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'09 800 RMK vs. '97 700 RMK reliability

B
Oct 26, 2003
322
83
28
Is there any way to get the '09 as reliable as my old '97 700 RMK and if so, and I wanted to drop it off at a shop and have all the work done what is a rough estimate as to what it would cost to have done?

Thanks
 
L

leadfoot33

Well-known member
Aug 31, 2010
605
194
43
Prince George BC
i dont think so, some have put different piston kits in and had good luck, but overall it wont be as reliable i dont think. on the other hand the 97 wont handle like an 09
 
B
Oct 26, 2003
322
83
28
Are any of the newer RMKs from the 2007 700 Dragon on up as reliable as my 97 700? I haul these things 500 miles one way to ride so reliability is at the top of my priority list.
 
V

volcano buster

Well-known member
Nov 26, 2007
4,221
1,613
113
Stayton Oregon
Likely not if you were comparing "new" to "new", but your '97 is no spring chicken. I would suggest a 600 or 700 in the IQ or Pro chassis should give you reasonable reliability. The 600's are pretty snorty and the 700's were rated at about 140 horse. Bundle that with a quick rev, better track and suspension, better ergo's, you will enjoy the heck out of it. I'm personally not sold on 800 Polaris' for reliability.
 

AndrettiDog

Well-known member
Lifetime Membership
Dec 23, 2007
6,329
2,478
113
Colorado
The IQ 700's were very reliable and didn't really have a bad reputation for engine problems. I had a 2007 and put 3200 miles on it with no rebuilds. Never left me stranded with exception of a wiring problem that was a result of a mistake I made with the grip warmers.

If you are stuck on an IQ 800, you can ask for the RK Tek or Mtn Tek piston kits. These kits bring the piston tolerance closer so that there is not so much vibration in the pistons. If you really wanted the IQ 800 to be reliable, I would send it off to IndyDan and do the long rod kit. He's the guy to discuss this with.
 
N
Feb 16, 2009
124
10
18
40
tremonton, UTAH
why not have the best of both worlds. i put a 1999 polaris 700 motor in my 2008 rmk chassis after the 700 motor blew at 2000 miles. between the weight i lost in wires and computers and relays, the 99 motor coupled with a cpi single pipe honestly runs better than the 08 motor ever did and its reliable. i had a 1998 rmk 700 with twins high compression head and boondocker nitrous and it finally burned a piston at 8000 miles. this is the fix in my opinion

Photo650.jpg FOT61C.jpg Photo638.jpg Photo674.jpg
 
N
Feb 16, 2009
124
10
18
40
tremonton, UTAH
you couldnt have said it any better. the chassis's are great but the newer motors are absolute junk. i actually tossed around the idea of puttin a 2012 600 motor in the 08 chassis but they wanted 2,200 for just the motor plus all the electronics and exhaust. i bought this motor blown up for $250 and rebuilt the whole thing had a pipe built and im into this $1500 is all and couldnt be happier. in fact im lookin for another chassis right now to put a 2000 700 motor in that i have sittin around for a spare sled
 
X

X2Freeride

Well-known member
Jan 25, 2009
1,546
582
113
39
The IQ 700's were very reliable and didn't really have a bad reputation for engine problems. I had a 2007 and put 3200 miles on it with no rebuilds. Never left me stranded with exception of a wiring problem that was a result of a mistake I made with the grip warmers.

If you are stuck on an IQ 800, you can ask for the RK Tek or Mtn Tek piston kits. These kits bring the piston tolerance closer so that there is not so much vibration in the pistons. If you really wanted the IQ 800 to be reliable, I would send it off to IndyDan and do the long rod kit. He's the guy to discuss this with.

Only Stator and Oil pump problems and ECU problems. And sacking out clutch springs.
 

polaris dude

Well-known member
Lifetime Membership
Jun 5, 2009
3,500
1,058
113
Grand Junction, CO
I've put 3000 miles on my 600 with nothing done besides gas, oil, and plugs. Polaris did it right with their 600s and 700s. I just don't understand why they cannot manage to make something decent with 100 more ccs of displacement.
 
X

X2Freeride

Well-known member
Jan 25, 2009
1,546
582
113
39
I've put 3000 miles on my 600 with nothing done besides gas, oil, and plugs. Polaris did it right with their 600s and 700s. I just don't understand why they cannot manage to make something decent with 100 more ccs of displacement.

When weight its the driving factor behind a design this is what you get.
 
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