A
I do not post often but figured I would write about my first experience on a snowbike if anyone is on the fence about one.
Im on a 2019 KTM450 with a 2019 ARO 120. First ride ever! Had about 6” in the parking lot and majority of it was a road ride. Left the parking lot and in the first 5 minutes I ran over a mudflap just barely covered in a dusting of snow. It stuck under my ski, I washed out and bit it pretty hard onto bare asphalt. I was pretty frustrated lifting the bike back up and dusting myself off. Hopped back on and kept on down the road.
As they say, these snowbikes are not fun on the road whatsoever. But I have ridden dirt bikes a long time and remembered to just stay loose and not fight it too much. I stuck to the edges of the roads and this helps A LOT. Makes it much easier.
As we got near the top we were still stuck to the roads. But we had a good 1.5’ - 2’ of heavy powder to play in on the edges. We stumbled upon a an untouched logging road and without hesitation started tearing it up (wish I had my gopro). This sealed the deal for me. I AM ADDICTED! I was fortunate enough to be in front and it was awesome. Wide open throttle carving left to right. Unfortunately the road came to an end. But! There was a small meadow with a short steep hill to get into it. This only made my smile grow, doing a short sidehill and turning up over the hill into the meadow. Its true what they say, you can go anywhere you want. I included a photo of that meadow so you can get an idea of the conditions. My bike is in the background behind the ski doo.
It was an absolute blast. To anyone thinking of jumping into it, do it! You will not regret it one bit.
Question #1
Vibration: Do any of you run the rubber isolation handlebar mounts? I was a little surprised by how much vibration I felt in the bars and the pegs. It felt “normal” but I was thinking maybe I should have expected more when your running the motor like that majority of the day.
Question #2
Chain tension: how often are you adjusting your chain after the first ride? Mine stretched quite a bit, think I adjusted 4 times throughout the day.
Any and all help is much appreciated. Cant wait for next weekend.![F1E33CCE-D99B-44E6-B7D1-0C5D8842B04B.jpeg F1E33CCE-D99B-44E6-B7D1-0C5D8842B04B.jpeg](https://www.snowest.com/forum/data/attachments/280/280607-a482d8eb746e4e87059941e7f366dd7c.jpg?hash=pILY63RuTo)
Im on a 2019 KTM450 with a 2019 ARO 120. First ride ever! Had about 6” in the parking lot and majority of it was a road ride. Left the parking lot and in the first 5 minutes I ran over a mudflap just barely covered in a dusting of snow. It stuck under my ski, I washed out and bit it pretty hard onto bare asphalt. I was pretty frustrated lifting the bike back up and dusting myself off. Hopped back on and kept on down the road.
As they say, these snowbikes are not fun on the road whatsoever. But I have ridden dirt bikes a long time and remembered to just stay loose and not fight it too much. I stuck to the edges of the roads and this helps A LOT. Makes it much easier.
As we got near the top we were still stuck to the roads. But we had a good 1.5’ - 2’ of heavy powder to play in on the edges. We stumbled upon a an untouched logging road and without hesitation started tearing it up (wish I had my gopro). This sealed the deal for me. I AM ADDICTED! I was fortunate enough to be in front and it was awesome. Wide open throttle carving left to right. Unfortunately the road came to an end. But! There was a small meadow with a short steep hill to get into it. This only made my smile grow, doing a short sidehill and turning up over the hill into the meadow. Its true what they say, you can go anywhere you want. I included a photo of that meadow so you can get an idea of the conditions. My bike is in the background behind the ski doo.
It was an absolute blast. To anyone thinking of jumping into it, do it! You will not regret it one bit.
Question #1
Vibration: Do any of you run the rubber isolation handlebar mounts? I was a little surprised by how much vibration I felt in the bars and the pegs. It felt “normal” but I was thinking maybe I should have expected more when your running the motor like that majority of the day.
Question #2
Chain tension: how often are you adjusting your chain after the first ride? Mine stretched quite a bit, think I adjusted 4 times throughout the day.
Any and all help is much appreciated. Cant wait for next weekend.
![F1E33CCE-D99B-44E6-B7D1-0C5D8842B04B.jpeg F1E33CCE-D99B-44E6-B7D1-0C5D8842B04B.jpeg](https://www.snowest.com/forum/data/attachments/280/280607-a482d8eb746e4e87059941e7f366dd7c.jpg?hash=pILY63RuTo)