK600 and so far so good. I looked at the 8's but for what I do and where I ride, the 6 is lots of sled. I know the power difference and don't expect it to go like an 8. But I'm good with that.
Compared to my old iron (98 + 03 RMK700), this thing just works awsome. I love it.
The reliabilty did cross my mind, but I know several guys that have had zero issues with their 8's. Price was almost $2000 less.
So FOR ME, it fit the bill perfect.

 

[jakey-boy]

I rode the 600 before I bought my 800. It handled nice, but felt the same as the 800 weight wise. Power was noticeably less and I felt the sled was lacking for the type of things I like to be able to do. The 800 is already severely underpowered compared to the competition I can't imagine having less power. I honestly wouldn't even buy a 600 for my girl to ride. Just don't see the use for a sled with 12 less hp at the same weight and price.

 

[rhino$parky]

I rode the 600 before I bought my 800. It handled nice, but felt the same as the 800 weight wise. Power was noticeably less and I felt the sled was lacking for the type of things I like to be able to do. The 800 is already severely underpowered compared to the competition I can't imagine having less power. I honestly wouldn't even buy a 600 for my girl to ride. Just don't see the use for a sled with 12 less hp at the same weight and price.

Again less weight (not much).
ABout $2000 less

 

[rhino$parky]

I also have a lifted truck. A lift is a must with a Titan. I have been there with the 800 with just a can then a pipe then heads then nos. All I ever did was wrench replace and so on.

 

[snopromod]

I'm with you rhino, I sold my 2012 800 pro and bought a 2013 600 pro put a PAR head on, blue/ pink primary spring and 800 power valve springs in it and after 2 trips to Togwotee in deeeep! Snow and Cooke city, I have not looked back once! Love this sled I have all my buds wishing they would of bought one after riding it.

Riding style is find the drainage or creek bottom that looks impossible to get out of, so yes we put our sleds through hell, oh ya we ride at 10k feet and yet to find need for more power just more skills. It does lack a little torque on bottom end but other then that only thing it lacks is worry of a motor blowing

 

[rhino$parky]

I rode the 600 before I bought my 800. It handled nice, but felt the same as the 800 weight wise. Power was noticeably less and I felt the sled was lacking for the type of things I like to be able to do. The 800 is already severely underpowered compared to the competition I can't imagine having less power. I honestly wouldn't even buy a 600 for my girl to ride. Just don't see the use for a sled with 12 less hp at the same weight and price.

So if Polaris comes out with a 900 next year that has 12 more HP you would not ever consider riding your or your GF's "old" under powered 800?

 

[mpn]

I'm with you rhino, I sold my 2012 800 pro and bought a 2013 600 pro put a PAR head on, blue/ pink primary spring and 800 power valve springs in it and after 2 trips to Togwotee in deeeep! Snow and Cooke city, I have not looked back once! Love this sled I have all my buds wishing they would of bought one after riding it.

Riding style is find the drainage or creek bottom that looks impossible to get out of, so yes we put our sleds through hell, oh ya we ride at 10k feet and yet to find need for more power just more skills. It does lack a little torque on bottom end but other then that only thing it lacks is worry of a motor blowing

what is the advantage with the 800 power valve springs?

 

[snopromod]

what is the advantage with the 800 power valve springs?

The PAR head added 20 more psi in each cylinder, so I needed to keep valves down a little longer, they opened to quick and it really helped with torque response very happy!

 

[JSun]

I have thought about this exact thing quite a bit lately. I have my '12 Pro 800, but if I was buying a new Pro this year I am almost certain I would go with the 600. Mostly for the reasons you stated above but also for a few more. First, I ride out west once or twice a year (Cooke and IP) and most of the areas we ride I wouldn't need an 800. I don't try to climb anything ridiculous just to say I did and I am light enough and in shape to the point I don't need the extra HP to get where I want to go. Second, I have more fun pushing my sled, and I haven't found many "safe" areas that really challenge the 800. I am thinking I would have to push the 600 a little harder thus more fun. And lastly, how much fun would it be to watch some guy on an 800 go somewhere and then do the same on a 600??? Lots.

Joe

 

[mpn]

I have the 13.1 PAR head as well I may need to look into that as well, thanks