How many switched to a snowbike so you didn't have to re-learn to ride like Burandt?

[Frostbite]

I have been riding snowmobiles for so long that trying to figure out how to ride with my wrong foot forward (like Burandt and Rasmussen) feels as wrong as kissing my sister!

I have tried multiple times (not for very long) to ride with my wrong foot forward and maybe it's "can't teach an old dog new tricks" or maybe I'm just am not willing to devote the time to learn?

Regardless, I am still looking at either getting a new sled or a snowbike but, one of the reasons I really like the idea of a snowbike is, I don't have to completely re-learn how to ride a motorcycle if I decide to go this route. As far as I know you guys still ride them like motorcycles, right?

You aren't hanging off your snowbikes in a wrong foot forward fashion, at least not yet, I hope.

 

[Hbmtr]

Yep still ride it like a motercycle. But much lighter than a sled and more nimble IMO.

 

[CATSLEDMAN1]

biking into the drift

not sure the book has been written yet on approved sno bike technique

for me wrong foot forward hasn't worked on the sno bike so far

narrowed the front end of my m8 to do down hill u'es......then thought: might as well build a snow bike, far easier on the shoulders and downhill u'es seem like a natural move.

a lot of the snow bike comandments are same as old bike adages:
throttle is your best friend
when in doubt sit back and ride it out
ground speed & momentum will get you through
short shift and run a gear high for good control
don't forget your lunch
ride on your toes with toes curled up
overdress don't underdress, sweat is ok
loose grip on the bars
look way way ahead and see your way through corners
start slow and end up fast
never believe more than 50% of what you read

 

[Frostbite]

Good points CATSLEDMAN1.

Our conversations have come a long way since our M8 clutching discussions.

For the record, this topic was really meant to be funny with just a bit of seriousness mixed in........

 

[DieselTwitch]

I picked snow bikes because of the fore mentioned lightness and narrowness. Makes all the thing that are hard on a sled so much easier.

The rules so far I've found on a snowbike are:

Stay seated
Always be in the right gear.
Track speed control is a must
Don't put your foot down in the powder.
Side hilling is your friend
Avoid small bumps in the snow... they are rocks!

 

[yukondood]

yup

edit

 

[DieselTwitch]

Oh and i forgot to add that momentum and rhythm in the trees is also a must as is not trying to make 90 degree turns in the trees it doesn't work!

Also don't fallow a sleds track in the trees, they will trench and get you stuck!

 

[up-high]

I'm still trying to figure out how he knows what kissing his sister is like!!

 

[dooman92]

great comments

The pointers discussed in this post are helpful for we newbees. How about some advice on descending a steep face/drop. What is the best option for slowing on descent? thanks

 

[Motogeek33]

The pointers discussed in this post are helpful for we newbees. How about some advice on descending a steep face/drop. What is the best option for slowing on descent? thanks

If you go straight down a steep hill and lock up the track like on a sled, you'll just slide and pick up a lot more speed than you might want. But you have two things going for you on the bike -- sidehilling and engine braking. Even though you're going down a steep slope, you can still cut it across the hill as much as you need to slow down. And I still have to remind myself get off the brake and use the engine for help with braking. It works really well.

 

[adamd1979]

The pointers discussed in this post are helpful for we newbees. How about some advice on descending a steep face/drop. What is the best option for slowing on descent? thanks

Unlike sleds, these bikes are very stress free as far as downhilling is concerned. Carving to the right or left makes it easy to stop or slow down enough to pick your desired path down the face. Drops are something I'm still working myself into.

 

[Crash&Burn]

I don't even want to know what it is like to kiss my sister..lol
All these comments are great and i have found to be true for the most part. I love to ride snow now even more than dirt but still do both. The hardest part about the going back and forth is the breaking. I still use the hand break that comes with the kit and the first day out i want to use my foot. I know a few who have not riden dirt for a few years that ride snowbikes now for many years who have gone over the bars in the dirt due to grabbing the break. I fear that every year and laugh when i hear somewone else did it again... as long as they did not get hurt.... you also can not just go anywhere you want in the dirt like you can in the snow

 

[DieselTwitch]

I don't even want to know what it is like to kiss my sister..lol
All these comments are great and i have found to be true for the most part. I love to ride snow now even more than dirt but still do both. The hardest part about the going back and forth is the breaking. I still use the hand break that comes with the kit and the first day out i want to use my foot. I know a few who have not riden dirt for a few years that ride snowbikes now for many years who have gone over the bars in the dirt due to grabbing the break. I fear that every year and laugh when i hear somewone else did it again... as long as they did not get hurt.... you also can not just go anywhere you want in the dirt like you can in the snow

Ok 1 thing... its spelled brake not break. break is the crack, destroy type. brake is the stopping kind

As for this problem you can run both, you just need to get a rekluse left and rear brake. it works on the right side also.

 

[Crash&Burn]

Thanks for the autocorrect. Good info on the "brake" set up. I hear this does work well. Don't sweat the petty and don't pet the sweaty i say! I've always cared more about wrenching and ridding than spelling...lol