Make a snowmobile out of a motorcycle? Easily. Review of factory products and homemade products for snow bikes.
A few days ago, in the Yandex Zen feed, I came across an article in which the author describes a device, the existence of which I had ignorantly not suspected until that time.
We are talking about a kit that is installed on an enduro or motocross motorcycle, resulting in, with technically correct installation, a snowbike, or simply a crawler motorcycle with a ski instead of a front wheel. Having scoured a number of websites and looked at approximately the same number of advertisements for the sale of tracked kits, I realized that there are quite a few manufacturers and modifications of such devices, and their prices are in a fairly wide range. benefit not only me, but also you from the time I spent
, I will present some of the sets located in different price categories.
The Canadian
company Timbersled
offers several versions of its own systems for Japanese-made motorcycles. At first glance, the design is quite reliable, but the price of the product is not affordable for everyone. Manufacturers are asking $5,500 excluding delivery for the most inexpensive kit in the line. The weight of the products is slightly more than 60 kilograms.
The Russian
brand VORTEX
offers kits, which they claim have no analogues in the world, for enduro and cross motorcycles with power from 250 to 750 cm3, which enable motorcyclists to engage in sports in winter.
What’s important is that the kit comes with a set of bushings, with which the track and ski, according to the manufacturers, exactly
fit your motorcycle.
Tyumen
is a manufacturer of Snowrider kits. The line includes three models differing mainly in the length of the tracked chassis. The weight of the set ranges from 60.5 to 64 kilograms.
“The adapter kits produced allow the track kit to be installed on almost any modern lightweight enduro or motocross motorcycle with a left-hand chain, with an engine capacity of 250 cubic centimeters or more.” -indicated on their website.
The price of product sets is from 318,000 to 342,000 rubles, delivery will be at your expense. The set of adapters is not included in the price, but is sold separately, the cost of the set is 10,000 rubles.
Let's go down the price range closer to the people.
“Price without canister and case. The 101″ track kit is ideal for groomed trails as it does not require snow to lubricate the track. The set is suitable for riding in fields and forests. Fits any KTM motocross or enduro motorcycle. Yamaha. Husqvarna. Kawasaki. Honda. Suzuki. Kayo. BSE. Avantis. GR7. 125. 140. 150. 160. 190. 230. 250. 350. 400. 450. Motorcycle track. Snowbike. Snowbike. Snowmoto.fun. SMF. "
Track kit SMF CROSS 101″ from 136,000 rub.
Track kit SMF 129″ from 185,000 rub. Track kit SMF PRO 127″ from 250,000 rub.
Detailed and clear instructions for refacing a moto
in
snowmoto!
Samara
offers a set with adapters that are included in the price of the kit.
The issue price is 76,600 rubles.
+ delivery by transport company. Source
How much does a snowbike caterpillar cost for a motorcycle?
How much does a caterpillar cost for a motorcycle?
What to look for when choosing a track and how to choose the best kit option for your motorcycle. Let's figure it out together!
The first question from motorcycle users and snow explorers who want to conquer new territories in winter is, of course, “How much does a motorcycle track cost?” Let's try to figure out together in this long post how much money you will have to spend to build your first single-track snowmobile - a snowbike.
In general, we, like all active Internet users, have TOP questions from users. For example, such as about characteristics, distance, warranty obligations and of course about cost.
I think it’s most important to start with price tags, because if you don’t stay within the budget, then all other questions will be meaningless.
TERMINOLOGY.
So, let's go over the terminology first so as not to get confused.
A snowbike is a snow motorcycle that can easily overcome any snowdrifts, ascents and descents, and is very maneuverable and passable. A motorcycle that has a ski instead of a front wheel and a track drive instead of a rear wheel.
A snowbike is not a snowmobile or even a replacement for it. This is an independent type of winter extreme. The idea of combining a motorcycle and a snowmobile comes to everyone who loves motocross, enduro or even a pit bike. Manufacturers of motorcycle track kits say that a motorcycle should not sit in the garage all winter, and offer a snowbike as the best remedy against hibernation!
In the motorcycle community, it is believed that everyone who once thought about extending the motorcycle season for the whole year has seen foreign analogues of various designs, read reviews on forums, and watched super cool Red Bull videos.
SNOWBIKE is a term in English that is essentially used all over the world. Sniwbike KIT is a conversion kit for transforming a motorcycle into a snowbike.
TAGS for you to search:
— snowbike, snowbike, motosnowbike
— caterpillar for a motorcycle, caterpillar for a pit bike
- track kit, conversion kit - according to the name of the manufacturer
WHICH MOTORCYCLES THE TRACK KIT WILL NOT FIT.
It is important to understand that the track kit will not fit all motorcycle models. First of all, they are installed on off-road motorcycles, since such equipment is designed for harsh off-road use and has a margin of frame strength and engine power.
NOT SUITABLE FOR:
1. “Soviet” motorcycles.
The old Izh-Minsk-Voskhod-Urals have a different pendulum mounting system, so installing tracks there is extremely difficult, and not advisable. Such a project will cost more than a Chinese motorcycle, and the ride will not be better. In general, this is a purely custom project, which, by the way, some services rarely take on.
2. road and classic motorcycles.
Road motorcycles also have a different mount. In particular, paired shock absorbers are usually used, which makes installation difficult, because off-road vehicles usually have one mono shock absorber and the entire track kit mount is designed for it. And regardless of power. This includes the popular motorcycles in the Russian Federation and the CIS “Bajaj”.
3. “too powerful monsters”
Excessive power in the form of a liter engine will be more likely to hinder than help when riding in the snow on a caterpillar, at least in the snowbike format. The weight is large, and therefore it is more difficult to realize power. This is again a custom project purely for a blog or for fun or to keep your hands busy. But this is definitely not for the average user. Again, there are examples of installation on the Internet on liter motorcycles, but these are only a few for the whole world. This includes sports, road workers, choppers and all sorts of cafe racers. These motorcycles are designed for speed on asphalt and not for torture in the mud.
WHAT MOTORCYCLE MODELS CAN BE CONSIDERED IN THE RUSSIA AND CIS:
I won’t sing praises to the manufacturers, so I’ll just list the titles that we bet on or we saw that they were betting on.
OFTEN : Kayo, Motoland, BSE, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki, Honda and of course KTM RARELY : Irbis, Wells, Apollo, Avantis.
DIVISION BY MOTOR VOLUME
Now let's quickly go over what categories of motorcycles there are depending on the power and engine size. And this is one of the main factors when choosing a track for your motorcycle.
1. Children’s – up to 110 cc. It is almost impossible to find tracks for small models. This is not a popular topic yet. As a rule, there are now more electric ones than gasoline ones.
2. Pit bikes - 110-190 cc. These are still models for beginners and teenagers. Track kits are already installed on them. As a rule, these kits are only suitable for pit bikes and cannot be installed on more powerful models. Pit bikes have their own rich history, and are essentially a motorcycle, but a weak one. This also includes electric motorcycles, such as SurRon for example.
3. 250s. That's what we call them conventionally. Although this also includes models with engines of 220 or 300 cc. In general, manufacturers claim that adult kits can be installed on these motorcycles. But keep in mind that the 250 ki motor will work at the limit with a lug of 45-65 mm. We recommend taking a simpler one with a 2-3 cm toe.
4. 420 cubic meters and above. We call them conventionally “half liter”. These are full-fledged motocross motorcycles. The power of these motorcycles is enough for any track set, but do not forget about the high weight and dimensions. This kit is suitable for every driver.
BY MOTORCYCLE TRACK MANUFACTURER:
I would like to touch on one more fact that there are different manufacturers, and as a rule they specialize in different categories.
1. Serial production. These kits are produced in 100-200 units per year, completely identical with quality control at the output. These manufacturers invest in the quality of materials, characteristics and competitions to popularize the sport in the Russian Federation. Plus warranty and support. That's why their prices are higher
2. Garage production. There are those who think that the price is too high and try to do it themselves. Such manufacturers are also important and needed to ensure demand for budget orders. Such production of tracked kits operates in small batches of 3-5 pieces, since larger production requires investments in working capital and equipment.
3. Homemade products. As a rule, the price is the cost of components. Such manufacturers do not include the cost of work and overhead costs. Therefore, such projects do not survive on the market for a long time. In fact, this is a hobby for them, so the quality and service will suffer. Such manufacturers usually make kits individually, to order, i.e. on an advance basis. Ordering custom is always a choice at your own peril and risk.
PRICES.
So, here is the most important block. Prices are sorted depending on
1. We exclude children's ones from the calculation; there is nothing on sale for them yet.
2. Pit bikes. The cost of the kit will be from 62 to 88 thousand rubles. At the same time, the pit bikes themselves cost from 50 thousand rubles.
3. 220-300 cc. The cost of these motorcycles is already higher, and will range from 75 to 90 thousand rubles. At the same time, such motorcycles cost from 80 thousand rubles. The snowbike project will cost at least 160 thousand rubles.
4. 420 and above. The prices here are wild. Serial kits will cost from 250-350 thousand rubles. And foreign analogues will cost from 450 thousand rubles with delivery to the Russian Federation. But believe me they are worth it. The cost of such motorcycles starts from 200 thousand rubles. Accordingly, the minimum snowbike project will be from 450 thousand rubles.
Of course, we are not talking here about used equipment and homemade products. There are many of these on message boards. Such projects will of course cost less, by at least 30%, and in rare cases by 50%.
By the way, we made a website where we collected not only all the manufacturers of track kits, but also even posted used ads for sale, so that users had a choice both in terms of characteristics and price. Here is the LINK In general, all the snow bikes are in one place.
If this analysis was useful for you, then write in the comments and subscribe to us. Next, we will publish new analyzes on the characteristics of track kits, arguments for the cost of producing tracks for motorcycles, installation issues, etc. usefulness.
Now that you at least partially understand the budget of the snowbike project, you have even more thoughts. And there are probably questions. Therefore, be sure to ask in the comments, or write to us, or you can even call us in the morning, we will tell you how to choose a track kit for your motorcycle.
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Manufacturing of individual snowmobile elements
The principle of converting a motorcycle, chainsaw and moped is almost the same. If you learn how to make individual elements, it will be much easier.
Suspension
When converting a vehicle into a snowmobile, special attention is paid to the rear suspension. It definitely needs improvement. To make it you need to prepare:
After preparation, you can begin making the pendant:
- The front arm is connected to the sliding rails on one side and to the chassis on the other using hinges.
- Do the same with the rear lever.
- Position the torsion springs between the sliding rails and the rear torque rod.
- Place the fastening of two power elements between the suspension arms.
To secure the suspension, use tie rods.
Engine
Choosing an engine for a snowmobile is an important step, since the power of the vehicle and its ability to move on snowy roads depend on it.
The optimal engine power for a snowmobile is considered to be in the range of 6-30 hp. With.
Therefore, most often these vehicles are made with a Lifan engine or with a part from a motorcycle or moped.
Snowmobile lift
This device may be needed if your snowmobile is stuck in the snow or needs repairs. It’s not difficult to make a kind of jack:
- Make a channel-type structure from a metal corner 25 mm wide. Height - 19 cm. Make two holes in the middle for attaching the fork.
- Weld a plate to the bottom that will act as a guide. Place a similar part on top, but do not fix it. The distance between them is 14 cm.
- Make holes in these plates through which to pass the jack pipe. Make the top one spring-loaded.
- Next to the top plate, place another part at an angle, which will act as a hook and hold the spring-loaded part.
- Make a fork for the lift. Its length is 12 cm. Fix one side in the channel. Place the second fastening axis at a distance of 67 mm. Insert a piece of pipe into the fork that passes through the second axle. Weld a metal ring to this pipe (you can take a metal plate in which to make additional holes for rubber bands), through which you pass the jack pipe.
- Secure this ring with motorcycle rubber bands to the area under the spring of the top plate. To prevent the elastic bands from slipping, they can be secured with screws.
Wheels
For good cross-country ability, the vehicle is built on inner tubes. Snowmobile wheels must be large in diameter. But it is better to equip the structure with skis. They can be made from plywood and large diameter pipes. If there is such an opportunity, then they can be taken from another snowmobile, including a children’s one. Additionally, it will be necessary to make rotation bushings for them, while the presence of bearings in this system is not necessary.
Homemade tracked snowmobiles perform well. It is possible to make this part yourself. The caterpillar is driven by wheels that are located inside it, for which wheels from garden equipment are suitable. The part itself can be made of plastic pipes, even if two-track snow scooters are made. Pipes with a diameter of 4 cm are suitable. If they are cut, they can serve as caterpillar lugs.
Regardless of what vehicle is being converted to a snowmobile, how extensive the modification is, or who built the design, it is recommended that it be tested in an open area first. If they passed without problems, then you can go to longer distances.
Source
Timbersled ARO 137
It is designed specifically for deep snow. It features an adjustable rear suspension.
Riders eager to leave their mark on the snow after a storm never know how long their day will stretch or whether they'll be able to find their way back. An engine with a volume of over 450 cm3 gives more confidence in such extreme sports. Timbersled will always support their love of exploration and take them wherever they want to go.
