Looking into snowchecking a 14 pro. Currently I ride a 09 800 rmk with a 155 and love it. My riding style is.boondocking in the trees throwing the sled around in tight turns and climbing through the trees. I also do some hillclimbing but boondocking is my style. I also like to drop off cornices and some smaller drops here and there. Just wondering what you guys think. Is the 163 tougher to pull a tight turn on than a 155. Seems like the 163 would float and hook up better but the 155 would have more track speed? What are your thoughts.
155 or 163
- Thread starter hunt4bigbucks
- Start date
Thanks for bringing this up.
Ya know, it's amazing that in all the millions of posts on this forum this subject have never come up before.
Ever.
No, I'm being totally serious, there are absolutely no threads on this very subject.
Seriously. None.
Ya know, it's amazing that in all the millions of posts on this forum this subject have never come up before.
Ever.
No, I'm being totally serious, there are absolutely no threads on this very subject.
Seriously. None.
If you boondock, sidehill and climb. Go with the 163. I'm currently on a 163 and could NEVER look back. They hold a better line on a sidehill and float WAY better. Once you get the skid dailed in for your weight etc, you'll be amazed. On the down side they push in the corners down the trail more and are slightly harder to initiate a turn. All in all the up WAY outweighs the down.
TFW! Take a Viagra and chill out.
Just kidding, I know you are having fun!!
Anyway. I have one of each. You can't go wrong with the 155"
2015 will be Polaris's 60th anniversary. I believe there will be some major changes then. That is what I am going to hold out for.
155
I had a 163 for a season and i just sold it and bought a 155. I have never looked back! I like it a lot better. I only weigh about 170 so the floatation is not really an issue. The 155 is way more playful, it jumps better, it turns sharper, the track is not so glued to the snow. I do notice that the track speed is better too. My dad rides the 163 and he really doesnt out climb me by much but he weighs a little more. I would tell you the 155 is probably a better option for you, you sound like you ride like i do. thats my 2 cents... The people that say there is no difference probably havent spent much time on both sleds. I have and it is pretty significant..
I had a 163 for a season and i just sold it and bought a 155. I have never looked back! I like it a lot better. I only weigh about 170 so the floatation is not really an issue. The 155 is way more playful, it jumps better, it turns sharper, the track is not so glued to the snow. I do notice that the track speed is better too. My dad rides the 163 and he really doesnt out climb me by much but he weighs a little more. I would tell you the 155 is probably a better option for you, you sound like you ride like i do. thats my 2 cents... The people that say there is no difference probably havent spent much time on both sleds. I have and it is pretty significant..
Kind of leaning towards the 155 cuz I honestly can't think of a day I've wished for a 163 on my 09 rmk. I would imagine the 155 in the pro would outdo the 155 in the iq chassis. At the same time I would think the pro 163 would be as easy to turn as the 155 iq? I'm 200 lbs plus gear so I could prob handle the 163 just fine, I guess I need to ride a 163 and see how I like it.
S
Seeker
Well-known member
I had a 2012 163 and currently have a 2013 155 & I ordered a 2014 155.
155 is by far my favorite...the 155 is easier to throw around, has better track speed, turns tighter & seems to float just as well. I have been in the deep powder on most every ride this season & have not been disappointed with the 155 at all, matter of fact it surprises me regularly.
If you are over 200#'s or are going turbo'ed, I would consider the 163, otherwise the 155 is your best choice.
155 is by far my favorite...the 155 is easier to throw around, has better track speed, turns tighter & seems to float just as well. I have been in the deep powder on most every ride this season & have not been disappointed with the 155 at all, matter of fact it surprises me regularly.
If you are over 200#'s or are going turbo'ed, I would consider the 163, otherwise the 155 is your best choice.
You're dead on. I have an 08 155". Had an 08 163". I now have a 2013 163" so i can tell you that the people that say the 155" floats just as good as a 163" probably haven't spent much time on both sizes. The 163" obviously out creeps, floats, climbs, sidehills, tows(sled-skiing) a 155". The 155" is a little more playful and easier on the trail. If I didn't sled-ski i would probably own a 155" because I only weigh 170 lb and like you said the pro 155" will outdo the iq 155".
i got a 13, 155
was just this weekend i got to compare 155 and the 163 in 6ft of fresh dry powder with 3-4ft of hard snow under.
in wooded backcountry riding there was no plase the 155 couldnt keep ut with the 163.
the 163 needs more rider input then the 155, so you will have to work more with the 155.
the 155 feels more agile, and more "snappy"
if you are in a tight spot inbetween the trees my preffered sled would be the 155 no question!
but then again, this is my opinion and experiens
hope it helps
was just this weekend i got to compare 155 and the 163 in 6ft of fresh dry powder with 3-4ft of hard snow under.
in wooded backcountry riding there was no plase the 155 couldnt keep ut with the 163.
the 163 needs more rider input then the 155, so you will have to work more with the 155.
the 155 feels more agile, and more "snappy"
if you are in a tight spot inbetween the trees my preffered sled would be the 155 no question!
but then again, this is my opinion and experiens
hope it helps
I have a 2011 155 and a 2012 163. If you look at the track length in a circle you only have a few more inches of track on the snow with the 163 than the 155.
We do a lot of boon docking and steep riding in the trees. I agree the long tracks do not turn as good on the trail. However, they are not intended to be good trail sleds.
Never had an issue with the 163 getting around tight objects. If you want to jump you should not be riding a 155 or 163 unless you like fixing broken parts anyway IMO.
If you live in the west (were we used to get tons of deep snow) and you spend most of your time off the trail go with the 163.
Just my 2 cents. They are all good. Some of them you just have to ride harder to look good.
We do a lot of boon docking and steep riding in the trees. I agree the long tracks do not turn as good on the trail. However, they are not intended to be good trail sleds.
Never had an issue with the 163 getting around tight objects. If you want to jump you should not be riding a 155 or 163 unless you like fixing broken parts anyway IMO.
If you live in the west (were we used to get tons of deep snow) and you spend most of your time off the trail go with the 163.
Just my 2 cents. They are all good. Some of them you just have to ride harder to look good.
163 155
We had the two side by side on my two place trailer and it was less then 3" difference. When in the right conditions you can see the 163 stays up better but with all of the different variables to setup and driver weight and pack weight and on and on they will cancel any advantage real fast. I did notice with all my gear in my lock and ride bag made a big difference being back there and me and my beacon flopping around. That 10 to 15 pounds mounted to sled not flinging around. Definetly helped get out from a tree after being high sided into one! A 3" track now there's a comparison!!!
We had the two side by side on my two place trailer and it was less then 3" difference. When in the right conditions you can see the 163 stays up better but with all of the different variables to setup and driver weight and pack weight and on and on they will cancel any advantage real fast. I did notice with all my gear in my lock and ride bag made a big difference being back there and me and my beacon flopping around. That 10 to 15 pounds mounted to sled not flinging around. Definetly helped get out from a tree after being high sided into one! A 3" track now there's a comparison!!!
For all around fun, the 155 will suit most peoples. I've had 155's since '07 and got a '12 and '13 163 this year. They are a bit more work on shallower freshees but are priceless when climbing in the trees. I've found that 8" carbides fix the trail manners issues but I don't expect many to believe me on that one. Find a way to ride both and then decide as it's pretty hard to ride a forum poll.
Let me ask this, for those of you who have switched from an IQ to a pro. How does the PRO 163 handle compared to the IQ 155? By the way I am leaning towards the 155.
Had a 2007 IQ 155, then upgraded to a TimerSled skid which was a huge improvement. Then to a PRO 155 and then a 163. The pro is a totaly different suspension. Big improvement over the IQ.
H
hogan assault
Member
I'm surprised with this thread. Usually most people say 163 all the way. This most are saying 155. I ride a 2013 155 but am snow checking a 2014 163. Looking forward to trying it out!
Kind of off topic but how does the power of the 13 pro compare to an 09 iq. I've only ridden an 11 pro and was impressed with the power over my 09.
155. That was easy.
