Man I cant decide whats the best way to go. I love the thought of a chaincase and gearing options without the expense, but the 3" don't look like it is going to be that great all around?
2.6 or 3" 163???
- Thread starter sledder22
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well of course the 3" is going to shine in bottomless powder, but lets not kid ourselves everyday isn't always bottomless. Im a boondocking mountain rider, just looking at the new 3" im assuming its soft and if it is soft then it will be like the old attack 20 and only work good on bottomless days. Is .4 going to make that big of a difference? just curious here
I had the option of running a 2.6 powerclaw or 3" whatever on my '11 Pro rmk, I stuck with a 2.6 since my buddy runs a 3" and has alot of cooling problems when on trail/flatlands or marginal snow conditions. Just wasn't worth it to me, I could stay close enough with what I have and no cooling issues.
Bump to the top. At first I was all about the three inch, then set on the 2.6, now I'm back on the fence again. Looking for more input. Going 163 either way. I'm not constantly in neck deep powder, by any means but I don't mind keeping an eye on temps and running scratchers down on the trail. I sometimes do trail rides too but 8/10 times I head to the mountains to try to find some good snow
Would you give up the quickdrive for a 3"? Is the cooling any worse on the 3" than the 2.6?
Not sure if I would. Luckily, I personally don't have to make that decision.
It's not my year to get a new sled.
I'm staying with my 13.
Only a select FEW people can answer the question about 2.6 vs 3.0 cooling on the Axys. I am not one of them. Keith Curtis, Dan Adams and Levi Tormanen are the only three that I know of for sure. I'm sure Burant can speak about it too.
Well even though you don't have to make that decision personally, you get the privilege of helping me make it! Lol.
When it comes down to it, 0.4" is NOT that much. If the 3" had quickdrive I don't think I would question going to the 3", but I don't have enough experience on a QD to say if I'm giving something up if I choose to go with the 3" and chaincase
Back in early spring of 2012, I got to demo a 13 prototype. I was hopping back and forth on a 12 and 13, same track, same clutching, same rider weight (me on both sleds), same snow conditions....that 13 had better throttle response, no chaincase whine, quieter, less centrifugal weight and rotating mass, easier to pull on edge on throttle and whip powder carves. Easier to flick. LOL
There were 3 of us that day and we all gave the same report. We all felt the same thing..a seat of the pants difference.
2.4 vs 2.6...I pick the 2.6
2.4 vs 3.0...I pick the 3.0
2.6 vs 3.0...have not compared yet.
I predict the 2.6 will be easier to keep slides and coolant temps down.
Yes, the 2.6 will give up traction to the 3.0 but it's more like the 3.0 than the 2.4. 2.6 is little brother to the 3.0.
The 2.4 is little sister to both
.Yes, the 2.6 will be a bit more flickable than the 3.0, but not much, since the lug design is so similar.
Chaincase vs QD...I pick QD.
I think the QD makes it more flickable...and it needs that with the 3.0.
Maybe with all net change/gain/losses are considered the 2.6/QD has better "flickability" than the 3.0/chaincase. I don't know. Just a thought.
It's a really hard decision for some. To get the 3.0, you must give up the QD. Can't have the best of both, at this point.
I like the traction of the 3.0.
I like the "flickability" of the QD.
If you buy an AXYS, you can't have both.
When it's my turn to buy a new sled, maybe Polaris will have that worked out by then.
YOUR decision. I can't make that for you.
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Polaris is advertising the 3" as very specific to deep powder days, and the 2.6 as an all around track that will be good in more set up snow as well as deep powder. What is the lug construction like between the two? According to how Polaris is advertising the tracks, I'm imagining the 3" being very soft tipped and the 2.6 a little bit of a stiffer lug. Just curious if anybody can provide actual info on this.
I want the 3" but I don't want a track that will suck when the snow conditions are less then ideal.
I want the 3" but I don't want a track that will suck when the snow conditions are less then ideal.
Debate is over for me. Just finalized my snowcheck. I did a 163x2.6
There is always the ability to go with a 2.6/2.86 QD, and swap the track to a 3/3 (which will actually be geared slightly higher than a 2.6/2.86). No one knows how the 800ho and clutching will compensate. Take off some weight with a can, add some HP if necessary, and any gearing issue may be a non-issue. If you're on the fence, that's what I would recommend. You have all summer to noodle on it, and there will be lots of Pro buyers for 2.6 take off tracks next fall, I suspect. This applies to both 155's or 163's, of of course.
I had the chance to spend a hour looking at an axys at my dealer yesterday. It had the new 3" track. Hard to really know without riding it on various snow conditions but it definitely feels soft...too soft when comparing it to an X3 track on a sled sitting on the floor by it. I would have to say I would go for the 2.6. If that isn't enough track I would look at going with an X3 and 7 tooth driver allowing me to keep the QD.
Not totally sure this strategy will work, but I am leary of how soft the paddles feel.
