Thoughts on the 850 174.

Darrell D

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I'm currently riding a 2017 163 X 3 and thinking about going to a 174 X 3 track with the new narrower front end for my next sled. I"m wondering how those two machines compare from anyone who has made a similar change or has ride time on the two machines. Does the narrower front end make the 174 feel / act closer to the 163?
 

Ganibis

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I honestly dont think you will ever get the 174 to feel like a 163 due the the front swing arm mounting on the 174.

I currently ride an Assault 155 2.6 with factory front end. A guy in our group has a 17 174 3" with a MNTek turbo. With the factory 39" front end. I find my 155 way easier to throw around.

I'm 6'3" 250, he's 5'9 160, when I ride that 174 turbo im exhausted after riding it in anything that isn't straight up a hill. Downhill turns in steep trees are no fun at all. So being a smaller guy (but a good rider) he is pooped by the end of the day. I couldnt imagine how much more work it would be without the turbo.

I may not be able to go in 3' of fresh powder very easily, but for the amount of times we get those days in the hills I think it's a fair trade.

That being said my next sled will be a 163 turbo, best of both worlds.
 

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I'm currently riding a 2017 163 X 3 and thinking about going to a 174 X 3 track with the new narrower front end for my next sled. I"m wondering how those two machines compare from anyone who has made a similar change or has ride time on the two machines. Does the narrower front end make the 174 feel / act closer to the 163?

I went from a 2016 163 x 2.6 AXYS to a 2019 174 x 3" AXYS.

I was very worried about hating it because it is not so much the front width that dictates the playfulness it is more about slipping the track to make it whip around.

The 850 with the 174 has the power to break the track loose where the 800 not as much. The narrow front end is great but just off-set spindles and tightening of the front track shock 2-3 turns can make the longer track sleds even more maneuverable than shorter sleds not set up well.

This past weekend I rode a 163 that had short A-Arms and offset spindles (35") and it would not pull up as easy as my 174. And when it did it just fell over. Set up and power are key to making the big sleds feel much shorter.
 

adamg

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I rode a Poo 2016 800 163x3 for 3 years, 3600km. I have a Poo 2019 850 174x3 this year, so far 5 days on it.

I always felt my 2016 was too difficult to pull over / get on its side, so I put aftermarket 36" front end on it and removed the sway bar (and EXIT shocks). I liked this combo quite a lot.

My 2019 feels basically the same as far as difficulty in getting on its side and balancing. It's tough to say exactly, with the 9 month gap between riding the 2016 and the 2019, but the balance feels very similar to my narrow 2016. Power and traction is definitely an improvement. The one down side I'm feeling so far is that it seems like the 174's length makes it hesitant to change direction. Like when I have the sled leaned over and balanced and want to carve / change direction, it kind of wants to go straight when I want it to turn. I'm having to set up my 'corners' a little earlier and plan them to take longer.

But maybe that's just the rider and I'll get it figured out on my next trip. I was still getting around, that was my only challenge going bigger.
 

Teth-Air

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I rode a Poo 2016 800 163x3 for 3 years, 3600km. I have a Poo 2019 850 174x3 this year, so far 5 days on it.

I always felt my 2016 was too difficult to pull over / get on its side, so I put aftermarket 36" front end on it and removed the sway bar (and EXIT shocks). I liked this combo quite a lot.

My 2019 feels basically the same as far as difficulty in getting on its side and balancing. It's tough to say exactly, with the 9 month gap between riding the 2016 and the 2019, but the balance feels very similar to my narrow 2016. Power and traction is definitely an improvement. The one down side I'm feeling so far is that it seems like the 174's length makes it hesitant to change direction. Like when I have the sled leaned over and balanced and want to carve / change direction, it kind of wants to go straight when I want it to turn. I'm having to set up my 'corners' a little earlier and plan them to take longer.

But maybe that's just the rider and I'll get it figured out on my next trip. I was still getting around, that was my only challenge going bigger.

Tighten the center shock and stay centered over the sled. It will change directions much easier with a easy lean in that direction.
 

F-It

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I have a 2019 Polaris 174 850 with only 95 Miles FOR SALE ($15,500). Sled is showroom condition and comes with 4 year warranty.

I've had 4 - 174 sleds and two 163 sleds - I prefer the longer track; but that's personal preference I suppose.
 

wallary

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I rode a 2016 163x3 for 3 seasons, I really liked it. I got a 2019 850 174x3 and I like even more than the 163. The 163 and 174 are stock everything. I find the 174 easier to pull over, has more power and less prone to washing out on steep side hills. It seems to hold its edge better with the narrower front end too. I like the 174 better in the trees because of the fact you can go a little slower and be more in control and not have to worry about washing out while doing steep side hills. Then when your only option is up the extra power and track makes a huge difference. Over all I prefer the 174 over the 163 in every aspect. The only thing some people wouldn’t like is with the 174, the skis don’t do much turning, you basically have to counter steer and get it on edge to it turn.
 

Teth-Air

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I rode a 2016 163x3 for 3 seasons, I really liked it. I got a 2019 850 174x3 and I like even more than the 163. The 163 and 174 are stock everything. I find the 174 easier to pull over, has more power and less prone to washing out on steep side hills. It seems to hold its edge better with the narrower front end too. I like the 174 better in the trees because of the fact you can go a little slower and be more in control and not have to worry about washing out while doing steep side hills. Then when your only option is up the extra power and track makes a huge difference. Over all I prefer the 174 over the 163 in every aspect. The only thing some people wouldn’t like is with the 174, the skis don’t do much turning, you basically have to counter steer and get it on edge to it turn.


I agree 100% but have found if you run the ski springs fairly tight it responds much better for turning. Unfortunately that makes the steering slightly heavier but only noticeable on the trail.
 

takethebounce

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I'm currently riding a 2017 163 X 3 and thinking about going to a 174 X 3 track with the new narrower front end for my next sled. I"m wondering how those two machines compare from anyone who has made a similar change or has ride time on the two machines. Does the narrower front end make the 174 feel / act closer to the 163?

I had a 16 163x3 and went back to a 155 this year, there is no point in comparing either the 163 or 174 to a 155, they are completely different in the way they handle.

That being said, I have ridden Teth-airs 174 and it doesn't feel at all like its a 174, in fact if I jumped on a new 163 vs a 174 without knowing how much track was behind me it would likely be difficult at first to know what I was one. I was impressed at how the 850 was able to just break the track loose and spin at lower rpm and feel like a shorter sled but stop on just about any slope pointing up hill and it would just climb. Even clutched and geared down my 163x3 with offset spindles didn't feel as playful as the new 850 174. If you are looking for more track where you can take a few moments to pick your line rather than being on the throttle more on a shorter track for deep days and already don't mind the 163 I wouldn't be discouraged. I need to spend more time on a new 163 but I think it still offers the best of both worlds for me though I have loved being on a 155 again.
 

Teth-Air

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I had a 16 163x3 and went back to a 155 this year, there is no point in comparing either the 163 or 174 to a 155, they are completely different in the way they handle.

That being said, I have ridden Teth-airs 174 and it doesn't feel at all like its a 174, in fact if I jumped on a new 163 vs a 174 without knowing how much track was behind me it would likely be difficult at first to know what I was one. I was impressed at how the 850 was able to just break the track loose and spin at lower rpm and feel like a shorter sled but stop on just about any slope pointing up hill and it would just climb. Even clutched and geared down my 163x3 with offset spindles didn't feel as playful as the new 850 174. If you are looking for more track where you can take a few moments to pick your line rather than being on the throttle more on a shorter track for deep days and already don't mind the 163 I wouldn't be discouraged. I need to spend more time on a new 163 but I think it still offers the best of both worlds for me though I have loved being on a 155 again.

Dan gets around good on his 155 x 800 and it rips so he has a good prospective of what works and what doesn't.
 
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