Axys 163 or 174 After Surgery

[XC500mod]

I herniated and extruded disc material from my spine into the nerve roots of the spinal cord and had surgery to have it removed 3 weeks ago. Anybody who has had this surgery knows how god awful the pain is before surgery. needless to say i don't want to do it again. the best way to avoid that is by not lifting anything heavy below the waist. i already had to miss a trip last week and don't want to miss a trip in march once i'm cleared to ride.

because of this i am thinking of selling my axys 155 and getting either a 163 or 174 so i can go on trips and not blow out my back lifting my stuck sled. At this point i don't really care how playful the sled is, i just want to be able to ride where my buddies do without getting stuck.

I am assuming a pro rmk 163 or 174 would make a big difference over the 155. Just wondering if there is a big difference between the 163 and 174? if anyone has any information i need to know before going longer let me know.

i could run boost on the sled next year.

 

[2XM3]

no question the 174 unless they make a bigger one, also look into the wider sno dog or simmons skis

 

[Sage Crusher]

I blew out my back several years ago and had 2 operations to correct it- and was told not to ( as you) lift below the waist-
I went the 174" and 155" route- but found out that good friends are the best long track.
Face it,, your gonna get stuck- don't care if you ride a 194" peeps your riding with are there to help and IMHO they liked the 155 cause it was easier to lift- cause we all get stuck..

To answer your question I found in the deep fluff- on take off the longer tracks did help me and more forgiving. Riding- the longer tracks need more input- and my back was sore at the end of the day. "Doo 174 E Tec"
All around for me, the 163 was perfect in the middle-

 

[turboless terry]

Without a doubt a 174. There isn't much much difference between a 155 and a 163 but there is a big difference between them and a 174. I have not rode a Polaris 174
It is about the only one I haven't been on. That and a sidewinder. You can ride like a retard and not get stuck on the xm 174 so I assume the poo is the same way.
.

 

[Prayn4snow]

I have to agree with the above statements. Ive had the same surgeries and I still ride a 155. My next sled will be longer. I just got back from out west and we were getting 20" a day and the guys with the longer tracks were riding the same hills I was on and the new Gen4 skidoo with the 16" 300" (or what ever the goofy thing was) could stop up hill and still not get stuck it seemed. Id still take the Axys, so next will be a 163, not sure do a 174 unless I put 163 stickers on it
Edit: they all had 3" tracks as well to my 2.6.
Overall I love the 155 2.6, but sometimes you can't beat the longer tracks.

 

[Cinno]

Checkout powder Jack

I herniated and extruded disc material from my spine into the nerve roots of the spinal cord and had surgery to have it removed 3 weeks ago. Anybody who has had this surgery knows how god awful the pain is before surgery. needless to say i don't want to do it again. the best way to avoid that is by not lifting anything heavy below the waist. i already had to miss a trip last week and don't want to miss a trip in march once i'm cleared to ride.

because of this i am thinking of selling my axys 155 and getting either a 163 or 174 so i can go on trips and not blow out my back lifting my stuck sled. At this point i don't really care how playful the sled is, i just want to be able to ride where my buddies do without getting stuck.

I am assuming a pro rmk 163 or 174 would make a big difference over the 155. Just wondering if there is a big difference between the 163 and 174? if anyone has any information i need to know before going longer let me know.

i could run boost on the sled next year.

I had this surgery as well. As a result of years of cervical disc disease.

I got an earlier version of the Powder jack, search "Powder Jack" on internet to see. Different versions of the jack have been around for years. It is invaluable if you are stuck by your self. Its a long aluminum tube that fits into a plate, The jack lifts the back of the sled and when it is high enough you simply push the back sideways and out of the trench. The version I have is one solid piece and mounts to the side of the tunnel. It weighed about 9 pounds. I got it originally when I rode a heavy 4 stroke but stopped using it once I got light weight RMK.

Cinno

 

[gonehuntnpowder]

IMO the longer track Equals slower. I don't have to maintain as much ground speed therefore I don't have to react as quickly. I am no where as athletic as I was years ago.

 

[XFIRE800]

Go with the 174, get a powder jack. 99% of your riding will be you not being too aggressive hurting yourself, and having good friends (especially young ones) to help. The powder jack is a favorite among older riders, those that ride alone, and guys with back injuries.

 

[turboless terry]

The original powder jack works awesome. I also had one when riding a t-nytro. Don't get the screw together jack. It is a pile of sh!t. If you bought a t3 174 the wide boards would work well with bolting it on. The narrower Polaris boards you would notice it rubbing on your leg. That is why I tried a collapsible jack in case I was by myself or just my wife. It was a joke.

 

[Jaynelson]

174 for sure. You can do things slower, more time to think/plan, and the length doesn't affect the side to side maneuvering and sidehilling. A little different feel to the sled, but for your purposes I would do the 174 and not even think twice.

 

[BILTIT]

I have back issues aswell, i still run a 155 but have to be careful when i get stuck. I would also recommend you upgrade your shocks. I went to full raptors all around and it sure makes things easier on my back!

 

[sledhead9825]

The 17 Axys 174 works very well. My last sled was a Pro converted to a 174, and the Axys 174 feels much easier to turn and maneuver. It feels closer to a Pro 163. When its deep and the 155s are in like tent pegs you ride up, stop and ride away.

 

[Cinno]

The original powder jack works awesome. I also had one when riding a t-nytro. Don't get the screw together jack. It is a pile of sh!t. If you bought a t3 174 the wide boards would work well with bolting it on. The narrower Polaris boards you would notice it rubbing on your leg. That is why I tried a collapsible jack in case I was by myself or just my wife. It was a joke.

Yea the original one was called the "highjacker" and is still for sale.

Cinno

 

[89sandman]

Another vote for the hijacker. Everyone laughs until they see you use it. Then when they're stuck they're begging you to come over and use it There is no easier way to get unstuck...

 

[turboless terry]

Best thing I ever bought for a t-nytro that you couldn't roll over or you would leak oil all over the mountain. I told my buddy, who cares about 9 pounds when 2 people can't budge it.

 

[XC500mod]

Hey no longer Turboless terry, I bought your pipe and can. Man that makes these things rip in the flat lands. Never got to try it out in the mountains because I'm only a few weeks out from surgery. Are you boosted yet?

Sounds like the 174 might be the way to go. Although I'm only in my 30s, I can't risk another injury and being away from work. One more and I may be done. There is a 174 for sale here at the local dealer but they want $14,600 OTD.... yeah right. We'll see what they are asking in march.

 

[wisboy25]

I had 2 ruptured discs that had surgery in 2011 I ride a 16 pro 155 and I'm going to go also to a 174 next not cause of the getting stuck factor just think it be easier to not get stuck on it and be able to menuever around alot slower speed I still lift and pull like I shouldn't Dr said tolerate it as long as I can next time will be fusion and then will be done so gotta enjoy it while u can

 

[turboless terry]

I am boosted. Sorry to hear about your woes. I would look into the new 850 and a jack. Way less effort. I bet they come with a 174 this year.

 

[MGPete87]

I have the axys 174" and consistently ride with family and friends who ride the 850 154" and 165".

I may be biased, but I feel like I have the best of both worlds with the 174". I can take my time on sidehills and in the trees and have all the floatation in the world, while still handling like a 163-165". You do have to ride the sled a little differently, but if my 170 lb. brother can take in through the trees in deep powder, I'm confident that anyone can. As others have said, on a 174" you simply don't get stuck 99% of the time unless you are being really aggressive.