Mtn cat 153 or 162?

[tinkerjohnson]

I have had my local dealers 18 snow pro 153 out for a few days now and love the sled and I am snowchecking a mtn cat for next season, I'm just wondering if I should get the 162? My dealer only has a 153 so I haven't got to ride a 162. Has anyone rode both? Can someone tell me how much difference there is in handling, boondocking, climbing, and all around riding. The 153 handles great and is very nimble and turns tight while on its side. But yesterday I was climbing some steep pulls and the sled would go vertical on me when climbing (it would come over backwards) and was a hand full to control. I no I will have the mtn cat with the lock out shock that would help with this, but I just wonder if the 162 is just as playful to ride but sticks to the hill better. I have always bought the longer sled in the past and was thinking about trying a short one this time. What's everybody thoughts on this new 18?

 

[bopper]

The 162 is much more forgiving in the trees and nasty stuff, 153 is slightly more playful but not much from my experience. If your a heavier rider 162 for sure


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[TRUEBLUEMAX]

I think sleds handle so well these days that it's worth it to go longer. I've ridden both and I think for jumping and things like that the 153 is better but I don't do that a lot. I like the 162 mainly for the fact that you don't have to carry as much speed as the shorter track. I feel like you have to keep the track moving more with the shorter track.

Like I said everyone has their preferences I think it comes down to your type of riding. If you like boondocking and climbing and tree riding that's not super tight I'd say get the longer for sure.


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[tinkerjohnson]

162-153

That's the riding I do. I have always bought the 162-163 sleds in the past (I did buy one 155 pro rmk) I ride a doo 163 t-3 now and it's been a great sled.(once I got the suspension setup for me) I'm not stuck on one brand I have owned all of them except cat. this will be my first cat. I have pretty much always bought the 163 I just have a blast on the 153, it climbs really good runs really good I love it and was set on the 153 until yesterday when it was pulling so much ski lift (it could have been the snow the axys was having same issues just not as bad) I just wish my dealer had a 163 to try.

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[bopper]

Sounds like a 162 for you for sure


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[M7sleddn]

I rode the 18 ER sno pro 162 two weeks ago. We did not have the 153, however I ride a 850 154 with 2.5. Most hills there is not a big difference. On the steep climbs my front end definitely stood up more than the 162. If you ride a lot of really steep hills I would stay with the 162. I also have a M8 162 and it does not stand up like my 154 on the steep climbs.

 

[Vern]

I'm a bit of a fatty who does pretty much any type of riding the mtns have to offer and I have no desire to go longer than my 153". I ride predominantly with 162-163 sleds and have yet to feel like I have any sort of a disadvantage.

 

[cpa]

I have ever once thought man I wish I had a shorter track in all the years I've had a 162. More front end control in a steep climb, better flotation in the deep, more forgiving in the trees, and more traction. I've never seen a 153 turn "more track speed" like many people claim. Just my opinion but go 162.

 

[Marble]

I always buyed a 162' before my 18'. But with all new suspension angle, track, attack angle, chassis, etc, newer sled get on top VERY more easier that before. I noticed a big improvement on this dept on 16' M.

If you compare a 153'' 16'+ vs 162'' 2015- Proclimb and older M, newer sled will get on top more easier.

150'' sled are quicker and faster to react that 160'', in any brands.

All depends on your riding style, when I tried a 16 'EB 153, i loved it ... but i taked a 162 because i thinked that maniability will be similar, but I did a fault. Never haved the sporty handling of 153''. Notice that i ride on tight terrain.

Now, 18' Ascender have drop and roll, lighter sled, stronger engine, and rear shock lockout, i pretty sure that my 18 MC 153 will are my best sled at this day.

 

[GlennRMK]

I'm a 153 guy for sure. I'm 6'3" and 200 lbs and love to ride in the trees. Don't do much climbing any more.

I rode 162s from 07-11 and then switched. Love the 153.

For my aggressive riding style its just plain more nimble. I like the extra transfer and the ability to make quicker turns. I feel its far easier to make a hard 180 degree turn when you need to versus the longer tracks.

I also feel like I get a lot more days with harder base then deep bottomless powder (unfortunately) so I feel like the shorter track is a better asset.

I also ride with a lot of guys that have the longer tracks and I really don't see much, if any advantage when it is deep and bottomless.

 

[CO 2.0]

I only ride 153's now. Used to ride the longer tracks back in the M days since you needed the extra length to get up stuff. Now with the 3" powerclaw, I can get anywhere I want with more ease. After riding the 18 162 demo, I'm glad I snowchecked a 153. It's just more nimble, and jumps better. I'm probably 190lbs all geared up. The new Cats do wheelie out a ton though. My 16 prob wheelies out more than my turbo axys. The lockout shock should really help if I need to get up some super steep stuff.

 

[89sandman]

I'm another 153 convert, always rode the 160's until my 11 Pro, the newer sleds are so much better I feel I don't need the extra length. We ride a ton of tight technical stuff and it's easier for me on the shorter sleds. Some times not having the few extra inches is the difference of making a very tight turn instead of having to get off and yank a ski or hop the back end. Guess it really depends on your style and type of riding you do.

 

[mja]

Anybody have any new info to add to this thread after some time on the new MC. I thinking of getting one as well but unsure of a length. I have always had 141's and 153's. Never had rode a 162.

 

[boondocker97]

I think rider size plays a big part in this too. If you're 225-250# or more you'll have a harder time getting the sled to plane out and stay there. I'm 260# and if I ever get down to that 225 number or less I'll probably try a 153 again. On the less stellar snow days I do like a 153 slightly better for cutting a tight 180.

 

[Snow Fever]

I have a new 18' Mountain Cat (300 miles now on it), Its a 153, used to ride 160s but went to 153 in 2014. Ride with lots of 153 and 160s and a few 170s. Wouldn't even consider more than a 150s anymore. Too many advantages to the 150s over the big tracks. More Playful and if/when you get stuck, way easier to get out by yourself.
My 2 cents anyways.

By the way, this new Cat is soooooo easy to ride compared to the old style (12'-16' anyways) never rode a 17'. Gonna be a suprise year for some of the boyz on other brands.