Any of you guys Timbersled?

jorian · 03-08-2016, 04:03 PM

For those of you who don’t know what it is don’t feel bad, it only appeared on my radar a year ago.

Essentially a dirtbike on snow, a Timbersled has half the profile of a conventional snowmobile and arguably twice the versatility. The one I rented was a 2014 KTM 4 stroke with a Rekluse clutch, hand-warmers (didn't need em) and an enlarged gas tank. Front tire and brake assembly removed and replaced with a ski. Rear tire removed and replaced with a snowmobile-style track.

I recently bought a $2300 2003 Skidoo Summit 800 snowmobile in anticipation of a boys trip. I didn’t want to take a chance on a clapped-out rental so I bought good a used sled. I figured that the grand I would spend on a rental could always be recouped if I sold the sled after the trip. As an afterthought I also rented a Timbersled from a guy local to me. I thought I might like it.

Said boys trip was a couple of weeks ago. We arrived in the afternoon on the Friday and suited up for a quick exploratory ride. I rode the Skidoo and left the TS back at the cabin. It was my first time on a snowmobile and I had a good time. The machine is a two stroke 800 with lots of power when you get on the pipe.

Next day I hopped on the TS. The road to the rec area is a 1KM icy affair. The front end of the TS wandered around on the ice trying to get a bite and was generally difficult to control. Once I got into the about 3-4” of snow depth the rig came alive. Plenty of power to lift the front ski off the ground, lots of suspension to suck up the whoops on the trail (there are miles of whoops on well-used trails and they suck) and manoeuverable enough to avoid things coming at speed. Once I got to the play area it was basically point and shoot. The TS goes ANYWHERE. Up ANYTHING. After about an hour on it I was ready for the X-Games! Cracking off 5 foot drops and kicker type jumps. Hill climbs were a rush.

On a snowmobile you have to be careful about where you go and keeping your momentum up so you don’t bog down and get stuck. On the TS I just went wherever I wanted. Almost impossible to get stuck. The only digging I did was to help dig out other people’s snowmobiles. I probably rode two or three times the distance that snowmobilers did with half of the effort. Anybody who has ridden a SM knows it takes some strength to manhandle it. Deep powder was amazing. The night before I rode the TS we got about 18” of the stuff. The TS just floats across it. Like a boat getting up on plane. Trails and lines that most of the others didn’t dare try were a breeze on the TS. Narrow chutes through trees were a blast. Reminds me of tree skiing with my daughter.

I don’t think I’ll ever ride a snowmobile again. I’m hooked. I ride on the street and trail and I think the TS is as fun as either of those options. It provides an answer of what to do during the winter months. Initially thought I add one to my already overflowing garage but the guy I rented from will deliver the bike to the trailhead with fuel for $350/day. With a short season here it doesn’t make sense to own.

Anybody else experience one of these things?

About to have the time of my life....

ckelly78z · 03-08-2016, 04:53 PM

I saw one for the first time just the other day, I gotta say that it looks like more fun than a sled, and is probably a lot cheaper. At 51 years old, I am into dirtbikes now, and snowmobiles when I was younger. I can't see myself getting one where I live, but up North, I would have one for sure.

Brokentoy · Brokentoy's Garage

These are built in my hometown, by folks I had a men's Bible study with.
In this area, Timbersleds outnumber snowmobiles by a fair margin.
I went to purchase a year old Pro 800, and the salesman told me not to bother if I had a lot of experience on a dirt bike. He said a Timbersled would not disappoint.
Many locals ride them, I still haven't pulled the trigger. Not really cheaper than a sled, unless you ALREADY have a 450 mx bike.
Kits are around 3500-4K if I remember, but allow you to swap back to a bike in the snowless months.
Sidehills are effortless, as the bike stays upright. They don't like packed, flat trails, as they tend to wander until you get to the good stuff.
Easier to store, and 2 fit in a full size truck.

jorian · 03-08-2016, 07:43 PM

My KTM is a 300. Not the ideal rig to convert from what I have read. Aside from that, like Brokentoy mentioned, they take up a lot less space and you can fit two into a standard truck bed. A guy I met out on the trail owns a motor sports shop and mentioned that their sales have gone from 50-1 favouring sleds to 2-1. A friend bought a brand new sled prior to our trip and I think he might be regretting not getting a TS instead. Everyone that rode wanted to keep riding it.

Brokentoy · Brokentoy's Garage

KTM 300 is an amazing bike, next door nieghbor has one with the sled kit, and it struggles to keep up with the bigger bikes.
When the sled kit is off, his bike rules the single track trails. Likely one of the best bikes ever built.

LakeCleElum · 03-09-2016, 08:30 AM

Belong to a large snowmobile club. Getting more popular with the younger guys every year. Suspension is superior on whooped out trails. Have fun. I think im too old to change.

motion · 03-09-2016, 08:49 AM

One of my neighbors tried to talk me into buying one last year along with him. Another guy in town has a few and loves them. He won't go back to sleds. But here is the thing: When its 10 degrees out, at least with a sled you have heated handgrips and a nice large fairing. On a snow bike, you're hanging it all out into the wind and snow. Sounds friggin cold to me, and I hate the cold!

Dansvan · 03-09-2016, 10:02 AM

They have been outlawed on the Minnesota trail system and Wisconsin is expected to follow suit. Polaris bought Timbersled recently and Arctic Cat unveiled their own version very briefly (like a single minute) at HayDays recently. More of a niche filler machine for out west. Deep snow off trail is where they shine, not so much for casual trail riding. Awesome machines, but will never replace the snowmobile.

jorian · 03-09-2016, 10:04 AM

Granted I'm a total noob to the sport but the rig I rented had heated grips (turned em off - too friggin hot) and I didn't notice the cold. Where I live we don't see 10° temps. Glad we don't - as a skinny guy I don't do well in arctic temps.

Motion, I figured you would be the guy all over this. Take your buddy's rig for a spin. Guaranteed you will love it.