Mountain snowmobiles: specifications, reviews

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

In many countries of the world there is snow in winter. And he never leaves the mountain peaks at all. At all times, people have invented devices that help move around the snow cover without sinking deep. The crown of such devices was special machines - snowmobiles. They allow a person not only to move through the snow, but also to do it quickly and effortlessly. A special place is occupied by mountain snowmobiles. This technique is intended mainly for entertainment, but most of the innovative solutions are worked out on it. Therefore, the so-called mountain bikes are the most technologically advanced and expensive, and riding them is the lot of the strong and courageous.

Snowmobile structure

Mountain snowmobiles differ from their counterparts in their ability to move at a large angle in loose and deep snow. Only a light vehicle (up to 250 kg) can move in this way, in which light weight is achieved, among other things, by reducing comfort.

The mountain snowmobile track is long (144-163 inches) and wide with large lugs. This design allows you to get through any snowdrifts, but complicates the control of the snowmobile. Therefore, onmountain machines do not install too wide skis. As for the caterpillar, the wider it is, the more stable and passable the apparatus. An extra-wide track on a mountain snowmobile puts it on par with two-track machines.

The engine on a mountain snowmobile must be powerful, with a volume of at least 600 cc. cm, and even liter, and, as a rule (again, in the fight for weight loss), two-stroke. Moreover, the power units are configured to work in rarefied air conditions, in loose snow the cooling system is not so necessary, so the radiators are made very small.

Suspension for a softer movement is equipped with an air shock absorber.

And, alas, it will not be possible to ride a passenger along mountain trails - a single-seat snowmobile.

Cross-country snowmobiles are very close to mountain climbing, but they have wider skis, a more efficient but heavier cooling system, more energy-intensive suspension dampers and, therefore, significantly more weight.

Snowmobile manufacturers

Mountain snowmobiles are produced by many manufacturers of such equipment. Brands vying for leadership in the market: Canadian Ski-Doo, Asian Yamaha and American Polaris and Arctic Cat.

Canadian Ski-Doo brand mining machines are equipped with two-stroke engines using E-Tec technology, which injects fuel under enormous pressure directly into the combustion chamber. The chamber itself has a device that allows you to burn fuel evenly and in layers, as in diesel engines. In addition, on Canadian cars, the platform provides a comfortable fit for the driver and highcontrollability by shifting the center of gravity closer to the pilot, and the seat forward. This arrangement of the platform allows you to control the snowmobile while standing.

Yamaha snowmobiles are known for their breathtaking speed and reliability, handling and lightness. In engines, the company's engineers use not only aluminum, but also titanium and magnesium alloys.

Polaris Rush snowmobiles take corners easily, accelerate to high speeds, are reliable and of excellent quality. Adjustable suspension is adjusted to the weight of a particular pilot.

Arctic Cat winter machines are about endurance and strong character. The company's engineered Twin Spar chassis enhances snowmobile flotation, while the Fas Track rear suspension is more durable to withstand even the toughest hits.

Reliability is a distinctive feature of winter cars from leading foreign manufacturers. The most requested snowmobile parts are consumables and parts that need to be replaced during scheduled maintenance.

Russian manufacturers JSC Russian Company, Velomotors and other smaller enterprises mainly produce utility snowmobiles, reliable and inexpensive, capable of transporting not only passengers, but also cargo on snowy impassable roads.

Snowmobiles for Ski-Doo Mountains

The Ski-Doo T3 Summit was named the best mountain snowmobile in 2015.

Two new models feature 16" brand width tracks with 3" lugs.

A new track design was developed specifically for this machine, providing the required rigidity and facilitating high-speed movement on a gentle slope.

The new Response Angle Suspension front suspension features over 10mm longer forged spindles. They don't add weight to the sled, but they do keep the nose on the ground and make the long chassis easier to handle when cornering.

The tMotion rear suspension and skis have also changed. The new Pilot DS3 skis feature larger lugs and a lighter ribbed top.

Lightweight muffler canister, lighter idlers and pulleys carried over from previous years.

Mountain snowmobiles of the X163 and X174 variants differ in track length: 4.14 and 4.5 m respectively.

Ski-Doo snowmobile reviews

Testing the new machine with the longest track, the pilots once again paid tribute to the 163 hp Rotax 800 engine. With. for the smooth acceleration, lack of smoke and stink, which is uncharacteristic for two-strokes.

Those who were lucky enough to ride on a novelty with an almost five-meter caterpillar were not very satisfied. They noted that in order to fully unlock the potential of a snowmobile, there is so much snow that there are only a few places in Russia that meet this condition, and there are not much more in the whole world. This is the first, it cannot be said that it is a disadvantage, but … the sediment remains.

The second not too pleasant moment, closely related to the first, is that the long caterpillar, despitewonderful technical solutions, yet reduces the controllability of the model. If you get on a snowmobile on hard or heavy wet snow, then only a weightlifter can manage it. And he burrows into the snow, if less, then not much more than his "brothers" with a shorter ski.

How much do these snowmobiles cost? The prices are as follows: 1.2 million rubles. will have to pay for the model X163 and 1.3 million rubles. - for X174 2015 release. The new X174 as of 2016 already costs 1.6 million rubles.

Snowmobiles for Polaris Mountains

The 2015 Polaris 800 RMK Pro Terrain Dominator is not without reason called the most advanced. By the number of upgrades in one model, it is the leader in its class. One problem - it was released in a limited series, which means that not all fans of extreme descents from steep snowy peaks will get it.

The entire Polaris RMK Pro snowmobile range is extremely lightweight, less than 200kg, using aluminum and composite materials.

The Polaris 800 Switchback Assault is a crossover, but with a Series 4.0 mountain track, it can successfully conquer the tops of the mountains. Unlike classic mountain bikes, it has a chain drive with a strong chain and sprockets. The rear suspension is fitted with a 144 track that provides good flotation in deep loose snow.

The handlebars are lower, the seat is wider and slightly longer than the mountain models, the Hybrid's wide footpegs don't interfere with the crossover's feelconfidently on mountain slopes (even with difficult terrain of varying degrees of steepness), and on shallow even snow.

Polaris snowmobile reviews

Polaris 800 Switchback Assault with 154 hp engine. s., judging by the reviews, behaves like a real mountain snowmobile. He, having accelerated in a small area, takes steep climbs, tenaciously holds on to the slope thanks to an elongated track even with lateral movement. The machine is able to actively maneuver and even move for quite a long time on one caterpillar with raised skis and jumps remarkably, confirming the data of the official presentation.

Experienced pilots consider only a rather large dry weight to be a minus. Even an excess of 10 kg, compared to true mountain models, affects the handling of the snowmobile. But a model with a powerful engine and jumping and maneuvering abilities was not originally intended for beginners. But it is universal and can give pleasure to the owner both in the mountains and on a rolled winter road.

Arctic Cat Equipment

The Arctic Cat M7000 Sno Pro 153 has been called the best for beginner mountain pilots. The 153 track, which is an average length, makes the sled quite maneuverable and yet manageable even on steep slopes up to 80°.

The engine in this model is a four-stroke, it produces 135 hp at sea level. With. Producer - Yamaha. The snowmobile, with a 600cc engine taken directly from Arctic Cat, is capable of delivering 114 horsepower. With. ProClimb M6000 Sno Pro is the closest competitor to thismodels.

The chassis in the M7000 is not new, Yamaha engines have already been installed on Arctic Cat snowmobiles, but the design is new. The PowerClaw track has 2.6-inch lugs. Rear suspension with FOX Float 3 air shock at the rear and Arctic Cat IFP at the front. The front is the Arctic Cat Race Front Suspension, which uses lightweight spindles and wide-spaced A-arms. The fact that this model is the best suited for beginners is also indicated by positive, not to say warm, reviews about it.

For tough mountain racing, another updated model is the Arctic Cat HCR 8000. It is powered by a Suzuki 800cc two-stroke engine. cm at 163 l. s.

This model has a distance between the skis of 1016-1041 mm, on the rails and slides on each ledge there are protective tips that protect the caterpillar from damage if an icy area suddenly meets on the race track. In order not to increase the mass, the designers opted for a vertical steering column with a fixed standard height of 139 mm, but provided for the possibility of replacing it with racks of a different height. They are in the manufacturer's catalog.

The Arctic Cat ProClimb chassis is not new. It has already been tested on other models.

Stiff shocks combined with non-adjustable handlebars and narrow ski stanchions, a high lugs 85 Shore track, and even a lightweight racing seat are all geared towards winning races in difficult snow in the mountains.

Yamaha

All Japanese snowmobilescompanies are equipped with four-stroke engines. They are powerful but quite heavy. The exception is the Yamaha 540 Viking snowmobile, which has a lightweight two-stroke engine, but this model is utilitarian, despite its relatively light weight and wide track.

Long-track modification of the Phazer M-TX with a Genesis 80FI power plant with a volume of 0.5 liters and a power of 80 hp. With. at first glance, it is not suitable for overcoming mountain trails. But the machine is light because the rigid frame is made of aluminum, as are many other components and parts, including a two-piston disc brake caliper, and agile, quickly responsive to control. And most importantly - reliable, like all Yamaha snowmobiles.

The Yamaha MTX 153 MPI Turbo features a nimble chassis, high lug PowerClaw track and outstanding front and rear high-pressure shock absorbers that put this snowmobile on par with the best mountain snowmobile leaders in the world. are Polaris and Ski-Doo.

Yamaha snowmobile reviews

According to pilots, the weak engine of the Phazer snowmobiles is the only drawback of the machine, which only manifests itself in very loose and deep snow.

But the instant response to the rudder shift and the confident entry into turns that the Phaser demonstrates are unusual for long-track snowmobiles.

He has one more advantage - the ability to easily endure landings of any hardness after jumps, whichYamaha crossover snowmobiles are different.

The characteristics of this model, of course, are much worse than those of modern serious miners. But the suspension, which has a large margin of safety, a reliable and, most importantly, unpretentious engine, as well as a very affordable price, is a good start for a beginner.

Ermak snowmobile

Russian pilots with ten or more years of experience recall the lack of choice in those distant times, when the only available pleasure was the Buran, a heavy two-seater snowmobile designed to work and haul cargo in the northern regions.

Today connoisseurs and connoisseurs are presented with a new Russian snowmobile "Ermak" from the company Velomotors, designed to replace the outdated "Buran". But he is not a sportsman, and not even a mountain one - he is an ordinary utilitarian worker. Although one of the two modifications provides for longer tracks, there are two of them in this car, and one ski. The sub-600cc air-cooled two-cylinder engine produces just 50 horsepower. With. An 800cc liquid-cooled engine is also available, but it is a four-stroke.

In general, calling this snowmobile is not something that is mountainous, even sports will not turn your tongue.

And today this is the only novelty of Russian manufacturers. As before, they do not rely on expensive recreational equipment, preferring to produce budget, at least, tourist snowmobile models. And fans of extreme sports on snowy peaks still need to choose - at significantly higher prices - fromfamous foreign brands real mountain snowmobiles.

Snowmobile prices

Summit SP 600HO E-TEC 146 produced in 2014, the price of which is 950 thousand rubles, is considered the cheapest device of the Canadian company Ski-Doo. Her most expensive snowmobile is the new SUMMIT XT3 174 800R E-TEC worth 1.6 million rubles.

From Polaris 600 PRO-RMK 155 (2014) snowmobile with 125 hp engine. With. can be purchased for 760 thousand rubles. Today it is the cheapest model from Polaris. The most expensive is the 800 PRO-RMK 163 3 inches (2016) with a 154 hp engine. It can be purchased for 1.33 million rubles.

A mountain snowmobile with a 500 cc engine that develops relatively low power (80 hp) - Yamaha Phazer M-TX (2015) - can be purchased for 700 thousand rubles, and the new SR Viper X-TX (2015) with a four-stroke engine with a volume of more than a thousand cubes - for 1.1 million rubles.

The price of mountain bikes from Arctic Cat ranges from 650 thousand rubles for an M 8000 153 HCR (2015) with an 800 cc engine with 160 hp. With. up to 780 thousand rubles. for M 8000 162 SNO PRO (2015).

So, mountain snowmobiles on the Russian market today are not uncommon, even though domestic manufacturers are focused on the production of vehicles for everyday use in the vast snowy expanses of Siberia and the Far North. Prices for specific equipment are quite high, but mountain extreme sports are not fun for everyone. But snowmobile parts are available, dealers are polite, and models are updated almost annually.