Back from my first full day's ride on a Pro 163...
In a word - IMPRESSIVE!!!
Right from the get go I could tell this machine was a strong runner, I like the new stiffer track and it won't hesistate to break that puppy loose any time you pin her, she's got some punch on the trail. That punch continues the rest of the time too, a very strong motor and very very snappy... the second you hit that flipper you are gone - no lag waiting for the motor to spin up like with the 900s. My hands were getting sore from holding on so tight... it takes off like a rocket when you want it to, and I thought my sled was fast
Getting to the hillclimb, this thing's not a bad climber. The hill today (being a Sunday) was ALL tore up, trenches everywhere.
We managed to find a small area that had a couple square inches of fresh snow left between the trenches to get a feeling for it's top-end power, which is respectable. I felt the top end was very close to what mine and my friend's 900 is, not necessarily better, but very close in the pulls we were able to do.... the lightweight really helps keep it on top of the snow and makes sidehilling a total breeze- Verdict - it's pretty dang good at the climbs for a stock 800
Moving on to boondocking through the trees, the smile gets bigger - NOW this sled is in it's happy place, you can get into trees so tight and even the 163 turns on a dime and floats like no other.... I couldn't believe how it stayed on top of the snow in tight stop & go conditions - a true JOY to ride in the trees so tight your shoulders hit them and you have to duck under the limbs My shoulders and back are very relaxed after lots of turning and pulling, not trying to muscle that 900 TANK around in there. Carving up the meadows was equally enjoyable, the sled is so light on the front end you just turn and lean and your in a nice carve. I enjoy carving on my 900 and it does pretty good for a big sled - technique was the same just required that much less effort to throw around a sled that's 80 lbs lighter than mine
If you want to just get a nice tight donut, this is the sled, hang a leg off for a tight turn and you'd think you were on a short tracker.... with the narrow panels you can get this thing all the way on its side and holy smokes does it do a nice set of donuts!!!
Back down the beaten trail through the trees was fast - hardly any pushing with this setup, the Grippers REALLY shine on this sled, PERFECT match for light steering and responsiveness.... I was moving so fast I had to stop and wait for Mark - In his own words "THERE'S JUST NO WAY I CAN KEEP UP WITH YOU, YOU'RE HAULING AZZ!!!"
So far there is really only one thing I do not like about the sled, and that is the running boards. While the 18" area in the middle where you stand 99% of the time stays nice and clean, the rest of them do get clogged up with snow VERY fast and get slick really quick. This is where I LOVE having the running board heat exchangers - even if the center gets clogged with snow, you always have a good footing on that outside edge - I can't say that with the PRO, I prefer the stock 900 heated running boards better.
All in all I would say Polaris has a real winner on their hands here, I'm in love! And that is coming from a die-hard 900 fan, I love my sled, but this new kid on the block has some nice moves!
Videos to follow once I get them uploaded
In a word - IMPRESSIVE!!!
Right from the get go I could tell this machine was a strong runner, I like the new stiffer track and it won't hesistate to break that puppy loose any time you pin her, she's got some punch on the trail. That punch continues the rest of the time too, a very strong motor and very very snappy... the second you hit that flipper you are gone - no lag waiting for the motor to spin up like with the 900s. My hands were getting sore from holding on so tight... it takes off like a rocket when you want it to, and I thought my sled was fast
Getting to the hillclimb, this thing's not a bad climber. The hill today (being a Sunday) was ALL tore up, trenches everywhere.
We managed to find a small area that had a couple square inches of fresh snow left between the trenches to get a feeling for it's top-end power, which is respectable. I felt the top end was very close to what mine and my friend's 900 is, not necessarily better, but very close in the pulls we were able to do.... the lightweight really helps keep it on top of the snow and makes sidehilling a total breeze- Verdict - it's pretty dang good at the climbs for a stock 800Moving on to boondocking through the trees, the smile gets bigger - NOW this sled is in it's happy place, you can get into trees so tight and even the 163 turns on a dime and floats like no other.... I couldn't believe how it stayed on top of the snow in tight stop & go conditions - a true JOY to ride in the trees so tight your shoulders hit them and you have to duck under the limbs
My shoulders and back are very relaxed after lots of turning and pulling, not trying to muscle that 900 TANK around in there. Carving up the meadows was equally enjoyable, the sled is so light on the front end you just turn and lean and your in a nice carve. I enjoy carving on my 900 and it does pretty good for a big sled - technique was the same just required that much less effort to throw around a sled that's 80 lbs lighter than mine If you want to just get a nice tight donut, this is the sled, hang a leg off for a tight turn and you'd think you were on a short tracker.... with the narrow panels you can get this thing all the way on its side and holy smokes does it do a nice set of donuts!!!Back down the beaten trail through the trees was fast - hardly any pushing with this setup, the Grippers REALLY shine on this sled, PERFECT match for light steering and responsiveness.... I was moving so fast I had to stop and wait for Mark - In his own words "THERE'S JUST NO WAY I CAN KEEP UP WITH YOU, YOU'RE HAULING AZZ!!!"
So far there is really only one thing I do not like about the sled, and that is the running boards. While the 18" area in the middle where you stand 99% of the time stays nice and clean, the rest of them do get clogged up with snow VERY fast and get slick really quick. This is where I LOVE having the running board heat exchangers - even if the center gets clogged with snow, you always have a good footing on that outside edge - I can't say that with the PRO, I prefer the stock 900 heated running boards better.
All in all I would say Polaris has a real winner on their hands here, I'm in love! And that is coming from a die-hard 900 fan, I love my sled, but this new kid on the block has some nice moves!
Videos to follow once I get them uploaded
