“Will it snowbike?” wasn’t a theme we anticipated to occupy January, 2023. Apparently, although, we have been mistaken! Earlier this month, the fellows on the Grind Onerous Plumbing Firm YouTube channel efficiently turned a used 2005 Suzuki Hayabusa right into a snowbike and eagerly shared the outcomes with the world. Utilizing a Timbersled Riot conversion package meant for dirtbikes, they proved that it’s attainable—even when the top consequence will want just a few further tweaks earlier than they’re capable of really put it via greater than only a take a look at run.
Again in 2022, a totally different madman with a digital camera and a YouTube channel determined to doc their bonkers snowbike construct. As a substitute of a 500-plus pound Hayabusa, although, an Ontario, Canada-based creator with the username Mechatist determined to work his magic on a salvage-title 2019 Aprilia Tuono V4. (That’s completely the very first thing you consider once you consider snowbikes, proper? Proper.)
Whereas Mechatist additionally used a Timbersled conversion package for this venture, he selected an Aro package as an alternative of a Riot package. Right here’s how Timbersled characterizes the 2 kits: “the Timbersled ARO platform offers riders unbeatable precision and dealing with in all snow circumstances, whereas the RIOT was designed for those who desire a extra playful, dirt-bike-like really feel on the snow.”
In any case, as with the Timbersled Riot package, the Aro package was equally not created with a robust bare sportbike just like the Tuono V4 in thoughts. It, too, was made for dirtbikes—so some critical modifications have been as a way to make the bike and the Timbersled conversion package play properly collectively. From Mechatist’s YouTube construct video sequence, it appears that evidently he was capable of see his imaginative and prescient via, together with machining some components to make all of it come collectively. (Sadly, the ultimate video that reveals it operating is shot vertically, not like earlier movies within the sequence. Nevertheless, you’ll find it linked in our Sources if you wish to watch.)
Some KTM and Honda components additionally made it into this construct, however the bulk of the bike (together with that unmistakable V4 powerplant) is all Aprilia. In a single video, Mechatist additionally mentions sending the ECU away to AF1 in Texas to get it tuned in accordance with this software. The top consequence appears like ridiculous enjoyable. Will we ever get to see it tackle the Hayabusa in a future crossover video? Geography could also be a difficulty, however you by no means know with YouTube creators.
