Snowmobile Lynx 500: technical characteristics

Lynx 500 is a universal snowmobile, developed by the Ufa Engine Plant. The car entered mass production in 1991. This device is one of the latest models of the company, which announced the completion of its production in 2009. Over the many years of production, the model in question has shown all its strengths and weaknesses, and overall, it has become a successful snowmobile that can still be found in good condition.

During the development of the Lynx 500 snowmobile, special attention was paid to practicality and proven technical solutions. The developers set out to make a reliable device with high off-road performance - with the goal that residents of the northern regions would be more interested in it. To adapt the model to harsh climatic conditions, it was equipped with a spacious trunk, a high windshield, a comfortable suspension and a powerful engine that has an uninterrupted starting system in frosty weather.

We must admit that this is a very fast and maneuverable car, capable of dynamically moving not only on a well-trodden, flat road, but also on loose and deep snowdrifts. The car moves smoothly thanks to the energy-intensive suspension, which is protected from breakdowns. Especially for this purpose, the front and rear suspension have an improved design, adapted to driving on uneven roads. Also, to improve cross-country ability, the vehicle was equipped with a wide caterpillar track.

Lynx 500 is a multi-purpose snowmobile. It has improved performance characteristics compared to its predecessors. The machine stands out for its high power and good traction characteristics. In addition, it is very economical and ideal for work trips. In particular, Lynx 500 can be used on farms, in forestry, and is also in great demand in operations related to the maintenance of oil and gas pipelines. In addition, Lynx 500 takes an active part in patrolling state borders, which is very important for security purposes. The developer adapted the model to snowy off-road conditions, as well as the ability to cover long distances and drag a large load weighing up to 250 kg. Among other features of the technology, we note its adaptation to low ambient temperatures, down to minus 40 degrees. This was confirmed by successful factory tests in Yakutia, beyond the Arctic Circle. For this, the machine is equipped with all the necessary options.

Modifications

The Lynx 500 snowmobile received several modifications, each of which was in deserved demand on the Russian market, as well as throughout the post-Soviet space:

Lynx 500+. This version is intended mainly for tourist trips, and is less suitable for work purposes. In this device, the width of the caterpillar track is 500 mm, which is enough for high maneuverability on any surface - from smooth knurled roads to deep and loose snow. The basic configuration includes an electric starter, which makes starting the engine easier in any weather.
Lynx 500M. In this version, the car features a modified hood, as well as an improved carburetor. Thus, the device is equipped with a single-chamber carburetor from the Japanese company Mikuni. This component turned out to be more reliable than the original domestic carburetor. In addition, Mikuni is designed for increased loads. Also in the basic configuration of the Lynx 500M snowmobile there is an electric starter.
Lynx 500MP. An improved snowmobile with an updated hood and a single-barrel carburetor system. The machine is equipped with a gear transmission. The design of the device can be compared with the previous version. As in other versions, the Lynx 500MP snowmobile is also equipped with an electric starter.

All the modifications discussed are very popular among hunters and fishermen. These vehicles are able to overcome any hard-to-reach places and are capable of performing any off-road tasks.

Flaws

Unfortunately, Lynx has significant shortcomings. These include build quality and resource. It is still possible to cope with the first “illness”. All you have to do is go through the entire snowmobile with your own hands and tighten all the connections properly. At the same time, from time to time it is necessary to monitor the technical condition of the snowmobile. There’s nothing you can do about the resource, except take care of the snowmobile like the apple of your eye. But, as people say, “there would be no happiness, but misfortune would help.” Due to these shortcomings, the price of Lynx is not that high. You can purchase this model for under $1000.

The range of domestic Lynx snowmobiles includes many interesting models. One of these is the Lynx 500, which also refers to tourist snowmobiles. To learn more about the advantages and disadvantages of the unit, consider the reviews.

Specifications

Dimensions, mm: Length – 3200, Width – 1240, Height – 710
Propulsion - caterpillar type, with front drive sprockets
Chain links, pcs. – 22
Chain pitch length/caterpillar belt – 16 mm/rubber-fabric, reinforced
Roller material – rubberized
Track width – 500 mm
Track windows, pcs. – 43
Track lug height – 23 mm
Track tensioning mechanism - screw type
Track pitch – 50 mm (length)
Weight – 280 kg
Engine – petrol, 4-stroke, with manual reserve
Electric starter – option
Fuel tank – 28 liters
Speed – 90 km/h
Weight of towed cargo including sleigh – 250 kg
Control – hydraulic
Brakes – mechanical disc
Front skis - support-turning
Front suspension - independent pendulum chassis
Rear suspension – roller-slide
Headlight – halogen
The ignition system is electronic non-contact type.

Reviews of the Lynx 500 snowmobile

“Overall, this is a good unit for harsh winter conditions. Like any vehicle, the Lynx has its pros and cons. The advantages include good stability, excellent engine thrust and, accordingly, load capacity. The snowmobile is still a hard worker. If you attach a trailer, you can transport various loads. Personally, I transported a lot of firewood with a snowmobile and am very grateful to the Lynx 500 for this. The downside of the model and almost all “Lynxes” is simply the enormous turning angle and the “wooden” shock-absorbing system. All the “delights” of the suspension are perfectly felt on the bumps.”
“Perhaps the main advantage of Lynx over its competitors, including foreign ones, is the price. The cost of a snowmobile is several times less than, for example, the same Japanese cars. Yes, the quality is different, but the fact remains a fact. I don't like the lack of neutral speed, it affects the handling. For example, this will definitely prevent a beginner from fully owning the unit.”
“Normal equipment for the money. Easy to maintain, it is difficult to find an easier snowmobile to operate. The speed limit is decent, 90-100 km/h is the only way to go. Cruising speed is approximately 50-60 km/h.

Engine

For the Lynx 500 snowmobile, a compact engine with a two-stroke layout was produced. The lightweight engine made it possible to reduce the total weight of the snowmobile, and thereby improve behavior on the road. The two-cylinder engine develops a power of 30 kW or 40 horsepower. The engine operates efficiently due to the continuous operation of air cooling, thanks to which it is possible to work in any climatic zones with temperatures below and above zero degrees. A special lubrication system is of a combined type, with oil and fuel ingredients. This lubricant has a qualitative effect on frost resistance, which is very important in harsh operating conditions. Gasoline consumption per 100 km is 20 liters. Cheap AI-80 fuel can be used as fuel. In the basic configuration, the engine must be started manually, but an electric starter can be installed upon request. The electronic ignition system is a non-contact type, ensuring stable and smooth operation of the power plant.

Engine parameters

The “filling” of the model is a two-stroke engine with two cylinders. The operation of the engine creates quite a lot of noise. At the same time, fuel consumption cannot be called gentle. Compared to 4-stroke engines, the power unit on the Lynx 119 is very voracious. During the development of the snowmobile, engineers and designers did not think about the environment. The exhaust leaves a dirty trail in the snow. Later, with the arrival of warm weather, all this falls into the soil.

The advantages of the engine include unpretentiousness and high reliability. Also, the power unit is small in size, which is good news. A powerful engine provides the necessary traction, which makes the Lynx rush forward under any conditions. For practical use, a trailer can be hitched to the rear. Although the manufacturer stated that the trailer weight is no more than 250 kg, the Lynx can handle a whole ton. The “quality” of the snow is important so that it is not loose.

Reviews

Boris, Primorsky Krai. This snowmobile was purchased to replace the Buran, which my father and I actively used. Lynx 500 is an improved alternative to Buran, and we have seen this in practice. We bought the car in 2009 and are still using it. An excellent device in terms of its performance, and even from a design point of view. It consumes cheap 76 gasoline, and there are no problems with dynamics. For its price of 115 thousand rubles, the snowmobile is excellent. Compared to Buran, the car accelerates faster and brakes actively. The snowmobile is more maneuverable and practical, with a spacious trunk. Moreover, it is easy to maintain. One of the weak points is the capricious gearbox chain, which must be regularly tensioned, otherwise the chain will break and this will cause more serious problems. Overall, my father and I are pleased with the technology.
Nikolay, Sakhalin region. Lynx 500 starts perfectly in cold weather at minus 40 degrees. What we need for our conditions. The car is equipped with wide front skis, and thanks to this it is very stable on uneven roads. So, rollovers and rollovers are absolutely excluded with this snowmobile. The configuration I chose has a heated steering wheel grip feature to prevent your hands from freezing. Of course, it was not without its shortcomings, as with any other domestic technology. The most serious and unsolvable problem is a weak engine that pulls poorly when driving uphill or on loose snow. Under such conditions, engine speed rises, which leads to excessive fuel consumption. In addition, strong noise and vibrations occur, which are then transmitted to the steering column. The gearbox does not have a neutral speed, and this is another serious disadvantage. The maximum speed on a flat road is 80 km/h. The car consumes much more than stated by the manufacturer - certainly more than 20 liters per 100 km, even in gentle driving mode.
Alexey, Leningrad region. The car was purchased last spring in maintained condition. At that time of year, I managed to bargain well, and in the end the snowmobile cost me 90 thousand rubles. The condition is good. I started using it actively quite recently - after the new year 2022. I will say right away that the device is cheap to use. It handles well and is quite comfortable on long trips, thanks to heated grips and a large trunk. There is also a high windshield that protects from the oncoming cold wind. The roomy seat can accommodate a child (in front) and another adult passenger (behind me). In this case, the traction does not disappear, but the annoying noise of the engine rises. According to my passport, my model is from 2004, and has probably already changed 2-3 owners (it’s unlikely that the seller told me the truth). I travel for several hours every day. The Lynx 500 is ideal for fishing and hunting. I was pleased that all the necessary spare parts were available for this machine.
Konstantin, Sverdlovsk. I was pleasantly pleased with this snowmobile. To be honest, I expected the worst. I liked that the gearbox has a reverse gear, which increases maneuverability and ease of turning. This function is very helpful in cases where the snowmobile sits on its belly somewhere in the wilderness. If necessary, you can turn on the heating of the steering wheel grips and feet, although the heat is almost not felt in the legs. The device as a whole is not bad, but the mediocre build quality does not bother me much - the parts are not neatly fitted. The instrument panel creaks, and there are knocking noises in the chassis. Unfortunately, the engine is difficult to start in cold weather, and to start moving it must first be warmed up well at idle.

Snowmobile "Lynx 119"

This snowmobile belongs to the tourist class. The model has been produced since 1991. In 2009, the production of domestic snowmobiles was completed. “Lynx” snowmobiles are designed for natural conditions that are difficult to “tolerate” for other brands of snowmobiles. That is, snow machines must operate at low temperatures and overcome tens of kilometers of snow-covered path. Stable and uninterrupted operation of the equipment is carried out even at temperatures of -40 Celsius.

To ensure the reliability of the snowmobile, the first strength tests were carried out in the vastness of Yakutia. As a result, the winter version of the SUV coped well with all the tasks set for itself.