155 vs. 163 Pro's.....Cons

wfieldin · Mar 10, 2015

Yeah I know most don't want to discuss but why not.

Going with the series 6 track, what are the pro's and cons of 155 vs. 163. I've been riding 155 for the last two years but thinking there may be some pros to a 163 that I'm missing.

Is it rider weight (I'm at 170) , I'm sure riding style plays a part, is one better for trees, one better for sidehilling, is the extra 5lbs worth it, so on and so forth?

Thanks

CO Powder · Mar 10, 2015

I am on my second 155 Pro, my buddy rides a 163. We are both over 6 feet tall and over 200 lbs. His sled doesn't go anywhere or do anything that mine doesn't. Not worth the money or weight penalty IMO. 155x3 will get you additional traction without the additional length. I suspect the 2.6 will be a nice improvement all by itself though.

doudea · Mar 10, 2015

I prefer the 163 because I feel it's more forgiving when I make a mistake, especially in tree boondocking, it has more recovery in my opinion. No doubt the 155 is home nible, however I have never felt that the 163 is holding me back. I will always chose the 163 for the normal "light" colorado powder. This year has been difficult snow as everyone knows, but I am snow checking the 163.

Jaynelson · Mar 10, 2015

The 163 can lay into a sidehill harder without washing out. Also can do things a little slower going through the trees and picking lines. More forgiving.

155 easier to get off the ground for jumping, less likely to bend rails for stuff like that, front end is more playfull - wheelies easier.

slyrydr · Mar 10, 2015

Jaynelson said:
The 163 can lay into a sidehill harder without washing out. Also can do things a little slower going through the trees and picking lines. More forgiving.

155 easier to get off the ground for jumping, less likely to bend rails for stuff like that, front end is more playfull - wheelies easier.

..pretty much covers it, biggest difference for me, is i can pick my way through trees and difficult terrain at a more controlled pace because i don't need to carry as much speed to keep from digging in...:juggle:

Scott · Mar 10, 2015

slyrydr said:
..pretty much covers it, biggest difference for me, is i can pick my way through trees and difficult terrain at a more controlled pace because i don't need to carry as much speed to keep from digging in...:juggle:

Oh man, I thought you were talking about the 155x3 or 156x3 for a second. :face-icon-small-ton

AdrenalineAddict · Mar 10, 2015

I've been doing side by side comparisons since 2012 and have come to the conclusion that the only time you might wish you were on a 163 is in 3' of fresh flush otherwise you're a wee bit handicapped on the 163. My 155 has been outperforming several 163's all season long, I'm not a flyweight either 246lbs. with gear on. If I was going to upgrade my '14 it would be for another 155".

tincuprider · Mar 10, 2015

Jaynelson said:
The 163 can lay into a sidehill harder without washing out. Also can do things a little slower going through the trees and picking lines. More forgiving.

155 easier to get off the ground for jumping, less likely to bend rails for stuff like that, front end is more playfull - wheelies easier.

I agree with this. I rode the 155 for 2 years then switched to 163 and would never go back to 155. I just see no benefits to the 155, and in slow technical riding in soft snow with little base, and sidehilling when it's firm, the 163 is better.

die hard poo · Mar 10, 2015

I personally tried a 163 on my current pro. I don't like it and won't be going that long again. 155 is just so much more playful, way funner to ride in the trees. The 163 just slows everything down, almost lathargic. Doesn't pick the skis when I want it, etc. It does side hill flatter, but I can't make it spin on the tail as easy. I will be snowchecking a 155 x3 this year. the 163 obviously goes better in the deep, but just slightly and for me, it's not worth the ridability trade off. But until you own one, you'll always wonder if bigger is always better. I have had every length track except the 174 and the 155 is the best balanced that I have found.

Pro-8250 · Mar 10, 2015

I have had both. I prefer the 155". For me the longer the sled is, does make it harder to throw around. (Control) Getting older doesn't help either.:face-icon-small-con

FatDogX · Mar 11, 2015

Jaynelson said:
The 163 can lay into a sidehill harder without washing out. Also can do things a little slower going through the trees and picking lines. More forgiving.

155 easier to get off the ground for jumping, less likely to bend rails for stuff like that, front end is more playfull - wheelies easier.

I would have to agree.

I've had the 155 and the 163 and the 163 is my current choice. But I'm not a big jumper, besides the occasional cornice drop. The 163 side hills like a billy goat as it is less likely to wash out. I can side hill a 155 with ease as well but the 163 side hills effortlessly. Also being able to slow down in the trees and take your time and carry less speed is nice too, especially if the body is slowing down a bit! ha ha.

I also have a narrow front end on mine and the handling is awesome, I have never felt that the 163 is holding me back or slowing me down.

Lasty, I've never once said or thought...........Damn I have to much track under me.........:face-icon-small-hap

Sheetmetalfab · Mar 11, 2015

I guess my 163 isn't stock but it will pick the ski's at will.
With body position alone i can put the ski's on the snow or lift them and spin it downhill on the track.
At 225# the 155 isn't able to keep ski control without either letting off partially or maybe an aftermarket skid?
With the stock skid cranked for max ski pressure the 155 still will not hold the fun kind of super steep sidehills.

I snowchecked a 163x3, always wanted to try a 3" seems $200 is cheap to try it out.

If I don't like it i'll cut it down til i do.

sledneck_03 · Mar 11, 2015

Hard to believe the little extra length is worth it. Only 3 extra rows of lugs, and with the loop of the track really 1-1.5 rows on the snow.

Never put alot of seat time into a 155 pro, road a 155 assault and it was hands down better than my 155 700 rmk but went with the 163 cause it was.... Only a little longer.

Questioning 163 when i get an axys..... Probably will be just a 155 sks with no e start and the 2.6"

M8Chris · Mar 11, 2015

I've had 155 for years. For 2015 I bought a 163" I can't tell a difference when it comes to "not being as playful" as the 155. But I sure do love having that extra length in the steep and deep trees. I feel like it's just as nimble as my 155 was and yet it keeps going a little farther then my 155 would have in some situations. Hopefully that helps and I think you would be happy with either one. I don't think I'll ever go back to a 155 after having a 163.

keithw · Mar 11, 2015

After having a 155 pro, 163 pro, and 163 T3, I won't own another 155 as my primary sled. All my 163's excel in technical tree riding, sidehills, and obviously climbing. If you want buzz a circle just stand a little further back on boards to wash the track out. Putting the wife on a 163 was the best decision yet.

Kleiny · Mar 12, 2015

I currently have both and Im going to snow check a 155" . I dont like the 163 at all. Even with boost the 163 likes to stay planted, Yes i can lift the skis , but not all the time at will. 163" rails are pretty weak, I bent mine this year jumping and i dont consider myself as extreme when it comes to jumping. if you want to putt around slowly in the woods then a 163 is great

tincuprider · Mar 13, 2015

Funny how people see things differently, each to his own. I guess I do kinda like to putt around in the trees......hanging on as steep a slope as a 163 will hold.

RMK-King · Mar 13, 2015

I asked Keith Curtis about track lengths today and he said the new Axys 155 2.6 will sidehill and get around better then a 163 2.4 in the old Pro chassis, it will also be a lot more playful feeling then the 163.

plato83 · Mar 18, 2015

155 vs 163 Pros Cons

Haha these are my -pros healthy discus healthy discus -cons i cant even cook chicken im worried im gonna mess up and poison somefish im squeamish

FatDogX · Mar 18, 2015

Sledmax said:
I asked Keith Curtis about track lengths today and he said the new Axys 155 2.6 will sidehill and get around better then a 163 2.4 in the old Pro chassis, it will also be a lot more playful feeling then the 163.

I think this is great info but.....we all must remember the level that Mr. Curtis is at vs. most of us average joes. This is from a guy who can take a short track and probably out ride a lot of guys. While I completely value his input, you must also put it into perspective.

155 vs. 163 Pro's.....Cons

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