Got to spend some time on a couple 850’s yesterday. Good snow and the sleds were a 163x3 and a 174x3. Ive mostly been riding a 163x2.6” and a 174x3” this year, just for reference.
My biggest fear going in to this was that I would be searching for differences between the 850 and 800 if the traits weren’t “in your face.” 1 minute on the sled and it was obvious that wasn’t going to be an issue...you will NOT mistake the 850 for an 800 axys. The power difference is notable right from the bottom end, and becomes more apparent the longer you stay in it. Keep on it and the speed just keeps building. We weren’t in big terrain, and finding somewhere you could stay in it for a length of time was a bit tricky...compared to the 800 I brought that you could hold wide open quite a bit more. So that was telling of how much more juice was on tap. You actually feel like you have more grip, as the larger motor has way more zap off the bottom and come the mid range you can loft the skis as much as you like.
Comparing the 800 174 with the 850 174 was cool...on the 800 the 174 works great, but the big track takes a bit of the fun factor away, as it just doesn’t spool up as quick. On the 850, the bigger track doesn’t seem to phase it...response seems very similar and it totally injects more fun in to that machine. Pick the front end up and point it whatever direction you want...no big deal!
The 163x3 was a riot tho...want to keep things mellow? Sure, lean forward a bit. Want to ride wheelies over everything (and still maintain speed)? Sure, lean back a bit. Pop the front end up to turn out...no prob. The new front end took a few minutes to dial my head in to not over riding it...it reacts significantly quicker and more aggressively than the previous machine. Downhill pow turns (personal fave) were much easier to initiate, and quicker to link up.
With the skis set on the narrow stance (how these all were), it wants/needs to be ridden aggressively. Being lazy and trying to cross a mellow side hill just by leaning (while keeping sled on “all fours”) doesn’t really work. It wants to be sidehilled...but thankfully, that’s so easy it’s not a thing. I think I would center the ski spacers and give that a whirl.
Overall, my consensus was...power difference = more than expected. Handling difference = more than expected. Increased fun factor = ...you get the idea. I can’t see anyone being disappointed with their snow check!