I am about to snow check my 2013 Pro 800, the only thing i cannot decide is to get a 163 or 155. I am 18, 180lbs, i do very technical riding, like picking big lines up through the trees, and sidehilling. I don't do much jumping or chute climbing. I would also consider putting a pump gas turbo on it in a couple years! what will be the best overall track length for me?
155 vs 163
- Thread starter tboomer
- Start date
S
Super Sled
Well-known member
Ride in bottomless powder all the time, or often in set up snow?
it depends on the year, usually set up snow or a few inches of fresh, but deep powder days are common out here.
Go big or go home.
Not enough of a difference to make it too much track. You never wish for less of something and almost always wish it was bigger...so get the biggest you can. It's only around 3 bills more/or less for the extra 8 inches.
Not enough of a difference to make it too much track. You never wish for less of something and almost always wish it was bigger...so get the biggest you can. It's only around 3 bills more/or less for the extra 8 inches.
I went back and forth for weeks last year trying to decide which one I wanted to order and finally settled on the 163. Not one time this year did I regret my decision. I rode a 700 dragon for the previous 3 years with a 155 and I don't ever see myself going back. The only time I have noticed the extra length is when I'm jumping and you said you don't do much of that. I think the 163 allows you to try some more technical lines through the trees because you don't have to keep your speed up as much and you are young and sounds like fairly decent sized so you won't have any trouble throwing it around. I would go for the 163, if for any reason you didn't like it I'm sure you wouldn't have any problem finding someone who wanted to trade thier 155 track and suspension.
Comparing it to a dragon is not a comparison, the 155 pro will stomp the 163 dragon.
I am 215-220lbs plus gear, I rode a 162 since 07, now I ride a 153 and its way more fun. Sometimes more challenging, thats why I like it. when everyone else is on the 162-3s and I am running with them or above its a good time.
From your description of riding style I would say 155, and your light weight so your going to take it a heII of lot farther than most.
I am 215-220lbs plus gear, I rode a 162 since 07, now I ride a 153 and its way more fun. Sometimes more challenging, thats why I like it. when everyone else is on the 162-3s and I am running with them or above its a good time.
From your description of riding style I would say 155, and your light weight so your going to take it a heII of lot farther than most.
M
mike_s
Well-known member
I disagree. There have been times that people i ride with who have 162-3's wished they had 155's because i was able to squeeze in places and spin around things they could not on my 144. To each his own, but my opinion is that unless you ride predominently in endless powder a 155 track is your best bet for mixed riding.
I think it really comes down to what type of riding you enjoy, skill level and rider weight and taking all these into consideration when you make your choice.
For the 163,
200 pounds and over has some factor
Endless, deep powder
Little more forgiving in the deep
Highmarking with less effort
Less jumping
Some say it side hills better?
For the 155,
Little more all around riding
Set up snow, or powder
Not quite as high on the highmark
Better for jumps and drops
Little more maneuverable (debatable depending on rider)
For the 163,
200 pounds and over has some factor
Endless, deep powder
Little more forgiving in the deep
Highmarking with less effort
Less jumping
Some say it side hills better?
For the 155,
Little more all around riding
Set up snow, or powder
Not quite as high on the highmark
Better for jumps and drops
Little more maneuverable (debatable depending on rider)
Im the same weight and riding interests as you..i checked a 155 pro, i'm coming off a 2011 m8 153, my buddy rides a 2012 163 pro and my m8 would out climb his 163 every time and im guessing because i carried so much more track speed than his 163...go with the 155
As someone else stated, it's only about 4" on the snow. That little bit is not likely to stop you from making a turn. Perhaps a little more workout on the harder stuff. But the big thing for me is rotating mass. That extra track translates to less track speed.
Good info here guys. I am also considering the pro 163. I am a smaller rider 175lb suited up and am coming off a 153 2011 m8. I am just curious if the 163 would still be a better handling sled than my 153 m8. I am not a big jumper but more into climbing, side hilling and just riding around. I ride my friends 155 assault and find it way easier to throw around than my m8 so just curious if the 163 is that much more difficult to handle??? thanks
If you jump, get a 155".
For everything else a 163" is better
For everything else a 163" is better
I would say 155
I think you are going to be pretty happy with either track, but if you are spending more time in the trees I would say the 155. I have a M1000 with the 162 and sometimes it can be a handful. I debated ordering my new pro with the big track, but decided not to. My Decision was partly based on the fact I was keeping my Arctic Cat, but mostly because I wanted a sled that would be more nimble, and easier to throw around. I knew with this sled I wanted to be able to pick my way through anything and not be tired at the end of the day so that is why I went with the 155. Hopefully I picked the right track.
I think you are going to be pretty happy with either track, but if you are spending more time in the trees I would say the 155. I have a M1000 with the 162 and sometimes it can be a handful. I debated ordering my new pro with the big track, but decided not to. My Decision was partly based on the fact I was keeping my Arctic Cat, but mostly because I wanted a sled that would be more nimble, and easier to throw around. I knew with this sled I wanted to be able to pick my way through anything and not be tired at the end of the day so that is why I went with the 155. Hopefully I picked the right track.
Last edited:
turn quicker, a 155 will turn quicker, not real noticeable but it is there. But a newer model sled 163 will turn quicker than the older style 155. But the newer 155 will also go farther.
I remember in 09 my m1000 162 turned like a 08 153, then the '12 162 PC turns like a '11 M 153.
So if your comparing the same year sled the shorter is easier to flip around, if your comparing to a older chassis then both length will turn quicker.
I remember in 09 my m1000 162 turned like a 08 153, then the '12 162 PC turns like a '11 M 153.
So if your comparing the same year sled the shorter is easier to flip around, if your comparing to a older chassis then both length will turn quicker.
I am thinking of going even smaller, to a 153 next season. I love the 155 platform and wouldn't trade it for anything, I have broken trail for a 174 with 3" paddles this season, and regularly break trail for 163's. Its all rider preference. In deep pow, they will get higher on a hill though.
I have been beating this horse too, talking to everyone I could get to listen without throwing up over yet another track length question, BUT this was a big decision for me.
The difference is 4 inches on the ground.
One more row of paddles.
7 lbs. (I'm not sure how to figure this effect on rotating mass, anyone?)
5" of additional sled length.
60 sq" inches difference in footprint.
I really debated this and struggled as I have a busted up hip and don't get around on a sled as quick as I would like to, and I'm not exactly petite. I wondered if the 163 would give me just a little more advantage, and also wondered what the payback was for the extra length. There is always a payback to everything.
My last two sleds were 07 IQ and an '11 Pro and both were 155. The IQ was a good sled but didn't hold a candle to the Pro which is amazing at getting up onto the snow and not trenching. I know that if a longer track would have been an option in 07 I'd have ordered it.
During one of my conversations I made this statement " my last sled was a 155 and I never felt it was lacking".
There you go. For me, that did it, and yesterday I snow checked a 155.
Come on winter!!
Bag
P.S. I know your disappointed BS, but remember, I promised not to let you ride it anyway!
The difference is 4 inches on the ground.
One more row of paddles.
7 lbs. (I'm not sure how to figure this effect on rotating mass, anyone?)
5" of additional sled length.
60 sq" inches difference in footprint.
I really debated this and struggled as I have a busted up hip and don't get around on a sled as quick as I would like to, and I'm not exactly petite. I wondered if the 163 would give me just a little more advantage, and also wondered what the payback was for the extra length. There is always a payback to everything.
My last two sleds were 07 IQ and an '11 Pro and both were 155. The IQ was a good sled but didn't hold a candle to the Pro which is amazing at getting up onto the snow and not trenching. I know that if a longer track would have been an option in 07 I'd have ordered it.
During one of my conversations I made this statement " my last sled was a 155 and I never felt it was lacking".
There you go. For me, that did it, and yesterday I snow checked a 155.
Come on winter!!
Bag
P.S. I know your disappointed BS, but remember, I promised not to let you ride it anyway!
Last edited:
155
I've had 159-164s...
I've wished I had shorter...and even put a shorter one on my 159 Summit.
But, if 90%+ of your days are deep deep (2'+) fresh pow...163.
I take my short, worthless, pos 155 where longer tracks go most the time.
Certain days it'll take more work or a different line, but doesn't stop me from having just as much fun.
Note: I'm not big into chuting the steep.. The steeper and deeper it gets, the better a longer track will work, generally.
Long tracks are too easy...keep skill a factor.
I've had 159-164s...
I've wished I had shorter...and even put a shorter one on my 159 Summit.
But, if 90%+ of your days are deep deep (2'+) fresh pow...163.
I take my short, worthless, pos 155 where longer tracks go most the time.
Certain days it'll take more work or a different line, but doesn't stop me from having just as much fun.
Note: I'm not big into chuting the steep.. The steeper and deeper it gets, the better a longer track will work, generally.
Long tracks are too easy...keep skill a factor.
T
TGitt
Well-known member
Earlier this week I would have told you 155, but since my sled went down, my dealer loaned me a 163 for the weekend. And I've got to say, I really liked it. We have minimal snow conditions and the 163 felt just as nimble as my 155 Pro. I didn't have any trouble adjusting. But it really climbed a whole lot better! I honestly would get a 163 if I didn't like to jump, but I love to see how far I can get so I snowchecked a 155. I did ride the 163 in the trees a little today and it seems like it just keeps going and going and going, so for you technical riding I think you would like the 163, you can slow down to go through some tight trees and it'll hop back up on the snow when you get on the throttle where the 155 might struggle a bit. I'm not a climber by no means, I love the technical stuff. There is always some one that will have more money than me that will get higher or go faster up the hill so I try to make a track that no body can follow
