Is a 2000 RMK 550 a good wife sled?

[rmkdave]

Looking to upgrade my wifes '94 EXT 580 Mountain to somethink a little newer with a better suspension.

Found a 2000 550 Trail RMK with under 1500 miles that looks to be in really good shape. Is this a reliable sled? Does it produce decent power?

My wife is not a powder queen... she just likes to tag along and when we find a nice meadow of powder to rip up she just hangs on the trail until we move on.

Assuming it's a decent sled, what would you pay?

Thanks!

 

[Ollie]

If she is a trail rider and doesn't do any pow riding it should be fine.

With only 1500 miles, check the compression and that everything is straight.
Good reliable basic sled.

 

[snowmobiler]

good sleds.$1500 or less.

 

[spomey]

First I dont want this response to offend anyone, I am just stating my personal experience and thoughts. they are not meant to be degrading or generalizing women but it is what I have experienced and seen.

I would say no for several reasons. women on average care about what they are wearing or riding or using much more than men. Face it the normal guy would ride a multi-colored rattle trap duct taped POS if it kicked a$$. but most (nearly all women) want new and pretty. If you want proof take your wife used sled shopping she will inevitably go down the line of sleds to the newer ones. I bought my wife golf clubs and she wouldn't use them, so I sold them and let her pick them out and now she likes to golf. Her answer was just plain silly "I like the way they look sitting on the grass next to the ball, the old ones were ugly.

So if you want her to use it let her pick it out. If you dont care if it sits unused then pick one out for her. plus then the sled is HERS not one you picked out for her. Pride in ownership....then set some money asside for extras, let her personalize it. what she wants might surprise you, dont make fun...if you do get her a newer sled listen at the end of the day on the ride down, how she mentions what other people are riding and how she compares, if she is obviously on the worst sled she will know and not mention it.

another of my philosophies is put the worst rider on the best sled, meaning let your wife ride your sled. They get stuck less, they have enough power and traction to get out of minor stucks just by using the throttle. watch her ride, does she take off out of a hole then just start to plane up onto the snow only to let off the throttle and sink back in (repeat process) because shes a bit scared of the throttle? mine does give her horsepower and track (clutch it for smooth electric take off); that equals you digging out MUCH less.

another is ride, face it if you ride a new sled you can ride harder longer and not hurt as much at the end of a ride as you do on a 5 year old sled. if you dont belive me then try it. This would mean moma is less tired and beat up and more willing to go again.

another is the fan cooled, what days does you wife want to ride. most likely warmer clear days, warm days, fan cooled = much less power much less responsive = less fun.

if you want a sled to get used 1-2 times a season then its a good sled, if you want your wife to enjoy the sport and join you more often get her a newer/new good sled. I would recommend a REV 6/7 or M6/7 D6/7 or something along those lines. Steer her in that direction then let her decide. Dont let the larger cc sled deter you, IMHO if she can start it get the bigger sled.

Another upside is then you would have a decent backup.

would you want someone buying you a sled? or would you want guidance and advice while choosing your new sled? same goes for her...

spomey

 

[AKSNOWRIDER]

great answer spomey...and I agree ...take your wife out and rent a few sleds and let her ride and pick what she wants...I have both a 08 trail 550 rmk(daughters sled), and a 08 600 ho rmk(sons sled)..I gurantee you she will like the 600 far more then the 550(550 has 80 hp the 600 125)..600 is so easy to ride, great handling, great powder sled, so easy to flick around,,,and it will be a good backup sled for you...take her out and let her ride a few sleds and see what she likes..but the new sleds are way easier to ride as well as they dont wear you out like the old sleds....

 

[Tackbtch]

great answer spomey...and I agree ...take your wife out and rent a few sleds and let her ride and pick what she wants...I have both a 08 trail 550 rmk(daughters sled), and a 08 600 ho rmk(sons sled)..I gurantee you she will like the 600 far more then the 550(550 has 80 hp the 600 125)..600 is so easy to ride, great handling, great powder sled, so easy to flick around,,,and it will be a good backup sled for you...take her out and let her ride a few sleds and see what she likes..but the new sleds are way easier to ride as well as they dont wear you out like the old sleds....

X 2 ...Dino

 

[AZ800]

Guys, maybe RMKdave doesn't have $5-6k to shell out for a sled, or he'd likely be asking about an 07 RMK, not a 2000RMK 550!
To the OP, yes those are very relaible sleds, and handle the trail pretty well if you keep the ski's wide and suck up the limiter straps a bit.
Alot of rental outfits have used 550 Poo's for years......reason? They don't break down alot.
I rented one for my wife years back in Yellowstone. It kept up fine on the trail and rode way better than my XCR 600.
If it's in real good shape and only 1500 mi, I'd say it's a good purchase. $1500 tops though. Remember, those don't have rebuildable shocks and likely they're shot after 8yrs, so figure another $300 for stock shocks, or buy some used Fox shocks for it.

 

[rmkdave]

Thanks for all the replies.

AZ800 is right... not looking for the best sled out there for her, just an upgrade from her '94 EXT. We just don't get out enough to justify a $5k-$6k sled.

I guess I am lucky because she really likes her EXT and doesn't mind that it is not the newest or best looking sled on the mountain. I want to get her something a little newer since I am scared that a sled that old with EFI is time bomb. Those old cats don't have much suspension either.

 

[theultrarider]

rmkdave,
Have had both sleds in our group of freinds and the ride quality is night and day. Sure in a perfect workd I would go buy a new one off the floor and I'm sure you would too if you could. I understand a poorman's budget. The step you are looking to make I think she would love it. The 550 is no powerhouse, but 0-30 it is quite snappy, and it will run 70ish on a groomed trail. Just takes a while to get there. The ride is many times nicer than the old cats. II think you wuold be doing her a big favor and have a much more reliable and lighter sled. Sure, if you can afford it, move up to an edge chassis or better yet a 600 in the iq, but if you budget only allows for a genII, still much better than the old cat. Not Cat bashing here either.

 

[duallymanca]

My wife rides a 2000 Trail RMK and doesn't want a newer sled which is totally weird. She tried my 02 800 RMK and the 900. Said no to both, although she thought reverse was OK. She sticks to the trails and the 550 is perfect for that.
Another nice thing is I never have to fix it.

 

[macovial]

Spomey is spot on! I also have experience with this type of situation. I got my wife a 2005 Polaris Trail 550 and brought her along with me when I'm trying to rip it with the boys in the powder. It was the worst sledding trip ever because she kept getting stuck (even on the trail) and I spent most of the day digging her out.

If anyone going to get a sled for the wife, get a 600 HO or bigger.

 

[Himark]

NO.


550's just dont have enough power to do much at all. You will be dissappointed because eventually you may have to ride it out of something somewhere...or want to take a buddy and its just not enough. Huge power difference to upgrade to the 600s water cooled.

 

[GMCRMK]

As long as they look as happy as this, you've done well. I think I did alright with the 600 144. She was the most happy with REVERSE!

 

[pura vida]

we have one and i would not buy one again. underpowered and pretty dam heavy considering it is an air cooled sled.

pv

 

[towngrunt]

550 is a good sled, I have one of these myself. These are almost bullet proof. I agree if you can afford it go bigger and newer, if you cant this is a great move. But the biggest thing to remember is be very patient with her. Even at age 50 I sometimes have a hard time remembering my 110 lb. wife does not ride the same way that I do.
Make it as comfortable for her as you can, cause if she has fun riding then it makes your sledding life a whole lot better.

 

[gonehuntnpowder]

I had one for an extra sled. There were times that we had to build road to get it through, but it doesn't matter what the sled is you will have to do that for any inexperienced rider. I put a polaris 1.75 track on mine. It worked fine. If I was to get another I would put a 144 on it. Saw one and it worked fine going slow and boondocking. I also had an 86 phazer with a 136 20 years ago, so I like flotation.