We need a Varg snowbike thread since the Alta guys have/had one.
I've been riding snowbikes since 2014. Have done three different builds since then. The last one being a 2020 Yamaha YZ450F with a Yeti 129" snowbike kit. Have thought about electric for a long time, since it would greatly simplify the conversion process, which is fairly involved with ICE bikes trying to keep engine warm but not too warm, intake clear of snow, doing oil changes literally after every ride, etc. Nice thing about ICE though is we route coolant through the handlebars to heat grips with byproduct engine heat. Some use electric grips, but then, that would be one more draw on the Varg battery, or external battery, that just won't last. Battery electric gloves can help, and we sometime use them in combination with the heated handlebars for the ride in and out on the trail, but they are too bulky for the steep and deep sidehills banging through the trees.
I imagine the range of a Varg snowbike will limit it to riding directly from the cabin or house. Guessing 5 or 10 miles of range depending on trail or deep powder and how much time WOT. Not going to have the range for the 10+ miles trails we ride in much less spend any time in the deep mountain pow where you are WOT a lot for than trail/track riding and the tracks suck a lot more power than tire/wheel. Even thought about using a utility sled to drag a sleigh with electric snowbike and generator, but that is getting too complicated and would have to get the battery above 40F to charge it anyway. Not going to happen with a typical riding day we leave the trailer at -10F to 0F ambient temp. Only in spring riding are we riding above freezing.
Still fun to see the below video and hope to see more people messing with this.
Not my build. Just fun to see owners starting to experiment.
I've been riding snowbikes since 2014. Have done three different builds since then. The last one being a 2020 Yamaha YZ450F with a Yeti 129" snowbike kit. Have thought about electric for a long time, since it would greatly simplify the conversion process, which is fairly involved with ICE bikes trying to keep engine warm but not too warm, intake clear of snow, doing oil changes literally after every ride, etc. Nice thing about ICE though is we route coolant through the handlebars to heat grips with byproduct engine heat. Some use electric grips, but then, that would be one more draw on the Varg battery, or external battery, that just won't last. Battery electric gloves can help, and we sometime use them in combination with the heated handlebars for the ride in and out on the trail, but they are too bulky for the steep and deep sidehills banging through the trees.
I imagine the range of a Varg snowbike will limit it to riding directly from the cabin or house. Guessing 5 or 10 miles of range depending on trail or deep powder and how much time WOT. Not going to have the range for the 10+ miles trails we ride in much less spend any time in the deep mountain pow where you are WOT a lot for than trail/track riding and the tracks suck a lot more power than tire/wheel. Even thought about using a utility sled to drag a sleigh with electric snowbike and generator, but that is getting too complicated and would have to get the battery above 40F to charge it anyway. Not going to happen with a typical riding day we leave the trailer at -10F to 0F ambient temp. Only in spring riding are we riding above freezing.
Still fun to see the below video and hope to see more people messing with this.
Not my build. Just fun to see owners starting to experiment.