Finally got my new '12 Pro 163 on the snow for some break-in mileage/handling characteristics testing.
The snow was mostly decent--snow was 3-4' but set up and tracked up in spots. Overall conditions were sucktastic--flat light, snowing hard, and we waited to get low on gas before bothering to get lost for an hour.
So, I let the sled warm up to 120* before riding as recommended, and set the MFD to RPM/Temp/trip. I logged 81 miles of mixed trail and open swamp riding (meadows to you non-Alaskans).
So, as others have reported the Pro is a hot tempered little hussy. I got careless and let it get a bit hot. The MFD read 188 but didn't flash. I was following the group and the leader took us on this twisty, tree-lined narrow trail. The snow on th etrail was loose enough but I was stuck at a steady 4500 to 5500 RPM going about 15 MPH. The issue with this sled is sufficient snow depth and ground speed. If you don't move fast enough to throw against the tunnel you will run hot.
Once out on a lake or swamp where I could open it up it ran a steady 125*
I need to stiffen my skid preset a bit--stock setting is 220lbs max. I'm 205 nekkid and about 240 with my gear and pack. I also need to lessen the ski pressure a bit.
As for the Pro's handling: Wow, just wow. Now to be fair I'm coming off an Edge so that's kind of like going from monkey's flinging Poo to space travel. As advertised, it lays over with not much more effort than think it-do it...maybe 3-5 degrees of countersteer and it comes right around. I left the sway bar linkage connected and had no trouble. Tightest powder turns I've ever carved. Zigged and zagged it through acres of black spruce...pretty nimble sled for a 163.
Throttle response was crisp. I'm looking forward to next season and a PA head and some clutching.
Dings:
-I don't like the way the angular depressions in the upper cowling hold water. It's a minor thing but it bugs me.
-The snow was wet today--usually AK snow is dry powder--and it packed up on the boards, especially the outter rail. My feet were slipping a bit. There will be some new boards in my not-too-distant future.
-I wish the snow flap was about 2-3 inches longer. The track throws enough snow and I think more would get recirculated to the tunnel if the flap was longer.
-If I was the Mountain Sled manager at Poo I would put some sort of low profile exchanger at the front of the tunnel for the 2013's
Overall, I give my new ride a solid A. Looking forward to better weather and better snow. I think this thing will shine if I can find some deep dry powder to throw it around in.
The snow was mostly decent--snow was 3-4' but set up and tracked up in spots. Overall conditions were sucktastic--flat light, snowing hard, and we waited to get low on gas before bothering to get lost for an hour.
So, I let the sled warm up to 120* before riding as recommended, and set the MFD to RPM/Temp/trip. I logged 81 miles of mixed trail and open swamp riding (meadows to you non-Alaskans).
So, as others have reported the Pro is a hot tempered little hussy. I got careless and let it get a bit hot. The MFD read 188 but didn't flash. I was following the group and the leader took us on this twisty, tree-lined narrow trail. The snow on th etrail was loose enough but I was stuck at a steady 4500 to 5500 RPM going about 15 MPH. The issue with this sled is sufficient snow depth and ground speed. If you don't move fast enough to throw against the tunnel you will run hot.
Once out on a lake or swamp where I could open it up it ran a steady 125*
I need to stiffen my skid preset a bit--stock setting is 220lbs max. I'm 205 nekkid and about 240 with my gear and pack. I also need to lessen the ski pressure a bit.
As for the Pro's handling: Wow, just wow. Now to be fair I'm coming off an Edge so that's kind of like going from monkey's flinging Poo to space travel. As advertised, it lays over with not much more effort than think it-do it...maybe 3-5 degrees of countersteer and it comes right around. I left the sway bar linkage connected and had no trouble. Tightest powder turns I've ever carved. Zigged and zagged it through acres of black spruce...pretty nimble sled for a 163.
Throttle response was crisp. I'm looking forward to next season and a PA head and some clutching.
Dings:
-I don't like the way the angular depressions in the upper cowling hold water. It's a minor thing but it bugs me.
-The snow was wet today--usually AK snow is dry powder--and it packed up on the boards, especially the outter rail. My feet were slipping a bit. There will be some new boards in my not-too-distant future.
-I wish the snow flap was about 2-3 inches longer. The track throws enough snow and I think more would get recirculated to the tunnel if the flap was longer.
-If I was the Mountain Sled manager at Poo I would put some sort of low profile exchanger at the front of the tunnel for the 2013's
Overall, I give my new ride a solid A. Looking forward to better weather and better snow. I think this thing will shine if I can find some deep dry powder to throw it around in.
