3 inch vs 2.6

rightsideup · Mar 5, 2016

noticed that in promotions of the 2016s that polaris pro riders really did not gush over the 3 inch track. just wonder now that we have a lot of the season behind us has any body compared them like like in various conditions....what are the results

Staple_STI · Mar 5, 2016

rightsideup said:
noticed that in promotions of the 2016s that polaris pro riders really did not gush over the 3 inch track. just wonder now that we have a lot of the season behind us has any body compared them like like in various conditions....what are the results

On a regular snow day it is hard to tell between the two, but on a super deep day the 3" is a much better track. Anyone will say the same about the 2.5 vs 3 on the skidoo as well.

jhurkot · Mar 5, 2016

I like the 2.6 better. 13 lbs less and spins up quicker.

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rightsideup · Mar 6, 2016

jhurkot said:
I like the 2.6 better. 13 lbs less and spins up quicker.

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I have heard this from other sources as well.

GregW · Mar 6, 2016

Been riding the 3 inch 174 for many years, many will tell you that they are only best suited for the deepest days and yes that is where they really shine but even on those moderate snow days they are equally as incredible, they just keep going where the 2.5 run out of upward push. Have proven over and over, where a 2.5 quits a 3 inch will blow past that mark and not by just a little bit. The shorter tracks and lugs are a bit more maneuverable but it really boils down to what kind of ride you want. Do you want a sled you you can throw around like a toy or do you want a sled that will literally take you anywhere and in any kind of condition. The shorter tracks do it too, you just have to work a little harder to do it. My two cents!

TDR · Mar 6, 2016

Would like to hear from more of you that ran an Axys this year. I am looking at snow checking a 155 but am not sure which track. Also anyone have any issues with the chain case ?

neilsleder · Mar 7, 2016

2.6 will have the belt drive and 3" will have the chain drive. I think I would go 2.6" if I were buying a new one.

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rightsideup · Mar 7, 2016

TDR said:
Would like to hear from more of you that ran an Axys this year. I am looking at snow checking a 155 but am not sure which track. Also anyone have any issues with the chain case ?

There is a business where I live that caters to both polaris and doo and sometimes cat he has told me there are no reliability issues with the polaris chaincase as far as reliablity and there also none with the other brands on newer models if the proper maintenance is done.

adamg · Mar 7, 2016

I did the first chain case oil change on my 16 3" last weekend. I tell you what, Polaris makes that as much of a PITA as they possibly can. This alone might be cause to buy the belt drive models. I've seen a belt drive fail and be swapped out, and it was less work than this oil change.

- In manual is says to remove screws to loose off the lower fender / belly pan / plastic cover to allow oil to drain. Well guess what, they are rivets instead of screws.
- No drain plug, you have to unscrew a bunch of case cover bolts, all of which are blocked from being used by a proper ratchet.
- Once the cover is loose you have to pry it open a few mm, wait for the oil to slowly drain out while holding the sled on its left side, then right side, then back again, to hopefully get 75% of it out.
- Tighten case down, again PITA because normal tools don't fit.
- Attempt to fill with new oil. But bring twice as much as it requires, because good luck finding a funnel or tool to get the oil effectively in the hole. I ended up using a 50 year old oil squirt bottle.

* I readily admit I am a terrible mechanic.

solarguy · Mar 7, 2016

Have ridden both 3 & 2.6 in a variety of conditions and would buy the 2.6 for sure.
I crave the super deep, the 2.6 flat performs!

rightsideup · Mar 7, 2016

solarguy said:
Have ridden both 3 & 2.6 in a variety of conditions and would buy the 2.6 for sure.
I crave the super deep, the 2.6 flat performs!

thanks are you comparing stock to stock?

rockydaug · Mar 8, 2016

I have a 16 with a 3x163in track, the main reason i went with it was for the chaincase. Polaris has never had chaincase problems since they went to hyvo, but saying this everything has its limits. In my opinion, the pros to the 3" are the chaincase and be able to inexpensively change your gear ratio, climbing ability in huge powder should be better in short a steep climbs. With the 2.6" the quick drive is an alright system, I ran one for 3 years on my 2013, had to replace 2 belts in 2800 miles. But belts are not covered under warranty, were chains and chaincase components are covered.
But saying all this, if i were to purchase a 155 in track sled, i wouldn't get a 3 in track, I believe its a waste JMO

Teth-Air · Mar 9, 2016

If you care about weight, go 2.6", if you just want to putt around and not get stuck, get the 3".

wallary · Mar 14, 2016

I have a 163x3 and I raced a 163x2.6 in heavy set up snow and it was dead even. The 3'' makes tree riding much easier, you don't need to carry as much speed and it doesn't trench as bad in the light snow. In my option the 3 and 2.6 are very similar in most conditions but the 3'' makes the differnce on the deep days. I like the chaincase better, more reliable and one less belt to carry around and the tools to change it. I rode with a 2015 skidoo 163 T3 all year and they are almost equal sleds, it is all about what you are used to. Also no problems with my sled either, just fouled the first set of plugs, 500+ miles on it currently.

fredw · Mar 14, 2016

If your looking for a machine to carve or side hill, the less track lug the
eaisier.. Out last ride, we had a guy had a 2.25... Had to jump on and ride it off a side hill

it was effortless to side hill from the lack of traction and took forever to get across the grade.. I can see how guys run out of fuel before dinner

with the three inch that same line would of been done in seconds rather than minutes with a lot more control needed by the driver..

Three inch is is also much more forgiving in the deep where the smaller lug, you would not even try a ulgy line after been stuck numerous times before

LennyR · Mar 14, 2016

Totally depends on snow conditions. Somedays on your truck you need studs, sometimes mud tires sometimes chains. I don't think there's a "best" everywhere. If I was voting for closest to "best " everywhere, I'd choose the Cat powerclaw, seems to shine in all conditions with the least negatives overall.

prairie-rider800 · Mar 23, 2016

Has anyone tried the new camso x3.2 on an axys?

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TKrebs · Mar 24, 2016

prairie-rider800 said:
Has anyone tried the new camso x3.2 on an axys?

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Not yet , but your gonna !!

adamg · Mar 24, 2016

rider, what do you want to find out?

pistoncontracting · Mar 24, 2016

fredw said:
If your looking for a machine to carve or side hill, the less track lug the
eaisier.. Out last ride, we had a guy had a 2.25... Had to jump on and ride it off a side hill

it was effortless to side hill from the lack of traction and took forever to get across the grade.. I can see how guys run out of fuel before dinner

with the three inch that same line would of been done in seconds rather than minutes with a lot more control needed by the driver..

I would love to hear a little more in depth explanation into your line of thought with this, but I don't imagine it would make a whole bunch of sense either.

3 inch vs 2.6

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