All right, it's been a pretty good season, but there's no denying that it's starting to wind down. With that in mind, I'm thinking about getting a jump on a few upgrades so I can get them done over the summer. From now on I'm swearing off any upgrade projects or unnecessary sled work during the winter, no matter how small!
A quick rundown of the sled: '02 600 RMK 144 (track is a recent addition and lightly ported). Only engine work is Boysen reeds, Holzmann ATACC, and new NGK plugs and wires. Stock pipe and silencer – I actually tried a SLP can, even that was too loud, and from what I hear there's very little gain for the money with any exhaust "upgrades" on this 600. New (a couple seasons ago) primary clutch, rebuilt secondary. SLP Magnum Force weights, R-32 helix, springs are relatively new Polaris (bk/gn primary, sil/bl secondary). I switched the gearing around when I put the 144 in. Has RydeFX clicker shocks all around and SLP Powder Pro skis. Otherwise, I've gone through most of the normal wear items and added a few minor bits and pieces, including a 2" handlebar riser.
So, here are the definite upgrades planned:
Snow eliminators. Either WRP or Better Boards; I've seen good reports on both, but wondering if anyone's had issues with either holding up long-term.
New motor mounts – pretty straightforward.
Gear down further. Right now I've got 19/41, and that's perfect down around 4000' (it pulls hard and easily hits 80 on the speedo on a half-mile run down the road, even with a slight uphill), but I'm thinking a 43T lower gear will be more ideal above 8000. Thats another 5% (10% over stock, 19/39) plus it uses up a lot more of the chain. The current lower gear and chain (41T and 74P) are from the 800 I parted, and while it's an approved combination, it has a big dog-leg and takes up all but 3/16" of the tensioner.
LED taillight - not a big weight savings, but cheap enough.
Replace idler bearings, convert rear to two-wheel.
Replace original (far as I know) VES valves, bellows, and springs.
Some probable upgrades are:
Lightweight seat. Digging through old posts, it seems the WRP seat is the most popular, and it's also the cheapest option. Boss and Skinz are also options, but they're more expensive (both $500 vs $370). Any reports on those would be great.
Lightweight trailing arms. Fabcraft would be nice, but not sure if they're available or worth the expense new. Be nice to find a good used set... I also have half a thought to try my hand at fabricating my own.
Some that I've thought about but not sure they're worth the money and/or work:
TEAM secondary. A new TEAM Tied setup would be nice, but $500 or so for a new one would probably be better put in the new sled fund. I'm guessing a used one could be a good choice, but beyond making sure it's for a 1" keyed shaft, I don't know what to look for. I assume one from a VES 600 RMK would be a drop-in replacement though. I've got a good working secondary that I've rebuilt, so the performance characteristics are the only motive for upgrading.
Intake upgrades. I know a lot of people put the SLP intake bits on almost as a matter of course, but I'm not sure they'd make much difference on a 600.
Anyway, I'm happy to hear any input on all that. In particular, opinions on the seat, snow eliminators, and what (if anything) is worth the time and money on the secondary. I'm looking to keep the cash outlay minimal; $500 would be nice, and dropping more than $1000 into this sled doesn't make sense (and I know, some would suggest that number is closer to $100, but
). I'll definitely be riding it a couple more seasons unless I win the lottery – which is hard to do when you don't buy tickets – and probably keep it indefinitely as a spare/loaner. Finally, if you see anything here and think "I've got that and could part with it," let me know!
A quick rundown of the sled: '02 600 RMK 144 (track is a recent addition and lightly ported). Only engine work is Boysen reeds, Holzmann ATACC, and new NGK plugs and wires. Stock pipe and silencer – I actually tried a SLP can, even that was too loud, and from what I hear there's very little gain for the money with any exhaust "upgrades" on this 600. New (a couple seasons ago) primary clutch, rebuilt secondary. SLP Magnum Force weights, R-32 helix, springs are relatively new Polaris (bk/gn primary, sil/bl secondary). I switched the gearing around when I put the 144 in. Has RydeFX clicker shocks all around and SLP Powder Pro skis. Otherwise, I've gone through most of the normal wear items and added a few minor bits and pieces, including a 2" handlebar riser.
So, here are the definite upgrades planned:
Snow eliminators. Either WRP or Better Boards; I've seen good reports on both, but wondering if anyone's had issues with either holding up long-term.
New motor mounts – pretty straightforward.
Gear down further. Right now I've got 19/41, and that's perfect down around 4000' (it pulls hard and easily hits 80 on the speedo on a half-mile run down the road, even with a slight uphill), but I'm thinking a 43T lower gear will be more ideal above 8000. Thats another 5% (10% over stock, 19/39) plus it uses up a lot more of the chain. The current lower gear and chain (41T and 74P) are from the 800 I parted, and while it's an approved combination, it has a big dog-leg and takes up all but 3/16" of the tensioner.
LED taillight - not a big weight savings, but cheap enough.
Replace idler bearings, convert rear to two-wheel.
Replace original (far as I know) VES valves, bellows, and springs.
Some probable upgrades are:
Lightweight seat. Digging through old posts, it seems the WRP seat is the most popular, and it's also the cheapest option. Boss and Skinz are also options, but they're more expensive (both $500 vs $370). Any reports on those would be great.
Lightweight trailing arms. Fabcraft would be nice, but not sure if they're available or worth the expense new. Be nice to find a good used set... I also have half a thought to try my hand at fabricating my own.
Some that I've thought about but not sure they're worth the money and/or work:
TEAM secondary. A new TEAM Tied setup would be nice, but $500 or so for a new one would probably be better put in the new sled fund. I'm guessing a used one could be a good choice, but beyond making sure it's for a 1" keyed shaft, I don't know what to look for. I assume one from a VES 600 RMK would be a drop-in replacement though. I've got a good working secondary that I've rebuilt, so the performance characteristics are the only motive for upgrading.
Intake upgrades. I know a lot of people put the SLP intake bits on almost as a matter of course, but I'm not sure they'd make much difference on a 600.
Anyway, I'm happy to hear any input on all that. In particular, opinions on the seat, snow eliminators, and what (if anything) is worth the time and money on the secondary. I'm looking to keep the cash outlay minimal; $500 would be nice, and dropping more than $1000 into this sled doesn't make sense (and I know, some would suggest that number is closer to $100, but
). I'll definitely be riding it a couple more seasons unless I win the lottery – which is hard to do when you don't buy tickets – and probably keep it indefinitely as a spare/loaner. Finally, if you see anything here and think "I've got that and could part with it," let me know!
