Will this take some of the nimbleness out of the 163"? My understanding is that boondocking is easier with the upward bend on the rails. Anyone know what this will mean to handling if anything?
Straight rails on 2012 163"???
- Thread starter SlingingMercury
- Start date
M
mnescape
Active member
I have the same concern!!!
Was set on a 163 but need more information....may end up with the 155 depending on opinions.
What would the advantage be to the straight rails anyway? I can see lots of advantages to the tipped rails.....at least for me.
Opinions welcome....Thanks!
Was set on a 163 but need more information....may end up with the 155 depending on opinions.
What would the advantage be to the straight rails anyway? I can see lots of advantages to the tipped rails.....at least for me.
Opinions welcome....Thanks!
I would guess the straight rails would keep the front end down more on climbing and maybe a little better flotation. Neither of which my 163" really needs as far I am concerned.
I believe this 163 vs 155 issue to be WAY over-thought.
If you think about it...the 163" track is 8" longer than a 155" track. This means maybe a total of 3" to 4" extra on the ground, which maybe involves a paddle or two. Pushing (moving) a paddle sideways (when turning/boondocking) in the powder is extremely easy. Now....if we were riding on pavement...then i could see where the extra paddle or two making contact with the surface might be an issue. But then....who rides on pavement?
Cheers!
If you think about it...the 163" track is 8" longer than a 155" track. This means maybe a total of 3" to 4" extra on the ground, which maybe involves a paddle or two. Pushing (moving) a paddle sideways (when turning/boondocking) in the powder is extremely easy. Now....if we were riding on pavement...then i could see where the extra paddle or two making contact with the surface might be an issue. But then....who rides on pavement?
Cheers!
M
mnescape
Active member
I believe this 163 vs 155 issue to be WAY over-thought.
If you think about it...the 163" track is 8" longer than a 155" track. This means maybe a total of 3" to 4" extra on the ground, which maybe involves a paddle or two. Pushing (moving) a paddle sideways (when turning/boondocking) in the powder is extremely easy. Now....if we were riding on pavement...then i could see where the extra paddle or two making contact with the surface might be an issue. But then....who rides on pavement?
Cheers!
This is my concern.....being a "flatlander" I ride both here and west, albeit, even here we tend to ride minimum trails (ditches, off-tail).
That being said, maybe the 155 would be the better choice for both conditions?
Take this FWIW, but IceAge has this comment on their tipped up RMK rail kit: "Tipped in the rear for easier turning on hard pack".
I do not know either way, but thought I'd throw this out there.
I do not know either way, but thought I'd throw this out there.
It's a powder sled, tipped rails r for trails!
M
mnescape
Active member
That's always been the thinking behind the design. Polaris has used this since 2002 (I believe) starting with their 159" Edge. It's all I've ever ridden so I don't know if the difference between tipped and straight is even noticeable.
Hoping someone can share some experiences both.
Thanks!
On the pro-155... the rails are straight in 2011 and 2012
Tipped up rails are beneficial on the trails and hardpack due to less track contacting the snow, therefore smaller turning radius (like a short box truck to a long box). The disadvantage is that you significantly lose transfer control when climbing or boondocking (sled wants to wheelie a lot easier). With a straight rail you get progressively more down pressure the more the sled rises/wheelies in the front, so its much easier to control under power.
I think everyone needs to buy the new 800 pro r switchback rush! With the sweet powder climbing 136 by 1.35 cobra track! Or the new adventure switchback probably will win the jh hillclimbs this yr! If u snow check it make sure too put the tall windshield on guranttees 5mph! Lmfao! Haha
but really someone should do a rush suspespion long track like 155 switchback rush! Snow west should it would be like project hcr a little while ago! But it should be project "FLS" flat land sucks!
but really someone should do a rush suspespion long track like 155 switchback rush! Snow west should it would be like project hcr a little while ago! But it should be project "FLS" flat land sucks!
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rmk685
Well-known member
The theory of tipped rails for shorter turning radius is a marketing scheme. The closest rigid spot behind the steering component is gonna act as the pivot point. Look at a semi trailer for instance. If you got a tandem axle or a quad axle everything pivots off of the front axle of the trailer when turning, and the rest of the axles slide around the corner.
All that tipped rails do is make you trench more, and I am glad polaris finally has figured this out. You dont see the aftermarket companies doing the tipped rails do ya? Purely a marketing scheme for polaris. This is the one thing that made me buy a 155 over a 163 in 2011, now I will consider the 163 for 2012.
All that tipped rails do is make you trench more, and I am glad polaris finally has figured this out. You dont see the aftermarket companies doing the tipped rails do ya? Purely a marketing scheme for polaris. This is the one thing that made me buy a 155 over a 163 in 2011, now I will consider the 163 for 2012.
Back when Polaris came out with the 159 (remember when a 144 was a long track) , they were afraid that everyone was going to say that thing is just way too big, you'll never be able to turn that thing around. So they tipped the rails to quiet the masses. As stated above, purely a marketing scheme. BTW the scheme was very successful, peeps are still hanging on to it.
the 2011 with tipped rails works great, if its not broke why screw with it Ive had 4 sleds with tipped rails and they have been great but Im sure there is a reason for doing it. One machining to make the rails instead of two.
If you put a hair dryer on or go with Carls 900 then maybe it would be worth it to change out to the factory straight rails. Nice we 11' owners have the option now, but I am curious what the reasons were. So few changes really, so this must have really been something the engineers wanted changed.
