I am a die hard 163 fan, my 08 700 has it and i love it, and it will go more place than every 155 i have ridden with both 8 and 7's up to 2010. So question is i have heard that the 155 pros go just about as good as the 163 is it true? Like it's close enough that they say it's not enough to get a 163. I find it hard to belive but I want those who own and have been around them both to tell me. I am looking at getting a new 12 soon and i'm die hard enough on the 163 that is what i'm leaning twards. Expound for me pro riders please!!! Thanks
155 or 163 honest opinions and what you have seen
- Thread starter pxmk03
- Start date
Get the 163 with the new pro you can still through the163 around like a rag doll.I snowchecked a 155 and then later demoed a 163 and it was just as easy to throw around with the added benefit of the extra flotation.My next sled will be a 163
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Jaynelson
Well-known member
I was on the fence when I bought my 2011, ended up going with the 163. After riding all this year and last....I don't think you could go *wrong* with the 155....but I wouldn't trade my 163 for it. I have ridden a friends 155 and couldn't feel a big difference in manuverability. If I were a better jumper I would go for the shorter track as it's a little easier to get off the ground. Same deal if I rode a lot of harder snow. However, deep pow is my favorite riding and I would throw all other riding in the garbage for it....so I prefer the longer track.
FWIW I'm a bigger guy 220lbs dressed....if I were 160lbs (completely pulling a number out of my arse) I wouldn't bother with the 163.
FWIW I'm a bigger guy 220lbs dressed....if I were 160lbs (completely pulling a number out of my arse) I wouldn't bother with the 163.
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I have a 155, my dad has a 163. I love my 155 and so did my dad...so he bought one and rides it except when the snow is DEEP. In deep powder the 163 is still king, but I go almost everywhere on my 155 as I do on his 163. I will admit that there are times when I cut better lines on the 163 though.
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theultrarider
Well-known member
I love my 163. The smaller lighter guys on 155's generally go most places this old fat guy goes. big difference is they generally have to hit things faster than me, and can't stop the places I can and get going again. if you're big air guy, or like tail walking go with the 155. If pure mostly a boondocker or climber, go 163. My two cents.
It all depends on your riding style. I have a 11 155 pro and a 12 163 pro, and like the way the 163 climbs. but other than that i think the 163 is not half as fun to ride my 155 the 155 is more flick-able and easier to do the real technical stuff but it all depends on what you like not what every one else likes. just my 2 cen
I do think the 155 is more flickable. But I am also 170lbs, closer to 190-200 with all my gear etc. I also like the way it rides front high, I feel like I can influence it with my body weight better that way, and I have had a lot of 5' pow days this year. It went everywhere a 174 did, but that was all rider 
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barry1me
Well-known member
I ride a 163, and my buddy has a 155. Handling wise they are very similar, the 155 seems to lay over a tad bit better in setup snow for carving. Sidehilling they seem identical. The difference between the 155 and the 163 that we have seen for climbing is the 163 kinda walks away from the 155. The 163 seems to be a bit more forgiving in the trees, and easier to get unstuck.
I ride a 155 and have a couple of riding buddies who run 163's, as a general rule we ride fairly set-up snow. The 155 is King in the stiffer snow, the 163 is King in 2' of fresh powder when boondocking. The most interesting thing I see most every ride is if the 155 and 163 both get a run at a slope the 155 will highmark the 163 every time. You can't go wrong with either one. If you feel the need to kick your friends azz up a steep gnarly slope, get the 155. If you really don't feel the need for speed and only ride deep powder days get the 163.
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I have a 155 and my friend has a 163. They both pretty much go where eachother will go. the 163 my climb a little better when there a lot of pow on the hill.
OnlyPo, how are the Pro RMKs in the flatlands?
I've got the '12 Pro 163 and my primary riding partner has the '12 Assault 155. We're about the same in the trees--he's a little more manueverable but he does get stuck occasionally. I only get stuck if I hook a tree. In deep snow/thick woods I have more low speed control. I don't need to get on the gas as much as he does because I float better than he does. To be fair he's about 40lbs heavier all geared up.
When we head uphill in deep, untracked snow? No contest...the 163 outshines the 155. We switch off and we both notice the differences.
You wouldn't think 3.5 inches in overall skid length would matter but apparently it does.
When we head uphill in deep, untracked snow? No contest...the 163 outshines the 155. We switch off and we both notice the differences.
You wouldn't think 3.5 inches in overall skid length would matter but apparently it does.
I have a 12' 163" and love it, some of my friends have 155" s and they are very close IMO with 3 main exceptions;
super deep days- the 163" goes way better
In the trees- I've never noticed a difference in manuverability (I'm 200 plus w/gear) but whenever I hop on the 155" I seem to get it stuck alot, I hop back on to my 163" and can cut the same line way easier and without getting stuck.
Jumping- the 155 pops better and carries the skis better, but suspension setup on the 163" can make them almost even
My best Advice is to get ahold of a dealer and demo the 155 and 163 in the same day same conditions
super deep days- the 163" goes way better
In the trees- I've never noticed a difference in manuverability (I'm 200 plus w/gear) but whenever I hop on the 155" I seem to get it stuck alot, I hop back on to my 163" and can cut the same line way easier and without getting stuck.
Jumping- the 155 pops better and carries the skis better, but suspension setup on the 163" can make them almost even
My best Advice is to get ahold of a dealer and demo the 155 and 163 in the same day same conditions
I love my 2011 Pro 163. That being said If I were to snowcheck a 2013 Pro I would get an assault 155 with the powder track on it. Mainly because I have been doing more and more jumping lately.
How about a 163 with Assault shocks? Just curious if anyone has done anything like this?
The 163" Pro is probably just as easy as a 155" IQ to throw around. You say you are a diehard 163" fan, go for the 163"! I'm like 185ish geared up and ride a 163" and love it... usually we have a lot of super deep days though.
My thinking goes like this....
There is a noticeable difference between the two in deep snow. In the maneuverability dept.....not so much. So I would be thinking that I'd get it and have it for when I need it.
Kinda like the old horsepower analogy...better to have to much and not need it than not enough when you do...
I think the gain outweighs the cost.
There is a noticeable difference between the two in deep snow. In the maneuverability dept.....not so much. So I would be thinking that I'd get it and have it for when I need it.
Kinda like the old horsepower analogy...better to have to much and not need it than not enough when you do...
I think the gain outweighs the cost.
I just got back from riding with my buddy for a few days. HE HAS A STOCK 163 PRO AND i HAVE A 155. I tried forever to get him talked into a 155 but he wanted the longer one. All we did was play in the trees and steep sidehills. He told my other buddy, that was with us, that he couldn't follow me when I would crank a tight corner in the trees. We always ended up in the same spot but he would just take a little different line. I let him take mine and he was surprised how much easier it was to throw around. As far as climbing goes he wasn't out climbing me. I have a tied clutch was the only difference but I outweight him by 40 pounds plus extra fuel on mine. For those thinking he is an average rider, he is better than most. Ride them both and decide for yourself. Don't take anyones word on what wil work for you and how you ride.
