Leader or Burlak, Taiga or Stels - choose a practical snowmobile

Winter is coming, in some places it even snowed, which means it's time for snowmobiles. While some drivers are changing their swallows' shoes and preparing for harsh temperatures, others are looking for more winter-adapted vehicles.

A few words about snowmobiles

A snowmobile is a highly specialized technique. Although, as practice shows, some manage to ride them on loose snow, on stable ice, and even on water.
Nevertheless, for residents of the northern latitudes, snowmobiles are a universal transport with high cross-country ability. Here you have the power, and carrying capacity, and the desired speed. But the most important thing is the engine, which “gets high” from low temperatures and starts up without pandemonium with warming up and other tedium.

The demand for snowmobiles forced the initially purely utilitarian technique to release “side shoots”. Thus, modern special vehicles have a much wider area of ​​​​use. However, it can be divided into several main categories:

• ? Tourist models. Their main feature is a high level of comfort and spacious luggage compartments. However, for adrenaline seekers, such snowmobiles will seem boring and clumsy behemoths, compared to the next category.
  
• ? Sports snowmobiles. Transport for those who are always in search of adventure. Long-travel and energy-intensive suspension is tailored for extreme riding. The power reserve and comfort level in such models are significantly lower than in the previous version.
  
• ? Utility snowmobiles. These are already full-fledged "workhorses", with which it is not scary to go (consider - go) to reconnaissance. As a rule, most often they are used for winter hunting and fishing. But some models are designed for everyday use and transportation of oversized cargo.
  

In a separate category, children's and teenage snowmobiles can be distinguished. These are maneuverable, but at the same time stable vehicles, with good cross-country ability and a level of comfort sufficient for the child. Since we are talking about the categories of snowmobiles, it is worth identifying the most prominent representatives of each group.

Taiga Varyag 500

Rybinsk "Taiga" has been holding a leading position in the nomination "optimal price-quality ratio" for several years now. This is a budget model of a domestic manufacturer, belonging to the category of utility snowmobiles.
This unit demonstrates very decent indicators of patency, maneuverability and reliability. "Taiga" is in certain demand among hunters and fishermen. At the same time, the Varyag 500 modification is the lightest in the "taiga" line. Dry weight is only 265 kg.

Technical specifications

The heart is a two-stroke carbureted two-cylinder engine RMZ-500. It allows the snowmobile to reach a top speed of up to 80 km/h on good road surfaces. Engine power is 43 liters. With.
The snowmobile has a classic design: the undercarriage consists of one pair of guide skis and a Wide Track track. The high-set steering wheel allows the pilot to control the vehicle while standing. Basic equipment includes a protective windshield, heated steering wheel and gas trigger, as well as a double seat for the driver and one passenger.

Specifications:

• ? dry weight - 265 kg
  
• ? fuel tank volume - 40 liters
  
• ? 4 speed modes: high, low, neutral and reverse
  
• ? mechanical disc brakes
  

The structural length of the snowmobile is a little less than 3 meters. The track width between the centers of the skis - 9000 mm - provides good cross-country ability and stability of the snowmobile.



As we have already said, Taiga Varyag 500 is a representative of the budget segment. You can buy a new snowmobile for 310 thousand. You should not discount the used model either - here the price tag starts its run from 260 thousand.

Leader Alpha 2

Another model of domestic production, fully adapted to Russian realities. Produced at the Izhevsk plant - an enterprise that produces motorized towing vehicles and spare parts. Snowmobile "Leader Alpha 2" is often called the twin brother of Dingo T150. Despite the fact that the models do have some similarities with each other, there are still distinctive features. In particular, these are:

• ? the undercarriage of the "leader" is significantly longer, which had a positive effect on the cross-country ability of the vehicle
  
• ? "Leader Alpha 2" is a non-separable model, unlike its counterpart - this complicates the transportation process, but at the same time significantly increases the service life
  

The snowmobile is equipped with a four-stroke gasoline engine GY6-150 made in China. Its power of 9 "horses" is enough to reach speeds of up to 40 km / h. Independent linkage suspension at the front and roller-skid suspension with adjustable shock absorbers at the rear effectively dampen road irregularities.

Technical specifications

The snowmobile's good cross-country ability is the merit of a rubber-fabric reinforced caterpillar with rather impressive hooks, the height of which is 23 mm. Specifications:

• ? dry weight - 153 kg
  
• ? fuel tank volume - 7 liters
  
• ? gearbox type - variator with reverse (FNR) with centrifugal clutch
  
• ? brakes - disc hydraulics
  

The leader of Alpha 2, like a hardworking ant, can drag a fairly large and heavy load. With a relatively low weight, the maximum load capacity of the model is 150 kg.

Burlak-M Huntsman Forwarder

The time has come to sing a laudatory ode to the most “popular” snowmobile, which has fallen in love with the workers of the Far North, fishermen, hunters and everyone who does not give in to snowdrifts. The first thing that catches your eye is the expressive appearance of the snowmobile - the severe design will impress anyone.



Behind the harsh exterior is an equally harsh filling. The Burlak-M mini-snowmobile is assembled on the basis of the Burlak-M Forwarder motorized towing vehicle with a rear engine and a ski module from the Burlak-M Eger mini-snowmobile. The model is equipped with a two-seat snowmobile type seat. Below is a roomy trunk. There is also a luggage compartment under the hood.

Technical specifications

• ? dry weight: basic equipment ― 246 kg, PRO version ― 266 kg
  
• ? fuel tank volume - 6,5 liters
  
• ? gearbox type - variator with reverse (FNR) with centrifugal clutch
  
• ? brakes - disc mechanics
  

For the domestic consumer, the Burlak-M snowmobile Jaeger Forwarder sometimes turns out to be better than any Yamaha. The reason lies in the genius of the design. But we know that everything ingenious is simple. It is the same here, all structural components and mechanisms are simplified and unified as much as possible. Spare parts can be found in almost any motorcycle shop.



This model has been on the market for more than half a century. During this time, the designers could only improve the snowmobile. In particular, the engineers managed to reduce the clogging of the undercarriage by 27%. If the speed of 40 km / h and the load capacity of 300 kg are enough for you, you can safely take this unit and go in search of adventure.

Stels Viking S600 ST 2.0

And another model of domestic production, which was dubbed the "utilitarian cross-country snowmobile." And it is not just words. Stels Viking S600 ST 2.0 can rightfully be called the master of the Russian winter. The model has proven itself in long expeditions in the harsh northern latitudes. The machine is capable of speeds up to 70 km / h with a maximum load of 500 kg.

Technical specifications

This model perfectly copes with winter impassability: whether it is fishing on Lake Baikal or chores. Air-cooled two-stroke two-cylinder engine delivers 54 horsepower. With. Specifications:

• ? dry weight - 469 kg
  
• ? fuel tank volume - 45 liters
  
• ? hydraulic disc brakes
  

Snowmobile Stels Viking S600 ST 2.0 boasts a solid package. So, additional options are American-made skates and skis, an increased ski pad for better cross-country ability, a handlebar bag, a caterpillar with an increased grouser and other accessories.

Choosing one or another model, you should focus primarily on the scope of use of special vehicles. Will it be hunting or fishing, household needs or conquering snowy expanses - with a good snowmobile, winter will be a joy. It remains only to choose a model and wait for the snow.