Polaris is regularly the largest seller of mountain snowmobiles since many years now. This segment of market is so important for the manufacturer from Minnesota that still today, it represents more than half of its sales. As years went by, Polaris has developed its platform and succeeded to offer a high-performance product that pleases lots of off-trail fans as shown by the number of units on terrain. We can say that the RMK has become the benchmark in many regards in this segment of market. But the explosion in this sport during the latest years made the other manufacturers offer new high-performance models, which then made Polaris’ people innovate for 2016.
The introduction of the AXYS platform in the RMK lineup is definitely related to Polaris’s wishes to remain the leader of mountain snowmobile market. Many major innovations are offered in this category of snowmobiles for 2016. In fact, we have here totally new vehicles that benefit from the evolution of the AXYS chassis. The ambitious goal was to improve a proven snowmobile appreciated for its handiness and robustness. On the other side, it is risky to change a winning recipe and thus, to disappoint off-trail fans who swear by the RMK lineup. Don’t worry, the North Star manufacturer thought about everything in order to offer a RMK with more performance than… the RMK.
RMK and PRO-RMK
Just like for the AXYS platform on which are based the Rush and Switchback, the RMK models benefit from a better balanced structure, more rigid and above all, lighter. For example, this is proven by the dry weight of 408 lb / 185 kg for a standard PRO-RMK 155. This lightness is due, among other things, to the use of the QuickDrive belt drive system compared to the traditional chain case as well as to lots of other improvements. The goal of these improvements is to get a snowmobile that responses quicker to the pilot’s weight transfer in order to keep you on top of snow and to allow improved sidehilling. This characteristic has impressed us right away, so much that during our first minutes of trials, we have been surprised by the responsiveness of the RMK and PRO-RMK. Also, the shape of the new chassis at front reduces drag in snow by far, which increases the performances in powder snow. These qualities became obvious during our trials when we tested a 2016 RMK and a 2015 RMK at the same place, in the same conditions.
Polaris 800 Pro-RMK 163 2016
Introduced in 2015 with an immediate success, the new Cleanfire 800 H.O. engine was definitely designed to end up in the RMK series. Developing over 160 HP, this new engine has impressed everyone in 2015 with its wide extended range of power, its instantaneous response and its breathtaking accelerations. Essential qualities for a mountain snowmobile. Combined to a dry weight of 408 lb / 185 kg for the PRO-RMK 155, this means an outstanding weight/power ratio in the industry. Only the RMK 155 and 144 offer the optional Cleanfire 600 engine that is less powerful, but still very impressive. The RMK 600 144 is in fact an entry-level model that is very surprising and affordable.
Polaris 600 Pro-RMK 155 2016
The balance of a snowmobile is important and all engineers will tell you that the right calibration of front and rear suspensions is a large part of this fragile balance. The new RMK and PRO-RMK benefit from totally new front and rear suspensions that are completely redesigned. At front, two important elements draw our attention, the new A arms made of 100 % forged aluminum that reduce weight at the front end of the machine. Their unique shape brings the optimal rigidity required on this type of vehicle. It took us no time to see how efficiently these improvements work on trails, but most of all off trails. At rear, the suspension has been completely redesigned and here also, weight has been reduced by 3 lb / 1,3 kg. Also, the anchorings on the tunnel have been taken down in order to lower the suspension and here again, to reduce drag and to facilitate bending. Being very rigid on Polaris mountain snowmobiles since many years, the new rear suspension surprised us nicely by offering a much better comfort than before, thus letting the pilot enjoy trail sections when it is time to reach our favorite playground.
This season, Polaris offers two new tracks with a Polaris exclusive design, the Series 6 with lugs of 2,6 in. / 6,6 cm and the Series 7 with lugs of 3 in. / 7,6 cm, offered in 155 and 163 editions. Along with its efficient design, the Series 6 is lighter than the previous generation of Polaris mountain track. After testing both versions, we prefered the 2,6 in. / 6,6 cm lug version as it offers a better compromise in all conditions. The RMK are then offered in 144, 155 and 163 in. / 365,8, 393,7 and 414 cm while the PRO-RMK are offered in 155 and 163 in. / 393,7 and 414 cm.
SKS
Along with all the RMK and PRO-RMK editions available, the new AXYS platform is extended to most of the 2016 mountain models, which results in the re-introducion the SKS. Designed for those who want a versatile snowmobile between trail and powder snow, this edition is in fact very similar to the RMK in terms of components and characteristics. Among the most important differences, we notice that the SKS is heavier due to the use of a chain case rather than the QuickDrive system. This model has been very popular in the Province of Quebec about 15 years ago;
Polaris 800 SKS 2016
it is offered again by the american manufacturer but only with a track of 155 in. / 393,7 cm and a Cleanfire 800 H.O. engine. Despite its track of 155 in. / 393,7 cm that is very efficient in powder snow, the track of 2,4 in. / 6,1 cm lugs (Series 5.1) performs also very well on trails. This model should be attractive for Quebec snowmobilers as it meets the needs of many fans from the Belle Province.
ASSAULT
The Assault is essentially the extreme snowmobile of the RMK lineup. Also based on the new AXYS chassis, it benefits from components that are similar to the SKS, but with more robustness on the chassis, with the PEAK track of 2,25 in. / 5,7 cm and with the springs and Walker Evans shocks, also more robust. This model is only offered with a 800 cc engine and a track of 155 in. / 393,7 cm. This snowmobile is designed for snowmobilers who play it tough and it is not recommended for everyone.
Polaris 800 RMK Assault LE 155 2016
We like
– Increased handiness in powder snow and ascent
– The power of the Cleanfire 800 engine at all speeds
– The comfort of rear suspension in bumpy trails
We would like
– Larger digital display
– Less odor from the Cleanfire 800
– Utility machines like the WideTrak with the new AXYS chassis
