Now just push it a bit further and put a single ski out front.
I know it is not quit that simple , but we are getting closer.
I know it is not quit that simple , but we are getting closer.
Any one paying attention ?
- Thread starter Hawkster
- Start date
The first chance I get I'm throwing a leg over one . As long as I don't wrap a ski around a tree it ought to be a blast .
Besides the single ski a 12" to16" foot board that I'll give in on and reduce some of that dragging horse power robbing tunnel at about 15 or 16 grand and we'll have a new evolution .
Not asking for much am I ? Been riding the Hawk for 14 years and I finally see a light at the other end .
That's pretty monumental for a machine to dominate in a field that no one has been able to duplicate .
Besides the single ski a 12" to16" foot board that I'll give in on and reduce some of that dragging horse power robbing tunnel at about 15 or 16 grand and we'll have a new evolution .
Not asking for much am I ? Been riding the Hawk for 14 years and I finally see a light at the other end .
That's pretty monumental for a machine to dominate in a field that no one has been able to duplicate .
looking pretty fair
I had a good opportunity to look over Cats new single beam suspension in West Yellowstone yesterday. Not sure how it will affect over all handling, and traction ?
what is obvious is how easy it tips, especially right from the start........first 1/3 of the movement over, going to be nice for smaller riders..........big sled easy tip. Seems that every new track is getting more texture, face of paddles, back of paddles, belt face.........all looks good, should mean MORE TRACTION.
NO BIKES ? Too much effort for the little bike mfgs. Lots of guys in town riding their bikes, walking the vendor displays you might not know that snowbikes exist. You would think a few motorcycle distrubutors would take note. OK the kit mfg are small potatoes, but Yam/KTM/Honda...........nope nada.
I had a good opportunity to look over Cats new single beam suspension in West Yellowstone yesterday. Not sure how it will affect over all handling, and traction ?
what is obvious is how easy it tips, especially right from the start........first 1/3 of the movement over, going to be nice for smaller riders..........big sled easy tip. Seems that every new track is getting more texture, face of paddles, back of paddles, belt face.........all looks good, should mean MORE TRACTION.
NO BIKES ? Too much effort for the little bike mfgs. Lots of guys in town riding their bikes, walking the vendor displays you might not know that snowbikes exist. You would think a few motorcycle distrubutors would take note. OK the kit mfg are small potatoes, but Yam/KTM/Honda...........nope nada.
This^.
Didn't make it to the Sno show here this past year, but previous year, it was like snowbikes didn't exist. One dealer had a couple well worn TS bikes with new plastics on display. That was it....and Sno bikes are fairly popular here.
Are they a niche market? Yes
Will they ever replace snomobiles? Doubt it and hope not. You couldn't pay me to ride mine back east on the trails (where the majority of sled revenue comes from) or at real high altitude/wide open terrain.
Bikes are awesome fun in the right conditions and terrain and struggle in others. Just like sleds.
Now making a sled that closes that gap (aka Alpha rail) or even narrower ski stance is great, but it's more of a niche then. More specialized for one type of riding only. 20 miles in on twisty trails to get to the good stuff? Real powder sleds are already a handful compared to riding your ditch pickle.
Next step? How about figuring out a real quick change ski stance? Idk how but say 36" plus for the trail and family rides that converts to the next stage of ski stances, 30" or less with the flip of a couple levers once you get to the good stuff?
Didn't make it to the Sno show here this past year, but previous year, it was like snowbikes didn't exist. One dealer had a couple well worn TS bikes with new plastics on display. That was it....and Sno bikes are fairly popular here.
Are they a niche market? Yes
Will they ever replace snomobiles? Doubt it and hope not. You couldn't pay me to ride mine back east on the trails (where the majority of sled revenue comes from) or at real high altitude/wide open terrain.
Bikes are awesome fun in the right conditions and terrain and struggle in others. Just like sleds.
Now making a sled that closes that gap (aka Alpha rail) or even narrower ski stance is great, but it's more of a niche then. More specialized for one type of riding only. 20 miles in on twisty trails to get to the good stuff? Real powder sleds are already a handful compared to riding your ditch pickle.
Next step? How about figuring out a real quick change ski stance? Idk how but say 36" plus for the trail and family rides that converts to the next stage of ski stances, 30" or less with the flip of a couple levers once you get to the good stuff?
I wonder if the sled mfgs affect what's shown at Expos wrt snow bikes?
Are they putting pressure on the dealers to not give up market share to bikes? Not sure why they would. Growing the sport is good and Poo is already on top of the biggest kit mfg and it's obvious Cat is in the sack with Camso.
IMO exposure to more people and more interests is what will grow the sport. By whatever means that may be.
We've hired a few new engineers at my company this year that are good ole boys, not snowflakes. All of them ride sleds or have in the past and we talk about it all the time....but NONE of them currently own a sled or have ridden this year.
I may actually know more sled mooches and people who claim to ride but don't own a machine than folks that actually spend $ on the sport. Idk what it is.
Sure I dumped my sleds for a few years in college. Broke and living in the middle of corn fields was the excuse. But within 6mo of graduating, I had a like new 600xcr in the back of my truck and was back in the game.
Point is, I don't see the interest I used to. Only the mfgs can change that.
Polaris entry level sled this year, it's a start, but it's a fail W of the Mississippi.
Snow bikes? They're a start, but not going to gain too much ground until all the non mechanics can buy a factory snow bike.
Seems most of the advancements are geared toward the established sled head, which is awesome from my personal standpoint, but making the next fire breathing mega hp, climb the side of Everest machine isn't going to bring new people to the sport. Need different marketing and idk what it is.
Are they putting pressure on the dealers to not give up market share to bikes? Not sure why they would. Growing the sport is good and Poo is already on top of the biggest kit mfg and it's obvious Cat is in the sack with Camso.
IMO exposure to more people and more interests is what will grow the sport. By whatever means that may be.
We've hired a few new engineers at my company this year that are good ole boys, not snowflakes. All of them ride sleds or have in the past and we talk about it all the time....but NONE of them currently own a sled or have ridden this year.
I may actually know more sled mooches and people who claim to ride but don't own a machine than folks that actually spend $ on the sport. Idk what it is.
Sure I dumped my sleds for a few years in college. Broke and living in the middle of corn fields was the excuse. But within 6mo of graduating, I had a like new 600xcr in the back of my truck and was back in the game.
Point is, I don't see the interest I used to. Only the mfgs can change that.
Polaris entry level sled this year, it's a start, but it's a fail W of the Mississippi.
Snow bikes? They're a start, but not going to gain too much ground until all the non mechanics can buy a factory snow bike.
Seems most of the advancements are geared toward the established sled head, which is awesome from my personal standpoint, but making the next fire breathing mega hp, climb the side of Everest machine isn't going to bring new people to the sport. Need different marketing and idk what it is.
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I bet Yamaha has taken notice on the snowbike front. They are selling bikes in the winter like crazy. I blieve they are selling more in the winter than the summer. Hard to find a Yz or FX around here. Hooefully they will sell a bike ready for snow. No wheels or swingarm or rear brakes. Bring cost down !
Nope still want that 850 rotatx with a gearbox -- it is probably as light as my YZ 450 engine with 3 times the power. But seriously anyone who comes out with a well engineered single ski 850 will sell to bike guys and sledder's a single ski 850 would easily out do any sled and any bike currently available--If engineered right--
I'd rather just see them develop their own version of a snowbike.
