Finally, Some Props for the 600s

"At $9,899, the base model Polaris 600 RMK is the least expensive sled—including the new Cat M 6000—in the 600 segment.

"2014 Polaris 600 RMK

"For 2014, the SnoWest SnowTest crew agreed the Polaris 600 Pro RMK is the class of the class, edging out Ski-Doo’s Summit SP 600.

"One of the best moves for 2014 in the entire 600 segment was Ski-Doo putting its 600 E-Tec model in the XM chassis.

"2014 Ski-Doo Summit SP 600

"The Ski-Doo Summit SP 600 has two track options, a 146- or 154-inch, and a whole host of features which make it very competitive with the Polaris 600 Pro RMK.

Can we just start by saying we find it more than refreshing to see at least a decent portion of the news about western sleds focused on the 600 class for MY 2014? Granted, it didn’t start out that way. There was some new news about the mountain 600s when Ski-Doo announced it would put its Summit 6 in the XM chassis.

Then things really got interesting early this fall when, at Hay Days, Cat unveiled the M 6000.

Until very recently, there hasn’t been much to cheer about in the 600 class. Sure, there were solid machines in this segment, but they were getting dated and the luster was fading. When Arctic Cat dropped its 600 from its lineup (the last Cat 6 was MY2012), well, if felt like the class was on life support.

There were some hints of hope, like when Ski-Doo introduced the 600 E-Tec motor in the Summit and then Polaris moved its 6 into the Pro RMK chassis. Still it didn’t feel complete. We know it’s only been two model years since the Cat 6 hasn’t been around, but it seems like forever since there have been three sleds in this class.

Yes, the 600s are a small part of the western market—but they’re still a part of the western market. And we happen to like the segment.

The 600 segment was owned by Polaris last year, but we suspect that will change, what with Ski-Doo updating its 600 in the XM chassis and Cat just revealing a 2014 M 6000. We’re glad Cat didn’t wait until MY 2015 to make the release. And we once again admit we were a little disappointed when Cat revealed the 600 class engine this past spring and it was a trail chassis. We’re all better now.

We only rode the Polaris and Ski- Doo 6s head-to-head during the annual photo shoots in West Yellowstone last February. You can read all the details about the Cat 6 in Fronts and Fore­casts, although we did put all the 600 specs side-by-side so you could match up these machines apples to apples.

Specifically, we rode the “high-end” versions of the Polaris 6 and Ski-Doo 6, meaning the Pro RMK and SP. It was a pretty good battle, one that continued on long after the photo shoots were done. We had a ‘13 600 Pro RMK (which is almost identical to the 2014 model) in our stable of sleds, and Ski-Doo allowed us to use the ‘14 Summit SP 600 until the snow melted. So we had a lot of seat time on those two sleds.

After all the riding, we settled on three basic areas: 1) Our favorite mountain 600; 2) What we liked about each 600; and 3) What we weren’t crazy about on each 600.

Let’s tackle No. 2 first.

Polaris Pro RMK Power and pre­dictability were the overriding favorites on the Polaris 600 Pro RMK. Flotation and a light chassis were others.

Something that perhaps surprised us a little is that each of the SnoWest SnowTest crew felt the Polaris 600 had more power than the Ski-Doo 600. That was surprising because when it comes to the 800s and those two brands, we think the Ski-Doo 8 leads the Polaris 8 in that category.

The 600 Pro RMK has about 5cc more displacement than the Summit 6 so that’s not a huge difference, but where we can tell the difference is in the power delivery, particularly on the bot­tom end. As one SnowTester said about the Polaris 6, “It has enough instant power to bust through a creek bottom and make a quick carve on the hill. The only time you find it underpowered is when you have one long continuous pull.” It’s not that the Summit 6 suffers in power—it doesn’t—it’s more in the delivery. Whereas you can punch the Polaris 6 and it jumps, when you do the same with the Ski-Doo 6, it has more of an even-keel response.

As for the predictability, you don’t need to read anything into that. The 600 Pro RMK does what you want it to do when you want it to do it and you know how it’s going to react when you twist this way or that. There’s no guess­ing when you ride the 6 RMK and that gives you confidence as you ride. The Pro Ride chassis with its nimbleness and light weight are to thank, in large part, for that. And you simply cannot discount how light a 417-pound sled feels on the snow. It feels light because it is light.

Ski-Doo Summit SP 600 Now in the XM chassis—with its tMotion rear suspension and FlexEdge track—many of the comments from the SnowTest crew about what they liked in the ‘14 SP 600 revolved around the ride and maneuverability of the sled. Just like when Ski-Doo unleashed the Summit 8 in the XM chassis, the improvement to the ride and handling were immediately evident. It was much easier to roll up and sidehill or carve in the powder. The same goes for the SP 6. As one Snow­Test rider said, “It’s so easy to roll and go.” Another comment was, “It has a solid platform. It’s easy to ride and very comfortable. It makes you feel like you are always in control.”

Someone not used to the feel of the new XM chassis might think it’s too tippy. You can stand on the running board on one side of the sled and easily pull it over. That’s a great feature when you’re sidehilling and riding through the tight trees on an off-camber hill. Once you get used to it, that tippyness is more of an ally than a hindrance.

Another highlight of the SP 6 is how light it feels while riding. As one SnowTester said, “It has a very light feel.” It may be the heavier of the two 6s we rode (Pro RMK 417 lbs. vs. SP 600 456 lbs.), but it definitely feels as light as the Polaris while riding. It is fairly easy to throw around and get it to do what you want it to.

We also were impressed with how the Ski-Doo 6 handles the bumps “very nicely” as one SnowTester said. “You can cruise down the trail and feel confident you will make the corners and survive the whoops.” Ski-Doo uses HPG shocks in the rear and they do indeed work well in the bumps.

What We’re Not Crazy About

Moving on to No. 3, let’s begin with the Ski-Doo 6. We’ve kind of touched on one of our not-so-crazy-about “issues” on this machine: its power output. Or as one SnowTester said, “It feels underpowered compared to the 600 RMK.” That is almost word-for-word from two of our other staff. We don’t need to beat a dead horse, but the RMK holds the edge in the horsepower category. We do, however, like the power delivery, which is smooth and constant.