I ride my bike in the summer time when I can't ride my sled. I ride my sled in the winter time when I can't ride my bike. If I had one of these kits, it would seriously screw my schedule up? Get it?
Snowbike VS Snowmoible
- Thread starter sundancemtlodge
- Start date
I ride my bike in the summer time when I can't ride my sled. I ride my sled in the winter time when I can't ride my bike. If I had one of these kits, it would seriously screw my schedule up? Get it?
B
Berg570FE
Member
Nuggetau is right.
They simply do not have enough power. And I rode the Berg 650 with a turbo even. Also a KX450, as well as a 570. Both powder and spring snow.
I felt as though they ride through the snow, instead of ever getting "on" it.
Dirt bikes are my life, and yet I couldn't wait to get my sled back after having traded for an hour. I really WANTED to like it. Riding on the "trails" to get to the high country was a nightmare as well.
Perhaps with 100hp or more it would be different?
Additionally, I feel like its very hard on the motor. Never would I (or need to) hold my Bergs WFO when riding, like is sometimes needed when on the snow. Perhaps motocrosser's do, but I have yet to hit the rev limiter on my new 501.
Just my thoughts to help the original poster. I do not mean to offend anyone, nor wish to start a debate.
Regards
They simply do not have enough power. And I rode the Berg 650 with a turbo even. Also a KX450, as well as a 570. Both powder and spring snow.
I felt as though they ride through the snow, instead of ever getting "on" it.
Dirt bikes are my life, and yet I couldn't wait to get my sled back after having traded for an hour. I really WANTED to like it. Riding on the "trails" to get to the high country was a nightmare as well.
Perhaps with 100hp or more it would be different?
Additionally, I feel like its very hard on the motor. Never would I (or need to) hold my Bergs WFO when riding, like is sometimes needed when on the snow. Perhaps motocrosser's do, but I have yet to hit the rev limiter on my new 501.
Just my thoughts to help the original poster. I do not mean to offend anyone, nor wish to start a debate.
Regards
N
nuggetau
Well-known member
I just sold my 570 last fall, best enduro bike I have ridden, so sad to hear Husaberg is no more after this year!
Dirt bikes have been my passion since the age of 8, even more so than sleds, I really wanted the snowbikes to work, I found them to be a huge disappointment.
The original question was whether they would replace sleds, as they currently exist, there is zero chance.
They can hold a line on a very steep incline and can fit through a smaller hole in the trees, in every other respect they are inferior to a sled.
S
snow-seeker
Well-known member
I would love to see some sort of bike used that has more HP than any single out there. Like a 950 superenduro, or possibly a hypermotard Ducati (Although the hyper doesn't have enough fuel capacity for anything but eastern bar hopping)
In my mind, these bike hybrids are missing something fundamental, that is the drive itself. They have a great opportunity to bring the drive to where is should be, the rear of the track, and nobody had even attempted it. With a rear drive, you only need to tension 25% of the track, versus 80% with a traditional sled front drive. With the lower drag from tensioning, the motorcycle power plant would seem much more lively.
I can see them being a viable option, kind of like a telemark skier. Seen, but nothing compared to the main line.
I have tried a snow hawk (hated it) but never a snowbike. I am just not willing to give up the "straight up" ability of a sled in the trees. And I agree holding a 450-550 single wide open for that long can't be healthy for it.
In my mind, these bike hybrids are missing something fundamental, that is the drive itself. They have a great opportunity to bring the drive to where is should be, the rear of the track, and nobody had even attempted it. With a rear drive, you only need to tension 25% of the track, versus 80% with a traditional sled front drive. With the lower drag from tensioning, the motorcycle power plant would seem much more lively.
I can see them being a viable option, kind of like a telemark skier. Seen, but nothing compared to the main line.
I have tried a snow hawk (hated it) but never a snowbike. I am just not willing to give up the "straight up" ability of a sled in the trees. And I agree holding a 450-550 single wide open for that long can't be healthy for it.
Timber sled turbo on your bike 100+ hp
Some of you need to go to youtube and watch timbersled new turbo sled with a mountain horse. There is no need to run wide open you tend to run the motor just like you always do and they are hard to keep up with. Also watch some deep powder riding.
Some of you need to go to youtube and watch timbersled new turbo sled with a mountain horse. There is no need to run wide open you tend to run the motor just like you always do and they are hard to keep up with. Also watch some deep powder riding.
2 percent of the market now 10 percent in 5 years
I rode snowmobiles for 35 years (yes since 19 years old) and now snowbikes for 6 seasons.
The first few years kept my sled, because snowbikes did not go many places. Now they go most places!
Sold my sled and have no plans on going back to two skis.
It is true with out a turbo, the snowbike can't climb like a 150hp sled but they CAN go down steep hills (under control) and side hill into places sleds CAN NOT!
Most of the sleds that try to keep up get totaled!! Or the riders converted.
I was a motorcycle rider long before a sled rider and riding a snowbike is like "coming home".
Snowbike advancements are rapid and soon they will be a large part of the motorized snow industry.
I rode snowmobiles for 35 years (yes since 19 years old) and now snowbikes for 6 seasons.
The first few years kept my sled, because snowbikes did not go many places. Now they go most places!
Sold my sled and have no plans on going back to two skis.
It is true with out a turbo, the snowbike can't climb like a 150hp sled but they CAN go down steep hills (under control) and side hill into places sleds CAN NOT!
Most of the sleds that try to keep up get totaled!! Or the riders converted.
I was a motorcycle rider long before a sled rider and riding a snowbike is like "coming home".
Snowbike advancements are rapid and soon they will be a large part of the motorized snow industry.
just like two skis
But on a one ski you can self rescue much easer than on any two ski hog.
some work better than others
But on a one ski you can self rescue much easer than on any two ski hog.
Come on let's keep this constructive with with good information, not weak name calling.
I have followed some snowbike tracks in Island Park and am very interested in learning opinions and stories.
Your correct jmom
Sorry for my digress. I see some of the posts who regard snowbikes as not worthy of acknowledgment. In our area we have seen this with some of the seasoned sled riders and sled dealers who don't sell dirt bikes.
I understand their fear. If you are on top of your sled game, you do not want to see another product hit the snow to change the game. And if your a sled dealer/manufacture all you see is lost sled/parts sales.
This also goes for snowmobile magazines. Lane L admitted to me that with only one major snowbike manufacture it is not conducive to ad sales.
We have seen this before in the snow, when the snowboard hit the hill, the skiers wanted them banned and called them names. Now we know that the snowboard helped revitalize the whole ski industry.
The snowbike is here to stay!! New designs and manufactures are surfacing all the time.
Many go through the snow as well or better than most sleds and self rescue much easer. Yes they could use more than 55hp but with the light weight they do things sleds riders can not imagine.
No doubt some the sled and motorcycle manufactures are looking at this new sport to see if they can get a piece of the action.
We have 35 plus riders in the Priest area. All were v good snowmobile riders before switching and none have plans on reverting back to a sled.
Sorry for my digress. I see some of the posts who regard snowbikes as not worthy of acknowledgment. In our area we have seen this with some of the seasoned sled riders and sled dealers who don't sell dirt bikes.
I understand their fear. If you are on top of your sled game, you do not want to see another product hit the snow to change the game. And if your a sled dealer/manufacture all you see is lost sled/parts sales.
This also goes for snowmobile magazines. Lane L admitted to me that with only one major snowbike manufacture it is not conducive to ad sales.
We have seen this before in the snow, when the snowboard hit the hill, the skiers wanted them banned and called them names. Now we know that the snowboard helped revitalize the whole ski industry.
The snowbike is here to stay!! New designs and manufactures are surfacing all the time.
Many go through the snow as well or better than most sleds and self rescue much easer. Yes they could use more than 55hp but with the light weight they do things sleds riders can not imagine.
No doubt some the sled and motorcycle manufactures are looking at this new sport to see if they can get a piece of the action.
We have 35 plus riders in the Priest area. All were v good snowmobile riders before switching and none have plans on reverting back to a sled.
N
nuggetau
Well-known member
I want the snowbike to be fully realized and be a success, as it stands It's not what I want to ride.
If they do the following I would be a buyer:
1. A motor with at least 95HP.
2. Shorten the track to reduce the gyroscopic resistance.
3. Put a 3-3.5" paddle on the track.
4. Make the track wider to make up for the shorter track.
5. Make the track bowl shaped so that only the center 6" touches a hard packed surface, this would make the bike so much more nimble on the trail. Just changing the track shape alone would significantly improve the handling characteristics of the snowbike.
6. Design a two ski system that would reduce the darting and instability of the current single ski design.
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Try a new one.
1. agreed, more power would be an asset.
2. shorter tracks closer to central mass are coming
3. taller lugs are also coming. my snowbike has 2.5" lugs and a rounded track desgn
4. wider tracks are not better
5. with the new "flex arm" and new ski/skag design, the motorcycle feel is better than ever. Now on a bumpy trail a new snowbike can travel faster than a sled.
Ride one of the newer kits available. Things have changed for the better.
1. agreed, more power would be an asset.
2. shorter tracks closer to central mass are coming
3. taller lugs are also coming. my snowbike has 2.5" lugs and a rounded track desgn
4. wider tracks are not better
5. with the new "flex arm" and new ski/skag design, the motorcycle feel is better than ever. Now on a bumpy trail a new snowbike can travel faster than a sled.
Ride one of the newer kits available. Things have changed for the better.
B
Berg570FE
Member
Im sorry friends, but I just don't see it?
These are VERY talented riders for sure. On what one would presume are "built" snowbikes. And we all know this event well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzQoRSjnEK4
Again, the riders are extremely talented, but the machines appear pathetic compared to the performance of the sled.
Hopped up sleds for sure, but most likely hopped up snowbikes to "showcase" them as well.
I want this to work too, shoot, I own a Berg570, new 501 and a KTM 690.
My personal belief is that they might fizzle out such as the SuperMotard and Pit bikes did after the early 2000's, for example.
Keep the weight down, TWICE the power, and a much larger track and id buy one. But until Austria or Japan build such a machine to base a kit off of, it will still have a limited market.
Regards
These are VERY talented riders for sure. On what one would presume are "built" snowbikes. And we all know this event well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzQoRSjnEK4
Again, the riders are extremely talented, but the machines appear pathetic compared to the performance of the sled.
Hopped up sleds for sure, but most likely hopped up snowbikes to "showcase" them as well.
I want this to work too, shoot, I own a Berg570, new 501 and a KTM 690.
My personal belief is that they might fizzle out such as the SuperMotard and Pit bikes did after the early 2000's, for example.
Keep the weight down, TWICE the power, and a much larger track and id buy one. But until Austria or Japan build such a machine to base a kit off of, it will still have a limited market.
Regards
N
nuggetau
Well-known member
Which track are you running? Link to a photo if you have it? I want to see how much contour it has?
If you shorten the track to reduce the gyroscopic feeling you will loose flotation, so a wider track will be needed to maintain similar flotation. If the track is domed to give the correct profile you will never feel the wider track.
Do you have a link to the flex arm?
N
nuggetau
Well-known member
The math tells the whole story.
The pro 155 has 2325 square inches of track for 417lbs = 5.6 sq inches per pound.
The Mountain Horse LT kit has 1712.5 Sq in of track divided by 320lbs (610 berg) = 5.35 sq in per pound, so pretty close in the flotation department.
Power to weight ratio is another story.
155 pro - 417lbs divided by 145HP = 2.88lbs per HP
LT MountainHorse on 610 Berg - 320lbs divided by 65HP = 5.35 lbs per HP
The Mountainhorse needs to have almost 115HP to have the same power to weight ratio as the Pro RMK.
A track with a stiff 3.5" lug in the center(6" wide like a moto tire), 3" lugs on the sides in a nice domed curve to make the bike corner and sidehill easy, plus a ski that trails exceptionally well and does a better job of keeping the bike up on top of the soft deep snow, plus a motor making 95HP+, then I'm in. Until then, I can't be convinced.
The pro 155 has 2325 square inches of track for 417lbs = 5.6 sq inches per pound.
The Mountain Horse LT kit has 1712.5 Sq in of track divided by 320lbs (610 berg) = 5.35 sq in per pound, so pretty close in the flotation department.
Power to weight ratio is another story.
155 pro - 417lbs divided by 145HP = 2.88lbs per HP
LT MountainHorse on 610 Berg - 320lbs divided by 65HP = 5.35 lbs per HP
The Mountainhorse needs to have almost 115HP to have the same power to weight ratio as the Pro RMK.
A track with a stiff 3.5" lug in the center(6" wide like a moto tire), 3" lugs on the sides in a nice domed curve to make the bike corner and sidehill easy, plus a ski that trails exceptionally well and does a better job of keeping the bike up on top of the soft deep snow, plus a motor making 95HP+, then I'm in. Until then, I can't be convinced.
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The Z Axis front arm is a Timber Sled upgrade.
http://www.timbersled.com/partsMH.htm
I have used Snow Hawk 136" and 121" tracks since '11.
