Pro RMK reliability

[Bnorth]

Two 2013's and a 2012 in our group. All the guys love them but the 2012 blew a crank last season. It was backordered so he had to bitch at them quite a bit to have a shortblock put in. Otherwise he would have been waiting 5 weeks for a crank.

 

[Pistonbroke]

need an explanation for that one please. I'm curious because the driveshaft is hard mounted on both ends, and there is free play in the track against the drivers and free play in the belt and gears and stationary mounting of all the bearings and shafts. Other than rotational forces, it shouldn't have any other movement to change the center to center or cause dynamic loading on the belt. Is the chassis itself is flexing/moving or parts in the rotating assembly are not properly balanced?

Yo modman, the problem is with guys who run them sloppy loose and ratchet on the drivers - the shock load of this is hard on the QD cogs.

 

[MOMMA]

For 15 g you don't get a trouble free sled? That's strange why would someone want to experience that LOL.

In a perfect world that would be the case.. So Maxwell, your doos are all perfect? Shall we go down that path?

 

[MOMMA]

need an explanation for that one please. I'm curious because the driveshaft is hard mounted on both ends, and there is free play in the track against the drivers and free play in the belt and gears and stationary mounting of all the bearings and shafts. Other than rotational forces, it shouldn't have any other movement to change the center to center or cause dynamic loading on the belt. Is the chassis itself is flexing/moving or parts in the rotating assembly are not properly balanced?

So this is how it was explained to me. When you ratchet a track it skips and sends a harmonic vibration through everything. The primary and secondary are still spinning as they normally would but if the track is balled up something will give. In this situation the give point can be the belt drive for as the drivers jam up and the belt skips the cogs can become damaged and break off, which is why it is important to maintain proper track tension. 16 " from rear axel forward, 10lbs of pressure, to maintain proper track tension of 3/8 to 1/2 inch. as recommended by polaris in the owners manual. At this dealership we have had one incident, out of 68 new pros as long as proper PDI is done and break in is followed there should be no incident.


The end..

 

[maxwell]

In a perfect world that would be the case.. So Maxwell, your doos are all perfect? Shall we go down that path?

Picked 6 up on the same day. 1000-1500 on each and the only minor problem we have had is a left side hand warmer. Pretty good sample size too

 

[teeroy]

The end..

or is it?

 

[MOMMA]

Picked 6 up on the same day. 1000-1500 on each and the only minor problem we have had is a left side hand warmer. Pretty good sample size too

That is lovely for you. You must be incredibly happy. History wise this isn't the case Point being that each brand goes through it's growing pains. I happen to have a lot of respect for the doos, so I am not going to bash them. ( I also really love stephy and feel she does Tonnes for the industry) I think it's a good sled, I rode one a couple of weeks ago. I happen to love my sled, and I feel completely at home on it. I think all of the manufacturers will have blips now and then, and each will have a time to shine. Sometimes it is a matter of personal preference too. It is what works best for you when it all comes down to it. I will not, however, just sit idly by and read crap about a product I believe in.

 

[MOMMA]

or is it?

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa123/teeroyfte/chicken.jpg

dun dun daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

 

[HotShotHarry]

2800 miles on my 11 pro. Engine is getting a little tired. Cold compression is 100 lbs each side. I have the 4 year warranty so i am going to take it to the dealer to let them do their own compression check and let Polaris decide if they want to change the pistons now or tell me to ride it till it blows. Reliable sled? I think so.

 

[Modman]

So this is how it was explained to me. When you ratchet a track it skips and sends a harmonic vibration through everything. The primary and secondary are still spinning as they normally would but if the track is balled up something will give. In this situation the give point can be the belt drive for as the drivers jam up and the belt skips the cogs can become damaged and break off, which is why it is important to maintain proper track tension. 16 " from rear axel forward, 10lbs of pressure, to maintain proper track tension of 3/8 to 1/2 inch. as recommended by polaris in the owners manual. At this dealership we have had one incident, out of 68 new pros as long as proper PDI is done and break in is followed there should be no incident.


The end..

Shock loading the drive belt isn't an issue with factory reliability then, its with operator error, so different circumstances entirely. That's like saying the hood isn't reliable....after the operator rolled it down a slope.

 

[maxwell]

Shock loading the drive belt isn't an issue with factory reliability then, its with operator error, so different circumstances entirely. That's like saying the hood isn't reliable....after the operator rolled it down a slope.

Was never an issue with the chain. So I would say they have built a product weaker than the previous year......soo defect I guess not as long as you follow the specs and breakin procedures.

 

[Summiteer]

Shock loading the drive belt isn't an issue with factory reliability then, its with operator error, so different circumstances entirely. That's like saying the hood isn't reliable....after the operator rolled it down a slope.

just a learning curve thing. We've been told for the past few years that loose tracks are the way to go. Apparently not with the belt drive. When folks get that figured out there should be lots less failures. Folks buying first year models should know to expect problems..... From any brand.

 

[MOMMA]

Sometimes the owners manual actually "DOES" have information that is better than what "experts" on the net tell us to do eh???

 

[MOMMA]

OOOO and one more thing (I'm a chick.. I have lots to say)

Here are my kids on the pros. We take them up the mountain riding with us every week. If I was remotely worried about my reliability my kids wouldn't be with us.
Brook and Leo

Leo (he turned 15 today)

Brookie who is 16

 

[JaySimon]

Sometimes the owners manual actually "DOES" have information that is better than what "experts" on the net tell us to do eh???

Nope. Never.

 

[MOMMA]

Was never an issue with the chain. So I would say they have built a product weaker than the previous year......soo defect I guess not as long as you follow the specs and breakin procedures.

I really really feel the difference between the 13 and the 12. It simply has More oomph and more refined handling. Being out last Saturday for the Ladies ride here in Nelson I was riding with the lady who bought my 12. When I went to jump on him there was a considerable difference in power snap and zip. I feel the Belt drive contributes to this awakening of power. Was it good last year with the chain drive yup. Is it better this year with the belt drive. In my opinion it is a good thing when you consider the difference in performance. Try and 12 and a 13 side by side you'll feel it. People wanted more oomph and now it has more oomph.
20percent less rotating mass to spin the belt as compared to the chain. more rotating mass less power. Less rotating mass more power, hence the added efficiency of the belt drive.

Modman, When you are in the area come riding with my boss Art and I, he is my sled teacher. He runs a 2013 Pro RMK with a Belt drive with a 2.5 cammo extreme and he runs it at 260 hp right now with a boondocker racegas kit.. ZERO issues. He's giving you an opening invite to come ride with us.

 

[tmo1620]

The 13 pro were demoing this year made it through the first trip, 180 miles in three days riding, breaking the belt in proper and such, I personally hated every minute on it myself and so did the other guys in our riding group, but It did end up going on a second trip (i wasnt there) where it stripped the drive belt the second day, it was replaced and checked out all seemed good, track tension was fine. The next day stripped another belt toward the end of the day, by then it had about 310 miles. After another belt it was out the next day and 4 hrs in it broke the driveshaft. So back to the dealer who gave it to us for the year and they were told we did not want it anymore...... So they fixed it (new driveshaft and clamped) and took it on a third mtn trip. It made it 3 more days of riding and the motor packed her in, even the polaris guys aren't impressed with the 13's, they prefer their 12's because they at least aren't so troublesome

 

[andrew3399]

The 13 pro were demoing this year made it through the first trip, 180 miles in three days riding, breaking the belt in proper and such, I personally hated every minute on it myself and so did the other guys in our riding group, but It did end up going on a second trip (i wasnt there) where it stripped the drive belt the second day, it was replaced and checked out all seemed good, track tension was fine. The next day stripped another belt toward the end of the day, by then it had about 310 miles. After another belt it was out the next day and 4 hrs in it broke the driveshaft. So back to the dealer who gave it to us for the year and they were told we did not want it anymore...... So they fixed it (new driveshaft and clamped) and took it on a third mtn trip. It made it 3 more days of riding and the motor packed her in, even the polaris guys aren't impressed with the 13's, they prefer their 12's because they at least aren't so troublesome

Wow you should really advertise the name of the dealer that gave your group a free demo for the year! That is very nice of them! Doesn't happen too often

 

[LBZ]

Wow you should really advertise the name of the dealer that gave your group a free demo for the year! That is very nice of them! Doesn't happen too often

Who cares if it's a turd sled they want you to have.
Next time that thing left me in stranded I'd be calling them to come get their POS and never touch another one.

 

[andrew3399]

Who cares if it's a turd sled they want you to have.
Next time that thing left me in stranded I'd be calling them to come get their POS and never touch another one.

Yeah I'm sorry your right take it out on the dealer that gave him a free sled! I'm such an idiot!