[Cody.hunter14]

Hi! I’m looking into getting a new sled, preferably Polaris because that’s what I’ve always ridden. Ive look at the RMK 800 and 850 and they look like something I might like also my dad owns a XCR 800 129 and that’s fun to ride just not so good in the deep stuff. I ride 60% trail 30% Off trail and 10% on the lake. I love the feeling of sled going to rip out of my hands doing cat walks and wheelies (like the feeling of a motocross bike) I live in northern Maine so we get plenty of snow. I’m not sure if a 155 or 144 rmk would be good on the trials and lake or not or maybe some other sled would be better. Suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks

 

[kccats]

Welcome
The 144 would be as long as I would go on trail and even that will be hard to turn!

 

[Cody.hunter14]

do you think a 144 2017-2020 assault 800 or 850 would be a good pick? Not really sure what sled would be best. Seems like people think it’s a good all around sled.

 

[kccats]

I am sure those are GREAT sleds, just dont know if they are right for you or your area LOL

 

[Cody.hunter14]

Yeah, I have a friend with a cat high country 153 from 2017 I think. He seems to like it a lot, he been trying to get me to swap to a cat over Polaris lmao. Maybe I will idk 😅

 

[Coolhand]

Biggest I would go on the trail is a 137" or 129" with these new Polaris snowmobiles. Those can come with a 1.25" Ice Attack which is perfect for the trails. Go with a 144 or bigger and most likely it will come with a paddle track which will be horrible for the trails and tear it up.

 

[Cody.hunter14]

Ok, thanks I’ll stay away from anything bigger then 137 as I manly ride trails. Thoughts on the 129 and 137? I’ve ridden a 129 and liked how nimble it was and it felt snappy. Not sure how a 137 would compare. Just wanna pop wheelies and have some fun LOL

 

[Coolhand]

Not sure haven't ridden one of the new ones just yet with a 137". Can't be too much of a difference. With snowmobiles you want to keep the skis on the ground as much as possible otherwise you will end up in a tree out on the trails doing that kind of riding. Out in the middle of nowhere is one thing but don't do it on a trail.

 

[Cody.hunter14]

Well yeah, but as I said I do probably like 60% trial riding so the other 40 is lake and open fields where I’d wanan be doing wheelies and messing around. Up here we normally get 2-3+ feet of snow and the trials I ride are not normally packed that’s why I was think about the longer 144 tracks, but this year was a bad year in terms of snow for us. So many models and sleds to pick form it’s challenging to find the right one. Maybe I should go to dealership and ask em what they think. Lmao

 

[kccats]

The 144 you wont get the front end up at all!
Go with the 129

 

[BC_Dan]

The Polaris Switchback comes with a 146" x 1.352" x 15" or a 146" x 1.6" x 15" track. Those tracks are made specifically to do pretty well both on and off the trail, hence the "crossover" type sled. The 850 is a really potent engine and all the guys that I have seen out west that ride them like them a lot. (Well, except one, he didn't think it had enough power, so he put a turbo on it...) You will still be behind in the twisties, probably won't be first across the lake against true trail sleds, but when they are stuck off trail, you will be riding circles around them, waving with that BIG smile

And like KC said, the longer the track, the more difficult it is to get the skis to lift. It's all about the length of the "lever" and the weight on the end of it. Most racers prefer not to have the front end lift, as that is wasting power that needs to propel the machine DOWN the track. Your call, though. What ever is fun for you!!

 

[Cody.hunter14]

The Polaris Switchback comes with a 146" x 1.352" x 15" or a 146" x 1.6" x 15" track. Those tracks are made specifically to do pretty well both on and off the trail, hence the "crossover" type sled. The 850 is a really potent engine and all the guys that I have seen out west that ride them like them a lot. (Well, except one, he didn't think it had enough power, so he put a turbo on it...) You will still be behind in the twisties, probably won't be first across the lake against true trail sleds, but when they are stuck off trail, you will be riding circles around them, waving with that BIG smile

And like KC said, the longer the track, the more difficult it is to get the skis to lift. It's all about the length of the "lever" and the weight on the end of it. Most racers prefer not to have the front end lift, as that is wasting power that needs to propel the machine DOWN the track. Your call, though. What ever is fun for you!!

thanks man, I like the sounds of riding circle around them off trail lol. I’ve always thought it looked fun doing wheelies and carving in the deep snow out in a field. I am confused how people are getting there 155+ tracks to stand up straight and cat walk? Maybe a combination of deep snow and loose limiter straps? Anyway it dose sound like the Polaris switchback is the kinda sled for me. I don’t really care about being the absolute fastest just want to be able to do everything and have fun doing it.(wheelies included) lmao

 

[kccats]

THEY ARE IN 20 FEET OF SNOW!

 

[Cody.hunter14]

THEY ARE IN 20 FEET OF SNOW!

I guess that explains it lol

 

[kccats]

Can't do the same on 6"! LOL

 

[Cody.hunter14]

Can't do the same on 6"! LOL

Haha yeah but still idk if you have watched or ridden one of those 850 144 but they seem like they wanna a lift the skies all the time lmao, idk how to link a video cause I’m new to this forum thing lol. but this guy demo one in New Hampshire and was lifting the skies pretty high. And he said it rode better then his older trail sled out on the trail witch surprised me. Seems like the do everything kinda sled, im also worried about getting stuck with a more mountain oriented sled on the trail. I’m sure I’ll be fine tho