Opinions on best bike for Timbersled?

[GlennRMK]

Just curious what people are finding works best?

I would like to get a Timbersled. Probably can't afford it this year, but might do it next year.

I have talked to a bunch of people in my neck of the woods and most seem to say the 10 and up Yamaha is the best bike because of the intake being high and in front so it doesn't suck in the snow in the air box.

Apparently all the other bikes, the airbox fills up with snow?

Also, most were saying the fuel injection bikes tend to run real rich and dump fuel in the crankcase.

Also heard guys were putting a ball valve in the coolant hose to keep the engine temps up?

What about reliability? Yamaha is generally known for the reliable motors. Are the newer injected Kawis reliable? Aren't the older ones known to be unreliable? How are the RMZs? I know the Hondas like to have the valves adjusted a lot. I also know the Honda clutches are notoriously junk?

I had an 09 KTM 450 XC-F but sold it because I didn't like not having kick start backup on the snow.

Now I have a 2012 300 GasGas and have zero motivation to ever ride a four stroke on the dirt again. The 300 is just way better in the mountains IMO.

So I'm looking for a dedicated snow bike. Are the injected bikes the way to go or is guy better off to run like an 06-09 YZ 450? I'm open to something between a leftover and 3 grand bike. Just want something reliable. I am familar with changing oil and adjusting valves all the time unfortunately, but don't want to be doing expensive top end jobs constantly. (Why I love the 2 stroke on the dirt). But I hear the carbs like to freeze on the 2 strokes, or else I would go that route as well.

 

[dirtrebel]

Run the gas gas 300 smoker. heat the carb! I hear those are great bikes!

 

[KAWGRN]

Ahhh 570 berg with FI and the magic button!But thats just me!

 

[dirtrebel]

ktm 380 2 stroke

I got one of these to put a kit on! Love it in the summer great power! Mine's not nearly as clean though!

http://montana.craigslist.org/mcy/3273934716.html

 

[KAWGRN]

I had one of those,,,, can you say outa control ,!!lol

 

[Robster]

Just curious what people are finding works best?

I would like to get a Timbersled. Probably can't afford it this year, but might do it next year.

I have talked to a bunch of people in my neck of the woods and most seem to say the 10 and up Yamaha is the best bike because of the intake being high and in front so it doesn't suck in the snow in the air box.

Apparently all the other bikes, the airbox fills up with snow?

Now I have a 2012 300 GasGas and have zero motivation to ever ride a four stroke on the dirt again. The 300 is just way better in the mountains IMO.

So I'm looking for a dedicated snow bike. Are the injected bikes the way to go or is guy better off to run like an 06-09 YZ 450? I'm open to something between a leftover and 3 grand bike. Just want something reliable. I am familar with changing oil and adjusting valves all the time unfortunately, but don't want to be doing expensive top end jobs constantly. (Why I love the 2 stroke on the dirt). But I hear the carbs like to freeze on the 2 strokes, or else I would go that route as well.

First of all. The yammis with the airbox fills up just as all the others. What u need to get is an outerwear airfilter. I have run it for 2 years now and not a single problem with airfilter getting clogged. Have had it on both a yz450 -05 and my current wr450 -06.
Personally I dont like the mx bikes with kits on. First gear is way to high for me to work when boondocking in the tight trees and such. WR lacks a bit of top end power, but the e-start, the low rpm grunt, low first gear, headlight and stator that gives me enough juice to run both hand warmers and my GPS on 12v is what really sells the wr450 in my case.

Secondly. The GasGas 300 works GREAT with snow bike kits! Light, e-start, good low end grunt and 12v is really good. I would without a doubt use the kit on that bike!

Carb icing can pretty easily be solved by making a longer coolant hose that you bring around the carb and back again. Then u have the carb heated.

Only thing I will always buy for my kit bikes is bigger gas tank. Juggs back on the kit is good too, but better to have one small jugg back there (its back heavy already) and a bigger gas tank that you will love during the summer too. =)

Welcome and dont forget to smile everytime u see the envy heavy *** snowmobilers watching you in awe. =)

//Rob

 

[Rush44]

KX450F.

I disagree with Robster and think the MX bikes are the best. I had the WR450F and while it's a nice bike, it's not the one for me. The Wide Ratio gear box isn't ideal for snowbiking, it's certainly heavier than the MX bikes, and while e-start and lights are nice... they are far from necessary.

Oh, and fuel injection is a big bonus!

 

[SLDHVN]

anything with FI is good(not mandatory tho)

my 11 yami 450 is a great bike, it does get snow in the airbox, but usually its only 4 or 5 days a season that its deep enough.

i think any of the MX 450's are the best bikes, there isnt one in my mind that is better than the others, they all have nice features.

 

[Robster]

KX450F.

I disagree with Robster and think the MX bikes are the best. I had the WR450F and while it's a nice bike, it's not the one for me. The Wide Ratio gear box isn't ideal for snowbiking, it's certainly heavier than the MX bikes, and while e-start and lights are nice... they are far from necessary.

Oh, and fuel injection is a big bonus!

No probs mate. Since I live in Sweden our Topography and snow conditions is WAY other than at your place. I think you need max power a lot more than I do.
90% of my riding is spent on 50% throttle or lower. Our snow is more packed and we have not too many tree less hills..

E-start and rekluse is almost mandatory (ok mandatory luxury then. ) on a snowbike in my book, since helps a lot when boondocking in tight conditions.

//Rob

 

[Rush44]

No probs mate. Since I live in Sweden our Topography and snow conditions is WAY other than at your place. I think you need max power a lot more than I do.
90% of my riding is spent on 50% throttle or lower. Our snow is more packed and we have not too many tree less hills..

E-start and rekluse is almost mandatory (ok mandatory luxury then. ) on a snowbike in my book, since helps a lot when boondocking in tight conditions.

//Rob

I'll agree that the Rekluse is super nice to have. This will be my first season on the Core EXP. I was fortunate enough to ride a KX450F with one last year and they are SO helpful in the tight and technical that I would agree they are a "mandatory luxury". And look below... we got trees everywhere too! The snow is just deep.... very deep.

 

[CATSLEDMAN1]

dem big 4 stokes

so far on the forum most of the noise is all about 450 or bigger 4 strokes. mostly slow revvinng slugs. I got one. I want to hear more from the 2 stroke bikers ? and smaller 2 stoke conversions , how are they working ?

I don't think we've found a good bike yet. Just a lot of whats easy and avialable. After riding kits on $8000 bikes and $1000 bikes, wow not much differnce, no power difference to speak of, fact some of the old 4 bangers have the best vicous power band that is snow bike good.

 

[Rush44]

so far on the forum most of the noise is all about 450 or bigger 4 strokes. mostly slow revvinng slugs. I got one. I want to hear more from the 2 stroke bikers ? and smaller 2 stoke conversions , how are they working ?

I don't think we've found a good bike yet. Just a lot of whats easy and avialable. After riding kits on $8000 bikes and $1000 bikes, wow not much differnce, no power difference to speak of, fact some of the old 4 bangers have the best vicous power band that is snow bike good.

In case you missed it, here is a good post by a local guy here in the Valley.
http://www.snowestonline.com/forum/showthread.php?p=3073621#post3073621

I hear the 2 strokes can really rip it up and I wouldn't be opposed to owning one. For me, the pull-and-go (I guess it's kick-and-go now) reliability of the newer FI 4-bangers is very attractive. Add a few mods and the bike really opens up.

 

[KAWGRN]

two stokes are lighter but on my BERG I put it on a serious weight loss program its now below 200# Yep!! removed the rear swing arm and wheels! really light now!slow reving SLUG and all!LOL

 

[funjunkie]

I have ridden many diferent bikes they all have there goods and bads. It's just what the rider likes best. I like different bike in diferent conditions. But all around for My ridding style I like the 570 Berg. massive tq.

 

[vmax1200]

THE BEST BIKE IS THE ONE THAT GETS YOU BACK TO THE TRUCK/TRAILER ,BEING FAMILIAR WITH THE GENERAL MAINTENCE AND UP KEEP WILL INCREASE RELIABILITY /DEPENDABILITY.

 

[GlennRMK]

Thanks for the input guys. Keep it coming.

So, I know the KX450F makes the most power of any bike out there, I think. I think I saw the 12s are like 56 hp? I don't think the Berg 570 or KTM 500 are that much? But probably a little more torque.

How is the fuel injected KX reliability?

I also know someone that had it on a 350 XC-F and said it worked great because of the fast high revving motor.

I also thought about getting an 05 and up YZ 250 and trying it, but I really don't want carb icing problems.

I don't think they make the kit to put it on my Gas Gas, but that might be worth a phone call?

 

[Robster]

Thanks for the input guys. Keep it coming.

So, I know the KX450F makes the most power of any bike out there, I think. I think I saw the 12s are like 56 hp? I don't think the Berg 570 or KTM 500 are that much? But probably a little more torque.

How is the fuel injected KX reliability?

I also know someone that had it on a 350 XC-F and said it worked great because of the fast high revving motor.

I also thought about getting an 05 and up YZ 250 and trying it, but I really don't want carb icing problems.

I don't think they make the kit to put it on my Gas Gas, but that might be worth a phone call?

I know people are using the Gas Gas 300 for snowbike kits. 99% sure that there are bikes with MH kit on too. Maybe someone from Timbersled can clear this out for us.

Atleast I know that the ones using the Gas Gas 300 for snowbiking says that it is one of the absolute best bikes out there fore snowbiking, due to the light weight and the grunt that the engine produces.

//Rob

 

[funjunkie]

We have never made a fit kit for a Gas Gas yet. Maybe it's the same as somthing else.

 

[M5-]

Are there any differences between the Husaberg FS570 and an FE570 if a guy was going to use it for snowbiking. I have a line on an FS and I want the motard set up for summer, I was just trying to see if the rest of the bikes are the same and if it would be a valid option for winter. I'll likely pick it up if my Nypex sells.


M5

 

[KAWGRN]

Depends if you have the 570 berg unlocked ecu program then there well over 60!I think you can unlock the KTM also but harder to get ktm to send the unlock code!!

Thanks for the input guys. Keep it coming.

So, I know the KX450F makes the most power of any bike out there, I think. I think I saw the 12s are like 56 hp? I don't think the Berg 570 or KTM 500 are that much? But probably a little more torque.

How is the fuel injected KX reliability?

I also know someone that had it on a 350 XC-F and said it worked great because of the fast high revving motor.

I also thought about getting an 05 and up YZ 250 and trying it, but I really don't want carb icing problems.

I don't think they make the kit to put it on my Gas Gas, but that might be worth a phone call?