Could a snowbike be practical for the far north of Alaska? (-20F, to -60F weather...)

[Northern_Lights]

Hey,

New member, and also very new to mechanics. I'm looking into buying an affordable vehicle to have out where I live. I live off the Koyukuk River in Alaska where the temperatures in the winter regularly hit -30F, and occasionally go as low as -60F. While I would likely not go anywhere if it were below -40F, there are weeks, and months where -30F is the norm. I've thought about purchasing a snowmobile in the past, but I also want to buy something that I can use in the summer months as well. That led me into the realm of snow bikes.

My question is this: Are there any bikes that are purpose built for extreme cold weather, or than can be modified to stand up to that kind of weather? My searches thus far have not brought much hope. My desire is to find a bike that I can ride in the summer, and convert for the winter. Keep in mind, I would have to learn all of the mechanics on my own, as there are not mechanics shops out here.

Thanks for any advice!

 

[Ben 500RR-S]

I suspect that as many of us don't deal with -30+, not many of us will know what will work in routine -30 down to -60F.

Is there no one around up there that has anything that works?

I'll bet all the snowmobiles are all 2-strokes as that is the only thing that probably has a chance to start in that kind of cold.

 

[Norma Stitz]

I suspect that as many of us don't deal with -30+, not many of us will know what will work in routine -30 down to -60F.

Is there no one around up there that has anything that works?

I'll bet all the snowmobiles are all 2-strokes as that is the only thing that probably has a chance to start in that kind of cold.

I would have guessed a 4 stroke to be better starting in extreme cold. More compression?
If I had to do it a lot I’d probably look at ways to preheat the important parts maybe with a battery warmed blanket or maybe propane torch to get the metal up to 0° at least.
Also I’ve wondered if people who have cold starting issues have tried using ether spray to help fire off.

 

[Northern_Lights]

I suspect that as many of us don't deal with -30+, not many of us will know what will work in routine -30 down to -60F.

Is there no one around up there that has anything that works?

I'll bet all the snowmobiles are all 2-strokes as that is the only thing that probably has a chance to start in that kind of cold.

Thanks for the reply.

Everyone around where I live all have snowmobiles, and I think folks run both 2 and 4 strokes out here. Mostly 4 if I had to guess though. Even some of the folks with those have trouble starting them.

Basically, anything we drive up here will inevitably have issues with the cold weather we deal with. It is only a matter of minimizing the issues, and the cold damage. That is one of the reasons why I am drawn to the idea of a Snowbike. If I am going to have a vehicle out here that needs constant maintenance, my thoughts are that a bike would be much easier to disassemble and repair than a Snowmobile.

Anything I get will need to have a block heater for both the oil and the battery. I am wondering if Snowbike conversions can have those components added.

Another thing I was hoping for was a recommendation for where to learn about the differences between Snowmobile engines, and bike engines. As I am new to mechanics, I am trying to learn all that I can before making any kind of a purchase. I've heard that bike engines need to run hotter and more constant than other engines?

I would have guessed a 4 stroke to be better starting in extreme cold. More compression?
If I had to do it a lot I’d probably look at ways to preheat the important parts maybe with a battery warmed blanket or maybe propane torch to get the metal up to 0° at least.
Also I’ve wondered if people who have cold starting issues have tried using ether spray to help fire off.

Interesting ideas... I've heard others recommending the carry of a propane torch for emergency starting. Would that be a cause for risk of damage, or hazard with the fuel? Again, I'm new to mechanics, so I don't know when I'm asking a dumb question.


Thanks for the advice. Good things to think about. My main concern is whether or not any bike could be winterized enough. I know that certain winterization can be done, but I'm not sure to what extent. I'll have to ask around to see what kinds of engines are being used out here, and how well.

 

[jrlastofthebreed]

If your looking for long term reliability with minimal maintenance get a 4 stroke. They run forever. Get a newer one with Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI). With a proper map (computer settings) they start well in the cold.

Get heat pads on the oil pan, battery and the side of the engine. I think you can get inline coolant heaters. Also hard mount a battery tender to it. Basically 1 plug and the bike will always be warm.

For backups keep a Jump starter pack and starting fluid for emergencies. Idk if a propane torch would put out enough heat to do you any good. Maybe a 1lbs bottle and some sort of shroud to hold the heat on the engine?

If your ridding point to point where you have electirity at both ends then the heat pads will do you just fine.

Far as the bike goes make sure get EFI, electric start, Kick start backup. and blanket your engine, block your rads, Get good LED lights and heated grips of some sort.

I love bikes but if i needed a daily driver i would NOT get a bike. Riding on hard pack and solid ice are not fun on a bike. Its hard to haul passengers. Theres limited storage. Its harder to pull a sled or toboggan. If it was me id get a snowmobile. They are factory made to do exactly what your going to be using if for.

Thats just one guys opinion

 

[eric82930]

Ive kick started my 2 strokes with just choke at-30. The 4 stroke bikes will never start at that temp with out heat. We sit a propane torch in the snow under the bike with the tip of flame about an inch from the aluminum case while we put on our gear and they fire right up. At-60 you might have to pour some boiling water on the battery also.

 

[up-high]

I doubt you would want to ride a bike very far below -30. No protection from the wind like a sled. And like was mentioned before not fun on ice/hardpack and not fun to tow either.

 

[AZ800]

Emphatically, NO.
I've never ridden way up north there, but have worked on the Slope in the winter.
I have ridden down south, Hatchers, Petersevile, etc.
I have a snow bike and sleds and bikes are awesome fun, but they're toys, not transportation. Plus as mentioned, damn near impossible to ride on hard pack and ice.
Another thing is they're not fast. Snow bikes are tapped out in top gear at like 55-60 mph. Sleds cruise at that speed. So even discounting the challenges of extremely cold weather and 4 stroke bikes that are cold blooded, once the terrain is wide open and you're not picking through technical terrain, bikes leave a lot to be desired. Imagine pulling a moderate hill wound out in 3rd gear tops for a mile straight at 30mph engine screaming.
Let me keep going, any bike, especially fuel injected will need a bunch of mods to run well or even run at all in the extreme cold. Minimum for -30, block or coolant heater (how do you plug that in out in the bush when you shut the bike off for a few hours and it turns into a bikesicle?), thermostat, engine blanket, modified air box, hand warmers, lights if you get a mx bike, aftermarket stator. Then there's power output issues to run lights and hand warmers unless you get an enduro model with a big stator, but those will be heavier and generally a bit slower unless you spring for a newer YZ FX, KTM or Husky.

Plain and simple, snow bikes are adapted from a machine who's guts were not designed to run in the snow and cold.
Let's not forget there's basically no Effin way to get out of the wind on a bike either. Never seen one with shrouds and a big windshield.
Considering you say you're not mechanically inclined with Sno machines, keep it simple. There's a reason fan cooled sleds are as popular as they are up there. They're simple.
Honestly, my pick for general use way up north would be a newer 550 Doo or Polaris. Or if you need to go faster or want good suspension, etc, then 600 liquid.

Bottom line, I bought the bike to use here in WA, warm weather, lots of trees, etc. if I lived in AK, even in town, I probably wouldn't own one. Or if I did, it would be a second machine for when conditions were right.

Edit, almost forgot, plan on changing the oil every day or 2 of riding as well.
You could have fun playing around on a bike up there, but only as a 2nd machine, IMO.

 

[AZ800]

I doubt you would want to ride a bike very far below -30. No protection from the wind like a sled. And like was mentioned before not fun on ice/hardpack and not fun to tow either.

The one thing that did surprise me was how easy a bike is to ride, in tow. I went out on a rope last year for the first time. It was on a trail, but it was easy to ride.

Oh yeah to add to above, I wouldn't want no part of hitting some overflow on a bike when falling over meant I'd die from hypothermia.

 

[Guitarman]

Not practical at all. Don't fool yourself or be fooled. You are asking for trouble. Buy a Toyota Tacoma or a Subaru. Put a CD in, turn the heater on, drive to work, make it home, go to work the next day. Repeat.

 

[Mikar]

Reasonable

-30 f is doable but chilly. Oil pan heater to start. Total blankets for engine cover. Rode lots north of Fort Nelson BC . You know when the snow has no layers and it's a bowl of sugar. Base you purchase on majority of year conditions. Love biking 11 months but hate pouring rain and - 40 ish. Still think bikes are best of both worlds.

 

[needpowder]

A good reliable sled for winter because your life depends on it. Old dirt bikes can usually be found for cheap (although maybe not where you’re at) and maintenance is easy. Plus you don’t need a newer dirt bike to have fun in the summer. I like your enthusiasm but It just doesnt seem practical where you’re at.

 

[CATSLEDMAN1]

the colder it gets

the colder the weather the more likely to have issues with 4 strokes.

few folks pull out their 4 stroke chain saws when its minus 40 or 50

at 50 below forget batteries, carefully kick it. at 50 below you are likely to break the kickstarter setup on most 4 strokes.

working in the woods in cold weather you learn to use larger diameter cable, bigger tongs and chokers, D8 instead of a D5, huge excavators to load logs, modest priced chains on you skidder fall off in pieces when its 40 below. I am always blown away by the huge size of equipment harvesting dinky little trees in Northern Canada. They know...........go big or go home.

My well maintained unbreakable TS/KTM wouldn't be safe beyond the tailgate of my pickup at minus 50.