I’m coming over from the dark doo side and wondering if I should go with the 155 or 163 for $200 more. Anyone ride with one of each? What’s the straight climb performance comparison and do you lose any of the fad from being the lightest and easiest machine to throw around with the 163? If there is already a post discussing this I apologize I didn’t see, probably due to the excitement of getting a new pro! All in all just wondering if the stock 800 155” performs right with the bigger brother due to turning a little lighter track… Thank you for insight!
155 or 163 2012 800 Pro
- Thread starter silver 002
- Start date
the 163 will hurt the 155 on deep/steep days...and not much diff on the shallower days..the 163 seems just as flickable as well..If I remember right there is a 6 pd diff in weight between the two ..just love the 163....
My daily rider is an awesome 155 (a very special sled)....if it would magically turn into a 163 I would be very thankful. It's the ONLY mistake I've made on this sled.
(if you are not getting what I'm laying down let me be a little more specific)
GET THE 163
it's actually all that Polaris should offer in this vehicle platform....EASY EXPERTS.... don't have key board spasm or blow a head gasket because you own a 155...you made the same mistake I did on the PRO chassis. (it's still fricking awesome and the best buggy you can get or make for mtn riding but the 163 is simply better in every way shape form and fashion)
(if you are not getting what I'm laying down let me be a little more specific)
GET THE 163
it's actually all that Polaris should offer in this vehicle platform....EASY EXPERTS.... don't have key board spasm or blow a head gasket because you own a 155...you made the same mistake I did on the PRO chassis. (it's still fricking awesome and the best buggy you can get or make for mtn riding but the 163 is simply better in every way shape form and fashion)
I believe Aksnowrider is right on the money. I brought my 2011 155" PRO RMK out to Cooke City last season and I also rented a 2011 PRO RMK 163" at the same time.
The 163" was better on the steep hills and in deep snow conditions. But the 155", I think has the edge in the trees which is where we had to spend some time in because of the visibility issues at the time. Most articles I have read recently from different publications seem to favor the 155" overall though . I must have liked the 163" because I just purchased one. (2011) Either way you won't be disappointed they are pretty awesome sleds, unless you do a lot of trail riding. My 163" appears to have about 3" more of track on the floor than my 155". My $.02
The 163" was better on the steep hills and in deep snow conditions. But the 155", I think has the edge in the trees which is where we had to spend some time in because of the visibility issues at the time. Most articles I have read recently from different publications seem to favor the 155" overall though . I must have liked the 163" because I just purchased one. (2011) Either way you won't be disappointed they are pretty awesome sleds, unless you do a lot of trail riding. My 163" appears to have about 3" more of track on the floor than my 155". My $.02
Im wishing my d8's 155 would magically turn into a 163".
U can't beat the 163 for the money. I have always owned long tracks but if I was gonna purchase another sled for the wife it would be a 155. I got a line on another black 163 in Idaho for cheap if interested.
S
snowplow
New member
There is really not much difference between the 155 and 163 in terms of handling and feel. With that said I have never said I wish I had less track. I've run 163's each year through 2012 and now with the pro's there virtually is no feel difference between the 155 and 163. Both great sleds that will give you incredible fun
I'm lucky enough tO have ridden the 155 & 163 head to head in several snow conditions.
The 155 jumps better and is SLIGHTLY more maunverable in the trees.
The 163 IMO edges out the 155 due to the increased floatation the longer track provides. I found that stoping and starting is easier in deep powder.
Switching sleds on the same hill (fresh tracks) the 163 was normally a sled length or two above the 155.
The 155 jumps better and is SLIGHTLY more maunverable in the trees.
The 163 IMO edges out the 155 due to the increased floatation the longer track provides. I found that stoping and starting is easier in deep powder.
Switching sleds on the same hill (fresh tracks) the 163 was normally a sled length or two above the 155.
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I actually bought one of each, (no I'm not rich, but I can sign my name), got a 155 for my wife, and the 163 for myself. Only have 50 miles on them, and not a whole lot of time, (one day so far) but coming off of the IQ chassis, I had a '10 dragon 800 163, she had a 07 dragon 700 155, there is more difference in the pro chassis between the two track lengths. The pro 155 feels more manageable, (easier to carve, more flickable, easier to fall off.... 
) My 163 handles way good too, just the 155 responds faster to rider input. That being said, I would not go with the 155 for myself, but would be happy to ride it if something unfortunate happened to mine.....
) My 163 handles way good too, just the 155 responds faster to rider input. That being said, I would not go with the 155 for myself, but would be happy to ride it if something unfortunate happened to mine.....
I
IDAHO HOT SHOT
Well-known member
I had the same problem with this decision from the time the Pro came out until I finally bought a 2011 155 Pro with 300 miles and a 2 year warranty. The deciding factor was the jumping aspect. I would rather be nimble in the air than be a straight line climber. I would have gone 163 all the way, the jumping was the only kicker. I took it out last Saturday. We were in 2-3.5 ft depending on the slope. I didn't find any good jumps yet, but I was very impressed with it, especially after I rode my buddies 11 M8 out of the tree hole for him. I used to have an M8 and thought it was Hot $hit! Wow how technology changes.
With two little kids my wife has been riding a lot less and her skills are going backwards. After that statement I think she does a lot better on a longer track machine she's able to slow down more in the trees and get going again without getting stuck. Tipping the sled on edge is not really a muscle thing more of a finesse thing. She has no problem craving turns on the longer track and I think she really benefits from being able to slow down more and not worry as much about getting stuck.
The only problem when you trench it in those 163's can really dig a deep hole.
Go for the 163 you won't be disappointed
The only problem when you trench it in those 163's can really dig a deep hole.
Go for the 163 you won't be disappointed
Interesting ....
Hmm,,,,,,, well, I got one of each, really like em both. I'll have to let ya know how they stack up, I think it's gonna be closer than most people think...
Hmm,,,,,,, well, I got one of each, really like em both. I'll have to let ya know how they stack up, I think it's gonna be closer than most people think...
I ordered a 163"... my buddy has both. This still leaves me wondering what the real difference is. It is only a few inches difference on the ground... yeah, yeah, track speed, etc... This is a very ignorant response, but it seems to be more in people's heads, which the manufacturers like, so it creates more discussion = sales!! If they made only one acceptable size we would be riding that size... only!!
I went to the Next Level Clinic last March. Rode the 154 Pro's Dan had at the time and liked them. I asked him a ton of questions about what sled to buy and what options to get. He said hands down the 163 and that's what I got. He also told me to get the e start which surprised me a bit. I took his advice and am glad I did. He told me in the spring that his entire fleet will be 163 e starts. Got the e start for free on snow check too. I also snow checked a Silber Turbo. The 2012 Pro 163 has straight rails this year which really holds the front end down. More than I like now but when the turbo goes on it's going to be perfect. BTW, I bought a 2.5lb battery so the e start costs me less than 10 lbs and I can easily run a charger for my GPS and extra lights no problem.
R
Rocky Mountain Rider
Member
What Matt said. I asked the dealer about diffs between the 2011/2012 Pro and the flat rail was all that one dealer could come up with, another told me different plugs. The flat rails take a little away from you "turnability", but you have to ask yourself, how much of a difference could there be?
I know they are not comparable but I had a '10 Dragon with a 155" last year and this year went up to an '11 Pro with a 163. I've only been out once but call it stupidity or ignorance but I went places with the Pro that I most likely would not have tried with the 155".
I know they are not comparable but I had a '10 Dragon with a 155" last year and this year went up to an '11 Pro with a 163. I've only been out once but call it stupidity or ignorance but I went places with the Pro that I most likely would not have tried with the 155".
