Have discussed this before, what's the holdup Blue?????
http://www.snowmobile.com/products/personal-snow-vehicle-concepts-701.html
Something New
Still, there must be room for something new? What about less conventional snowmobiles?
In reality there already is a company offering a quite unconventional Personal Snow Vehicle (PSV). AD Boivin manufactures the Snow Hawk. It’s a snow bike concept that actually works — and seems to be a hit with motorcycle types. In fact, AD Boivin takes its Snow Hawk idea one step further, offering a special ‘Explorer Smart All Terrain System’ to convert enduro and motocross motorcycles into multi-terrain vehicles.
Currently AD Boivin’s Snow Hawk holds the monopoly on snow bikes.
As the creator and manufacturer of a successful snow bike, Boivin seems to be alone in this niche market. Boivin’s unique status may change as the idea of a personal snow vehicle unfolds. In our somewhat infrequent search of snowmobile-related patents, we stumbled across some interesting concept designs. One appeared very close to manufacturing reality — at least the advanced prototype stage!
It would appear that our friends at Yamaha are again conjuring up new snow toys. One we found bore a patent dated this year and is for a snow bike type vehicle that appears extremely well thought out. The drawings show a vehicle that looks as though it could be very close to production.
If there is any reality to this drawing, this possible Yamaha-proposed snow vehicle could generate interest among younger winter enthusiasts.
The concept not only suggests a snow bike with a track and singular ski up front, but a very unique rear
suspension
. One that we’ve always felt would be quite workable in a snow vehicle. It’s based on a swing-arm design frequently used in off-road motorcycles and performance ATVs.
Personal Snow Vehicles
Yamaha’s PSV shows a single strut providing damping on an articulated ski. The rear suspension uses a massive coil-over-spring shock mounted above and outside the track area. The suspension action comes from the slide rail moving up and down on the shock-controlled swing arm. Instead of an ATV’s big fat rear wheel, you have a narrow track spinning around a slide rail with wheels.
Thinking outside the skidframe could bring us a swing-arm rear suspension.
Just as with a sports ATV or off-road motorcycle, the rider sits over the engine and maintains his position via foot pegs.
In some ways the Yamaha concept appears very similar to the base Phazer. The nose is short, extending just forward of the steering post and main front shock. The
body panels look to be based on the Phazer’s minimalist style and the seat mimics that from an enduro bike.
Could such a vehicle be in the works? Only Yamaha knows for certain, but we could certainly see Yamaha attempting to explore a new niche. This company certainly has the expertise to produce such a product. From looking at the drawing we could envision a number of power choices. Yamaha has high performance 250s and 450s available from its YZ motorcycles. Then, perhaps a better choice for torque and powering through snow, there’s the 686cc four-stroke with fuel injection and quick revving characteristics that get it up to 9,000 rpm. Retune that beast for midrange and low-end control and you might be on to something. Of course, there’s the Phaser’s high-revving 500cc twin that’s already been proven as a snowmobile engine. Selfishly we’d prefer something that revved a bit lower, didn’t need gear reduction, and offered great throttle response. Not really sure we want high revs hitting when we try to corner on a single ski vehicle. That’s too much like riding a touring bike through a dirt and rock strewn corner. We don’t need that much excitement, thank you very much!
As a play toy for wannabe snowmobilers, would such a vehicle turn the trick? We guess pricing, style, weight and intrigue would be the factors for success. The vehicle in the drawings certainly has a great look to it. It’s got tech style with an exposed engine cradled under the seat. The rear suspension looks motocross-like. The vehicle gives you a lightweight vibe. And, most importantly, the darn things look f-u-n!
This snow scooter concept would most likely be priced to entice beginners as well as those who rent sleds at ski resorts.
Compared to a basic design we’ve seen elsewhere in our patent searching, the Yamaha concept wins the style contest. A drawing from 2006 of a BRP concept looks way too much like a toy. It just doesn't have the sex appeal of the Yamaha. But, like the Yamaha concept it uses a single ski, but with spring damping and a very simple rear slide suspension. In fact, the comparison might be of a Cushman Scooter versus a YZ motocrosser. Who wins that one?
Outside The Skidframe Thinking
We stand to win if such engineering thought continues to bring us new snow vehicles. Frankly, even if the Yamaha personal snow vehicle fails to emerge from concept to reality, we really like the idea of that swing arm rear suspension. Good ideas for the future. We are encouraged that the sled makers see a future for out sport and are acting on creating new ideas for future snow vehicles. Maybe some will bring in a crowd that can share in our enjoyment of snowmobiling as our favorite winter sport.
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Currently AD Boivin’s Snow Hawk holds the monopoly on snow bikes.
If there is any reality to this drawing, this possible Yamaha-proposed snow vehicle could generate interest among younger winter enthusiasts.
Thinking outside the skidframe could bring us a swing-arm rear suspension.
This snow scooter concept would most likely be priced to entice beginners as well as those who rent sleds at ski resorts.
