2005 Polaris RMK 900 159″ Snowmobile Review
Hopefully this will give some insight to how the Polaris 900 RMK rides for those who may be looking at purchasing one. This you could say is a bias opinion since I own one however let me try and give some credit to my opinion. I like many have been riding sleds from the time I could walk. I’ve road everything from a 1986 Arctic Cat Pantera 440 to El Tiger 6000 to my 900 RMK and almost everything in between. I’ve had the opportunity more recently to ride several different brands for longer than a 5 min period. I’ve had a full days ride on a Rev 800 151 Summit, 900 King Cat, 900 M1 (of course not much different there), 800 RMK edge chassis, RX 1 (stock), two years of riding an M7, as well as a lot of 600s and other small sleds for at least a full day if not longer. I have had some time on other sleds but I feel that a 5 minute jaunt around the mountain isn’t long enough to get a good feel for what the sled can really do. Hopefully with my experience on many different sleds you can feel that I will be able to give an accurate description of how the 2005 900 RMK rides compared to other sleds that are out there.
First Impressions
WOW! After riding a King Cat for a year and then Dropping down to the M7 I was missing that low-end grunt that the 900′s put out. This engine has just as much low-end torque as the 900 Suzuki engine puts out. I, like many others have said, take the M chassis and put the 900 engine in it and you’ll have the sled of my dreams. This is about as close as you can get. All the power and a similar chassis. Very easy to maneuver in 1+ of powder. Very similar ride to the Rev and M chassis with some of its own unique feel.
Impression After 6 Rides
I made the right decision, that’s about all I have to say. No, there is more but that is truly how I feel. I was debating between 3 sleds for purchase this year. The M8, M1000 and 900 RMK. Several unimportant factors came in to play before the purchase, mainly came down to I didn’t think the M8 could hang with the 900, and the M1000 was over priced. After riding it in several different types of snow conditions and with several different sleds it was definitely the best choice. This sled will definitely catch you by surprise in more than one way. It will surprise you on how far it will go in the deep snow, the sled just keeps pulling and pulling. At the same time I have come to learn that it will easily go where it wants to go if your not paying attention. I’ve gone thru an A-arm, both sides of the belly pan, one side panel, and the stirrup due to this factor. What it comes down to for me is I start to relax and think that like the M7 I can just stand on the side of the sled and no matter how the snow is in front of me its going to ride on that side. Not the case. Twice I’ve been side hilling and it is going very well, I start to relax, then I cross another track, next thing I know the sled is pointed down hill and I’m trying to dodge trees. If I had not relaxed I would have been fine. What I feel it comes down to after contemplating the incidents is that the slightest shift in weight and this sled is going to change directs almost instantly. Where as the other sleds I’ve rode have some forgiveness to them when it comes to that. Once you get an M series on side it’s going to stay on that side unless something significantly changes.
Compared to other Sleds
Keep in mind I have not actually put these sleds side by side to run, but have rode each for an extended period of time and I’m comparing my experiences to the best of my knowledge.
900 RMK to 900 King Cat
Engine to Engine- this would be a boxing match that would go for a long time. Both engines feel to have very similar power levels. Same engine in the same chassis, the winner would be decided by rider ability, and set up of clutch and other various items. However take a stock 900 RMK and stock 900 King Cat and put them side by side. The 900 RMK will come out on top most of the time. Mainly due to chassis design. The IQ chassis is superior to the 1M chassis the King Cat was in. There will be times the King Cat will inch ahead of the RMK but usually not for long.
900 RMK to M7
Really there isn’t the question of who will win, but which is the more fun to ride. Even though the 900 RMK carves very easily and climbs very aggressively I will have to say that the M7 is still more fun to ride. The balance that Arctic Cat has with the M series is amazing and really is a blast to ride. However the 900 RMK will out do the M7 in all aspects on the hill, in the trees and in the Powder. There’s just now replacement for displacement.
900 RMK to 800 Summit
This is probably my most bias opinion. In short the 900 RMK would be my pick of the Ski-Doo. Ski-Doo does have a strong engine, they were the first with the rider forward design, their 16″ wide track does give them an advantage, however I just plain do not like how the handle. I have never been more tired after a ride in my life than after I rode an 800 Summit for an entire day. I guess if I wanted to get back into shape I would purchase a Ski-Doo. I know that many feel differently and I think that they are a great sled. In a straight out climb the 900 RMK would take the 800 Summit. As for who would out run who, that’s probably a toss up. The REV chassis is a fast chassis and could probably take the 900 4 out of 5 times. Big thing is for me to keep the Summit carving or side hilling I’ve constantly have to be pulling the sled in that direction rather than just a little shift in weight.
I’ve found that from riding with several different people over the years that my buddy and I have a unique riding style that many don’t enjoy. Some say it is too extreme where as you talk to the guys from Thunderstruck and other movies that have $25,000 sleds and just point them up anything and who cares what happens as long as it looks good on film, we aren’t extreme enough. I enjoy really technical climbs through trees where a change in direction is required immediately and picking a line sometimes happens in an instant. At the same time I enjoy just carving through deep powder in open bowls. Then as most men, I have to step up to the challenge and see who can put the high mark on the hill. If it takes more than 5 miles of trail to get to the backcountry or a place to at least get off and play for a bit then it isn’t worth it. So if you have a similar riding style and are looking to step up to a newer sled, you wouldn’t be disappointed with a 900 RMK. Hope this helps those who had some questions. Feel free to comment and ask question, or just plain disagree with my opinion.
May 28th, 2007 at 2:14 pm
this is one of the best sleds you could by mat hards from wilkie saskatchewan
October 12th, 2007 at 9:46 am
hey ya i like that picture do u plan on selling that sled ill pay anything for it !!@!
October 12th, 2007 at 10:52 am
Travis, not at this time. In fact I’m having it custom painted should be done first part off next week. Depending on what comes out for 2009 I’ll be looking to sell this spring.
February 21st, 2008 at 1:49 am
I got a 06 700 and man I love it! Its got balls and she can go in the steep and deep
I also found out from a mechanic at the Polaris dealer that the 700 is based off the 900. I would highly recommend this sled
March 27th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
how is that sled on gas? I got a 06 700 159 boy dose that eat some gas. my bottom left a-arm is busted and cant find the part for it. was wondering if u could help me out a bit? and what is the cost for one. NICE SLED
March 30th, 2008 at 6:06 am
Sounds like you know quite a bit about your polaris. I have the same ski-doo and am looking for some technical information. By the look of the picture you have, your ski-doo will stand vertical from the get go. My clutch kicks in at 3100 RPM, what does yours kick in at? I’m thinking of putting a clutch kit in it this summer, do you have any suggestions? What is the gearing and working RPM of your’s. As for the rear suspension, what hole is your front shock set at? Mine is in the top hole, do the other positions really make a difference and how? I myself am a technical rider but I don’t usually play around with after-market parts, but I am pretty use to my ski-doo now and am looking for more. I like doing little tricks to show my friends what handling a Doo is really all about. When you have the time I would appreciate your insite. Thanks.
March 30th, 2008 at 9:16 am
John,
Depending on the type of riding I’m doing I usually end up getting pretty good fuel milage. If you are riding with bigger sleds your 700 will take up more fuel to keep up. I used to ride a M7 while my buddies were on 8′s and 9′s and I was always running out of fuel before they were because I was on the throttle more. As for an A-arm new they are about $80, but I’m sure you can pick up some on ebay. any a-arm off an 06 rmk chassis will work doesn’t matter if it is a 6, 7 or 9. same a-arm.
Michael,
My clutch engages at around 4000 rpms. I’ve put in a shim in my secondary to stiffen the secondary spring. this put it in the middle of stock and the next step up in spring weight. As for a ski-doo I’m not sure exactly where you should go as I’ve never really played around with a doo mainly cat and polaris. My rear suspension is in stock position, just put on the stiffest setting. Also if you look at the picture closely you will notice that I’m coming up out of a small hole so, which has allowed for me to start to get my front end off the ground. I still require on my sled some sort of help to get the front end up off the ground, but once it is there it will ride out for a while. Another suggestion would be to gear the sled down in the chain case. This will increase the response. also some aftermarket engine work always helps. I usually at least go with a can. World of difference for a low cost.
April 1st, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Thanks for the advice, p.s I am going to put a little video on you-tube in the next few days of some play time this winter. I will let you know about it so you can check it out.
April 1st, 2008 at 12:24 pm
sounds good, looking forward to it.
April 2nd, 2008 at 2:13 pm
I just got my video on youtube. Its under SKIDOO JUMPS AND DONUTS. Check it out and tell me what you think. the description reads MICHAEL AND THE BOYS PLAYING AROUND.
September 22nd, 2008 at 10:58 am
At this time I’m trying to sell this sled. Totally stock. I’m just going to upgrade to an 06 900 RMK with a 166. Sled still runs prefect. Looking to get $5500 and still has 1 year warranty on the sled. email me at ryan@netsleds.com
January 27th, 2009 at 10:25 pm
Im 130 pound 23 year old thinking of purchasing an 05 rmk 900 just wondering if you think this will be to much sled for me?
January 28th, 2009 at 7:51 am
I have a friend thats the same age as you, probably weighs 150lb with his gear and he rides one. Doesn’t seem to phase him.
January 31st, 2009 at 7:22 pm
Is there in special advice you ca give on the 900 performance in the deep powder i just got it and havent made it out to the hills yet. Also have you heard if there is a upgrade for the front bumper on them, they seem to get loose I just dont want to pull on it one day and ripe it off. Thanks.
February 1st, 2009 at 7:48 pm
It will take a little bit to get used to, took me about 5 rides before I was able to ride it the way I wanted to. It has the best low end out there, so you can just lug through things rather than having to hit everything at full speed. As for a replacement bumper Tri-City Performance makes one that is solid, bolts right to the bulkhead.
February 12th, 2009 at 9:27 am
Hey,
I’ve been looking at the 900′s for some time and i’ve got it set them im going to get one, i hear alot, about engine vibration which will not bother me unless it starts to cause problems, has anyone had problems because of vibration. First things i will do is pipe and can, also this guy called confusion makes aftermarket motor mounts, very tough, also SLP torgue and push arms, I would like to lighten it up as much as i can, i know SLP pipe and can saves 20lbs and the rad. elim kit drops around 15lbs, are these sleds that heavy or is it just over statement, I live in Colorado, i always ride the steep and deep, nothing else, Is this sled going to live up to its power here in the rockies.
Thanks for your comments
Grant Miller
February 12th, 2009 at 10:30 pm
Grant,
First off you won’t be disappointed. These sleds have an awesome amount of power and potential. I’ve kept mine mostly stock, but my cousin has done the entire SLP kit to his, head, pipe, can and so on. the new M1000′s with pipe and can still don’t touch him on the hill. The low end muscle that the engine produces is only matched by Cat’s old 900. As for deep powder in and riding in the rockies they are great. They are heavy, those weighs aren’t and understatement if anything you will loose closer to 25lbs with the pipe and can. I love mine.
February 19th, 2009 at 7:50 pm
I’ve been told it is a good idea to balance the crank on my nine hundred is this something you would suggest.
I took my sled out last weekend with my cousine and high marked two 09 xp’s with pipe, can, and heads.
All that i’ve done to my sled is a can, is this a normal thing for a stock 900? Im very impressed with this sled I would highly suggest one to any one
February 19th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
I haven’t had to balance my crank yet, but I would balance the clutch, usually can get that done for around $55-60 at a local shop, that will help a ton. What you experienced is exactly what the 900 can do time and time again. The best sled would be the new Polaris Raw (Dragon) with the 900 motor in it. There wouldn’t be another stock sled out there that could touch it and all you need to do is put a can on it. I’ve been thinking of buying a new on mainly because warranty ends this year on my sled and I just like having the warranty option. Unfortunately there isn’t a sled out there that has the power of the 9 and makes me excited to ride. I hope some freak thing happens and Polaris announces a 900 in a raw chassis. Maybe trying to get rid of spare parts that are laying around during this down turn. Like a custom 500 build or something. I would jump all over that in a heart beat.
February 22nd, 2009 at 1:19 pm
well the ride yesterday went good until my sled broke. I spanked a supercharged apex and another ski doo. Back to the brocken part of the story I was coming over a little rolling hill and gave it the juice picked the ski’s way off the ground. When i did that th left ski tip went forward instead of backwards, when i set it down the ski tip dug into the powder and went end over end twice throwing me down the hill about twenty feet. It broke my upper a-arm bent the lower and bent the shock. We took it all apart and come to find out the dealer sold me a sled with no rubber piece in the ski. Were is the best place to get good cheap parts even if they are stock take off’s I dont care I just want to get it back togeter.
February 22nd, 2009 at 4:16 pm
Actually had that happen to a friend last year. Luckily we caught it before doing any damage other than bending the ski a little bit. The real kicker is there isn’t a good source for cheap parts for these sleds. Trust me if there was I would know, I’ve replaced my fair share. I would check Ebay, or SnoWest Swap Meet. Keep in mind that the 05 and 06 a-arms and spindles aren’t the same so you must get the correct year. Other than that good luck. I’m actually on the search for a lower a-arm myself.
February 23rd, 2009 at 10:23 pm
Well luckly my father-in-law has freinds in good places. I picked up the upper and lower arms plus the shock for just alittle more than three hundred dallors. i have all back to gether and i’m read for this weekend. Have you had your 900 up against a cat yet i have yet to ride with any. My brother in law is looking in to getting a 1M if he does this how will mine do against it will i keep up or will he be the one trying to keep up with me. I’ve yet to be high marked but I haven’t run with all of the sleds out there. Thank you for all the insight you give me it has really helped my learn to ride this amazing sled.
February 23rd, 2009 at 10:47 pm
If he gets the 1M 900 then he will be able to keep up, but the IQ chassis is a better chassis, so you should be able to stay on top. I’ve ran with some M1000′s, the one that I did go up against had a can and he really wasn’t able to touch me. When I was beat him on the hill he said I just picked a better line, but it didn’t matter where it was I always seemed to come out on top. Cat didn’t build the 1000 like they built the 900 or how polaris built their 9. The 900′s are built off of torque. Rather than boring our an 800 or just making the pistons and jugs larger like Cat did on the 1000 the 900′s were totally different. In fact the pistons in our 900′s are slightly smaller than the 800 pistons, but the stroke on our 900′s is almost twice as long as the 800s which is what gives the 900s all the power it has. Way more torque than any other sled.
I have ran with some new D8′s that have had twin pipes, heads, ported engine that have been able to out do me, but they match my cousin who is on an 06 900 RMK 166 with a single pipe and head. Other than that the only other thing that has beat me has been a turbo. Keep in mind I only have a can on mine.
February 24th, 2009 at 7:31 pm
Mine only has a can to. I havent ran with a turbo yet but i have taken a superchared apex out of the hole and high marking.
February 28th, 2009 at 6:12 pm
My father-in-law just bought an 06 900 with a can and a slp air box update with 14 miles on it. After he brakes it in is it going to out do mine with out the air box update?
February 28th, 2009 at 7:29 pm
Well the 06 is a better sled, better motor and slightly better suspension. However you should be able to hang right there with it. He won’t spank you, but should do slightly better. The only 06′s I ride with are the 166 dragons and they both have SLP Heads, SLP Pipe, SLP intake and SLP can. I can’t touch them.
March 4th, 2009 at 7:04 am
Hi guys, just poking my nose in on the 900′s. I just bought 2009 dragon 800, 163, 2.4 in track. Sold my 2005 900 to my younger brother. I bought the 800 because I was tired of the weight issues of the 900.. The 900 holds on way too much ice and snow, when you are playing it is 150 pounds heavier than when its in the garage. The running boards are constantly full of snow and hard to keep a grip on. Although I love the low end torque of the 900 it doesn’t compare to my new sled. I can pull out of the hole much quicker with the shorter stroke 800. The new 800 is at least 20% better then my old 900 when it comes to high marking, racing or handling. Don’t get me wrong, I still love my old 900, but newer is sometimes better.
March 4th, 2009 at 8:05 am
Michael,
You know I don’t disagree. I’ve rode the 09 800 and it is a good sled. I was extremely impressed with it. As far as on the hill and what will be what, setup and snow conditions play a lot in that. My opinion and what I’m looking at is getting a new ’10 D8 or M8. I’ve had plenty of seat time on both the 09′s and I’m confident that with the right clutching and simple mods, can, head and single pipe that these sleds will be able to do everything my 9 does now, with like your are saying 100-150lbs lighter while running. They are more fun to ride than my 9, but I do know I’m going to miss that torque factor. Which brings up then next thing, I would have upgraded this year, and last year if they would have taken the 900 engine and put in the new Raw Chassis. I could just imagine my 900 100lbs lighter, better suspension and a 163…..The Perfect Sled, nothing on the hill in stock or close to stock form would touch it and it would be fun to ride. I’m tired of being wore out at the end of the day every time I ride. I’ve had rides where I have rode an M8 or 800 RMK all day, I missed my 9′s power, but had a fun time and still hand energy at the end of the day. I will admit I’m holding on to a sled that is becoming over taken by better 800′s now 5 years later.
March 5th, 2009 at 6:41 am
Yeah, I hear what you’re saying. Those new cat sleds seem to be pretty similar to the dragons. I have not had the oppertunity to try one yet. When I bought the dragon I changed the gearing from 19:41 to 21:41 and put a mbpr can on it. This did not really change the power out of the hole (still can catwalk in the heavy snow), but it improved my acceleration and cut down my rpm’s to a suitable 8000. On the flip side, I had a minor misshap at around 1500 km’s, broke a ring on the clutch side for no appearent reason. I hope it was just a faulty ring and not the beginning of being a lemon. I got lucky and never hurt any thing else in the engine. I don’t have much patience for an unreliabe sled, so if she pops one more time in the next 5000 for no reason, she will be going to market and I would seriously consider buying the M1. It seems like a good sled since they shed a few pounds, and you can never have to much power. I love the way the dragon handles. I can pull the tightest figure-eight you have ever seen with this sled and would expect the same from the cats. To me this is a good guage on how a sled handles, if it will be easy side hilling or avoiding obsticles while going up or down the slopes. Since you have driven them let me know. Well I’m going on a 3 day sled trip tommorow back in the burns, I’ll get to drill her some more to regain my confidence in the engine. Wish me luck. Talk to you later…
May 6th, 2009 at 10:20 pm
Interesting comments, my 900 159″ is a great sled and has plenty of power but there’s no way in hell you are blowing away a supercharged apex with it. A base line supercharger apex is putting out at least 230hp.
That guy must of been asleep or at half throttle(lol)
I have an 07 apex mtn as well and its way more powerful than the stock 900 that for sure.
September 15th, 2009 at 11:33 am
Lots of great info here. Can someone help me as I’m a newbie to the sport.
Have a buddy selling a 2005 RMK900 in mint condition and will give me a great deal. Not sure if I will get into climbing mountains but would like something for the trails in the foothills of Alberta. Is this too much machine or even the wrong machine for what I want? It has the 159″ track.
Thanks
September 15th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
Not that I want to steer you away from a good sled but I wouldn’t recommend this sled for that style of riding. You would be happier with a lighter shorter sled. It will be. Easier for you to manuever and ride smoother on the trail.
September 15th, 2009 at 1:02 pm
Thank you I will take your advise.
October 23rd, 2009 at 11:39 am
hey nice sled 159 in track! is that the bigest they come? well any way nice sled
November 6th, 2009 at 1:23 am
They did make a model with a 166 track which was the longest at the time since then the manufacturers have cut back to either a 162 or 163 and if you want to go a little customer Camoplast makes a 174. I like the 159 length it has done a great job for. Been on the sled three years and still love it. Thought about selling it this year, but its hard to let go of a sled that has done so well for me. Maybe if someone gives me the right price I’ll let go of it so I can get a newer one.
November 6th, 2009 at 6:48 pm
how much horsepower does a 2006 rmk 900 have
November 7th, 2009 at 12:36 am
Stock the numbers are around 160hp. But it doesn’t take much to bump that number up on this sled.
December 1st, 2009 at 3:01 pm
admin1,
I’ve been looking at an 05 RMK 900.. I have never owned a sled before but I live in british columbia where its mostly mountain riding. I have been riding dirtbikes and quads since I was a kid and I ride aggressive, I just haven’t had much time on a sled.. the power doesn’t scare me, but I’ve heard these sleds can be a little hard to handle.. It would make sense for me to buy a 700 or 800 but I’m 6’2 and close to 300 lbs so I want the torque haha… the upside to my size is that I can throw the sled around a little easier I hope.. I just don’t want to get too small a sled and then realize it’s not enough power and be dissapointed.. anyways any help you can give me would be much appreciated
December 2nd, 2009 at 8:00 am
Kelley
Here is my reccomendation. With your size you would be able to throw the 900 around as easy as any of the other sleds. What you woul find with a smaller sled is at the end of the day you still have energy left over. Also you are definitely going to want the torque. With a smaller sled you would find yourself having fun but still wanting more. I’m 5’11″ 215 and I have that problem. Howeverif you are thinking of going with a 2009 800 or newer then you would find that these sleds would out perform the 900. Alot of that has to do with them being almost 100 lbs lighter and having basically the same hp. My 900 can keep up with them but I found last year that I am no longer the one to keep up with but now the one keeping up. It’s taken 4-5 years but it is bound to happen. I still go everywhere they go just they get there easier. The only reason I would not go with the 900 is if you are thinking of going with a 2009 Polaris 800 or a 2010 Polaris or Cat 800.
Hope that helps.
December 2nd, 2009 at 3:53 pm
admin1,
thanks allot that does help.. I am not looking for a new sled, mainly just because it is my first sled and I would rather spend $4000-5000 instead of the over $10000 for a new one because A) I’m prob gonna smash it up and B) I don’t know how much I will use it.. because of my skill level I’m obviously not gonna be at the front of the pack right now anyways, but it’s good knowing the 900 is a sled that can pull on most of the other sleds out there… thanks allot for your advice, it’s hard to find an honest and un-biased opinion sometimes!! haha I feel confident buying one now, thanks again
December 21st, 2009 at 5:19 pm
i have a chance to pick up an ’06 900 w/ a 159″ track that has 1,200 miles on it. the seller is asking $3500 and says it’s in great condition. i have to travel about an hour and a half to get there and even then i’m not sure i know what i’m looking at. my limited previous experience is with the edge chassis and skidoo rev 600′s. are there any problems to look for that are common with the 06 900?
January 29th, 2010 at 8:38 pm
I’m looking @ a 2005 900 RMK with new camelplast track, boondocker nitrous, 1900 bucks worth of high end shocks all around, pipe, Billet heads, cold air intake, he claims 7 grand of upgrades. With about 1000 kms, @ $8500, is this a good deal? The sled is in mint condition.
January 30th, 2010 at 3:26 am
Steve,
I’m assuming that you are in Canada since you referenced kms. I know the value of sleds there is much different that here in the US. In the US that sled even with all that done would most likely sell for between 4500-5000. I’m really not sure what that would be equivelant to in Canada. Sorry probably wasn’t what you were looking for but hope it helps.
January 30th, 2010 at 8:31 am
The problem with the Polaris 900s are that the engine will blow up if you try riding it without putting SLP total exhaust system.
January 30th, 2010 at 1:43 pm
Actually that’s not true. I know of four 05s with over 2000 miles none with slp none have blown. I know of one with slp everything and was blown at 1200 miles. I also know many that are the other way. They aren’t any less reliable or more reliable than any other sled at the time. If you push you sled to the limit everytime you go out doesn’t matter brand it’s going to ware out and without proper maintenence it will go down.
February 9th, 2010 at 10:16 am
i am highly considering purchasing a 2005 rmk 900 My biggest concern is all the bad press about the vibration of the sled creating so many issues. The person i am buying it from says that all updates have been done and has the slp can and exhaust. The sled has @2000 miles and supposedly no issues. Please help i dont have a lot of money to throw in a sled that is going to blow up. Chris steep and deep in colorado
February 9th, 2010 at 12:32 pm
I haven’t had an issue with vibration. Ya it does vibrate a little more at idle than the 800′s but once you start riding the vibration goes away. As for when or of the sled might go down that’s a tough one. I know some that have gone 2800 miles still no problems and not showing signs but the same can be said for any sled. That’s just a chance you take on any snowmobile.
February 10th, 2010 at 2:08 pm
Well i bought it and hope it is everything i have been looking for. I am having my mechanic go through it to balance clutch etc.. will let you know how it turns out. Doing a 60 mile poker run on the 14th wish me luck
-chris
February 10th, 2010 at 5:52 pm
Chris,
You are doing the right thing by getting the clutches balanced. That will definitely help prevent any premature failure. Good luck and enjoy the ride.
February 15th, 2010 at 11:28 am
Well i did my first ride and the 2005 polaris rmk is everything i had hoped for and more. Great power delivery, sidehilling and climbing are easy. Awesome awesome sled.
February 24th, 2010 at 4:29 pm
admin1,
Ive owned my 05 900 rmk 159 since 2008 it has been a pretty good sled but i have had some issues. the first one was the temp probe in the exhaust had issues and i had to replace it. then i had cracked the chaincase cover which happened at a good time because it was covered under warranty. this fall when i started to ride my sled i had the brass fitting for the reverse oil line circuit pop out and leak oil everywhere. just a little fixing here and there. it is a great sled at lower elevations i cant even come close to keeping up to the m1000′s but in west yellowstone the sled will take them everytime.
February 24th, 2010 at 9:07 pm
Glad you’ve ha success. I have had my little miss haps that’s for sure but I jus love the power it punches out and I’m waitin for similar engie to be put in these newer chasis. Let me know if you have question about any problems that might arise. I have pretty much figured them all out.
February 26th, 2010 at 8:49 am
I know these sleds have a problem with overheating when taking trails, have you taken any steps to correct this,if so what did you do?
March 10th, 2010 at 10:03 am
Mark,
The thing that has been done to a lot of these sleds is that people take out the front intercooler. If this is what has been done make sure you ride in the npowder a bunch to get it cooled down. The one thing that i did is buy the 2cool side vents and this helps the heat fromt he motor escape and stay cooler. Hope this helps i have attached the site for the vents http://ad-discountperformance.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1034_2449_1766_2553_2669_2671&products_id=135320
March 16th, 2010 at 12:58 pm
Hello
Ive had my ’05 900 166″ since last year, and i also had some overheating issues. Last month i upgraded it with a full SLP exhaust and the airfilter-kit from SLP, also removed the radiator (intercooler if you want). Since then ive had no problems with overheating, runs at around 60-70 degrees C on trails, and down to 40 in deep snow! i would really recommend doing this to any 900. Also it has around 6000 km’s on it, and never had a problem with it, except from the exhaust-temp sensor and a coolant leak from the waterpump gasket.
Also i added the Torque and push arms from SLP to prevent engine “twisting”.
The only non-turbo sled that leaves me behind up the hills is my friends M8, but that might be depending more on the rider:p
Greetings from Norway!
December 22nd, 2010 at 5:15 pm
hello i have a rmk 900 151 2005 and i have a problem.i have a shut down when is to high.do you have a solution.sorry for my english
December 22nd, 2010 at 9:55 pm
Thanks for the question. However I don’t quite understand what you mean by “to high”. Do you mean to hot as in it is over heating? or is it to high as in elevation? I need to know exactly what you mean so I can help you solve the problem.
March 3rd, 2011 at 9:30 am
Say, you got a nice post.Really looking forward to read more. Will read on…
April 4th, 2011 at 8:19 am
After riding the Continental Divide in Island Park Idaho and outclimbing every big muscle sleds there, I pulled out a seized engine Yamaha. Everything went fine until I hit the plowed county road! After a mile or so I lost a connecting rod! The sled was great to ride and do everything but side-hill, it was just to stable to keep it on its side. I’m going to part it out; are you interested?
Seth (208) 390-8883
April 4th, 2011 at 8:21 am
Oh Ya! The sled is a 2005 RMK 900 with a 166 inch track.
May 27th, 2011 at 9:40 am
Hey im from BRitish columbia and have been riding since i was 8. im 17 now and just blew my first engine! (2003 SX viper 700) and im looking at a 2006 900 166” track. i only have 5000 to spend and am wondering if there are any problems with that 2006? does the 166” track have any issues being so long? other reccomondations for under 5000? any advice is greatly apprieciated.
May 27th, 2011 at 10:18 am
That sled is a good sled. I have several friends that still have that exact sled and love it. The only downside to the 900 is the maintenance other than that I don’t think you can buy a better sled for the money. Depending on your riding style you might want to look at a lighter more nimble sled but of you know how to manipulate the sled the 900 is hard to beat.
September 13th, 2011 at 9:17 pm
I have a 2005 900 and was wondering if antone could tell y all of a sudden none of my lights work or none of the instrument lights but still runs
October 18th, 2011 at 2:12 pm
Hey, i’m looking at buying the 05′ 900 159″. He say’s its completely stock with 2k miles on it but is in perfect shape and runs great. I’m gonna try to go take a look at it and was wondering if you have any suggestions on things to look for or questions to ask when looking at a used sled. Been quite a few years since i’ve ridden seriously so i’m kind of behind the times knowledge wise.
November 9th, 2011 at 8:20 am
Tim: theres a couple of things it could be, obviously its electrical…most likely its going to be a mal-adjusted TPS sensor or a faulty stator. Even though its running, does it cut out, does rpms fluctuate? Theres some other details that could help determine it.
Eric: overall, the 9 is a good sled, you want to ask him about what motor repairs were done, has a new top end been put in yet (@2k miles its close to needing it), has the primary/secondary clutch been serviced recently. Polaris made a few ‘lemon’ 900′s so you’re trying to make sure this isn’t one of them, ask him how often his sled was in the shop, if it wasn’t very often then its not a lemon. Hopefully this is helpful, happy to answer anything else.
November 9th, 2011 at 8:25 am
I have a buddy selling his 2006 Polaris 900 RMK 166 with only 1027 miles, low for 06….stock with can, some clutch vents, snow eliminator running boards and 8″ 2 wheel kit, he’s asking 3950.00, its really clean, just been serviced!
November 25th, 2011 at 10:01 am
Hi, I enjoyed this post. It gave me a lot of info on this sled which I am considering purchasing. I have been out of sledding for about 10 years, but have owned quite a few…Back to the Artic Cat Puma 340′s. My last sled was a Ski Doo Summit 800. My son got a 2003 Polaris RMK 700 last year and a couple of his friends have 800 Dragons. One of my friends from earlier snowmobiling has switched to Artic Cat from Ski Doo. He says that nothing can keep up with the M8. I also don’t want to put 10K in a sled. 4-5K seems more likely. I am interrested in the 06 900 with the 166. Is it still for sale?
Thanks, Don
November 25th, 2011 at 4:16 pm
Yeah, the 06 900 is still for sale. Do you want to give me a call?
November 26th, 2011 at 9:02 am
Yes, I would like to call. Where are you??? I’m in Yakima.
I went and looked at one of the Dragons yesterday that one of my sons freinds just got. It’s an 09 with a 155″. One of the other guys has the same sled with the 163″. How would those 2 sleds compare to the M8 that another freind is steering me towards. I imagine the 900 would be quite a bit heavier???
November 27th, 2011 at 8:33 pm
Phone # ?
November 29th, 2011 at 1:17 pm
The M8 compares pretty directly with the two polaris sleds, the polaris has more of a ‘stable’ feel and the cat has more of a ‘loose’ feel. Don’t read too much into those descriptions, both boondock really well, handle really well and have good power. An 09 polaris will beat an older M8, like an 06 M8 and vice versa.
The 900 is heavier but still handles really well. Comparing an 06 900 to an 09 800 polaris is like comparing an ’10 800 to an ’11 800 polaris, you’re comparing different chassis to each other, like comparing apples against oranges. Of course the newer chassis, generally speaking, is just all around more capable, but don’t forget the extra money. One can argue that a newer sled is worth the money but it depends on if you have it.
The glory of the 900 is power, the low end and mid range raw torque and power the 900 produces hasn’t been duplicated in a stock sled package.
My bad about the number, I forgot to check back, 208.520.0640.
December 4th, 2011 at 7:21 pm
Sorry for the non-call…. I’m still looking, but not too seriously. I may actually wait til next year to get a sled…
I really enjoyed this thread. I would like to keep your number and maybe call you for some advice in the future???
Thanks again, Don
December 7th, 2011 at 10:23 am
ques. i am looking at buying the polaris 900 rmk from 2005, from my uncle. He has put about 1800 miles on the sled which to me isnt that much, but my dad said those sleds from that year are junk after about 2,500 miles, and i just wanna get some opinions on if thats true or not
December 12th, 2011 at 7:45 am
Gabe 23,
I wish I could tell you that the 900 will last for ever and you will never need to do anything to it. Unfortunately that just isn’t the case. Most of the sleds these days need some care at, around or after 2500 miles. I would recommend at least a new top end on any of the sleds 800 or larger at about 2500 miles. I know some of these have gone that far without problems, but because of the nature of the sleds pushing the limits. It would be wise to do at least that. In addition you will probably need to rebuild the clutches at that time. The higher displacement sleds require a lot more care as they wear out parts quicker than the 600′s and smaller sleds.
January 25th, 2012 at 12:05 pm
I would like to purchace a 2005 Polaris 900 RMK . the track is a 151″ and I would like to replace the track with a longer track. What is the longest stock track available for that sled, I’m assuming the tunnel size is the same for all sleds that year and model. Also I am tring to get infor on possibly going to a 3″ track. I’m assuming to keep the driver size stock for good track speed, I’ll need to drop and roll the chain case for proper clearance. Know of anybody who has done this type of mod ???
February 7th, 2012 at 8:47 pm
Have a 900 and had to have a new stater put in it 2 weeks ago and took it out for the first time today made it about 10 miles and lost all power and spark just like it did when the stater went out the first time any guess?
January 10th, 2013 at 10:18 am
longest track is 166 for rmk