Hey guys. So I currently have a 2015 Pro rmk 163 with the stock 2.4 track. And I will be upgrading to a axys this year. But I can not decide if I should go with the 163 or 155. I find my current 163 to climb well but it is a work out to get it to wheelie or play around with it all. My last 155 was a wheelie machine but liked to trench out. So I am wondering if the new 163 with the 3 inch is more playful? Or is the 2.6 any good ? I rode a axys 155 3 inch last year for a bit and it was a awesome sled to ride. So I'm debating which length. Anybody have opinions?
Info on the new 163 3 inch
- Thread starter hondalrd
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takethebounce
Active VIP Member
I was on the fence and ended up with a 163 3" because the price was right, otherwise I would have likely gone to a 155, maybe a 3". My Pro was a 163 and it was all around great but I miss some of the playfulness the 155 provides and given the 155 2.6 are quite a bit lighter than some of the older 154/155 sleds I used to ride I believe it makes up for the track length at times.
I believe if you are under 180lbs, like to have a playful sled and on the deep days can ride with the flipper taped to the bars then go 155. If you want to have a little more forgiveness in the steep and deep, maybe a 163 would be worth looking at. If you don't feel the current 163 you have has any cons stick to it. You can always buy a 155 and maybe we trade half way through the winter lol
I believe if you are under 180lbs, like to have a playful sled and on the deep days can ride with the flipper taped to the bars then go 155. If you want to have a little more forgiveness in the steep and deep, maybe a 163 would be worth looking at. If you don't feel the current 163 you have has any cons stick to it. You can always buy a 155 and maybe we trade half way through the winter lol
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Haha thanks for the reply. The only con I have now is that it never wants to wheelie or play with it. Button hooks are impossible with it. But I was hoping the new 3 inch and more power would help that?
takethebounce
Active VIP Member
If anything I found the 163 3” pushes in a straight line more. Gearing it down some can help. It’s not going to whip around like a 155. It’s amazing how 4” of ground contact can make a noticeable difference.
i have 155 3" and my brother has the 163", and what i noticed was that on the really deep days in the trees he would have a second or two more to make decision and i was really wanting that 163 aswell, but a few days after the snow set up a bit my 155 was alot of fun. so im gonna see how this year goes and if we hit more deep days than not ill probably be going back to the 163.
Teth-Air
Active VIP Member
The 163's can be playful if set up that way but then will be out of control on the real steep stuff. You can add a suspension coupler to get the best of both with a quick twist of the coupling block shaft.
My Axys 163x3" definitely wheelied right out of the box. Too much so for my style of riding so I got the suspicion coupler Chris mentions above and it works great! Quick and easy to adjust so now can have it wheelie for trees or keep front end down for steep climbs. I'm significantly north of 180 lbs at about 225-230 (depending on size of supper) and like the 163.
dragonweld28
Supporting Vendor
Dont get the 3". The track isn't very good. The 2.6 with the Belt drive in a 163 is the way to go.
I demo'd a 163 3" last year before I bought mine and it felt like a dog coming off a '16 cat. I ended up picking up a '16 155 2.6 and that thing has leaps and bounds more jam than the 3". Like a different sled altogether. IMO 2.6 is the way to go.
Don't get me wrong I'm a huge 3" fan but the 3" Axys I rode was a dog. Not sure if they're geared different or if the belt drive makes that much difference. The 3" claw on my '16 Cat was an animal
Chrisco
Active VIP Member
It is the stock 3 inch.... it sucks. The X3 hole different story.
I am wondring how guys are finding the stock 3" tracks are holding up? I have read a bunch of the comments here about the 2.6" showing early wear on it. Would love to pick up a 3" 163 axys but hesitant if I have to buy an aftermarket track pretty soon..
dragonweld28
Supporting Vendor
Don't get a Polaris 3". There junk. Get the 2.6 sled and upgrade your track and drivers. Sell the 2.6 to offset some of the cost. The 3" polaris sleds are geared right , but clutched wrong. The 2.6 sleds are geared high and clutched wrong. Both need work to get them set up properly. There is an easy fix for the belt drive to gear it down a bit lower.
dabensmiller
Active VIP Member
Why are the Polaris 3" junk? I have 1000 miles on one and it still looks great and performs the same. Same goes for the clutching, its stock and works perfectly fine.
dabensmiller
Active VIP Member
The 2.6" track will get some unwanted wear if they are not fully clipped. So long as you fully clip them you will have 0 issues. I put 2000 miles on my 2016 Axys 2.6", it was still working great when i sold it. The 3" will not wear the same so there is no issues, i have a friend from Revy with 3500 miles on his 3".
Are there better tracks out there? Yes. Is there better clutching? Yes. Is there better suspension? Yes. Will the stock stuff work just fine? Yes. I wouldn't replace any parts unless they are wore out.
go to sourceinnovations.com for a set of clips.
dragonweld28
Supporting Vendor
If all your looking for is it "works", then the polaris 3" will be fine. the suspension is ok if you have the clicker shocks and the clutching is horrible. Not that much of an expense to get some more track speed. Polaris has the same clutching for 155, 163 and a 174, but they have different gearing in chain case models and belt drive models. Yes the clutching works. But theres some easy gains in proper clutching.
I feel the 3" track is pretty durable. I'm at 2400km on my 2016 and don't see any concerning wear inside or outside of the track.
Also consider that the Axys 174 is only offered in the 3", same design as the 163 and 155 3", and you don't hear of that many people throwing them out, so it can't be that bad of a design.
dragonweld, I would be interested in hearing of a good "clutch kit" combination for a 2016 163x3", with tips on how to find all the parts at best deals.
Also consider that the Axys 174 is only offered in the 3", same design as the 163 and 155 3", and you don't hear of that many people throwing them out, so it can't be that bad of a design.
dragonweld, I would be interested in hearing of a good "clutch kit" combination for a 2016 163x3", with tips on how to find all the parts at best deals.
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