2025 SP Shocks - Are they really that much worse?

[Escmanaze]

I've been riding in-season Polaris models for almost a decade now, so I am very accustomed to the standard silver Walker Evans shocks that they were putting on their in-season models. When I saw Polaris create the "SP" models this year with shocks that weren't Walker Evans, I was initially very disappointed and thought maybe that would be a reason to not buy the in-season models. However, I stopped by a dealer showroom recently and looked at an SP model, and from outward appearance, these shocks they are putting on the SP models seem a LOT like the old silver Walker Evans shocks.

Does anybody know details about just how much of a downgrade in shock I might be taking to go from my silver Walker Evans on my in-season '22 model to a '25 SP model?

Thanks

 

[Sheetmetalfab]

I remember reading that they are valved softer.

 

[User Name]

That's what I read too. Supposed to be valved for beginner or light riders. I imagine you can find the Pro RMK shocks for sale for not very much

 

[Escmanaze]

That's what I read too. Supposed to be valved for beginner or light riders. I imagine you can find the Pro RMK shocks for sale for not very much

Hmmmmm... I am neither a beginner nor am I a lightweight.

Shoot.

 

[Sheetmetalfab]

Hmmmmm... I am neither a beginner nor am I a lightweight.

Shoot.

Then the stock pro shocks aren't really working for you either.

The WE monotubes are valved and sprung for a 115# rider from the factory in my experience.

I always buy a sled with cheap shocks and upgrade them.

Stock shocks ride in the trailer for spares.

 

[Jaynelson]

FWIW you can easily find a new 2024 in-season 850 (not the SP) with WE monotubes, or Velocity’s (and likely a bunch more spec) for less than a 25 SP.

 

[Sheetmetalfab]

FWIW you can easily find a new 2024 in-season 850 (not the SP) with WE monotubes, or Velocity’s (and likely a bunch more spec) for less than a 25 SP.

Yeah 24 khaos w the long cooler for 14,700 in utah.

My buddy bought 8 of them and brought to AK trying to resell them.

 

[ggcustoms]

Ttt. Any other differences between SP and Pro besides shocks?

 

[tb123]

Ttt. Any other differences between SP and Pro besides shocks?

I’m curious about other differences too. I’m looking at buying a used SP model rental sled for a 900 mod build. Are there other differences vs the Pro RMK?

 

[Pickin’ Boogers]

The SP has a ‘25 throttle assembly but ‘24 running boards. No “Slash” option so it has the longer cooler. Also no 7s option, no 3.25” track option, no low bars option, and cheap shocks with questionable resale value. At first glance it looked like a good starting point if you planned to upgrade shocks anyway, but everything else really begins to add up.

 

[FlynHigh]

I thought only the 9R and Boost got the new running boards for 2025. So based on that a slash 850 NA probably has the same boards as the SP? Or is Polaris using an even older generation of boards for the SP? If so I don’t understand that. It has to cost Polaris more to order, store, and kit different running boards for the production line than just running the same boards on all sleds.

 

[KhaosRipcord]

I thought only the 9R and Boost got the new running boards for 2025. So based on that a slash 850 NA probably has the same boards as the SP? Or is Polaris using an even older generation of boards for the SP? If so I don’t understand that. It has to cost Polaris more to order, store, and kit different running boards for the production line than just running the same boards on all sleds.

Unless they have a stockpile of them sitting on the shelf I agree. The 25 boost/9r is not just the running boards either. The tunnel is different as well to accomidate those new boards.

 

[Sheetmetalfab]

With how flimsy the 25+ running boards are it seems starting from an SP would be a feature and not a bug.

 

[Pickin’ Boogers]

Agreed - not sure why anyone cares about the running boards, or if anything the ‘24 boards would be preferable.

 

[tb123]

I haven’t personally compared running boards, but from what I’ve heard, the 2025 boards clear snow a lot better.

 

[KStrand]

The ‘25 boards may be weaker, I haven’t had any issues with them but I rode with older matryx models all winter and I definitely had less snow on my ‘25 boards than the older models did. So far I’m happy with them.

 

[KhaosRipcord]

The ‘25 boards may be weaker, I haven’t had any issues with them but I rode with older matryx models all winter and I definitely had less snow on my ‘25 boards than the older models did. So far I’m happy with them.

I honestly can't tell the difference from a snow shedding perspective between my 22 and my 25. But I do know if I was to hit something and break a running board I'de rather it be on my 25 than my 22. The 25 is designed to break away and save the tunnel. Where as the 22 is more likely to damage the tunnel in that same scenario.

 

[icecoldmn]

Yeah 24 khaos w the long cooler for 14,700 in utah.

My buddy bought 8 of them and brought to AK trying to resell them.

i just bought a new 24 rmk pro, walker evans shocks and 7s for 12k in early feb. i thought it was a great deal