After nearly a full season of riding. Is a 153-154"" or a 162"-163" preferable?
- Thread starter Frostbite
- Start date
Last season I had 2 159 sleds, 1 ski-doo 2003- 1 polaris 2001. I loved the long track in all conditions. this year I have the 09 M8 LE 153. It out climbes both my 159 sleds by alot. The new powerclaw is an awesome track. Maybe one day in december a 162 would have been nice, I have been more than happy with the 153. I was goin through the same thing last season that you are right now.
I decided I wanted the shorter track to make tree weaving a little more challeging and if I didn't like it I could streatch it. I do not regret the 153 powerclaw at all.
I ride in central Wa. between 5,000-7,000 ft.
I love the deep snow, but I live in Wa., not Wy. or Mt. where I think the 162 would be better.
On the few deep days in dec. and jan. my riding buddies could not follow me up any hills, or through the trees. I felt alone and like king of the hill at the same time. my buddies ride 700 and 800 skidoo's 151 and 159s. I felt bad that nobody could follow me up the hills to our riding spots and just think how much worse it would be with the 162.
I decided I wanted the shorter track to make tree weaving a little more challeging and if I didn't like it I could streatch it. I do not regret the 153 powerclaw at all.
I ride in central Wa. between 5,000-7,000 ft.
I love the deep snow, but I live in Wa., not Wy. or Mt. where I think the 162 would be better.
On the few deep days in dec. and jan. my riding buddies could not follow me up any hills, or through the trees. I felt alone and like king of the hill at the same time. my buddies ride 700 and 800 skidoo's 151 and 159s. I felt bad that nobody could follow me up the hills to our riding spots and just think how much worse it would be with the 162.
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D
CB.8 I'll give you that one. I'm not racing anyone with the 174 unless there is 3' of pow. I think track length depends on your location, average snow type, and prefered riding. Dry northern snow in Montana the 163+ always work good. 154's work good too but on deep pow days there not breaking trail so much. There all fun. All sleds are fun with any track. Buy one and enjoy the ride.
G
I would happily ride either
I think I would go with the 154 on the Doo cause its 16 wide and about equivalent to the 162.
I really have a hard time telling 162 is harder to boondock or throw around then a 153 sled.
162 flat out floats better works better in the powder.
If I rode harder snow more then powder I would probably go with a 153. However, I can still manage to get the 162 stuck, so I will stick with the 162. Definitely a couple times were I was glad to have the 162.
I had the opportunity to ride in powder so deep that I got stuck in a almost flat meadow and that was not related to an operator error! This was chest deep powder! Had to pack a trail for my buddy to get out! He was getting stuck numerous times on flat ground with a 144.
I think I would go with the 154 on the Doo cause its 16 wide and about equivalent to the 162.
I really have a hard time telling 162 is harder to boondock or throw around then a 153 sled.
162 flat out floats better works better in the powder.
If I rode harder snow more then powder I would probably go with a 153. However, I can still manage to get the 162 stuck, so I will stick with the 162. Definitely a couple times were I was glad to have the 162.
I had the opportunity to ride in powder so deep that I got stuck in a almost flat meadow and that was not related to an operator error! This was chest deep powder! Had to pack a trail for my buddy to get out! He was getting stuck numerous times on flat ground with a 144.
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W
Just bought my first "long track" a 162 09 Cat. The new chassis and track designs in all the brands make riding a 160+ track really easy.
I can do anything I used to do on my 151 and it is actually easier.
I will tell you this, my friends' slightly modified 153 M8 and my stock 162 M8 are very close in climbing, so I don't think you can go wrong either way.
I can do anything I used to do on my 151 and it is actually easier.
I will tell you this, my friends' slightly modified 153 M8 and my stock 162 M8 are very close in climbing, so I don't think you can go wrong either way.
Great pictures! Thanks.
Did I mention I ride a 162 x 16 x 2 1/2" Camo Extreme now so I'm used to the float and hook up of the longer track. That being said, this is on a portly four stroke and I have found the sled needs this much track to float in the powder.
Now, subtract at least 100 lbs from the weight of the new sled (560 vs. 460) and the hence the question if a 162" is still needed.
Did I mention I ride a 162 x 16 x 2 1/2" Camo Extreme now so I'm used to the float and hook up of the longer track. That being said, this is on a portly four stroke and I have found the sled needs this much track to float in the powder.
Now, subtract at least 100 lbs from the weight of the new sled (560 vs. 460) and the hence the question if a 162" is still needed.
S
My 02 FWIW. I have 4 sleds. A TAPEX, 800 Dragon\162", an 09 XP with 163", and an 09 Arctic Cat PGM8 with 153". The PGM8 is the first "short track" (LOL) sled I have had since the loooooong sleds came out. It is a blast. It is so close to the long sleds it is crazy. I really can not tell the difference. 2 09 162" M8s in our group seem to concur. Yesterday was epic snow. 3 feet in places and the lil ole M8 was at no disadvantage we could see. This is boondocking, in and out of the trees. As far as climbing, well the other sleds were NA and not turboed so it was not a fair comparison.
Sam
Sam
S
i ride a well tuned 07 REV159, XP 146's with good riders will hang right with me. next sled will be XP 146 or 154. longer track doesn't make you a better rider.
Honestly, I haven't read of anyone saying their 153' or 154" tracked sled wasn't everything they wanted and more.
On the Skidoo forum the 154" XPs seem to do everything as well as the 162".
On the Arctic Cat forum the 153" sleds seem to be performing amazingly well, far better than one would expect from the shorter tracked sled.
It's really only a 2 lb weight difference and 4+ inches of track on the ground we're talking about anyway. That's one and maybe two more paddles on the ground going from a 154" to a 162".
On the Skidoo forum the 154" XPs seem to do everything as well as the 162".
On the Arctic Cat forum the 153" sleds seem to be performing amazingly well, far better than one would expect from the shorter tracked sled.
It's really only a 2 lb weight difference and 4+ inches of track on the ground we're talking about anyway. That's one and maybe two more paddles on the ground going from a 154" to a 162".
To get an idea how a 153 may float compared to your 162, calculate the weight of sled and rider per sq inch of track that actually rides in the snow.
C
At a buck seventy I would go for the 153. I am 250 and like the 162"
The wifey has a 153 good running M6 that is a blast to ride. the 153 will take me anywhere the 162" will but you gotta ride it a little different.
I can get stuck with the 153" I also get stuck on the 162" as well.
Not all the time but enough to know that with your weight the 153 is plenty, you will just have to ride it a little harder. not much but a little.
personally My big azz belongs on a 162
The decision in my opinion is how you want to ride the sled. If you are agressive all the time for sure go for the 153" it's a blast
If you like to ride kinda relaxed while boondocking I would suggest the 162" You can be aggressive on both. the 162" is more forgiving in deep snow.
Both sleds would serve you well. I would be happy with either I would adjust my riding style to the sled. Knowing ahead of time what to expect is a big part the enjoyment you will get out the sled
The wifey has a 153 good running M6 that is a blast to ride. the 153 will take me anywhere the 162" will but you gotta ride it a little different.
I can get stuck with the 153" I also get stuck on the 162" as well.
Not all the time but enough to know that with your weight the 153 is plenty, you will just have to ride it a little harder. not much but a little.
personally My big azz belongs on a 162
The decision in my opinion is how you want to ride the sled. If you are agressive all the time for sure go for the 153" it's a blast
If you like to ride kinda relaxed while boondocking I would suggest the 162" You can be aggressive on both. the 162" is more forgiving in deep snow.
Both sleds would serve you well. I would be happy with either I would adjust my riding style to the sled. Knowing ahead of time what to expect is a big part the enjoyment you will get out the sled
D
I have no problems getting around on my 154, but I only weigh 150 lbs. In spring snow I prefer my 144 mod for jumping.
A
Depends on your snow conditions, your track speed and your skills. I have cats with 153's and they are great in heaver snow, but get them in three or four feet of fluff and they are useless. A doo 146-16" will out doo them any day. My opinion, if your thinking Cat get a 162, and clutch & mod the rich pig. If you get a doo ...154" Clutch and gear down it... you will love it! You will never go back to a 15" track...
W
none of the above
Depends on the sled...
...and the rider. I had an 04 Rev 800 w/ 159 - hated the sled. the 05 Rev 800 w/151 was a much better sled for technical stuff / jumping. I was convinced I'd never own anything longer. My current ride (07 M1000 SP), had a 153" - may have been not enough track, so I installed a 156 x 2.5" last year and loved it. Tried a friend's 162" x 2.5" on an 08 M1000, stretched mine to 162 for this season, and thus far love the sled - I don't think I gave up anything in the handling department, and the track length is better suited for the grunt of the 1000 IMHO. I guess the true test will be during the spring to determine if the sled has the turning radius of the Queen Mary...
BTW, I am a bigger fella - 6'2" and 230 ish with gear on - a rider that is 50 - 60 lbs less may prefer the shorter track on most any given day - especially when you have to dig it out...
...and the rider. I had an 04 Rev 800 w/ 159 - hated the sled. the 05 Rev 800 w/151 was a much better sled for technical stuff / jumping. I was convinced I'd never own anything longer. My current ride (07 M1000 SP), had a 153" - may have been not enough track, so I installed a 156 x 2.5" last year and loved it. Tried a friend's 162" x 2.5" on an 08 M1000, stretched mine to 162 for this season, and thus far love the sled - I don't think I gave up anything in the handling department, and the track length is better suited for the grunt of the 1000 IMHO. I guess the true test will be during the spring to determine if the sled has the turning radius of the Queen Mary...
BTW, I am a bigger fella - 6'2" and 230 ish with gear on - a rider that is 50 - 60 lbs less may prefer the shorter track on most any given day - especially when you have to dig it out...
Thanks guys but, it would sure be easier to decide if you would all agree! 
Ok, let me put it this way. How much more is a brand new 162" tracked sled worth than the same sled in a 153"?
The two sleds I am looking at, have the 162" priced at $600 more for the 153.
To me, that's too much of a difference. If I can get the dealer to go to a $200-$250 difference then it would really be tough to decide but, as it stands now that extra $600 will pay for my SLP pipe.
Thanks again and keep them coming.
Ok, let me put it this way. How much more is a brand new 162" tracked sled worth than the same sled in a 153"?
The two sleds I am looking at, have the 162" priced at $600 more for the 153.
To me, that's too much of a difference. If I can get the dealer to go to a $200-$250 difference then it would really be tough to decide but, as it stands now that extra $600 will pay for my SLP pipe.
Thanks again and keep them coming.
S
My $0.02
Buy the shorter one and when parts go on sale buy rail extentions and a 174x3 and have the best of both worlds for $250 more than the longer one and switch them back and forth at diffrent times of the year!
Buy the shorter one and when parts go on sale buy rail extentions and a 174x3 and have the best of both worlds for $250 more than the longer one and switch them back and forth at diffrent times of the year!
F
I had a 151 800 which I loved. It was great to boondock and ride in the powder. This year I changed out to a 163 which I like better. I'm happy with the change. I feel that I can actually do more on the 163 vs. the 151. Keep in mind the 151 was on the Rev chassis. The new XP chassis makes the 163 feel like my 151.
There also seem to be a few less issues with the 163 track length. Of the ones we've heard about its the 154 with some of the issues.
I'm stretch 5'8" and weight is.....well I could lose a few lbs.
There also seem to be a few less issues with the 163 track length. Of the ones we've heard about its the 154 with some of the issues.
I'm stretch 5'8" and weight is.....well I could lose a few lbs.
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