Snowbike VS Snowmoible

[sundancemtlodge]

After riding snowmoibles for the last 20+ years and built a snowmoible lodge to do it for a living$. Will the new Snowbikes take over the sleds in the future? I have to say they are becoming very popular in the Priest Lake area and get around better in the trees and the places they can go to. turning around and sidehill you can't do with a sled. So is it the way of the future? I think so.

 

[TURBOXP09]

After riding snowmoibles for the last 20+ years and built a snowmoible lodge to do it for a living$. Will the new Snowbikes take over the sleds in the future? I have to say they are becoming very popular in the Priest Lake area and get around better in the trees and the places they can go to. turning around and sidehill you can't do with a sled. So is it the way of the future? I think so.

I have ridden snowmobiles my whole life, last year I took the plunge and canceled my 2013 Snowcheck and went all in and bought a new YZ450F and a 2013 kit with never riding a bike in my life. I told my buddy that also purchased a bike and kit that I would give it a fair shot for one season. Well after one season on the snowbike I found that a snowmobile is for me not the snowbike. This year I will be on a 2014 XM with a big grin on my face!!

In "my opinion" I think the reason you are seeing so many snowbikes in your area is because you have Timbersled in your back yard and a new company UFO down the road in Pinehurst.

If I had to guess I would say that snowbikes will not take over the industry, but you never know.

 

[Wheel House Motorsports]

They are super fun in the area you are for 3 reasons.

A- trees are perfect for them, that area has a lot of old growth that is very challanging to tackle on a sled, but on the bike is a walk in the park opening up a huge amount of riding terrain most couldnt do before.

B- Low elevation. The bikes IMO are a hoot until 7-8000' as their lack of power really shows then. in N ID and surrounding areas with riding from 4500-6000 they go darn good.

C- Snow type. In that same area, the snow tends to be a bit on the higher moisture side compared to the rest of the rockies. this gives the bike the ability to stay on the snow decent, kind of on par with the elevation deal. in those conditions they work very well and are a blast.

 

[89sandman]

way of the future, for some yes, for most not...

 

[cascadesnowjunky]

If it comes to riding anything even close to a snowbike i'm out. Those things are turds and will not go 10% the places a sled will go.

 

[wakeska813]

Snow bikes are for people who can't ride snowmobiles

 

[RobertTrivanovic]

Snowbikes have their time and place. I just havnt found that time or place yet, and never will or want too.

 

[mb1]

They won't take over, look at how many people ride quads.

Itis really cool to see that they're becoming a legit option, but they're not for everyone.

I'd love to run one in the mtn's, but for me a sled will have to be able to run the trails around home, and also pull the kids around on a sled from time to time.

 

[Jaynelson]

My interest has perked up with seeing the turbo models. They just look too slow on a stock bike. I'd be interested more as a supplement to a sled, as opposed to replacement tho.

 

[joshkoltes]

You shouldnt be worried. Assuming your lodge you built to rent sleds has a mass of newbie type people that come to just enjoy. The bike seems to be for the more heavy duty energetic type people. Your not going to get a group of trail riders on a set of bikes.
All though maby you could snag some kind of deal to rent a hand full of bikes a day just like the sleds. See where that takes ya
They are for different things and different people but it might be another thing that draws in extra children with flat brimmed hats and rap music show in off to their bros
But money is money good luck

 

[mnsnowhawk]

Not going to take over. Just another fun option in winter. I see it kind of like skis vs snowboards. Some like skiing, some snowboarding, some both. I like riding both but lean more one ski at the moment. Maybe it will open manufacturers eyes and they will look into new design ideas.

 

[Uncle si]

I can't predict the future, but I don't expect to own a two-ski again. The bike is much more fun and goes more places.

Few people will build their own, so the future depends on manufacturers.

 

[idahoskiguy]

Been sledding a long time, also owned a couple of SnowHawks and really liked them in the right conditions (they suck on the trails), in the powder and boondocking they rule. Just didn't ride them enough and sold them last year.

Always preferred my sleds but looking at having a Snow Bike just for fun.

Looks like it is becoming a legitimate segment of the market. Would be great if KTM or one of the other OEMs would produce one.

 

[sundancemtlodge]

Some thing to know

Most of the riders are older and have shoulder problems and don't have the streight to pull a sled around all day. with a snowbike they ride avery day. also side by side race with a M1000 I could only pull away in the straight strech. They can keep up. Heading up a loging road they are a blast.

 

[nuggetau]

Snowbikes could become a game-changer, but not in the current configuration.

If a company comes along that wants to build a dedicated chassis with a motor that puts out at least 95hp, redesigned track shape, CV tranny (no shifting) and a ski that will handle exceptionally well on the trail. Then you have a machine that would dominate any sled on the market.

I ride dirtbikes all summer, I have ridden all the snowbikes, They are super nimble, but fail in every other area that matters. I ride a sled!

 

[up-high]

Snowbikes could become a game-changer, but not in the current configuration.

If a company comes along that wants to build a dedicated chassis with a motor that puts out at least 95hp, redesigned track shape, CV tranny (no shifting) and a ski that will handle exceptionally well on the trail. Then you have a machine that would dominate any sled on the market.

I ride dirtbikes all summer, I have ridden all the snowbikes, They are super nimble, but fail in every other area that matters. I ride a sled!

Its called a snohawk. Different animal than a snobike. If you ride trails on a snobike, you don't get the concept.

 

[nuggetau]

Its called a snohawk. Different animal than a snobike. If you ride trails on a snobike, you don't get the concept.

The Snowkawk is an overweight, poorly balanced, under-powered piece of dung that can't crawl over it's own droppings! Not what I envision at all!

There is maybe 1 person in a thousand who can ride without having to ride some trail to get to their riding area, everyone of the current configurations suck at trail riding (some worse than others).

 

[Phizzer]

SnoHawk/SnoBike=Gay

There is no F'N way this overrated and overpriced hobby will take over sledding. Period.

 

[up-high]

The Snowkawk is an overweight, poorly balanced, under-powered piece of dung that can't crawl over it's own droppings! Not what I envision at all!

There is maybe 1 person in a thousand who can ride without having to ride some trail to get to their riding area, everyone of the current configurations suck at trail riding (some worse than others).

Maybe its not the machine that sucks at trail riding

 

[up-high]

SnoHawk/SnoBike=Gay

There is no F'N way this overrated and overpriced hobby will take over sledding. Period.

Have you ridden either machine? Snobikes will not replace sleds(your atleast right on that point). Different riding technique and terrain.