Spent The Day On An RMK 900 166

[SoCoRX1]

I am looking at getting a 900 166 used with only a thousand miles on it. The guy that owned it was older and didnt ride it hard at all. Well i rode it today and i will do whatever i can to get that thing on my trailer. in 3-4 feet of powder the thing stays on top and doesnt bog down at all. If you lean, it digs right in and carves a donut. The machine acts as if it takes no effort at all to do anything.

i hit a hillclimb that my RX-1 would struggle to go up just because it was fresh snow, deep, and pointed up. At half throttle the RMK went up no problem. at full throttle the skis came off the ground and it climbed with no effort whatsoever.

I just had to share my experience. i love everything about the sled. i dont care if its a 2 stroke, its downright awesome in the powder

 

[BlgsRX-1mtn]

Good to hear that you like it.

My wife's 151" RMK 900 didn't stand a chance against my 151" RX-1 mtn last year unless it was climbing in deep powder. I believe it has to do with the atack angle of the track. Even with my 162" on the RX-1 mtn this year, the RMK has close to as much track on the snow with the 151". Now that I have the SC on; next year will be a drop and roll along with a new skid (even though my modded stock skid seems to work good).

Jim

 

[RED]

Does the sled have all the updates done. Buddy of mine went out to the mountains. We are 10+hrs away. His oil pump cable broke. Took it to the local dealer in Sicamous BC. Mechanic came out, said this sled needs alot of work. Less than 8 months old, 3 of out 16 recalls had been done. So it spent most of the day there. Another buddy had one, I rode it for part of the day while he rode my turbo. He sold the 900 rmk and bought CM's old 10,000km RX1. He burnt up alot of belts until he took most of the plastic off so it could vent. I might think that the track has big advantage on the rmk, 166 to 151 is alot. They are close in weight. You might want to look into some upgrades to your sled. Alot bigger track, maybe some leight parts, maybe boost of some sort. I think the RX1 is project sled, motor is the good part, the rest around it needs to be upgraded. I know why should you have to. Don't have an answer to that, but I like playing/moding things. If you are series about getting another sled, try the rev/m's first.

 

[HemiOrange]

Crank problems

I really like polaris snow machines and if I didn't love the whole concept of 4 stroke sleds, would be riding a newer edge chassis RMK. You should check some of the threads on the 900 over at snowest.com. One of my concerns with the sled it the number that have broken the crank at the primary. Sounds like it might just be a lack of maintenence or dealer setup, but it's happening on a lot of low mile sleds.

 

[CanadianVector]

I saw two RMK 900 on the hook this week end. I was smilling passing them on the trail down. You have to love the piano. Thats what my riding group calls my sled. If I had a dollar for every time I heard, Do you think the piano will make it up there? I like the new RMK chassie as well. One of the guys in our group got the 700. He spent $1k on it to get a new air box and remove the front rad, it is a nice riding sled

 

[SoCoRX1]

I rode it again today, but this time my target was steep and deep. I found a hill, not too tall but steep and VERY deep. Im guessing there was 5 to 6 feet of loose powder. My RX-1 went up the hill on the side where everyone had tracked, and then RMK went up the steepest and deepest part of the hill, straight up, no sweat.

I love the thing. Just thought id share my experience. i think im going to get it.

 

[Southfork Sooner]

So can anyone here that has an NA RX-1 climb with the 900 RMK 166? I couldn't quite keep up today with him (Im SoCoRX1's brother) on my RX-1. On the flat lands in the powder I can but on those hill climbs that RMK goes like a raped monkey. If by chance you can keep up with an NA RX-1, what mods do you have?

 

[tundra]

a big part of the problem with the RX-1 is the suspension. She trench way too much, she refuse to go on the snow. And vs the RMK, you have the track lenght. They are close in weight and power.

Mine with a 16'' inch track go very well in powder, but when the snow is too lose, theyre nothing to do, He will climb like other sled, not much, and it get worst when hill has bump, loose too much speed due to weight.

 

[Trxster]

As stated, it is the skid. If you are riding an 03-04 skid, look at the angle of attack compared to the RMK. It will be like 10' difference. The RX skid just digs down. Plus, the clutching was so bad that you can't hold your rpms when you hit a hill in powder. So, if you want the sled to perfom, you should clutch to 05' specs ($140), re gear it lower ($80). and throw away the skid and put a m7 or 1m skid under there ($400). If you sell your skid $300 so it would cost you $320 and it will be a different sled. I can't say that it will keep up with a 166" track with the stock 151" track but it will actually be a good sled.

 

[Southfork Sooner]

Thanks for the replies guys. I was giving strong consideration to the 05 clutching and the dealer will install it for $300 out the door (parts and all). And then I would like the 05 suspension or something comparable. Plus a dump of the exhaust would save a ton of weight.

 

[Trxster]

Hey,

don't pay your dealer $150 to install it. It is all very easy. Took me about 30 minutes and I had never touched a clutch before. Just don't lose plastic washers on rollers or weights. Easy stuff. It is worth the $150 for parts...makes the sled mo better. You could look for a 05' skid but for the same price you could do the m7 and lose about 20lbs over the 05' skid. Just my $.02.

Rt

 

[PwdrNut]

SS
I PMed your brother this info. Prior to being boosted, my sled with a 162/16/2.5, holz front & rear, lightweight battery (maybe a few other easy weight reductions) would take any of the 900s I rode with. It's tough to expect a 151 to keep up with a 166. Change your track & skid (maybe help your approach angle at the same time) and you won't believe it is the same sled.

 

[Southfork Sooner]

So, PwdrNut, did you change your skid too or just the suspension?

Also, would anyone have the install instructions for the clutching? I am not stupid when it comes to things like this, its more that I dont want to screw something up and pay for it. Thanks for the advice.

My brother is so intent on getting that RMK to replace his RX-1, but I think for the money he would spend on it, this RX-1 can be made to run just as well or better with no forced induction, plus the 4 stroke is far superior.

 

[Southfork Sooner]

I forgot one thing, what about dumping the exhaust underneath the seat by the track? Wouldn't that save 20lbs and sound pretty good?

 

[PwdrNut]

PMed ya.