After a recent trip to Oregon and subsequent discussion with HMK snowmobile apparel owner Kirk Zach, we were turned-on to the hot new 2Moto Snowbikes. We called up Annell Allen to get the skinny on the new RadiX motorcycle snow-conversion kits and the new Rogue 650 completely built snowbike. The brains at 2Moto have put 15,000+ hours into designing these machines and we are big fans of anything motorized on the snow.
RadiX is rad!Just like skateboarding in dry pools was the "radically" new cool thing in the 1980s and 90s, the snow conversion kit is the new cool thing for the snowmobiling/motocross crowd today.
The RadiX from 2Moto combines over 260 patented parts and processes, one of which is the 2-inch "curved" lug design on its 10.7-inch wide by 93-inch long track. This track works well on and off the trail. The rear suspension has both a front Ohlins shock and patented rear 2Moto track shock, both with rebound adjustment. The track drivers are strategically located in the rear of the skid so that the rear suspension can travel all the way up under the bike instead of being crushed into the front. It allows for even shock loads between both shocks.
Riders tell us it's a well-balanced machine, and with 12-inches of travel in the front forks and 15-inches in the rear suspension, you can really handle some big terrain. The rear suspension also keeps the track in contact with the snow extremely well by being able to tilt while moving up or down to keep more track pulling on the snow.
Up front, the suspension engineers at 2Moto developed the ATS (Adjustable Trail System) that allows you to move the Simmons Flexi-Ski forward for aggressive ski-bite or back for a more cruising style. Three bolt options of move-ability.
The RadiX kit only adds about 40 lbs. to the dry weight of the bike and you will be able to brake quickly with the 8-inch disc brake with floating caliper.
Rogue 650This thing will kick you in the pants and boot you up the mountain! With 650cc of 4-stroke Husaberg power and a 6-speed transmission with hydraulic clutch, you'll never run out of gears. At just 280 lbs. too, you can really throw this thing around. This bike is built with the airbox under the seat in the frame and a lightweight tube-form swingarm. It has all the other goodies that come in the RadiX design too. You can ride the Rogue all summer too with a dirt bike or Supermoto kit.
To be fair, snowbike maker A.D. Boivin also makes a snow conversion kit and full-sized 800cc 2-stroke bikes that we discussed in our Spring 2008 issue, but both snowbike makers have their own strong points. We hope to do a side-by-side test of the machines soon.
For more info and pricing on the 2Moto RadiX conversion kits and the Rogue 650, go to
www.2moto.com.