2015 YZ450F w/Timbersled kit

[edv2009]

Hey everyone! I just picked up a Timbersled ST kit for my YZ450, and am completely new to this snow riding. Just looking for tips and advise on what I need to do to prep by kit for winter use. I've heard I should do lights, handguards and heated grips. Any recommendations on what to choose? Any bike prep that I should know about? Perhaps some foam in the intake or blocking off the radiators? Thanks in advance!

[Darvo]

Congrats on the new kit, you're going to have a blast!

 

After 6 years on snowbikes, the best advice I can offer is to just ride it and make changes as you go and as you need them.

 

If you have the urge to mod stuff right away, I'd go for a TTO temp gauge 1st.  Keep track of what temps your motor is running and modify things to keep it where it needs to be.  You will likely need a thermostat to help keep water temps up, and possibly some sort of shield to keep snow off the motor also.  (I sell one if you're interested)  IMO the most important thing is to keep your motor warm and happy.

 

Handguards, heated grips, lights, etc. can be added later if you feel that you need them.

 

Here is what I did last year:  https://www.thumpertalk.com/topic/1053184-winter-is-coming-time-to-dust-off-the-rmz/page-1?hl=+darvo

 

I'll be on a KTM this year, similar set-up.

[torkd14]

Snowest.com has an entire timber sled section that helped me huge when getting my YZ prepped for snow.

[JKoz]

Trying to decide on a bike. Leaning towards a WR450F as it has the electrical system / starter, wide ratio trans which I'd image would be good for this setup. Would make it easy to add hand heaters, gps, cell phone charger and lights are mandatory.

I'd also be able to use it during the warmer months doing rides with my kids. I had an 06 and it was a gutless turd until I modded a bunch of stuff 1 week after bringing it home for the dealer then it was ok. Ended up going to a 250SX and then a Husaberg 390FE which was an awesome woods bike.

 

Leaning towards the LT kit as I'm 6'2" and 230lbs.

What KTM are you going to and why?

[highmarker]

e start so you don't sink in the powder each kick.   FI on most modern dirt bikes only compensates to about 8000', so in places where your riding higher than that they usually run good, but with a carb you could dial it in a closer.  A 3rd grip heater on the carb or throttle body if you find it's icing up. Bigger the motor the better.

[grayracer513]

Regarding carb icing, electricity is not required to heat it.  When I rode Speedway, a lot of people had trouble with that because of the extraordinary cooling the alcohol fuel caused (and on motorcycles that only weigh 170 pounds but make 60+HP and are confined to a 1/4 mile or smaller oval, stuck throttles are not popular).   We would wind a length of 8-10 gauge bare solid copper wire around the slide barrel of the carb and bolt the ends of it to the cylinder head fins.  Simple, and it worked.

 

On a YZ450, I'd wind around the carb and then around the exhaust a few turns for a source of heat.

[Darvo]

Trying to decide on a bike. Leaning towards a WR450F as it has the electrical system / starter, wide ratio trans which I'd image would be good for this setup. Would make it easy to add hand heaters, gps, cell phone charger and lights are mandatory.

I'd also be able to use it during the warmer months doing rides with my kids. I had an 06 and it was a gutless turd until I modded a bunch of stuff 1 week after bringing it home for the dealer then it was ok. Ended up going to a 250SX and then a Husaberg 390FE which was an awesome woods bike.

 

Leaning towards the LT kit as I'm 6'2" and 230lbs.

What KTM are you going to and why?

 

Most people prefer the tranny ratio of the mx bikes over the wide ratio bikes.  From what I hear the gap between 2nd and 3rd is too big on the wide ratio bikes although I've never ridden one.

 

Almost any efi mx bikes can power heated grips and a led light bar - just not at the same time.  I've had light bars in the past and have never actually needed to use it.  So this year I'm just packing the battery powered led light that I use for mtn. biking if I ever need to come out after dark.  My battery pack for it has a usb port that can be used to charge a cell phone if needed, it's cheap, small, light and puts out around 900 lumens.  

I will be running AME heated grips though.

 

I'll be on a 450sxf.  Mainly just because I got a killer deal on it, and it's LOADED with expensive parts already.

[DanielMerrick]

My list for my 450

Hand warmers

Home made intake with just a outerwear filter off of the throttle body

Thermo bob thermostat kit

http://shop.watt-man.com/Thermo-Bob-3-for-YZ450F-2014-and-newer-TBYZ4B.htm

8"led light bar

http://www.ebay.ca/ulk/itm/321836453626

I used an old on/off killswitch and tapped into where you plug the tuner with some terminals

Definitely hit up snowest they have lots of good stuff in the snowbike forum worth the little bit of money

Have fun on the snow! I'm patiently waiting aswell!

[jrusher]

Ive been running a 2010 Yz450f last 2 seasons on the timber st kits. no issues powering a cyclops light bar and AME hot grips at same time,, Use frog skin or prefilter material on air intake openings  or remove air box internals and run a pod type filter with a piece of silicone hose works great as well.. Run a thermo bob thermostat, temp gauge  and block rads in as needed.. These things are a blast in the trees an tight technical stuff its crazy  where they go.. I ride in mountains usually around 6500 ft.. Soon as someone comes  out with a 80 hp ish snowbike my sleds will be for sale