T3... Whooaaaah
- Thread starter t30mg
- Start date
They just rode harder...
Interesting thread so far for sure. I grew up wrenching on Polaris sleds and ATVs and have had more than my fair share of whiskey tango foxtrot moments over the years with Polaris products than I care to remember. But have still mostly rode Polaris sleds because it was well known territory for me.
Most of the guys I ride with now ride doo and talk like as if doo can do no wrong. So I pulled the trigger on a T3 163 someone backed out of cause I just need to know for myself. I also have my 13 pro in trailer as well.
While I am generally happy with the T3 and the 75 miles I put on before the snow melted have been pretty good and I feel confident on the sled and putting myself into technical situations. But after getting in close and personal with the T3 the novelty of a new toy is fading. My feeling now is like that of going to a restaurant that everyone RAVES about only to have a good solid meal rather than the most amazing food known to man as had been described.
There are plenty of things on the T3, just like my pro, that need to be addressed to ensure longevity and reliability of the sled. The expectation of just ride it out of the box is a pipe dream. After a lightweight can install, belly pan, clutch kit and proper clutch cleaning, track alignment, lots of suspension adjustments, securing wiring harness's with additional zip ties, changing chain case oil to find some metal shavings (doo recommended), some relocating/adjusting of controls and I am close.
Don't get me wrong, this is not bagging on the T3 or doo as I am not regretting my purchase. I simply think we need more objectionable open feedback to help us all get the most out our sleds. End of the day I feel fortunate to be in a position right now to have 2 capable extremely fun sleds in the trailer that have both required similar amounts of time and cost to get them dialed in to perform to my preference.
Most of the guys I ride with now ride doo and talk like as if doo can do no wrong. So I pulled the trigger on a T3 163 someone backed out of cause I just need to know for myself. I also have my 13 pro in trailer as well.
While I am generally happy with the T3 and the 75 miles I put on before the snow melted have been pretty good and I feel confident on the sled and putting myself into technical situations. But after getting in close and personal with the T3 the novelty of a new toy is fading. My feeling now is like that of going to a restaurant that everyone RAVES about only to have a good solid meal rather than the most amazing food known to man as had been described.
There are plenty of things on the T3, just like my pro, that need to be addressed to ensure longevity and reliability of the sled. The expectation of just ride it out of the box is a pipe dream. After a lightweight can install, belly pan, clutch kit and proper clutch cleaning, track alignment, lots of suspension adjustments, securing wiring harness's with additional zip ties, changing chain case oil to find some metal shavings (doo recommended), some relocating/adjusting of controls and I am close.
Don't get me wrong, this is not bagging on the T3 or doo as I am not regretting my purchase. I simply think we need more objectionable open feedback to help us all get the most out our sleds. End of the day I feel fortunate to be in a position right now to have 2 capable extremely fun sleds in the trailer that have both required similar amounts of time and cost to get them dialed in to perform to my preference.
S
snowmobiler
Well-known member
i dont see much talk about the perfectly smooth running engine that runs like a million dollar swiss watch.
I would of thought the quality control of doo would be far superior to poo, at least what I have heard, fit and finish on poo can look a little ruff
Why would you have to adjust from stock clutching, heard they have been spot on this year
, what about fuel mileage, the poos we were out with need fuel two thirds threw day, what about the 174 difference over the poo
Skids always will need personal preference to ones liking, what about power difference... What is poo.w.. 144hp
Hope your experience gets better with time
Why would you have to adjust from stock clutching, heard they have been spot on this year
, what about fuel mileage, the poos we were out with need fuel two thirds threw day, what about the 174 difference over the pooSkids always will need personal preference to ones liking, what about power difference... What is poo.w.. 144hp
Hope your experience gets better with time
Because they don't unless you maintain them like everything else. For those that haven't torn into an XP/XM, yet, they also take some more time and effort to wrench on. If you think a fuel filter change is pain on a pro, just wait. I own etecs, too.
I would of thought the quality control of doo would be far superior to poo, at least what I have heard, fit and finish on poo can look a little ruff
Why would you have to adjust from stock clutching, heard they have been spot on this year
Skids always will need personal preference to ones liking, what about power difference... What is poo.w.. 144hp
Hope your experience gets better with time
My experience is positive. I just refuse to buy into the hype of doo or poo. Fit and finish in many areas is solid and frankly overall better than my 13 pro. That said the t3 has a lot of unpainted parts (rails, spindles, chain case, brake cover) that their sp's have painted. More money = less fit and finish on the T3.
As far as the power. My under powered pro (155 stock track) is snappier than the 14 154 XM I rode last year a few times. After getting proper gear ratios the pro was quicker out of the hole and up the hill than that same XM. That said the T3 with the 3 inch track hooks up and pulls very hard. Now it is clutched right and it went on a diet the power is impressive across the board. Just not neck snapping different over a well setup pro.
Now I know some say you never have to work on the etec so why would you care...but when you do the only advantage doo has there is the side panels are much easier to deal with. Etecs in general and the doo clutches are in no way easy to work on. Since I enjoy learning this isn't such a big deal to me.
As said by many at the end of the day these are both phenomenal machines. If you take the time to do recommended maintenance and durability improvements even the pro is remarkably reliable.
S
snowmobiler
Well-known member
good report.would be cool to hear a report after a 3 feet of pow ride
I came off a XP 154 to a T3 163. I had a few reservations about manuverability with a longer track, but when I rode with Norona at Togwotee last year, he said I would absolutely not notice the difference and he was correct. You have to realize the nominal length of the 163 and 174 is only 4" & 8" longer than a 154. The two friends I consistently ride with (they're on 154s) are at the same riding level as me and even they could not or would not take some of the lines I could. Honestly I can take this sled through more technical lines that I could never do before. On steep side hills you clearly do not have to maintain as much track speed as you do with an XP or an XM 154, T3s move through deep snow like a tractor. The die hard Pro guys I ride with pulled the stock tracks and put 3" on. I would not fork out another grand for a track when you can get it stock on a Doo, other than the fact one likes a Pro over a T3. Bottom line is the T3 is way more fun to ride, I expend about 40-50% of the energy as I did on my old XP, and that is a lot nicer at the end of the day. The real test will be in the Sierra Madres (when we get enough snow) where the terrain is steeper and more technical tree riding.
good report.would be cool to hear a report after a 3 feet of pow ride
I am so HARD UP for a good ride I would be willing to drive for 10 hours each way for any kind of POW ride. I live in northern Utah.
J
Jaynelson
Well-known member
FWIW, my 2011 pro was rough around the edges....panel fit, random/loose wiring and hoses, flexy running boards, panels didn't fit great, etc. none of it caused any issues....just didn't feel as nicely finished. Granted, I went through it and secured the wiring, oil hose, and cleaned things up a but....so maybe others who didn't had more issues. My 2015 has addressed all of that and looks/feels as good as an XM in build quality. Nice to see that they listen at least.
Agreed. I looked at the 2015 sleds and it appears Polaris is getting better on the fit and finish. Still would like to see a full black tunnel option from the factory.
Good read, I'd never have guessed a 174 can make as tight or even tighter turn than a 155. Totally opposite of what I've seen in the tight trees where a 163 won't even turn as tight as a 155. Those doo fairies must have some strong dust these days, or maybe its just what the 174 guys are smoking Heck I'm surprised all the short trackers out east aren't all going 14...
Heck I'm surprised all the short trackers out east aren't all going 14...
Yup, it all depends on the type of riding and type/depth of snow a person rides in.
For the really deep stuff the 174x3" works great when just going up/down and moderate turning. Any 3" track will allow slower rate of speed for more time to think and react, thats why many are running the 153x3".
Saying that, there are plenty of people who went to a 3" that are taking them off because of the negative trade-offs when not always in deep snow or hill climb mode.
For the really deep stuff the 174x3" works great when just going up/down and moderate turning. Any 3" track will allow slower rate of speed for more time to think and react, thats why many are running the 153x3".
Saying that, there are plenty of people who went to a 3" that are taking them off because of the negative trade-offs when not always in deep snow or hill climb mode.
I think you could buy an RMK, sell the 2.5 ", put on a 3" track, clutch it and still have cash left and a better clutched and handling sled than if you buy a T3.
Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
S
snowmobiler
Well-known member
i can fix that.LOL
S
snowmobiler
Well-known member
LOL.
