Mike270412
Golden Boy
I would weigh them both and base my decision solely on weight.
Summit XM or Pro RMK
- Thread starter Snow Guy
- Start date
neilsleder
Active VIP Member
maxwell
Active VIP Member
It's all what you get used to and you can definitely make the flat steering system work for you. But once you get into the tight bush it's very noticeable the advantages of the doo steering setup. It's hard to explain but basically the bars end up being way closer you your body and in a better position of leverage in off camber situations
Wilk INStheWEST
Active VIP Member
I will really need to hop on an XM and see how it differs from the XP, but I always found that steering style pulling my over the top of the sled, especially if you you tend to lose the sled downhill a bit.
I find the flat steering much easier to control in a side hill. The flat steering isn't nearly as good for downhill turns. If we ever run into each other on the hill (not likely since we ride different ends of the province), you'll really have to explain it to me because I just don't see it.
Bnorth
Active VIP Member
Thanks for the new sig!
maxwell
Active VIP Member
Sounds good man I'm sure I could use some explanation aswell. Again I don't spend the same time on the pro as you do so I could very well be missing something
Teth-Air
Active VIP Member
It's not just which sled feels better, it is also what kind of riding do you like?
What I mean is, the doo's ride softer and the sled much prefers to be on 2 ski's compared to the Pro which kinds sucks riding on 2 ski's when set narrow and firm in the suspension. If you are a sit down rider buy the doo for sure as it is easy to ride in a less aggressive position. Now if you think of yourself as a motocross rider and you have the strength and vigor to roll the pro up on to one ski for every corner, then the pro will thrill you. This riding style does take a bit of effort and your shoulders need to get used to it but you do gain confidence on trying things you would not do on a doo. The less traction of the track is not always a determent, it is spun to initiate the roll up onto one ski and make it really fun. For this reason I will not go to a 3 inch track on the pro.
Now before the doo guys get upset, I know many of you can make an XM dance and I am not saying that the XM is no good for it, I am just saying that the pro is more purpose built and it is best for that single purpose. The doo is actually better in many other ways, just not in control in the steep tight trees.
As far as reliability, sure doo has now overcome most of their weaknesses of the past few years such as clutching and I too believe that poo has improved engine life and quick drive belt issues. Fit and finish is a bit better on the doo too, but the poo still isn't bad.
Warranty, doo is a bit longer but for the few thousand dollars more price tag it better be. My experience with both brands is that they cover you good on drive line but most everything else they say is wear or self inflicted.
Finally it sure is nice if you have a dealer you can trust close to your home.
What I mean is, the doo's ride softer and the sled much prefers to be on 2 ski's compared to the Pro which kinds sucks riding on 2 ski's when set narrow and firm in the suspension. If you are a sit down rider buy the doo for sure as it is easy to ride in a less aggressive position. Now if you think of yourself as a motocross rider and you have the strength and vigor to roll the pro up on to one ski for every corner, then the pro will thrill you. This riding style does take a bit of effort and your shoulders need to get used to it but you do gain confidence on trying things you would not do on a doo. The less traction of the track is not always a determent, it is spun to initiate the roll up onto one ski and make it really fun. For this reason I will not go to a 3 inch track on the pro.
Now before the doo guys get upset, I know many of you can make an XM dance and I am not saying that the XM is no good for it, I am just saying that the pro is more purpose built and it is best for that single purpose. The doo is actually better in many other ways, just not in control in the steep tight trees.
As far as reliability, sure doo has now overcome most of their weaknesses of the past few years such as clutching and I too believe that poo has improved engine life and quick drive belt issues. Fit and finish is a bit better on the doo too, but the poo still isn't bad.
Warranty, doo is a bit longer but for the few thousand dollars more price tag it better be. My experience with both brands is that they cover you good on drive line but most everything else they say is wear or self inflicted.
Finally it sure is nice if you have a dealer you can trust close to your home.
maxwell
Active VIP Member
Question for you tethair. How is the pro rmk purpose built in any way? It is an extended trail rush that was released 10 years ago
Teth-Air
Active VIP Member
1. The Pro is the lightest sled with the narrowest bodywork, and widest ski stance, if you roll it up in a steep side hill it does not bottom out just in front of your running board like the doo does with its widest bodywork and narrowest ski stance. Although the wide (38") stance makes the pro a bit harder to initiate the roll, this wider stance holds the bodywork away from the hill. On steep hills the doo catches the snow under the front of the running board and that makes the track spin, drop down and the sled heads up the hill. Not sure if the tilting rear skid also makes you lose edge too.
2. Once on edge, the pro will cut straight through the roughest snow and deepest tracks without throwing the rider, the doo will not stay straight but dip and buck and this feeds back to the rider. The doo shocks are soft and on one ski, the suspension collapses every time when hitting these rough holes. The stiffer pro suspension stays straight and does not feed back to the rider.
3. The ride forward position of the doo is good for downhill turns but on the side hill you get a feeling of zero camber with the non T3 spindles. When the front end experiences rough hard compression the chassis is harder to keep straight. The T3 spindles are much better and make the doo ride more like a pro through the rough stuff.
To sum it up here is where the pro confidence becomes super clear:
Riding down a trail and there is a near vertical relatively hard snow wall to your side, turn the pro into it to side hill and it actually climbs the wall without throwing you back on the trail or flipping you over. Do this on a doo and you might as well be side-swiping a semi.
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I agree with you that the 36inch stance is too narrow on the summit and the factory shocks are too soft,, One of the reasons I went with the Freeride over the X last Season. However you can adjust the Summit ski stance to 37.6 inches by moving the little spacer to the inside of the ski's rather than the outside. And the stock shocks are the first thing to come off the sled.
rightsideup
Active VIP Member
do you think with the deeper keel ski it is still advantageous to go to the wider setting?
Yes. Like Tethair pointed out at 36inches the stance is Narrower than the Body panels. It will make it slightly harder to bring up on edge, but will it hold a steep side hill better.
tex78
Active VIP Member
I have mine on the wider setting
But I didn't like the deep ski on the test ride of the t3, really made the turning effort way harder....
But I didn't like the deep ski on the test ride of the t3, really made the turning effort way harder....
I only got about a 30min ride in chit snow on the T3 last season, so not sure what the verdict is on the new DS3 ski's yet. I know I really like the DS2's.
rightsideup
Active VIP Member
mine turned great on the gravel to cement than wet lawn on the way from the truck to the shed. If it was 10 c colder this fawking rain would be snow
Work2Ride
Active VIP Member
This is the thread that never ends, yes it goes on and on my friend. Some sledders started arguing, not knowing what it was, and they'll continue to argue forever just because...
tex78
Active VIP Member
takethebounce
Active VIP Member
There are more variables than you can count as to what sled you should, may, might, will, can, eventually possibly make you happy.
I have been on Doo since the early 80's. Granted much of that was on the East coast and I had a break in riding before hitting the mountain scene. Doo seemed like a logical choice. Most people I ride with rode them, dealers seemed everywhere, lots of support on the forums. 3 Doo's later and a handful of years and experience I am going to be on a Pro full time for the winter.
Much of why was already talked about. It handles different in situations where I feel the Doo still falls short. This may be a non issue to may people but my confidence is ten times on the Pro in those situations. Sure it feels foreign to me pointed in a straight line, but I don't ride straight lines.
The Polaris 800 has taken some heat and for good reason and it has taken a few years to get it better. The 800R in 07 had that same heat for a few years. I obviously wanted 3 year bumper to bumper on a new Pro but would want the same on a Doo.
I could have spent $14000 and another $2000 this year on an XM to get the suspension almost good. I spent less than $12000 on a new Pro.
Only time will tell if I made a good choice for me. In the end that is the important part.
Review what is best for you, make a choice and live with it.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I have been on Doo since the early 80's. Granted much of that was on the East coast and I had a break in riding before hitting the mountain scene. Doo seemed like a logical choice. Most people I ride with rode them, dealers seemed everywhere, lots of support on the forums. 3 Doo's later and a handful of years and experience I am going to be on a Pro full time for the winter.
Much of why was already talked about. It handles different in situations where I feel the Doo still falls short. This may be a non issue to may people but my confidence is ten times on the Pro in those situations. Sure it feels foreign to me pointed in a straight line, but I don't ride straight lines.
The Polaris 800 has taken some heat and for good reason and it has taken a few years to get it better. The 800R in 07 had that same heat for a few years. I obviously wanted 3 year bumper to bumper on a new Pro but would want the same on a Doo.
I could have spent $14000 and another $2000 this year on an XM to get the suspension almost good. I spent less than $12000 on a new Pro.
Only time will tell if I made a good choice for me. In the end that is the important part.
Review what is best for you, make a choice and live with it.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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