I just bought a bike. Figured I'm 40 years old and I better try to do it now or I never will.... Had never ridden a bike before but figured why not? (But I didn't sell the sled yet....)
I bought a 2019 YZ450, electric start, 129" track.
The first hour sucked.... I had no idea, kept dumping it, trouble getting going, etc. After an hour, I got significantly better and more confident. On the 2nd day, I'd say I had as much fun as I've had in any day of snowmobiling in 20 years.... And that's saying something....
Here's a little video from day 1 of riding:
Sure, it "lacks" power -- if that's the word you want to use -- compared to a snowmobile. But, I spend most of my time "playing" anyway -- riding through trees, going over jumps, trying really technical, tight lines, exploring. With the bike, it's not even the same world. Spots that are inaccessible by snowmobile are simple for the bike. Climbs with really tight trees and obstacles and bumps and ditches? Forget about it, the bike handles it without even thinking.
I haven't been on a big ride yet with snowmobiles, but on the all the rides for me, I don't see any issue with a bike mixing with sleds. Sure, they can go a little quicker on the few miles of road until the play areas, but once we get there, I think we'll all get along.
I'm only 3 rides in, but next time I go out, I'm leaving the snowmobile on the trailer. I'll report back after a few rides.