No topic thread,,, Part 2
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,461
Likes: 0
From: Saskatoon, SK
It has been a while since we were around sleds of that vintage but I remember the guys having some calibration issues and a learning curve with the Keihen carbs on those sleds - they were quite a bit different than the Mikunis everyone was used to. Once they were running I think they seemed just fine - a few guys here had SKS and RMK sleds of that vintage. If I recall correctly, the 1999 RMK used the coupled skidframe like the SKS did - in 2000 they changed to the mntn suspension. Many are of the impression that the SKS skidframe was tougher and it sure looks to be heavier when viewing it but I am a big guy and so are some of the guys I ride with and its very seldom to ever break any suspension parts of any kind. I think those were a purple color were they not?
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,044
Likes: 1
From: Yorkton Sk
I cant get comfortable on a REV. Everyone elses rider forward position is slightly more relaxed than the Rev. I much prefer the rider position on the skidoo Xp chassis (its very similar to the Polaris IQ position and the Yamaha Apex). I havent been on a newer Cat for a few years now.
Sherm, all the short track sleds (or most anyways) used the coupled suspension technology and it works well on the shorter skids. Be sure to try one of the longer coupled ones before you buy because the weight transfer issue becomes more evident on the longer ones - they just dont stand up like the short tracks or mountain machines do. However, the mntn ones are getting too damn long and mntn specific that they are not so great for manueverability!
If I were to have the option of ordering exactly what I want, it would be either a 136 or 144 uncoupled with 1 3/4" lugs, maybe 2". Add in some extra idler wheels and/or scratchers to prevent excessive slider wear, and ride hard!
The sled that comes the closest for me is the newer 600 RMK in the IQ chassis - you can get in it in the 144 x 2" track congiguration but only in a carb model (bummer). The Cleanfire 600 RMK is a 155 track!
The 600 is strong, but not quite enough for me - the 700 is a bit better but not by leaps and bounds. I only know one guy with an 800 from last year and I am not sure how much it has over the 700. A few guys have snow checked the 800's so comparissons will be done!
Sherm, all the short track sleds (or most anyways) used the coupled suspension technology and it works well on the shorter skids. Be sure to try one of the longer coupled ones before you buy because the weight transfer issue becomes more evident on the longer ones - they just dont stand up like the short tracks or mountain machines do. However, the mntn ones are getting too damn long and mntn specific that they are not so great for manueverability!
If I were to have the option of ordering exactly what I want, it would be either a 136 or 144 uncoupled with 1 3/4" lugs, maybe 2". Add in some extra idler wheels and/or scratchers to prevent excessive slider wear, and ride hard!
The sled that comes the closest for me is the newer 600 RMK in the IQ chassis - you can get in it in the 144 x 2" track congiguration but only in a carb model (bummer). The Cleanfire 600 RMK is a 155 track!
The 600 is strong, but not quite enough for me - the 700 is a bit better but not by leaps and bounds. I only know one guy with an 800 from last year and I am not sure how much it has over the 700. A few guys have snow checked the 800's so comparissons will be done!
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,461
Likes: 0
From: Saskatoon, SK
The sled has some very good features but the lack of a tipped up rail makes it not my bag and I wouldnt consider it without them after seeing what they do!
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,461
Likes: 0
From: Saskatoon, SK
Ya thats how they were. The tipped rail turns so easily on the trails and it lets the front end lift out of the snow easier as it 'rocks' back. Used sled prices have dropped in the last two years by quite a bit. Those paddle tracks still rip up trails but not as badly. Most of the newer lugs are stiffer at the base and thinner more flexible at the tips so yjey will lay back some on firmer ground rather than cut like a chainsaw. That Assault has one mean, stiffed lug track that could cut wood if needed!
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Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,461
Likes: 0
From: Saskatoon, SK
The electronic reverses rock! Damn sleds are too hard to turn around. I am sure you can lift the rear bumper of my sled over a foot before the track lifts and by the time the front of the track lifts enough to turn the sled you will need to have the rear bumper damn near chest high if you are standing in snow. I didnt have any good experiences with the mechanical chaincase reverses but the reverse running engines work well!
Post Fiend
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 20,099
Likes: 7
From: Yorkton Sask
was it skidoo that invented that hinged rail system to compliment the reverse feature?? i remember it being somewhat of a flop when it happened.
the one thing i hate about sledding is getting stuck. usually i'm by myself, and too durned stupid to stay on the trail like a normak goofball. 3ft of snow and a 121 bald track is pretty useless...
the one thing i hate about sledding is getting stuck. usually i'm by myself, and too durned stupid to stay on the trail like a normak goofball. 3ft of snow and a 121 bald track is pretty useless...
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,044
Likes: 1
From: Yorkton Sk
Hopefully they make a more flatland Assault. That sled is built to take a beating! Ski-doo came out with the electronic reverse in 1997 on the big touring sled but not sure about the rails. I think they were straight, the secondary clutch however had to be changed. My switchback has PERC and straight rails at the back. Gotta watch the snowflap though.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,461
Likes: 0
From: Saskatoon, SK
Ya I forgot about the one on the touring sled - didnt think it was that early though. I think when I got my Millenium Edition 2000 Summit the Mach I had it available. My 2002 Summit had the feature and it was slick - like you said, the helix was different and the snowflap got scuffed the first day I backed it out of our enclosed trailer!
I am looking forward tothe Team secondary clutch on the Dragon - a few guys here had them aftermarket a few years before Polaris used them on production machines.
Polaris was the first to come out with the tipped up rails on the RMK - 2000?? 2001?? or thereabouts. The mountainlite Rmk suspension came out in 2000 and I thiink thats when the rails got tipped but for sure in 2001 because a friend had the snowcheck RMK 144 and it was tipped up.
The Assault has the suspension and chassis components to take a beating and a nice track length. if it had a lighter track and tipped up rails I would get one but will stay with the current RMK for a bit depends on how I like the 155 length. The difference on the ground is only 4 1/2 inches (155-146=9 so divide by two = 4 1/2).
Sometimes 4 1/2 inches is no big deal and sometimes its no big deal alright!
I am looking forward tothe Team secondary clutch on the Dragon - a few guys here had them aftermarket a few years before Polaris used them on production machines.
Polaris was the first to come out with the tipped up rails on the RMK - 2000?? 2001?? or thereabouts. The mountainlite Rmk suspension came out in 2000 and I thiink thats when the rails got tipped but for sure in 2001 because a friend had the snowcheck RMK 144 and it was tipped up.
The Assault has the suspension and chassis components to take a beating and a nice track length. if it had a lighter track and tipped up rails I would get one but will stay with the current RMK for a bit depends on how I like the 155 length. The difference on the ground is only 4 1/2 inches (155-146=9 so divide by two = 4 1/2).
Sometimes 4 1/2 inches is no big deal and sometimes its no big deal alright!
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,044
Likes: 1
From: Yorkton Sk
Hehehe...sometimes 4 1/2 inches is a lot! My switchback has the team secondary and I think it will be a nice setup. My snowflap is scuffed already.
This one time I was setting the track tension and alignment on a 98 Mach 1 with the electronic reverse. It was on the stand idling all of a sudden the engine sputtered and then came back alive and all of a sudden it was running in reverse so it went in all by itself. That would be a bugger if a guy was trail riding and you pull over for a pee in the bush and leave your sled running and it does that without you noticing. Of course that would the time you would get back on and decide to point the skis to the sky but this time you go over the hood in reverse.
This one time I was setting the track tension and alignment on a 98 Mach 1 with the electronic reverse. It was on the stand idling all of a sudden the engine sputtered and then came back alive and all of a sudden it was running in reverse so it went in all by itself. That would be a bugger if a guy was trail riding and you pull over for a pee in the bush and leave your sled running and it does that without you noticing. Of course that would the time you would get back on and decide to point the skis to the sky but this time you go over the hood in reverse.