For those that are in the know....155 vs 163

[barry1me]

So I have a 2011 PRO 163, and its been great. Im going to be snowchecking a 2012 soon and Im trying to decide do I stick with the 163 or get an assault with the 2.4' track. I do mostly flatland but do make it out west for 5-6 days a year. The only reason Im even thinking about an assault is for the jumping/boondocking of it. Not that I have had an issue with my 163 but wonder if the assault 155 would do it easier. So for the people that have spent seat time on a 155 and a 163 pro, how did they compare for carving/side hilling/technical riding?

 

[barry1me]

????

 

[modsledr]

The Assault is not for "boondocking"..it has a wider front end and better/stiffer shocks...it is more for jumping/dropping, and generally is made to handle more abuse (general statement) IMO.

As for the track, the Assault track has VERY stiff paddles that are intended for hillclimb racers and can accept ice screws.

If you want to compare 155 to 163, compare the same 2 tracks.

Personally, I cant tell the handling difference between the 2...the amount of track on the snow with the 163 is only approx 4 inches longer than 155, BUT, that 4 inches equates to 60 square inches of floatation...and the increased floatation is what I notice.

hope this helps

 

[polaris6]

I have ridden all 3 in 3.5 ft of fluff and will give you my opinion. The 163 floats the best, but is more difficult to sidehill due to the contact between the added length of track. The 155 floats so well I personally feel that the 163 is overkill for me and is a bit harder to het unstuck. The assault truly is overbuilt if you are not a TRUE freerider. The track is ok in the fluff but does trench giving it a heavy feeling. I'm only 190 pounds with gear. I know if you hit the trails in the Midwest it rides like a lumber wagon. It's too stiff on entry to turns and is very hard to get setup. I added swaybar, lighter springs, and revolved the fronts and it was a bear on the trails. Landing jumps it was incredible. Went with the 155 pro this year and can't believe how easy it is to unstuck. The best part of the setup is that I never got tired on it. I know these are just my opinions and hope this helps. I'm a flatlander that hits the snowy range and togwotee several times a year. 155 pro is an incredible blend of everything

 

[harrysmith500]

Series 5.1 Powder track now is now available for the 2012 assaults.

Sway bars not included on the assault.

I see no reason to not get the assault unless you want a 163.

The 2012 assault is just a pro with much better shocks, no sway bars, and 0.75" wider on each side of the front end.

 

[barry1me]

Series 5.1 Powder track now is now available for the 2012 assaults.

Sway bars not included on the assault.

I see no reason to not get the assault unless you want a 163.

The 2012 assault is just a pro with much better shocks, no sway bars, and 0.75" wider on each side of the front end.

Im riding my 163 at the 40 inch stance and I could easily put it at the 41 inch ski stance and I would be happy for side hilling/carving. I figure the assault at the narrow stance 41 inch should carve/sidehill the same as a 155 pro!? am I right? I also like the idea of the beefed up suspension vs the pro.

 

[barry1me]

I have ridden all 3 in 3.5 ft of fluff and will give you my opinion. The 163 floats the best, but is more difficult to sidehill due to the contact between the added length of track. The 155 floats so well I personally feel that the 163 is overkill for me and is a bit harder to het unstuck. The assault truly is overbuilt if you are not a TRUE freerider. The track is ok in the fluff but does trench giving it a heavy feeling. I'm only 190 pounds with gear. I know if you hit the trails in the Midwest it rides like a lumber wagon. It's too stiff on entry to turns and is very hard to get setup. I added swaybar, lighter springs, and revolved the fronts and it was a bear on the trails. Landing jumps it was incredible. Went with the 155 pro this year and can't believe how easy it is to unstuck. The best part of the setup is that I never got tired on it. I know these are just my opinions and hope this helps. I'm a flatlander that hits the snowy range and togwotee several times a year. 155 pro is an incredible blend of everything

Did you notice much difference in sidehilling/carving from the pro 155 vs the assault?

 

[Tec]

Did you notice much difference in sidehilling/carving from the pro 155 vs the assault?

Not in deep snow, The wider assault front end is only noticeable for me in hard pack snow conditions, it's mostly the Spring rate which is much stiffer then the Pro and the reason it has no sway bar.

Also the Assault I'm comparing to the Pro also had a camo extreme track, but I'm sure the sled would handle about the same with the 5.1 that you can get for 2012.

 

[barry1me]

Not in deep snow, The wider assault front end is only noticeable for me in hard pack snow conditions, it's mostly the Spring rate which is much stiffer then the Pro and the reason it has no sway bar.

Also the Assault I'm comparing to the Pro also had a camo extreme track, but I'm sure the sled would handle about the same with the 5.1 that you can get for 2012.

how was the assault with no sway bar for handling on and off trail?

 

[Tec]

how was the assault with no sway bar for handling on and off trail?

The assault I ride feel a tiny bit stiffer then the Pro with a sway bar, It eats up the bumps and doesn't bottom out as fast with the stiffer spring rate and the clicker. The only reason I didn't buy an assault last year was because, I didn't want to spend another $900 on a powder track, now that you can snow check one with a 5.1 it's a no brainier to me, unless your stuck on a 163?

 

[FatDogX]

I too wrestled with this same question and after loads advice and researching I ended up with the Assault with the powder track.

From what I came across, the front end width really didn't seem to make much of a difference at all. Most guys claimed the Assault was just as easy to side hill and carve with as the Pro. The Assault shocks should really shine when riding flat land and in the mountains and have a ton of adjustment. Having the option of the powder track when buying new is a big plus as the comp. track did have some negative aspects for some riders.

As far as the 163, it does float better (in powder) but if you don't live in or near the mountains, does it really matter for those two or three trips a year?????