Mtn. Top Snowbikes

[gorillam]

Or you don’t actually understand the changes made?

Maybe ride one before calling out others who have?

Well lets see some side by side comparisons on identical bikes, post up some chase videos. All I see is more claims. Not saying it's not a nice kit, just saying what I said.... You can already dip a bar in the snow with either yeti or aro3. Yeti is light af when you are stuck sideway straight up on a hidden tree springer. ARO3 climbs like mad. The game changer would be 100HP reliable. Anything else is just playing around with the same plaform.

 

[teal_210]

Well lets see some side by side comparisons on identical bikes, post up some chase videos. All I see is more claims. Not saying it's not a nice kit, just saying what I said.... You can already dip a bar in the snow with either yeti or aro3. Yeti is light af when you are stuck sideway straight up on a hidden tree springer. ARO3 climbs like mad. The game changer would be 100HP reliable. Anything else is just playing around with the same plaform.

Game changer is a funny term, and means wildly different things to different people. You want 100 HP, I like conversion kits so I can use the same bike year-round, I have no desire to store a 20k machine for most of the year.

I'm hoping to get some good side by side comparisons soon, but there is only so much that you can do with 2' of snow on the ground.

I chose the Mtn. Top kit because of how it rides. The suspension is very plush and doesn't do anything funny over bumps or technical terrain, and the kit rides very light and handles much better than what I'm used to. But I suppose you would consider that a sponsored post.

 

[Chadx]

I might try a Mtn Top ski on my 2020 Yeti 129 kit. I love the performance of the yeti ski everywhere except crust and in that scenario, I'm just fed up. Was going to try the latest version of the CMX ski, which has dialed out the parabolic sidecut, but now thinking Mtn Top. @Wheel House Motorsports Saw you "on the list" as dealer. I'll reach out to you directly for pricing.

 

[Johnb]

No need to try the

I might try a Mtn Top ski on my 2020 Yeti 129 kit. I love the performance of the yeti ski everywhere except crust and in that scenario, I'm just fed up. Was going to try the latest version of the CMX ski, which has dialed out the parabolic sidecut, but now thinking Mtn Top. @Wheel House Motorsports Saw you "on the list" as dealer. I'll reach out to you directly for pricing.

CMX ski it handles ice the same as the Yeti so don't waist your money.

I put a TS ski on CMX for the late season ice.


I bought a Mtn Top ski to try and will be putting it on next week.

 

[TreewellDweller]

No need to try the

CMX ski it handles ice the same as the Yeti so don't waist your money.

I put a TS ski on CMX for the late season ice.


I bought a Mtn Top ski to try and will be putting it on next week.

Anxious to hear your report. Thanks in advance.

 

[Chadx]

No need to try the

CMX ski it handles ice the same as the Yeti so don't waist your money.

I put a TS ski on CMX for the late season ice.


I bought a Mtn Top ski to try and will be putting it on next week.

What year cmx ski? Cmx used to use the Yeti ski, then created their own ski so updated those a time or two to remove some of the parabolic sidecut out of them to improve the crust performance. So curious which year/version of cmx front ski.

Very interested in your take on Mtn. Pro ski. Hearing they don't quite fit up to the older yeti spindles, but will be interested to hear fit to cmx spindle. Which cmx spindle do you have? The former yeti carbon one or the cmx aluminum one? Assuming the aluminum, but thought I'd ask.

 

[Johnb]

What year cmx ski? Cmx used to use the Yeti ski, then created their own ski so updated those a time or two to remove some of the parabolic sidecut out of them to improve the crust performance. So curious which year/version of cmx front ski.

Very interested in your take on Mtn. Pro ski. Hearing they don't quite fit up to the older yeti spindles, but will be interested to hear fit to cmx spindle. Which cmx spindle do you have? The former yeti carbon one or the cmx aluminum one? Assuming the aluminum, but thought I'd ask.

2022 kit.

 

[teal_210]

What year cmx ski? Cmx used to use the Yeti ski, then created their own ski so updated those a time or two to remove some of the parabolic sidecut out of them to improve the crust performance. So curious which year/version of cmx front ski.

Very interested in your take on Mtn. Pro ski. Hearing they don't quite fit up to the older yeti spindles, but will be interested to hear fit to cmx spindle. Which cmx spindle do you have? The former yeti carbon one or the cmx aluminum one? Assuming the aluminum, but thought I'd ask.

The problem with the yeti spindle is that the bottom of the spindle is wider than where the ski mounts. The live keel ski has too much material above the mounting bolt for the yeti spindle to fit. So some material has to be removed from the ski so that the spindle fits and the ski can rotate as needed.

As far as I know, yeti is the only spindle that has clearance issues with the live keel ski.

 

[00Tundra]

Ordered the ski today. Guess we will see.

 

[teal_210]

Ordered the ski today. Guess we will see.

I see you're in Cheney. Where did you order from?
I have them in stock over in Post Falls.

 

[00Tundra]

I see you're in Cheney. Where did you order from?
I have them in stock over in Post Falls.

I got mine from Eric Kay @ Racin station.

 

[Chadx]

The problem with the yeti spindle is that the bottom of the spindle is wider than where the ski mounts. The live keel ski has too much material above the mounting bolt for the yeti spindle to fit. So some material has to be removed from the ski so that the spindle fits and the ski can rotate as needed.

As far as I know, yeti is the only spindle that has clearance issues with the live keel ski.

Is the issue only with the traditional yeti carbon fiber spindle? or also with their new aluminum one? The new aluminum yeti spindle looks to be the same design/width, and in the below image of the new aluminum spindle, I think I can see what you are talking about. Yeti spindle interfaces with an aluminum insert in their ski. That insert sticks up out past the ski plastic. But the Mtn. Top ski has large molded sections that necessitate the spindle sit down inside those sections and the yeti spindle is too wide to do so. That increases expense to try a Mtn. Top ski considerably, because it means sourcing a new spindle of a different brand (and a brand other than a Mtn. Top because their spindle is shorter than other brands is my understanding so the Mtn. Top spindle will can not be used with other brand kits because it will lower the front end and adversely effect the geometry of the entire kit).

So has the ski been fitted to a CMX billet aluminum spindle or Timbersled spindle without needed mods?



Here is internet image of the carbon yeti.







The new aluminum Yeti spindle looks like it would have the same issue fitting in the Mtn. Pro ski.






CMX spindle

 

[teal_210]

Is the issue only with the traditional yeti carbon fiber spindle? or also with their new aluminum one? The new aluminum yeti spindle looks to be the same design/width, and in the below image of the new aluminum spindle, I think I can see what you are talking about. Yeti spindle interfaces with an aluminum insert in their ski. That insert sticks up out past the ski plastic. But the Mtn. Top ski has large molded sections that necessitate the spindle sit down inside those sections and the yeti spindle is too wide to do so. That increases expense to try a Mtn. Top ski considerably, because it means sourcing a new spindle of a different brand (and a brand other than a Mtn. Top because their spindle is shorter than other brands is my understanding so the Mtn. Top spindle will can not be used with other brand kits because it will lower the front end and adversely effect the geometry of the entire kit).

So has the ski been fitted to a CMX billet aluminum spindle or Timbersled spindle without needed mods?



Here is internet image of the carbon yeti.
View attachment 396155


View attachment 396153



The new aluminum Yeti spindle looks like it would have the same issue fitting in the Mtn. Pro ski.


View attachment 396154



CMX spindle

View attachment 396156

Fitment is an issue with both the carbon and aluminum yeti spindles. For now, Allen is modifying the ski to fit the spindle.

I just brought it up because it needs to be known prior to ordering the ski so that it can be modified to fit a yeti spindle. I sold one to my local yeti dealer, but forgot to get some pictures of how it was modified.


The Mtn. Top ski will bolt directly onto a timbersled spindle, and i'm 99% sure it will on the CMX spindle also.

 

[Wheel House Motorsports]

Got to throw a couple miles on a mtntop kit yesterday in some early season conditions. The kit performed incredibly well. We were running on about 2' of snow total. Pretty good traction with a little bit of brush so you'd easily sink down to thr dirt if you lost momentum. Also blasting some FS roads with old buried truck ruts. As well as spinning around some on a frozen lake with a little but of snow on top.

Brief ride but I tried to get the largest range of operating as possible in a short time

Overall synopsis is it reacts the most naturally to rider input like a dirtbike of anything I've rode. I have never liked anything over 120" and I was pleasantly surprised with thr 129 package. Ski pressure was light but only lifted as asked. I was able to loft ski over logs and comfortably maintain it and not get bucked when the skid hit.

Drive train and track spools very nicely and moved and felt very free. Holds very stable rpm climbing and doesn't feel like the motor is being dragged down by the track at all, especially when dropping the skid down into thr snow after a rise in thr hill. The 2.5" track definitely impressed me. I don't love the 4 paddle tracks on sleds but was pleasantly surprised on how well it suited thr bike. Felt like the bike was always planing itself out very affectivly.

Suspension feels greet. Hopped off some larger logs as well as banged some moderate whoops on the trail. Excited to get a little more serious with one once snow permits more aggressive rising. Stock ktm SX forks felt great under the front. Felt minimal push from the kit side like I'm used to. I was able to hop thru thr whoops on the trail and the skid Felt like it was reacting much closer to a sled then snowbike. Lean back snap the throttle and you could float the ski between whoops.

Ski feels awesome. Most controllable I've felt yet. Holds and edge really well without any sort of scary bites. Handled the rutted stuff on the trail very well.

Since I was switching off my polaris boost khaos bikes usually feel pretty lame but I had a ton of fun and it really rejuvenated my stoke for single ski fun.

I know the MtnTop kit is definitely a premium kit price wise but I feel like it really delivered well across the board and I think guys will be very impressed with how they perform.

 

[JimBridger]

The kit looks amazing and well thought out. But...I am having a hard time thinking it's worth $2k over a similar kit. I know If I had spent nearly $10k on a kit, I would be embarrassed to admit it wasn't the best thing since sliced bread. I will be watching close over the next few years to see if people jump ship back to Polaris, Cmx, Yeti ect once the confirmation bias has worn off. I've been priced out of the newer kits, so for $300 every few years I can replace all my bearings and wear pieces and keep my kit indefinitely.....My 2018 kit that keeps up with the new "game changer" kits easily. When they start leaving me behind I'll buy into the hype.

Excited to watch updates as they roll in.

 

[Chadx]

The kit looks amazing and well thought out. But...I am having a hard time thinking it's worth $2k over a similar kit. I know If I had spent nearly $10k on a kit, I would be embarrassed to admit it wasn't the best thing since sliced bread. I will be watching close over the next few years to see if people jump ship back to Polaris, Cmx, Yeti ect once the confirmation bias has worn off. I've been priced out of the newer kits, so for $300 every few years I can replace all my bearings and wear pieces and keep my kit indefinitely.....My 2018 kit that keeps up with the new "game changer" kits easily. When they start leaving me behind I'll buy into the hype.

@JimBridger, Well thought out and logical...Snowest is not the place for such things! Ha. ?

 

[Sheetmetalfab]

Well thought out and logical...Snowest is not the place for such things! Ha. ?

$$$ is not involved in the discussion. ?

 

[teal_210]

The kit looks amazing and well thought out. But...I am having a hard time thinking it's worth $2k over a similar kit. I know If I had spent nearly $10k on a kit, I would be embarrassed to admit it wasn't the best thing since sliced bread. I will be watching close over the next few years to see if people jump ship back to Polaris, Cmx, Yeti ect once the confirmation bias has worn off. I've been priced out of the newer kits, so for $300 every few years I can replace all my bearings and wear pieces and keep my kit indefinitely.....My 2018 kit that keeps up with the new "game changer" kits easily. When they start leaving me behind I'll buy into the hype.

Excited to watch updates as they roll in.

While I completely agree that costs are out of control for kits, you have to compare apples to apples.

Walk into a timbersled dealer and buy a Riot or Aro 3 pro and they will tell you that you need a $1200 fit kit and a $1000 trio to make it work. At that point you're not $2000 less, you're $300 MORE for a similar kit.

With Mtn Top the fit kit and 3rd shock is included and most people won't need front suspension work or a trio. If you change bikes down the road, a fit kit is $50 vs. $1200!


Nothing wrong with rocking the older stuff either. The Aro Gen2 is still the same suspension geometry as it always has been, easy to upgrade a few things and you're right there with the latest and greatest.

 

[JimBridger]

While I completely agree that costs are out of control for kits, you have to compare apples to apples.

Walk into a timbersled dealer and buy a Riot or Aro 3 pro and they will tell you that you need a $1200 fit kit and a $1000 trio to make it work. At that point you're not $2000 less, you're $300 MORE for a similar kit.

With Mtn Top the fit kit and 3rd shock is included and most people won't need front suspension work or a trio. If you change bikes down the road, a fit kit is $50 vs. $1200!


Nothing wrong with rocking the older stuff either. The Aro Gen2 is still the same suspension geometry as it always has been, easy to upgrade a few things and you're right there with the latest and greatest.

Well we definitely agree about costs. I get what you're saying about price comparison, but lets see where Allen prices the 3" version first, then it will be a better apples to apples comparison. The rumor mill is saying well over 10k for the 3" version.

Personally I hate the trio and Tss, so it's more like $300 for a fit kit and $100-$200 in fork mods. I'm sure there's plenty of guys like me, and plenty that will buy everything they can bolt to a bike.

All this being said, I'll ride one this winter and we'll see what all the fuss is about.

Allen is still the pioneer of systems that worked and I'll never forget my 12' mountain horse and where it took me. We were all learning back then and this forum was key in finding things that worked. Unfortunately the guy who helped everyone get into this amazing sport may end up being the same guy that pushes us all out of it when manufacturers decide to follow his pricing.

 

[M5-]

Back when I bought my first kit in 2012, TS marketed the kit as a dirt bike add on which I bought into and did actually swap it in and out for a few seasons. Sold the wife on the concept of "well if these things work I won't need a sled". Now as she is prone to reminding me, I have 2 dedicated snow bikes, a dirt bike and oh yah a sled.

I snow checked a 2022 Yeti last season which came with everything, fit kit, wheel kit, color choice, rack, 3rd shock, upgraded shocks, T shirt, hat and the C3 bucks which I spent on heated bars and risers. Seeing as the 2023 is virtually unchanged it was pointless buying a new one, plus it went up over $1000 and no C3 bucks. When you look at what is in a kit is it $10k worth of stuff, I'm not convinced to be honest. I like that MTN Top includes everything because that nickel and dime mentality of TS really puts me off, but that said the MTN top would really need to blow me away for me to change at this point. One thing for certain, I will never buy a kit without riding it first, ever, it;s now too much money to go it based on internet hype.

These prices are really making the used market look pretty appealing because lets be honest a 2018 TS Aro or whatever used kit is going to make 90% of the lines a new kit will. I gotta think we are at the upper end of what guys will be willing to pay for this sport, it's getting a bit ridiculous, but hey I've been wrong before, a lot. LOL

M5