Some background, in the summer I ride hard enduro on a 2stroke 300 (a bike called KTM xc300 in USA I think) I am pretty skilled, in winter I ride turboed Polaris rmk 800 pro with 3 inch track, I like to ride steep woods sections!! I only ride pow, want to try a snowbike. I read lots of threads about snowbikes and am pretty confused, seems people are using all kinds of bikes types for this sport, I am not sure whether I should buy MX bike or softer power delivery enduro bike? Was thinking to go the 2016 sx450 route because it is crazy low weight, but is that really that important on the snow? (I know in the summer in the woods the weight is critical!!) Similar enduro bike is 10kg heavier :O Also should I go long or short track? Anything else I should know? Opinions, advice? thanks
Wanting to buy a snowbike, tips needed where to start
- Thread starter glowa
- Start date
I think the 300XC would do fine. You see a lot of the 300 two strokes over here in the states with snowbike kits on em. The new KTM SX450 is nice, but they're very difficult to get over here. Our local dealer ordered quite a few, and only got one. That one was sold long before it even arrived at the dealer. Their whole staff wanted to ride the new KTM this year, but they can't get them.
I can't comment too much on the ST vs LT. But, I can tell you a little bit I have learned from my research.
It seems that many people were on the 2015 SX kit last year and loved it, but many of those who are upgrading to a 2016 kit, are going with the ST kit with TSS.
I ride mostly MX style in the summer on a 14 KX450F, but I ride in the woods and through the trees in the winter, like you. I myself will be going with a ST kit with the TSS setup on it.
I can't comment too much on the ST vs LT. But, I can tell you a little bit I have learned from my research.
It seems that many people were on the 2015 SX kit last year and loved it, but many of those who are upgrading to a 2016 kit, are going with the ST kit with TSS.
I ride mostly MX style in the summer on a 14 KX450F, but I ride in the woods and through the trees in the winter, like you. I myself will be going with a ST kit with the TSS setup on it.
I am a little worried about 2 stroke carburation in the cold and ever changing altitude, and the reliability of this engine when being in the high revs all the time 
but that would be easiest for me, not having to purchase another bike. Sxf450 can be purchased here without a problem I believe.
but that would be easiest for me, not having to purchase another bike. Sxf450 can be purchased here without a problem I believe.Buy a carb heater, the coolant style, and try the 300 for a season to see if you like snow biking, no sense spending a whole bunch of money if you don't have too. With that bike I would stay ST. Personally I'd be less concerned about revving the 2 stroke than I would the 4T.
M5
M5
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Rush44
Well-known member
Now THAT is funny right there.... LOL!
glowa if you have the cash to pick up a 16 450sx I would for sure go that route. But if you aren't looking into buying another bike your 300xc is still a killer option. Many people have converted the 300xc into a great snowbike with mods that can be removed for summer riding and added for winter riding. There are several threads here on the forums about the 300xc and how to get the most power out of it.
But as far as the track is concerned you really need to do that thinking for yourself. If you like to only go out in handlebar deep powder, do deep backcountry travel, and don't wan to give up an inch of climbing ability... the LT is a great choice. However, the ST will go anywhere the LT does will a little more finesse, it's more "playful" (flickable), generates track speed quicker, and is a little more fun in the spring. So think about the type of snow you have and how often it gets deep. Either choice won't be bad but there are advantages for both sizes.
Whatever you do, stay away from the wide ratio big 500's. They aren't bad bikes, it's just from the sound of it you might be more into a sportier setup and the 300/450mx route sounds more up your alley.
thank you for this post, its very informative. I want my snowbike to be greatly similar to my enduro bike, I want it light and playful this is why I think ST will be better, but it's just a guess I read about exc300 and it takes quite a lot of setup to get it right while sx450 should be just plug and play, this is why I am leaning this way, money is not really an object I just love my toys and want to have a lot of a fun! Is there anything else I should know? is the installation easy on a modern ktm?
I read about exc300 and it takes quite a lot of setup to get it right while sx450 should be just plug and play, this is why I am leaning this way, money is not really an object I just love my toys and want to have a lot of a fun! Is there anything else I should know? is the installation easy on a modern ktm?
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Rush44
Well-known member
If money (or availability of 16 KTM 450sxf's) wasn't a problem I would go buy a new 450sxf/xcf and a new ST kit with TSS if you are sub 200lbs rider weight. That new KTM is going to be a bomber of a bike and is easy to get setup for the snow. To be fair all the MX bikes are pretty easy to get going.
If you have a battery bike update the battery to a Yuasa YTZ7S for more CCA and if you want some insurance carry around a Micro Start XP3 for a jump since you have no kickstart. The battery is very bulletproof and I've never had to use the XP3 because the battery died (I had a ground issue that killed the battery, XP3 saved the day).
If you have a battery bike update the battery to a Yuasa YTZ7S for more CCA and if you want some insurance carry around a Micro Start XP3 for a jump since you have no kickstart. The battery is very bulletproof and I've never had to use the XP3 because the battery died (I had a ground issue that killed the battery, XP3 saved the day).
I had both bikes last year, a 300 ktm ST and a 450 sxf 450 LT. Both were 2014's bikes. If you are used to riding a 2-stroke then I would lean more toward that route. Personnlly I liked the 450 much better. I think they both had similar power and would go the same places. What I didn't like about like about the 300 was it was a lot of busy work keeping it on the pipe and making power. I guess maybe I'm just old and lazy, plus don't ride much when there isn't snow. The 300 I was constantly shifting gears, 1-4 to keep in the power band. The 450 I rarely used anything other than 2-3 during normal boondocking. With the 450 I probably shift gear half as much or less. If you are used to a lot of time single track/enduro on a 2-smoke you will probably love it. The 2016 450 is only about 11lbs different than the 300 so you'll have to decide if that is a big deal for you or not.
You can't go wrong with a 16 450sxf!
Track wise, the best all around track is going to be the ST. Depending on the snow that you have over there, you might think about the SX too.
Track wise, the best all around track is going to be the ST. Depending on the snow that you have over there, you might think about the SX too.
I am confused about what is SX? whats snowcross? is that a sport?
Last year which was very poor year snow wise I rode my sled about 50 days, and I ride only on a pow days, I do not plan to ride snowbike on anything else than the pow days, maybe in exception of the early winter when I will be wanting to just go out and see how this snowbike thing feels and rides.
Regarding the engine I am set at 4 stroke 450, I am pretty advanced enduro rider and I have no problem switching bikes between 2 stroke and 4 stroke, I do not think with the snowbike this is going to be any different, thanks for all the tips, one important thing I learned here which I did not notice is that in fact 2016 450sxf has no kickstarter, I would not want to get stuck somewhere in the mountains with no possibility of starting the motor, is push start (is that a word??) down the slope even possible on a snowbike?
btw When you put your snowbike on the trailer, how do you cover them? are there dedicated covers I can purchase like for my polaris?
Last year which was very poor year snow wise I rode my sled about 50 days, and I ride only on a pow days, I do not plan to ride snowbike on anything else than the pow days, maybe in exception of the early winter when I will be wanting to just go out and see how this snowbike thing feels and rides.
Regarding the engine I am set at 4 stroke 450, I am pretty advanced enduro rider and I have no problem switching bikes between 2 stroke and 4 stroke, I do not think with the snowbike this is going to be any different, thanks for all the tips, one important thing I learned here which I did not notice is that in fact 2016 450sxf has no kickstarter, I would not want to get stuck somewhere in the mountains with no possibility of starting the motor, is push start (is that a word??) down the slope even possible on a snowbike?
btw When you put your snowbike on the trailer, how do you cover them? are there dedicated covers I can purchase like for my polaris?
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rmk01r1der
Active member
I don't mean to high jack, but I'm also concerned with only having E start...
I am confused about what is SX? whats snowcross? is that a sport?
Last year which was very poor year snow wise I rode my sled about 50 days, and I ride only on a pow days, I do not plan to ride snowbike on anything else than the pow days, maybe in exception of the early winter when I will be wanting to just go out and see how this snowbike thing feels and rides.
Regarding the engine I am set at 4 stroke 450, I am pretty advanced enduro rider and I have no problem switching bikes between 2 stroke and 4 stroke, I do not think with the snowbike this is going to be any different, thanks for all the tips, one important thing I learned here which I did not notice is that in fact 2016 450sxf has no kickstarter, I would not want to get stuck somewhere in the mountains with no possibility of starting the motor, is push start (is that a word??) down the slope even possible on a snowbike?
btw When you put your snowbike on the trailer, how do you cover them? are there dedicated covers I can purchase like for my polaris?
The SX is different kit offered by timbersled, the track is 10.5" wide vs. 12.5" wide and the geometry is a little more aggressive than the ST kit.
You can push start them down a hill, we've pull started them before too. It's not hard at all. Carrying a jump pack is still a good idea though.
Timbersled sells a cover as well: http://www.timbersled.com/sbaccessories.htm?P=97
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PalousePoo
Well-known member
You say you only ride pow days, but a snowbike is a lot of fun on setup snow too, when a snowmobile isn't. The better traction makes it feel like you have a turbo!
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Rush44
Well-known member
Don't be. Carry the Micro Start XP3 if you are worried. 2 years e-start only and I only had 1 problem and it wasn't because of the battery or starter.