Front end pop on the Alpha

CO 2.0

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• Sep 26, 2018

• #1

I know most if not all were 165s this spring that some of you rode. How much lift were you getting in the front end? I like my 153 MC cause I can pop the front end up to get over creeks and such. Where the 162s felt like a tractor to me with skis planted firmly on the snow. I want to get a 165 but dont want to lose the front end happiness of the shorter sled. Just not sure if the Alpha acts different on the snow in that regard compared to a mountain cat 162. The 154 seems more ideal to me but worried it might be too squirrelly since everyone is saying the 165 Alpha does donuts like a MC 153

 

Last edited: Sep 26, 2018

ndfb35

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• Sep 26, 2018

• #2

I was asking the same question this spring before I ordered my 165 and no one would give me a solid answer. The only thing I found regarding the subject were RMR said in one of the promo vids the 165 Alpha handles similarly to a 153 MC and the 154 is a riot, and super responsive. I asked him directly and he never got back to me.

 

Prairie Dog

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• Sep 26, 2018

• #3

I rode both 165 and 154 and I have an 18 162. I found way more traction and “lift” on the 165 compared to my 162. Front end def felt it would come up quicker and higher on 165. I didn’t like the 154 as I felt it was too squirrelly for my liking. But set up would make a huge difference.

 

summ8rmk

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• Sep 26, 2018

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My 153 is definitely a wheelie monster however, my '18 162" Mtn Cat had no problem hopping creeks.
Attached pic. From flat ground to a higher side, my ski barely touched when i hit the other side.

 

DDECKER

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CRAIG COLORADO

• Sep 26, 2018

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the 10" rear idlers do make the 165 a lot more playful but I have a hard time not riding a 150's sled but then again I have the figure of a 12 year old.

 

madmax

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• Sep 26, 2018

• #6

summ8rmk said:

My 153 is definitely a wheelie monster however, my '18 162" Mtn Cat had no problem hopping creeks.
Attached pic. From flat ground to a higher side, my ski barely touched when i hit the other side.

Click to expand...

I like that pic! Dreams of things to come

 

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jim

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• Sep 27, 2018

• #7

If the track has traction at all, any sled can pop the nose in the air...is all set-up related. Front limiter strap long front/rear shock tight, rear/rear shock/spring loser...nose in the air. And good luck making climbs.

 

CO 2.0

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• Sep 27, 2018

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You are more limited with useable settings on the 18 mc compared to older sleds on strap settings. And I dont like changing skid mount positions cause it makes other handling aspects of the sled worse. Same with shock settings that Im confortable with. So I want the settings good all around which for me comes down to track length and traction on the sled. Id need 2 min riding both alpha sled lengths side by side, prob even just one to make this decision for myself. Should just prob wait and ride my dealers demos.

Wyoboy Mac can pop up a 162 MC the same I can with my 153 MC. Same settings between them. Only difference he is 6'5 and prob 220lbs where Im 5'11 180lbs. That extra weight and handlebar leverage helps pop the front end up a ton when your feet are on the farthest backside of the boards. Not like I want a wheelie machine. Just want front end happiness when I need it. Ive always liked Cat 150s sleds better than 160s tracks from an all around handling standpoint. Just dont know how this new skid/track changes what I already know about this chassis.

 

kanedog

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• Sep 28, 2018

• #9

DDECKER said:

the 10" rear idlers do make the 165 a lot more playful but I have a hard time not riding a 150's sled but then again I have the figure of a 12 year old.

Click to expand...

Call me in 7 years and we can go on a date.

Sent from my SM-G920W8 using Tapatalk

 

DDECKER

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• Sep 28, 2018

• #10

wow re reading that, now I see why I don't post much hahaha

 

WyoBoy1000

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• Oct 15, 2018

• #11

I went to the dealer and grabbed onto each sled and tipped over.

154 it is! Noticeable difference. The 54 is a natural geometry and the 65 tries to pick you up and push you forward on the break point.

I'm looking for ward to no more wrong foot forward. I've been riding straddling the sled 90% of the time so with a 54 alpha I'm hoping all tech riding will be done without jumping around.