2018 500EXC Timbersled

[Tylorjd]

Anyone running one? If so, what did you do to yours? I am in Ontario and just finished setting mine up. Open to any hints or tips as this is my first snowbike!

My setup!
2018 KTM 500EXC
Timbersled ARO120 TFS
FMF 4.1 pipe
Vortex X10 ECU with Snow bike map by PLX Sports out of Quebec. It pulls hard! Wow!

Haven't done anything to suspension and curious about the fan? do I disconnect? I mean it shouldn't come on! at least you wouldn't think.

As I said, any hints tips tricks would be awesome.

 

[heliwrench]

I'd leave the fan alone, mine runs sometimes when I'm moving slowly in tight trails and clutching a bit. You will probaby want heavier fork springs. An engine jacket will help keep the engine temps up.

 

[dooman92]

I second keeping the fan. I use mine every ride. On my fx the airpro eliminated the need for heavier fork springs. Also, whatever it takes to keep it warm.

 

[Misha Subo]

Anyone running one? If so, what did you do to yours? I am in Ontario and just finished setting mine up. Open to any hints or tips as this is my first snowbike!

Where in Ontario are you and where do you ride?

I'm in Toronto - 300 XCW/Camso. Heated grips with rad fluid, air charged forks, LED light and backup helmet light. Pelican box out back with tools and spares. Spare fuel tank.

Misha

 

[skidooboy]

funny the Ontario riders come out of the woodwork.. LOL! we have a vacation home in northern Ontario north of wawa (Dubreuilville). heading there next week for the wawa snow down, with rally connex. Ski

 

[Misha Subo]

Heard its nice up there in the winter, lots of snowfall. Too far for us to go - Sudbury is my limit in the winter.

 

[capulin overdrive]

Sounds like you've covered most bases.

Fork springs, foot pegs, hand guards, and air filter skin????


And + one for leaving fan. I worry more about keeping the bikes cool, than warm. Fan will run way than think it should, and heat is an issue in the spring.

 

[dirtybeacher]

Hey Tyler, I'm the dude 15 min down the road from you.

Anyways, that's a great bike, possibly best for Ontario riding. What I would do right now is put an engine temp sensor on it. Then get some crazy carpet and cut out engine cover, and rad covers. Make the rad covers removable. Stiffen the forks up. Consider going to a pod filter as well. Carrying a micro boost might be a good idea, and/or switching out the battery. Installing easy access terminals makes boosting quicker.

I'm not familiar with the aro, but if they're anything like the older kits, you'll have chain stretch for the first few rides. Check and adjust both chains every ride. And lube with maxima chain wax every ride. Plenty of info on this site, although searching is a bit tedious.

Cheers, and I'll send ya a pm to go ride this fresh snow we just got.

 

[skidooboy]

Heard its nice up there in the winter, lots of snowfall. Too far for us to go - Sudbury is my limit in the winter.

shame you limit yourself to where to ride. lots of areas, north, east, and west of Sudbury that has terrain that these bikes were made for. Algoma canyon, abbitibi canyon, quebec's gaspe area. enjoy life while you can, it is short.

Ski

 

[Misha Subo]

shame you limit yourself to where to ride. lots of areas, north, east, and west of Sudbury that has terrain that these bikes were made for. Algoma canyon, abbitibi canyon, quebec's gaspe area. enjoy life while you can, it is short.Ski

Not to steal Tylorjd's original thread but I hear you on the "life's short" comment. Lots of close relatives and friends getting sick or dying lately and at 56 I'm not getting younger for sure. The son is in school and it's tough enough to get out there with his party/study schedule. That's why I bought my son the snow bike - so that I would have someone to ride with in the winter.

Southern Ontario is a ghost town for snow riding buddies. All the enduro guys hang up their boots for the winter or go to Mojavi. I'll be heading to B.C. for some skiing next week then the winter is more than half over but we'll rent SBs out there for at least a day.

Anyone in the Southern Ontario region able, or know where to, go out - let me know. There is also a snow bike trail ride up in Kernie around Huntsville on March 3rd put on by Rally Connex and Flybyu:

http://www.rallyconnex.com/cabinfever.html

 

[CATSLEDMAN1]

500 xcw

I don't have the same exact bike or kit, but really the same isssues, I have a 13 500 xcw with TS kit with later shocks and track.

I run 13/17 bike to kit, and 16/18 chain case for gearing. I have geared up from that, but when the going gets tough, the lower gearing and closer gear shifts are a big plus, I have tried other gearing but always come back to this as the best compromise.

If you stay with higher gearing, you should change your clutch spring to the 280 lb belleville washer, high speeds tough going your clutch will slip a little and wear and can cause heating issues.

If you ride when its cold...........engine covers and the hotter thermo bob 90 c thermostat, trail tech heat gauge and keep an eye on it. Things can hit 240 degrees in tough going fast. Be ready to yank the covers and stash them if you ride 50 degree f warm days in the slush.

Buy a low profile wider soft seat, enduro engineering best bang for the buck

Raise the bars with bar risers, more sweep on the bars also helps. Buy some real hand guards......GIANT LOOP over bark busters are hard to beat in cold tree riding.

STIFFER FORKS FOR SURE, not sure about your model forks, but the air in the forks at about 15 lbs seems the best effective route.

If you have to move your bike around much, do your self a favor and build or buy the two wheel trolley, front ski wheels are just inadequate for moving bikes around the shop, save your back for the woops not bike moving

 

[mrsnow]

Hey Tyler, I'm the dude 15 min down the road from you.

Anyways, that's a great bike, possibly best for Ontario riding. What I would do right now is put an engine temp sensor on it. Then get some crazy carpet and cut out engine cover, and rad covers. Make the rad covers removable. Stiffen the forks up. Consider going to a pod filter as well. Carrying a micro boost might be a good idea, and/or switching out the battery. Installing easy access terminals makes boosting quicker.

I'm not familiar with the aro, but if they're anything like the older kits, you'll have chain stretch for the first few rides. Check and adjust both chains every ride. And lube with maxima chain wax every ride. Plenty of info on this site, although searching is a bit tedious.

Cheers, and I'll send ya a pm to go ride this fresh snow we just got.

What exactly is crazy carpet.

 

[Mikar]

Bike set-up

Thermobob- bob with 90'c thermostat is first. Otherwise bike runs to cold. Heated grips or bars . Engine blankets necessary in powder. Temp. Gauge so you can monitor and adjust blankets. Eventually better light bulb or led stock sucks. Bigger foot pegs. Winter seat for comfortable outings. I use seat concepts tall for more padding as feet don't touch ground anyway in the snow. Enjoy

 

[007]

Tell me more about the Ecu. I have a 16 XC-W and I’m considering doing a Ecu.

 

[dirtnerd]

Not to steal Tylorjd's original thread but I hear you on the "life's short" comment. Lots of close relatives and friends getting sick or dying lately and at 56 I'm not getting younger for sure. The son is in school and it's tough enough to get out there with his party/study schedule. That's why I bought my son the snow bike - so that I would have someone to ride with in the winter.

Southern Ontario is a ghost town for snow riding buddies. All the enduro guys hang up their boots for the winter or go to Mojavi. I'll be heading to B.C. for some skiing next week then the winter is more than half over but we'll rent SBs out there for at least a day.

Anyone in the Southern Ontario region able, or know where to, go out - let me know. There is also a snow bike trail ride up in Kernie around Huntsville on March 3rd put on by Rally Connex and Flybyu:

http://www.rallyconnex.com/cabinfever.html

where abouts in BC? Plenty of places to rent snow bikes out here, and tons of snow this winter. A little too much at times