Hey guys, a question for those of you with some knowledge on snowmobiles. I have an opportunity to buy a Polaris Pro 800 RMK. Long story short is that it's a super clean one-owner sled that I can pick up for a really good price. My one problem is that I'm not the kind of rider that would utilize it in the mountains or deep snow, I would use it for ice fishing, and trap checking, but I would primarily use it for a weekend trail ride. It does have scratchers and 3 sets of weights. So my question is this, I know this is not the ideal trail sled, but would it be OK for trail riding? I hate to buy it and then find out I made a mistake,

Thanks in advance for your response

I have a relative that road RMK's on the trails, & it seemed ok, but I think they're kind of hard on the trails. The only reason he had it was because he bought it for their vacations out west. I'm an Indy Trail guy myself.

One thing I wonder about snowmobiles like that is while they are harder to get stuck, if you do get stuck it's tougher to get them out. And they take up more space in the garage. They are nice though.

Tagging along to see recommendations as I'm looking at a Skidoo Skandic

Not an expert by any means but have a bunch of buddies that ride the 800 RMKs. They are a performance sled that need to go fast or they overheat. Was told by a sled mechanic 45 mph was on the low end. It also seems my buddies are always rebuilding the engine and clutches on them. But we also live in some deep and steep stuff where they play hard. I have an 04 summit 600 that I use for ice fishing and running my trap lines. Got right around 5500 miles on it and it's got a lot of git up and go when I need it. Those Indys are the way to go for trail rides. Been trying to find a couple for my kids.
Jingles, I would love one of the new skandics, and been pricing them out for awhile.

Skandic is a good machine-but not strictly a trail machine either.Its more a workhorse.
The RMK is mostly for playing in deep snow.One of the Game wardens here used an RMK.

Get a 550 Voyager LT probably about the same price as a used 800 and way less extreme for a casual snowmobiler.

You'll be kicking up a rooster-tail and create really nice divots in the trail nearly every time you hit the throttle.

not a trail machine ,

Scratchers will only get you so far until the sled overheats...all depends on the condition of the snow. If you'll be traveling on packed snow/icy conditions most of the time, I'd look for a fan cooled model. Powder snow conditions---then the RMK would be just fine

Personally I'd take a pass on this one.

We do and have always riden snowmobiles in our family. Many guys ride MASSIVE mountain machines on the trails and with ice scratchers they will do the job. Be prepared for a rough, vibrating, long, tippy machine that is much harder on fuel then a short track or crossover machine.

Reason I'm looking at the skandic is 2 to 3 feet of powder and only trail would be that made by me running 4 -6 mile trap line pulling a cargo sled, not out trying to make a new land speed record those days went bye bye 30 years ago

How bout something like this

Cost 200 marten on a good year, lol ^^^^^^^^^^

I just bought a snowdog and have been impressed and it has been to perfect fit for me. It wouldn't check all the boxes for everyone use but it is the ideal track machine for me. Take a look at the video and see if that is something that would work for you.
https://youtu.be/kriQHz1ZZ9M

I just sold my 09 RMK 600. Best trail sled I’ve ever owned. I understand things change and that’s the way of things but sometimes older is better. The older skidoo trailing models are evidence of that.






Line trails

Osky

The old Enticer Trapper models with long track and reverse make good trail sleds, if you have a good back. lol

How’d you get those two trees to grow outta that trailer, and where do you take them?

Osky

I saw a couple guys running those a month ago or so along the roadside. I spoke to them after when they came into the same joint I was eating at farther down that road. Despite what the video shows they thought they were very poor in deep snow and they are under powered.
I thought they looked pretty handy until I’d heard that from them.

Osky