Snowbikes... (GSXR snowbike?)

[Tekime]

Anyone here have or have used a snowbike? My bro-in-law told me about these a few years ago and they look pretty wild. Looks like kits are coming down in price a lot - like $1,500 or so for all the kit.

Aside: not that I'd do this to my bike, but.... I have to admit I'd jump on this in a second:

[nt650hawk]

that is pretty sick

Joel where is the SnowCat?

[sandman]

Anyone here have or have used a snowbike? My bro-in-law told me about these a few years ago and they look pretty wild. Looks like kits are coming down in price a lot - like $1,500 or so for all the kit.

Aside: not that I'd do this to my bike, but.... I have to admit I'd jump on this in a second:

any good kit is going to cost more like 5k+

i don't see $1500 ever happening.

fwiw: a light bike with a long track and 50 or so hp is fun to ride.

[Stoneman]

Freedom Cycle had a Timber Sled converted KTM-something or other for sale recently. Can't find it on their site now though...

[typeone]

always wanted to try out Wagner's RXV 550 timbler sled. bet it ripped (if the motor was tight)

[gumby]

Freedom Cycle had a Timber Sled converted KTM-something or other for sale recently. Can't find it on their site now though...

Zack in the parts dept has one. He absolutely loves it and has perma-smile when talking about it.
In addition to the fun factor, he says it's one hell of a workout!

[ducatirdr]

Please watch this. Oldie but goodie... Snow Hawk vs sled or Big Wheel.

Winter Rhapsody - The Yamaha BW350 vs. the world - YouTube

[Tekime]

any good kit is going to cost more like 5k+

i don't see $1500 ever happening.

Hmm that's what I thought but someone was telling me they had kits under $2k now, maybe some crap chinese kit or something..

[Imbeek]

Please watch this. Oldie but goodie... Snow Hawk vs sled or Big Wheel.

Winter Rhapsody - The Yamaha BW350 vs. the world - YouTube

Pretty much confirms what I imagined it would be like trying to ride a sportbike with a narrow snow track...too tippy and too heavy to keep picking it up, especially if your feet are sinking in deep snow. Begs the question: why not just get a sled?

[sandman]

Pretty much confirms what I imagined it would be like trying to ride a sportbike with a narrow snow track...too tippy and too heavy to keep picking it up, especially if your feet are sinking in deep snow. Begs the question: why not just get a sled?

guess it all comes down to where you want to go and what you want to do on the snow.

the bike can go places a sled can't.

[Tekime]

Only watched videos of these guys but they lean right in and carve the hell out the powder, I can't imagine doing that on a sled, crossing hills/narrow gaps/trees/etc

It's probably one heck of a workout...

[Kurlon]

Only watched videos of these guys but they lean right in and carve the hell out the powder, I can't imagine doing that on a sled, crossing hills/narrow gaps/trees/etc

It's probably one heck of a workout...

Watch some mountainsled videos, that's exactly what they do.

[nhbubba]

Joel need to break out his.. and invite me to take it for a spin. That can't possibly suck.

[breakdirt916]

I also vote sled...won't tip

how many places in MA have such narrow/technical trails that you'd need a snowbike? if the trail is too technical enough anyways, you can likely also get stuck on a snowbike too. Even a 2wd rokon with chains isn't getting anywhere fast if it's really deep snow

plus sled = mo' powah

if ya wanna just keep one vehicle year round, can always stud the tires on a dirty bike and ride trails or ice in winter...maybe a paddle tire and ski

[sandman]

I also vote sled...won't tip

how many places in MA have such narrow/technical trails that you'd need a snowbike? if the trail is too technical enough anyways, you can likely also get stuck on a snowbike too. Even a 2wd rokon with chains isn't getting anywhere fast if it's really deep snow

plus sled = mo' powah

if ya wanna just keep one vehicle year round, can always stud the tires on a dirty bike and ride trails or ice in winter...maybe a paddle tire and ski

sleds do tip.

the bike is easier to ride in many off camber situations.

putting a track on a bike isn't really to have 2 uses of it.

a bike with studs is useless in snow.

[nt650hawk]

Opting for a sled because it does not tip. GTFO. Get off the forum then because you just opted for a car over a motorcycle!

[ducatirdr]

Opting for a sled because it does not tip. GTFO. Get off the forum then because you just opted for a car over a motorcycle!

I think we would all want a snow bike over a sled much like 99.9% of us would never touch a quad. @#$ those things. The problem is these snow bikes are like unicorns. We want to ride one and see if they really exist for us mortals or are only something found on heavily produced manufactures video. The guys riding them are Gods of talent that also surf Mavericks and fly wing suits on off weekends.

Can Gino ride one? Someone get one and let him ride it with video please.

[breakdirt916]

okay, so they tip

but purpose built machine vs. adapted??

snowbike seems so much more tipsy...and underpowered...and more expensive!

checked woosta CL $3-$4k gets you a snowmobile

don't get me wrong...I've lusted at the snow bikes...and they look fun AF...but if I were spending the cash for setup + bike, naah. I hardly even swapped rims over from dirty to "sportsman". Can't imagine the snowbike swap as fun and simple

[sandman]

okay, so they tip

but purpose built machine vs. adapted??

snowbike seems so much more tipsy...and underpowered...and more expensive!

checked woosta CL $3-$4k gets you a snowmobile

don't get me wrong...I've lusted at the snow bikes...and they look fun AF...but if I were spending the cash for setup + bike, naah. I hardly even swapped rims over from dirty to "sportsman". Can't imagine the snowbike swap as fun and simple

3-4k will get you a pos snowmobile

[tls25rs]

that is pretty sick

Joel where is the SnoHawk?

Gino,

The SnoHawk is in my garage and you are more than welcome to take it and drag it up to your place anytime.

It may need some TLC as it may have been a little neglected in its previous living location. Pretty sure it is mostly cosmetics, it's dirty, as I was told the carbs were drained prior to storage.

Joel

[typeone]

woah, you have a SnoHawk, Joel? how cool. have you ridden it before?

[breakdirt916]

ok I quit...not buying either

[tls25rs]

woah, you have a SnoHawk, Joel? how cool. have you ridden it before?

Yup, I have had it for years. I bought it for a good price thinking I would wind up riding it some and then I didn't. I have ridden it approx. 150 feet up my street into the parking lot at my condo to load it onto a trailer for someone to borrow it. I really should just sell it but there is that little voice in my head that says "yeah but you really want to ride it"

Here it is in its native environment at some point since I bought it http://www.nestreetriders.com/galler...m/IMG00143.jpg

[SVRACER01]

plus sled = mo' powah

im not sure about more power. power is probably similar (if we are taking about a gsxr type sno bike) but with a timbersled they weigh half of what a sled weighs. i also believe that the timersleds come with a turbo.
my understanding is that KTM 2 strokes are the hot setup. ive been told that the big 4 strokes are tough to keep together. not sure if thats still true though

[PinHead]

3-4k will get you a pos snowmobile

Bullshit. I got a 2007 SkiDoo MXZ 600 SDI last year for 2800 bucks.