M7 153 or 162?
- Thread starter thejo
- Start date
it depends on the snow that you normally ride in. if you are always in heavy spring type snow you might notice the extra length of the 162. but in powder i've never really felt any differnce jumping between the two. but what i did find was that the 162 was much more forgiving when the snow was deeper, could go a bit slower and was able to pick my lines better. if you do a fair bit of trail riding or like to do bigger drops a 153 might be better, but other wise i'd lean towards a 162
162 Without a doubt....I ride a 153, and sure, I get places...but those times when you KNOW you'd have gotten up the hill if you just had that LIIIIIITLE bit more track is REALLY....REALLY annoying. Get the 162 or you'll be kicking yourself everytime your trenched out. I know I do.
L
longtrack156
Well-known member
The M7 162 turns very nicely, I doubt if you could see much difference between the two as far as turning, however in the deep the 162 is better.
we have 4 '06 m7s in our group 3 153's and 1 162 and to be honest i've never seen any real benefit to the 162. in our group all the 153's can go anywhere that the 162 can go in any snow conditions we've encountered. the only possible advantage i've seen when comparing them is on pretty long fairly deep climbs the 162 may pull away slightly towards the top, not alot but enough to say he's in front, but in the end they both get there. after riding my 153 if i jump on the 162 i can definitaly feel the extra length when turning, the 162 is not as responsive in the turns as the 153 and theres been a few occasions where the guy on the 162 has got pissed following the 153's through the trees cuz he couldn't make some of the tight turns. i know its all personal preference but i'll never go any longer than the 153 just cuz i like the manueverability and never seen anything to make me think the 162 is that much better.
If you can't tell the diff between the 2 in deep snow there is something wrong. A 162 will keep going long after the 153 has to turn out. The 153 will go just as fast if it can go over the top but on steeper hills the 153 goes up and then it looks like you let off the throttle and the 162 keeps on truck, you also have to carry way more momentum to get through tight stuff. We have compared side by side, changed track out on the same sled. there is a huge difference. As for the 153 being more flickable, its not a problem for me, the 153 is almost to easy to push around, I've had it wash out when I didn't want it to. My TM8 is getting changed to a 162.
S
samiams2
Well-known member
I went from a 151 to a 162 and never regretted it. Its almost all what your used to and as long as you aren't a half-pint you will move the 162 around just as well.
in your decision, I would decide based on which sled is nicer, has more extras, less miles etc FIRST, and then which track you want. the 162 will get you farther but in most situations you will get everywhere with the 153. Realize it is only 3extra paddles on the ground. There is an advantage but for the average rider not night and day, life and death, i think you get the picture.
just my .02.
in your decision, I would decide based on which sled is nicer, has more extras, less miles etc FIRST, and then which track you want. the 162 will get you farther but in most situations you will get everywhere with the 153. Realize it is only 3extra paddles on the ground. There is an advantage but for the average rider not night and day, life and death, i think you get the picture.
just my .02.
First, I ride an '05 M7 LE 162 so I'm biased. For my lard a$$ that likes to putt around in the trees the 162 is the answer! A lot depends on how much you weigh, your riding style and snow conditions you typically ride. As noted above there are other things to consider besides track length. I'm very partial to the LE orange color. The '06 is heavier and if you beat sleds hard it may stand up to a beating a little better. Since I don't ride hard I'm partial to the lighter weight. '05 LE has titanium springs all around which I think is a good thing. Others may not. Also the '05 runs a little richer than the '06 so if you're thinking of engine mods you can do more on an '05 before you need to use a controller. If one has a power claw and the other doesn't, go power claw. If the '05 (or the '06) still has the A20, do some reading to decide if that is the track you want on your sled.
Last edited:
W
Wire4Money
Member
Experience should dictate. I ride a 153 because it is easier to dig out.
0
05M7
Well-known member
Depends on what you do. I had a 153 M7 and it was a fun sled, the power to track ratio was just right. now put a 162 under it and you feel a doggier motor. however i spent a week on a 162 M7 and fell in love, in deep steep climbs the 162 just kept going. it may take longer to get there but it will outclimb a 153 M8. As a matter of fact i was getting spanked by the same 162 M7 (stock except for a can) on my 07 M8 with lots of mods. i would be the first as high as i could go, but then the M7 would crawl by me and go up and around.
