I'm upgrading to the D8 next season. Which track length is preferred?
D8 - 155 or 163???
- Thread starter Rmskypilot
- Start date
All I know is tri city polaris told me the 163 has a 20% advantage in climbing and a 10% disadvantage in handling. Id go 163.
My dad got the 163" and was told the resale is better. He drove it on the trail for 50 miles and burned up a set of hifax. He put a new set on and loosened the track then took it to the mountains and said it outperformed the M1000 162's in the group. If your getting a mountain sled get the biggest one. My dad wasn't to happy with the trail performance but said climbing and boondocking it would just go and go. When he would usually get stuck it would just keep climbing. He was very impressed in the deep snow.
To many variables......you need to explain where, how, what conditions, what snow conditions etc....etc ....etc you ride in for us to give you our opinions.
It's only 4" more on the ground than the 155". I chose the 155" because in Western Washington we have wet heavy snow and I boondock more than hill climb. Those are the 2 main reasons. I went from a 156" with 2" paddles to a 155" with 2.4" paddles so much more traction. New tracks are way better design and ofcourse so are the sleds. I figured my 02 took me everywhere I wanted to go with the 156", and a few mods so I imagined the new D8 and 155" would do more than I wanted. If I lived in Idaho or Montana (anywhere there is deep DRY snow, and real hill climbs) I would have went 163". I also like having to work a little to make it to the top, makes riding more enjoyable for me. If it ever turns out that the 155 just wont get me enough traction I guess I will add more power. The 163's also started arriving almost a month before the 155's but there wasn't really any snow here anyway. I have to friends with M7, one with 153 and one with 162. I noticed the 162 was more difficult to manuever and didn't give me more that a couple sled lengths on hill climbs.
So things like snow conditions (dry, wet, deep, etc), riding areas (terrain), your riding style, your size, should be on your list of pros and cons to help make your choice. Burning up hyfax not a big deal, just get hyperfax. Hope that helps you.
It's only 4" more on the ground than the 155". I chose the 155" because in Western Washington we have wet heavy snow and I boondock more than hill climb. Those are the 2 main reasons. I went from a 156" with 2" paddles to a 155" with 2.4" paddles so much more traction. New tracks are way better design and ofcourse so are the sleds. I figured my 02 took me everywhere I wanted to go with the 156", and a few mods so I imagined the new D8 and 155" would do more than I wanted. If I lived in Idaho or Montana (anywhere there is deep DRY snow, and real hill climbs) I would have went 163". I also like having to work a little to make it to the top, makes riding more enjoyable for me. If it ever turns out that the 155 just wont get me enough traction I guess I will add more power. The 163's also started arriving almost a month before the 155's but there wasn't really any snow here anyway. I have to friends with M7, one with 153 and one with 162. I noticed the 162 was more difficult to manuever and didn't give me more that a couple sled lengths on hill climbs.
So things like snow conditions (dry, wet, deep, etc), riding areas (terrain), your riding style, your size, should be on your list of pros and cons to help make your choice. Burning up hyfax not a big deal, just get hyperfax. Hope that helps you.
W
Wyoming T/A
ACCOUNT CLOSED
hill climbing i get the 163--if you dont go 155 --more agile--cant loose either way--imo
I usually ride West Yellowstone, Island Park and Big Sky area around end of December. Then the Snowy's, Togwotee, Pinedale or Cooke the end of Febuary. I try to swing one more end of March or early April trip to wherever the snow reports tell us to go. I would have to say that I do more boondocking than hill climbing.
If I were in your shoes based on your description, I would go with the 163.... unless you are fairly light.
What are your riding now? I imagine the new 163 would have been easier than my 02 156 (never had issue anyway) was to manuever but guess I will never know, I am very happy with the 155 but with your list of riding areas (they get deep dry snow) I would get the 163 if that's what they have next year.
I ride an 02 156 with an SLP single pipe, SLP high airflow airbox mods, Team secondary with Tri-City recommended clutching. I think it has the camoplast challenger track. I also have an 02 151 700. My 156 has significantly better floatation when boondocking.
The D8 takes much less effort to manuever. I have not ridden the 163 but I imagine it's easier than the 02 156 to boondock on. I am used to the wet snow so it makes a difference, I imagine if you ride good dry/powdery snow the 163 would do fine boondocking. My vote is still on the 155 if you don't hill climb more than 50% of the time though.
for point and shoot go with the 163, otherwise the 155 is a much more agile and fun machine. wouldnt think 4 " on the snow would make that much difference but it does.
If boondockin is your thing, the 155 will be just right! I have a 151 and 2 162's and prefer the 151 when in the trees. Just my .02
