Snowbike seem to be catching on......

[skegpro]

Well rode some snowbike the other day.

I have zero biking background but after about 2 minutes I was ripping around no problem.

Minus the shifting, thats a pain in the ass.

Easy to manoeuver but the lack of power seems boring.

Are these things all they are cracked up to be in the long term or do you regret buying a bike?

 

[Big Diesel]

4 th season on mine and lovin it

 

[RGM]

It's just a fad like snowboarding.

 

[assaultn]

I rented one to see if they were the real deal, just over a week later and the sled is sold and bike in the trailer. The bikes have a pretty big "fun factor". I don't think they will replace a sled on those epic days but this is what made me switch.

- The two days we rode snow conditions were not that great but I found myself having a hoot as they can be thrown around in marginal fresh

- A lot of new terrain is accessible with these bikes. I'm a pretty good tree rider on a sled and may be able to ride some of these same areas on a sled but would likely be sawing a lot of trees and lifting out of wells. The bikes are a lot more forgiving in the super steep tight trees. Challenging terrain for these bikes can be found 10' off the trail in most cases.

- The lack of power is what it is. They are slower and will not make those pulls that make the hair on your neck stand up. I look at it this way... I used to be the only turbo sled in our group with the rest being mostly stock. When we would find a decent set of lines or poke I would fairly easily grab throttle and be up and over while the other guys took creative pokes and lines trying to make it up. Dont get me wrong, my boosted sled was exciting and had me giggling like a little girl at times but it also took away some of the challenge of tackling some of the terrain the the stockers were having a great time attempting to tackle. The bikes are kind of the same comparison. They aren't going to go near as high or steep but the "fun factor" sure is high attempting to get them there.

Like I said, I don't think the bike will replace a sled on those armpit deep days but unfortunately those days are limited for the average guys that have to navigate around a work schedule rather than the weather report. If you are a guy that needs to pull the sickest lines on the mountain the bikes may not be for you but if you are the type that likes real technical riding and enjoys pushing the limits of your machines capabilities these things are a blast!!!!

Extra note: If you are getting into snowbiking thinking it may be cheaper..... think again lol

Well rode some snowbike the other day.

I have zero biking background but after about 2 minutes I was ripping around no problem.

Minus the shifting, thats a pain in the ass.

Easy to manoeuver but the lack of power seems boring.

Are these things all they are cracked up to be in the long term or do you regret buying a bike?

 

[skegpro]

I rented one to see if they were the real deal, just over a week later and the sled is sold and bike in the trailer. The bikes have a pretty big "fun factor". I don't think they will replace a sled on those epic days but this is what made me switch.

- The two days we rode snow conditions were not that great but I found myself having a hoot as they can be thrown around in marginal fresh

- A lot of new terrain is accessible with these bikes. I'm a pretty good tree rider on a sled and may be able to ride some of these same areas on a sled but would likely be sawing a lot of trees and lifting out of wells. The bikes are a lot more forgiving in the super steep tight trees. Challenging terrain for these bikes can be found 10' off the trail in most cases.

- The lack of power is what it is. They are slower and will not make those pulls that make the hair on your neck stand up. I look at it this way... I used to be the only turbo sled in our group with the rest being mostly stock. When we would find a decent set of lines or poke I would fairly easily grab throttle and be up and over while the other guys took creative pokes and lines trying to make it up. Dont get me wrong, my boosted sled was exciting and had me giggling like a little girl at times but it also took away some of the challenge of tackling some of the terrain the the stockers were having a great time attempting to tackle. The bikes are kind of the same comparison. They aren't going to go near as high or steep but the "fun factor" sure is high attempting to get them there.

Like I said, I don't think the bike will replace a sled on those armpit deep days but unfortunately those days are limited for the average guys that have to navigate around a work schedule rather than the weather report. If you are a guy that needs to pull the sickest lines on the mountain the bikes may not be for you but if you are the type that likes real technical riding and enjoys pushing the limits of your machines capabilities these things are a blast!!!!

Extra note: If you are getting into snowbiking thinking it may be cheaper..... think again lol

Good review.

I was thinking along the same lines.
Probably want to keep my sled too.

Seems like a new snowbike setup is tickling $30,000.

Yikes.

 

[broke'n'nuts]

First yr for me with the bike and have only brought the sled out once to ride with wife and kids. Assaultn hit the nail on the head. Tight trees, drainage. It's a different kind of challenge. Pushing your self in different ways. Also makes a big difference on what the group is riding. Riding with just bikes is waayy different than riding a bike with sleds in group. I find I'm constantly having to go back and find where the sleds are as it's pretty easy to disappear quick on the bike. It's also way easier on the body. After a good day of riding a sled I'm wore right out, on the bike, not so much. Just my .02

 

[skegpro]

First yr for me with the bike and have only brought the sled out once to ride with wife and kids. Assaultn hit the nail on the head. Tight trees, drainage. It's a different kind of challenge. Pushing your self in different ways. Also makes a big difference on what the group is riding. Riding with just bikes is waayy different than riding a bike with sleds in group. I find I'm constantly having to go back and find where the sleds are as it's pretty easy to disappear quick on the bike. It's also way easier on the body. After a good day of riding a sled I'm wore right out, on the bike, not so much. Just my .02

Yeah it looks like we are gonna have one full time bike in our group as the guy just put his nytro up for sale lol.

 

[skegpro]

Any advice or learnings on doing a build? Or should a guy just wait for the turn key Cat?

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

 

[broke'n'nuts]

Yeah it looks like we are gonna have one full time bike in our group as the guy just put his nytro up for sale lol.

Thank God, had a buddy with a nytro. Hated that thing. What a tank to get unstuck lol. First thing is find the bike you want. So many options and opinions. Starting from scratch it can get pricey. I'd recommend renting different kits or finding someone who can demo both to help with decision. It's the extra little add ons that up the price. Pegs heated grips etc. Not necessarily needed but nice

 

[skegpro]

Thank God, had a buddy with a nytro. Hated that thing. What a tank to get unstuck lol. First thing is find the bike you want. So many options and opinions. Starting from scratch it can get pricey. I'd recommend renting different kits or finding someone who can demo both to help with decision. It's the extra little add ons that up the price. Pegs heated grips etc. Not necessarily needed but nice

Yup was always the guy that gave me a hard time that my two stroke was underpowered.

But now he rides a 40 HP snow bike lol.

It weighs 400lbs less than the nytro.

 

[broke'n'nuts]

Yup was always the guy that gave me a hard time that my two stroke was underpowered.

But now he rides a 40 HP snow bike lol.

It weighs 400lbs less than the nytro.

The camso is pretty new. Haven't seen one on the hill yet. There is some reviews on snowest. Definitely a cheaper option to get into sport

 

[assaultn]

I was waiting for the new cat and told two separate dealers that whoever had the first one in stock would have cash in hand the minute it was pdi'd. I was told last week by both dealers that the bike has now been cancelled with no timeline to continue the project. Too bad as I would have preferred the turn key package as well.

Any advice or learnings on doing a build? Or should a guy just wait for the turn key Cat?

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

 

[Bnorth]

The camso is pretty new. Haven't seen one on the hill yet. There is some reviews on snowest. Definitely a cheaper option to get into sport

Guy up eagles had one two weekends ago on a ktm 300 chatted him up in the lot and he was liking it so far.

 

[assaultn]

I did a tonne of research and quizzed a lot of guys before making my decision. You will find a ridiculous amount of different opinions and mixed reviews. It's a lot like asking if a 16" wide is better than a 15" wide or if t motion is good. Some guys like this, some guys swear by that. I ended up with a spare timbersled st that is in real nice shape that I will let go for $4,000 if you decide to build. Cheers

Any advice or learnings on doing a build? Or should a guy just wait for the turn key Cat?

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

 

[skegpro]

I was waiting for the new cat and told two separate dealers that whoever had the first one in stock would have cash in hand the minute it was pdi'd. I was told last week by both dealers that the bike has now been cancelled with no timeline to continue the project. Too bad as I would have preferred the turn key package as well.

Well that's not good.
I was really looking forward to a turn key unit.

 

[broke'n'nuts]

Guy up eagles had one two weekends ago on a ktm 300 chatted him up in the lot and he was liking it so far.

The reviews have been good. Personally I thought the skid looked a little cheap, but as long as it works, who cares. Would be nice to see a head to head comparison of the kits all on the same bike. Time will tell if they hold up

 

[Bnorth]

I was waiting for the new cat and told two separate dealers that whoever had the first one in stock would have cash in hand the minute it was pdi'd. I was told last week by both dealers that the bike has now been cancelled with no timeline to continue the project. Too bad as I would have preferred the turn key package as well.

I was talking with a cat mechanic last week and he led me to believe that the delay was due to regulations. Cat wants the bike to be registerable as a snowmachine so it's fully legal and not in a somewhat grey area like the current snowbike setups.

 

[NoBrakes!]

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I think we are a few years off a factory unit. With X games now and the exponential growth in this segment, we are in for a lot of changes quickly. The transmission/shifting and proper control comforts are the big problems. You need heated grips/headlight and maybe a 3 speed with handlebar shifter?

 

[skegpro]

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I think we are a few years off a factory unit. With X games now and the exponential growth in this segment, we are in for a lot of changes quickly. The transmission/shifting and proper control comforts are the big problems. You need heated grips/headlight and maybe a 3 speed with handlebar shifter?

I agree the shifting part sucks.

Not impossible but definitely not ideal trying to shift in a winter boots or in snow deeper than the pegs.

Would be a real game changer if they could figure out a CVT for this application.

I still believe that snowbikes are really going to influence future snowmobile design, there may just be a really cool middle grounds.

 

[skegpro]

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I think we are a few years off a factory unit. With X games now and the exponential growth in this segment, we are in for a lot of changes quickly. The transmission/shifting and proper control comforts are the big problems. You need heated grips/headlight and maybe a 3 speed with handlebar shifter?

Is the handlebar shifter a aftermarket possibility now?