Snowbiking the Iron Dog

[AKdragon700]

If you were going to snowbike across the gnarliest 2000+ miles of Alaskan terrain on a snowbike.

What bike would you use?

What kit would you use?

What gauge cluster would you use?

What gearing would you recommend?

What potential top speed do you think I could hit with your recommendation?

What gauge cluster, controls, lights, and seat would you recommend?

And most importantly what ski would you use?

The bike will encounter everything from sea ice to dirt to frozen river crud to powder.

My best setup in my mind would be a KTM 660 coupled to a overbuilt SX style kit running float shocks and a 136 studded track with a 1.25" tread. The ski would need razor sharp skags and would be way under the standard 10" width. For comfort and supplies the bike would run a Dakar Rally style gauge cluster and light setup with saddle bags for survival gear. Extra fuel tanks above and beyond 4 gallons will also have to be considered. Speed and fuel economy is the name of the game.

http://www.irondog.org/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKKFESxv9H8

http://dirtbikemagazine.com/home-features/a-rally-bike-for-the-real-world

Am I nuts or what? LOL

 

[AK1000]

Build two of those and ill ride with you!

How about Husky 701, or even a 350xc-f( better fuel econo)?
Would want some power for speed but could make some of that up with light weight also.

 

[LoudHandle]

I would bet that the Timbersled wouldn't survive a quarter of that distance, under those conditions. They are a high maintenance nightmare. I'd go with a Yeti. FWIW

 

[Hawkster]

Yep , your crazy

Baby steps grasshopper if a kit could compete with these guys https://usxcracing.com/main/ it might have a chance to make it to a couple of check points and would take on a whole new meaning worlds longest race . Wonder what the average speed would be ? One way to find out would to be to just follow it with the novice riders .

 

[n16ht5]

If someone held a gun to my head to suffer that kind of ride I would run an FZ7 or R1 Yamaha on a SnowtechMX or Yeti LT with a TS Ski.
Wouldn't take a thumper or a chain driven kit.

 

[Ak pro-x]

You mean the 690 Enduro R right?? Looks like the way to go, from this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afLljR6mQWs
Wish I knew what these guys were saying, LOl. Looks to be in a Scandinavian country similar to our Alaska terrain. So you would be running trail class I take it?? Have you spoken with race organizers yet?? I know they are not too picky on trail class but pro class is another story.

 

[powdermuncher]

Timbersled ski with triple carbides will not dig in gravel as bad as the U runners do and holds up well for the duration. Yamaha 450FX for the wide ratio transmission, really any wide ratio trany bike will work you need it for speed. Lighter is better. I would lean toward the CMX kit and build a set of custom rear set food-pegs ( easier to do on a Yamaha aluminium frame) This combination will allow you to comfortably ride standing up through the whoops. Suspension is everything once you hit the trail. Also cut down the track to 11" wide less resistance easier roll.
I really wish there would be a class for snow-bikes in all the long distance races , it would definitely help to find weak spots and help to dramatically advance the sport.

 

[powdermuncher]

I would bet that the Timbersled wouldn't survive a quarter of that distance, under those conditions. They are a high maintenance nightmare. I'd go with a Yeti. FWIW

Bu but but aren't timbersled polaris now?? where is your loyalty

 

[LoudHandle]

Bu but but aren't timbersled polaris now?? where is your loyalty

My Loyalty is Earned by the best product, Period. TimberSled does not rate in my eyes regardless of who bought them. I do not bleed Polaris Blue. FWIW

 

[Sheetmetalfab]

Cmx for reliability
Yamaha for the same
Fisher seat
Antifreeze heated handlebars
Wind shrouds.

Ti and carbon fiber are cool but don't belong on the iron dog.

 

[Lachoneus]

Ah contrar

I shredded a belt on a CMX last season after 4-5 very short rides, I'm not sure why anyone is annointing them as top dog for reliability. Also had some bends and breaks just like any other kit.

 

[AZ800]

If someone held a gun to my head to suffer that kind of ride I would run an FZ7 or R1 Yamaha on a SnowtechMX or Yeti LT with a TS Ski.
Wouldn't take a thumper or a chain driven kit.

Especially the first part!
If I still lived in ak I probably wouldn't even have a snobike. Well, yeah I might......but cold, wide open terrain even with great snow isn't ideal IMO.
I'd never take it intentionally on something like the iron dog.
He!! I don't even like riding it down a couple miles of marginal road or trail.

If you must I'd go for the dual ski setup. What is that, CMX?
At least it wouldn't be a slippery ice skate blade on ice and dirt. I think. I'd only do it if I could get acceptable handling on rocks and ice.
2nd the coolant powered grip heaters too.

 

[AZ800]

But it sounds cool as heck! Keep up posted.

 

[powdermuncher]

I was looking for the CMX for the balance and suspension only, could not speak to the reliability. But this would be the best test. I hear you guys on Timbersled that is the bulk of my experience. Loved my SX kit and the handling and Gearing on the WR that I had would be perfect for the endeavour, but the kit would never survive it.

 

[powdermuncher]

I had done all the mods I had mentioned and ran it around arctic man for several years. For there it was geared high to run with the sleds on the wide open Footpegs set back 1.5 inches driveline on the SX is 1" further forward set up like this you can biz 2-3 foot whoops like a Motocross bike standing up 4 gear wide open.

 

[AKdragon700]

River Running

My hardest challenge will be river running. One minute you'll be in 6'' powder crushing speed, while the next you will be running on straight ice trying to pull 85+mph. I took my ST Timbersled KTM 500 XC-W on a 25 mile run down the Tanana River last winter outside of Fairbanks. This is one small stretch of the Iron Dog that would be similar to maybe 45% of the total ride. It was a complete nightmare on the 10" Timbersled ski where I had my feet thrown out most of the ride. I slid out 3 or 4 times and laid it on its side when I was riding on slanted frozen river ice. With the right ski and skag setup I believe I could trust it.

Durability.
I can repair chain driven systems in the field with extra links and extra chains/extra sprockets. In the villages I can repair and weld metal where I cannot fix a carbon setup. I know lightweight with less rolling mass is the key in most cases but in this case it is all durability and ease of repar. Most likely I would have two or three fully built extra kits waiting for me along the trail ready for a swap out but again not sure of the regulation. I have not spoke to race officials but would love to prepare a presentation.

My true concern is speed. What speed could I get out of the best kit. What could a 690 R KTM enduro bike pull on a straight away? What fuel economy could I get?

I will not be vying for the pro class, I dont think they would even let it happen. This is purely a trail class test of man and machine in my mind. A true proving ground for snowbikes over long distance. I love this discussion that's going on. More thoughts?

 

[AKdragon700]

Arctic Man

I had done all the mods I had mentioned and ran it around arctic man for several years. For there it was geared high to run with the sleds on the wide open Footpegs set back 1.5 inches driveline on the SX is 1" further forward set up like this you can biz 2-3 foot whoops like a Motocross bike standing up 4 gear wide open.

My buddy and myself actually fore-ran Arctic Man two years ago. We hooked a skier right into the sub-frame of a TS and it worked amazingly. Unlike a snowmachine you can actually combat the carving of a skier with a slight lean unlike the snowmachines where the back end is dragged from side to side during corners. With the right gearing and setup I believe I could be competitive in times at Arctic Man. Only competitive because of the speed I could gain through the canyons. Speed is the name of the game. Besides speed bike setups, what is the fastest speed achieved with wide gear ratio bikes?

 

[AKdragon700]

FootPegs

I'd put these on there most likely.

 

[Sheetmetalfab]

My buddy and myself actually fore-ran Arctic Man two years ago. We hooked a skier right into the sub-frame of a TS and it worked amazingly. Unlike a snowmachine you can actually combat the carving of a skier with a slight lean unlike the snowmachines where the back end is dragged from side to side during corners. With the right gearing and setup I believe I could be competitive in times at Arctic Man. Only competitive because of the speed I could gain through the canyons. Speed is the name of the game. Besides speed bike setups, what is the fastest speed achieved with wide gear ratio bikes?

Tyson had the fastest (for that point in the course) radar speed two years ago at 118 mph in the canyon.

On his 600rs

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[Sheetmetalfab]

I shredded a belt on a CMX last season after 4-5 very short rides, I'm not sure why anyone is annointing them as top dog for reliability. Also had some bends and breaks just like any other kit.

First I have heard about anything cmx falling apart.
Good to know.


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