Snowmobiles "Taiga Bars-850": description, characteristics

Off-road equipment "Taiga Bars-850" is the most powerful and expensive snowmobile in the "Taiga" line from. The car appeared on the market in 2011 and instantly won the interest of outdoor enthusiasts, as well as hunters and fishermen. It is able to overcome difficult snowy places and deep snowdrifts. The speed limit is 120 km/h thanks to the German four-stroke Weber power plant with a volume of 850 cubic centimeters and a power of 80 “horses”. Let's consider the technical parameters of the all-terrain vehicle, its features and consumer reviews.

Motor

The Taiga Bars-850 snowmobile, the price of which exceeds half a million rubles when fully equipped, is equipped with an engine with an increased service life and a stable reliability indicator. Taking into account its impressive characteristics, the engine has a relatively low weight and low fuel consumption.

The cooling unit is an improved system, which allows the equipment to be operated in different climatic conditions. The exhaust system is equipped with an additional insulating layer to prevent overheating of the engine compartment. The electronic accelerator of the Taiga Bars-850 machine is an electronic gas trigger with the ability to accurately dose gasoline injection, without causing distortions and intermittent engine operation. This design has a positive effect on the duration of operation of the power plant without changing its initial parameters. A distinctive feature of the system is its soft functionality with a smooth acceleration, which is largely due to the correct setting of the trigger and electronic throttle.

Engine

The Taiga 850 Bars model is equipped with a four-stroke gasoline engine MPE 850 NA, which was developed by the German supplier WEBER. The engine is a two-cylinder design. The diameter of each cylinder reaches 89 mm, and the piston stroke is 68 mm. With a displacement of 0.8 liters, the engine develops 80 horsepower. The unit is protected from overheating in warm weather thanks to a liquid cooling system that works effectively even at maximum speed of the power plant.

Other nodes

The brake system is an efficient and reliable hydraulic unit with liquid cooling. The gearbox is reinforced, has increased traction capacity, and is equipped with a variator with neutral, reverse, low and high gears.

The Taiga Bars-850 uses SWT type suspension. It provides great opportunities in terms of overcoming all kinds of snow obstacles. The unit has been modified and improved taking into account suggestions from users of previous models in this line. The front suspension is a telescopic energy-intensive unit. At the rear there is a linkage suspension with a pair of horizontal adjustable shock absorbers that effectively level out vibrations that occur during driving. It is worth noting that the rigidity of the unit can be adjusted depending on the mass of the transported cargo. This allows you to set the most soft and comfortable mode under different circumstances.

Appearance of the snowmobile

The appearance of the Leopard 850 snowmobile turned out to be very attractive. The wide and soft seat, designed for two people, is very comfortable when moving, the passenger's handles are located in a convenient place and add comfort when moving. The steering wheel is also high and comfortable - this helps you sit upright when driving, which facilitates long movements without experiencing inconvenience.

The set includes a backrest for the seat, but if desired, the backrest can be removed, which is a small plus. Many snowmobile users note that the instrument panel has become much more interesting, so to speak, more modern.

The Leopard 850 has an electronic speedometer, some people didn’t particularly like this innovation, since a large number of snowmobilers are accustomed to dial speedometers, but there is nothing fundamental here, it’s just a matter of taste, as they say, there are no friends according to taste and color.

Technical indicators

Below are the main parameters of the Taiga Bars-850 snowmobile:

The power unit is a four-stroke two-cylinder engine with a volume of 846 cc and a power of 80 horsepower.
Cooling is a liquid system.
The transmission unit is a variator box with 4 ranges.
Start type – electric starter plus kickstarter.
Brakes are hydraulic discs.
Fuel tank capacity – 55 l.
Front/rear suspension travel – 150/385 mm.
Length/width/height of the caterpillar – 3.93/0.6/0.22 m.
Dimensions of the Taiga Bars-850 snowmobile – 2.95/1.15/1.46 m.
Number of seats – 2.
Track – 0.96 m.
Weight – 335 kg.

Reviews

Snowmobile Leopard 850 is the flagship of snowmobiles from Russian Mechanics.

This is the most expensive and powerful device from the Taiga series.

It appeared on the market in 2011 and immediately achieved recognition among outdoor enthusiasts.

The snowmobile is able to overcome significant snowdrifts and difficult terrain. It accelerates to 120 km/h thanks to its engine. This 4-stroke 850 cc Weber engine is manufactured in Germany and produces up to 80 hp.

The engine is characterized by an increased level of comfort and a good power reserve. Despite its solid characteristics, it is relatively lightweight and economical to operate.

Repair and service

The equipment under consideration is designed in such a way that the main mechanisms and components are located at a decent distance from each other, which makes them easier to access. This makes it possible, during maintenance or repair, to deal with the required element without resorting to disassembling and dismantling other parts.

With a minimum set of tools, you can carry out routine repairs in the field. The snowmobile is equipped with a comfortable ergonomic seat with a backrest, guaranteeing a comfortable fit for the passenger and driver. Additional features include the ability to install a pre-heater, which increases the efficiency and operating potential of the engine. Heated handles and levers with accelerated and standard modes are also available. There are separate ski pads for good maneuverability on soft snow.

Video

Let's pay attention to the rich equipment provided for the Taiga 850 Bars snowmobile in the basic configuration. But at the same time, one cannot fail to note the solid dimensions of the car, which turned out to be more massive and larger than its predecessor. In this regard, the vehicle acquired new disadvantages (heavier weight, mediocre maneuverability and controllability), which were compensated for by significant advantages (primarily higher load capacity and capacity). The car has a spacious double seat, which has a backrest for the driver and passenger. In addition to elements of practicality and comfort, the developers paid special attention to elements of ergonomics - we are talking about a modern dashboard with a display of speed, engine speed, as well as engine temperature and oil pressure readings. The instruments do not glare in bright sunshine, and the high windshield protects the driver’s face from headwinds and snow. The gas levers and handles have a heating function, which is very important for operation in permafrost conditions - for example, in the northern regions of Russia.

Separately, we note the high cross-country ability of the Taiga 850 Bars snowmobile, which in terms of this indicator is considered one of the best compared to its closest competitors. The ability to move on any road is due to the presence of a wide Super Wide Track. This tape demonstrated high strength during factory tests. However, as stated above, Super Wide Track has not only advantages, but also disadvantages. This is one of the components that makes the snowmobile heavier and more complex in design. But at the same time, the machine’s maintainability was kept at an acceptable level, as befits domestic snowmobiles. However, due to the extra weight, the Taiga 850 Bars model is prone to skidding when performing complex sharp maneuvers. And yet, the handling is quite predictable, and you can get used to it after a few trips. In addition, professional users appreciated the ability to move while sitting as well as standing. It will be comfortable in any position thanks to the steering column height adjustment function.

"Taiga Bars-850": price and reviews

The cost of the new model of the all-terrain vehicle in question starts from 450-500 thousand rubles, depending on the configuration. This is a pretty decent amount, so those who are looking for a cheaper model should pay attention to used modifications. In this case, the price will be reduced by at least half.

The owners note that this equipment is the most powerful specimen in its class. The machine is distinguished by a reliable and high-quality engine and an original design. Also, the advantages include the convenient location of the units, facilitating their repair and maintenance. The Taiga Bars-850 snowmobile also received negative reviews. First of all, this concerns the price, as well as the lack of spare parts due to a poorly developed dealer network. Consumers consider the cost of the device to be significantly overestimated. They also note insufficient lug lengths and frequent failures in the electronics.

Owner reviews

Over the entire period of use, the snowmobile performed well; of course, various breakdowns occurred, but, as a rule, they were minor. Spare parts for snowmobiles are quite affordable. It has already covered more than 1,300 kilometers and the snowmobile has never let us down. I've driven it long distances many times. Overall, this model turned out to be very reliable.
I especially liked the cross-country ability and dynamics of the snowmobile. The engine pulls great even with a load. After the run-in, some problems appeared with the variator, namely excess noise, but after it was repaired, everything was fixed. Compared to the previous model, the Taiga 850 Bars came out much better in almost all respects, but that’s just my opinion. The snowmobile passed the run-in without any complaints and continues to serve reliably, although time will tell.
I have ridden this snowmobile for two winters already and during all this time I have not noticed any significant problems. Basically, there were only positive emotions from the snowmobile. Firstly, this model can be called an alternative to the long Buran, because it has the same qualities, and some are even better. Secondly, the car accelerates very quickly and pulls vigorously, even with a sleigh loaded with firewood. Now we have covered approximately 532 kilometers and the only thing I didn’t like was that the fuel consumption was too high for every hundred. Otherwise, I am completely satisfied with the snowmobile.

Snowmobiles of Russian Mechanics. Our response to the Chamberlains

I was, understandably, skeptical about the invitation (from the same one that produces the legendary Burans) to test their utilitarian snowmobiles not just anywhere, but in the Khibiny Mountains, where only recently we rode top-end imported mountain bikes: “scrap”, yes still Russian, in the mountains? This is strange, to say the least. And very curious

Natalya Umnova
“Russian Mechanics” brought four models of utilitarian snowmobiles to Khibiny: “Taiga Varyag 550 V”, “Taiga Attack 551”, “Taiga Bars 850” and, one might say, a new device - “Taiga Varyag 500”.

The windshields of all snowmobiles distort visibility, especially in the sun: the slope or depth of the holes is difficult to understand. Photo: “Russian Mechanics”

I will give credit to all the snowmobiles (except for the “Attack” - due to a poorly tuned variator it is impossibly nervous and jerky, riding it is torture!) - they showed themselves very worthy and dispelled my skepticism. Although there was some luck in this: in April the snow in the Khibiny was already very dense, there was no powder in which you could get stuck, and we rode the slopes only for pleasure, and not out of necessity. And yet, no one expected that on the horse-drawn, at first glance, “Varyags” you could bundock, traverse, climb a steep mountain, and jump. Still, “scrap” is often capable of much more than it seems.

Taiga Varyag 500

Lightning-fast response from the Rybinsk company to the updated Yamaha Viking 540 Tough Pro (read the test of this snowmobile in one of the upcoming issues of “5 Wheels”). The essence of the transformations of the standard Varyag is to reduce the cost as much as possible. By removing the separate lubrication system, installing the old proven, but less powerful RMZ-500 engine and a simple suspension with one shock absorber, the cost of the snowmobile was lowered just below the psychological mark of 200 thousand rubles! And for the target audience of such equipment, even 20–30 thousand is a serious amount. At the same time, the heating of the steering wheel grips and throttle trigger remained in the “base”!

The windshields of all snowmobiles distort visibility, especially in the sun: the slope or depth of the holes is difficult to understand. Photo: “Russian Mechanics”

The resulting minimalistic utilitarian snowmobile nevertheless has a comfortable soft two-seater seat and a high steering wheel, thanks to which it has become much more comfortable to ride this “cut-off” “Varyag” both sitting (knees do not rest against the steering wheel when turning) and standing. And you have to get up on it quite often: the suspension practically does not smooth out ridges on compacted roads and just potholes and bumps.

The “five hundred” handles a little worse than the “main” “Varyag”, it is more “tight”. The motor is paired with a variator made according to the drawings of Russian Mechanics: unlike the Canadian analogues installed on other RM snowmobiles, this one does not handle starts and low speeds well - the snowmobile “stalls” for a long time before moving off and becomes noticeably nervous when driving slowly and twitches. But as soon as you increase the speed, the snowmobile levels out and goes smoothly.

Snowmobiles of Russian Mechanics. Photo: “Russian Mechanics”

The transmission provides low and high “gears” for pulling loads and more active driving, respectively. And 43 “horses” are enough for him to do everything, including climbing a steep slope 500 meters high.

The mechanical brake requires serious physical effort, but even after pressing hard, the snowmobile is in no hurry to stop. In general, the Varyag 500 is capable of overcoming almost any obstacle that comes along its utilitarian path.

Taiga Varyag 550 V

Surprisingly, in terms of ease of control and comfortable landing, the more expensive Varyag 550 V is perhaps even inferior to its “undressed” version of the Varyag 500. The 550 is very rolly! “Pyatisotka” too (both have a ski base of only 90 cm, while the same Yamaha Viking 540 has a 96 cm), but at least it has a higher handlebar, and you can tilt the snowmobile by standing up. On the “older” “Varyag”, the low steering wheel immediately rests on your knees, as soon as you make a sharp turn, and does not allow you to not only drive normally while standing, but even just stand up if necessary. This is also hampered by the manual starter handle, which you hit with your knee during any jerk or braking.

Snowmobiles of Russian Mechanics. Photo: “Russian Mechanics”

A more modern suspension with two shock absorbers, it feels, does not handle unevenness much better than the simple suspension of the “five hundred”. However, 50 l. With. power and a fairly wide, 50 cm, caterpillar with 2.2 cm “teeth” (the same is found on the 500) “equip” the “Varyag 550 V” with sufficient cross-country ability for both compacted and medium-powder snow. An additional 60 thousand in cost stems from the presence of an electric starter, a larger engine, a more advanced suspension and a couple more goodies for comfort.

Taiga Bars 850

A luxurious soft seat with a passenger backrest, digital instrumentation, a wide - 60 cm - track, a high windshield, an 850 cc Weber engine, a steering wheel high enough for comfortable steering and standing, the beginnings of design - the Taiga Bars 850 is a real touring snowmobile with a hint of premiumness for 360,000 rub.

But even here there were some minor problems. The Bars has very slippery footboards, with almost no uneven surfaces for your boots to cling to: when riding standing, your foot can easily slip on uneven surfaces.

Due to the heavy nose and the position shifted forward, the rear is noticeably carried away, which is good in turns - you can “swerk” and go in steeper, although with caution, but it’s bad on the straights, on which, despite almost a “windtrack” and widely spaced skis, the snowmobile stands not very confident. The same property of the stern and the large weight must be taken into account when descending from long slopes: the Bars accelerates strongly, the engine does not brake effectively enough, and if you press the hydraulic disc brake, the rear skids.

At Bars, the rubber bands on the hood keep coming off. And the transmission mode selector is inconveniently located - you keep knocking your knee on it. Photo: “Russian Mechanics”

This year we worked hard and tried to eliminate previously identified problems with possible engine overheating and high collector temperatures, and simplified the process of servicing the fuel pump and filter.

In general, I cannot help but note that the snowmobiles of Russian Mechanics, even after tests of famous brands, did not cause rejection or strong negative emotions. Yes, there are mistakes and shortcomings, but it is clear that the company is working, developing, becoming more and more “civilized” and producing increasingly high-quality equipment. Keep it up!

“Russian Mechanics” brought four models of utilitarian snowmobiles to Khibiny: “Taiga Varyag 550 V”, “Taiga Attack 551”, “Taiga Bars 850” and, one might say, a new device - “Taiga Varyag 500”.

The windshields of all snowmobiles distort visibility, especially in the sun: the slope or depth of the holes is difficult to understand. Photo: “Russian Mechanics”

Taiga Varyag 500

The windshields of all snowmobiles distort visibility, especially in the sun: the slope or depth of the holes is difficult to understand. Photo: “Russian Mechanics”

Snowmobiles of Russian Mechanics. Photo: “Russian Mechanics”

Taiga Varyag 550 V

Snowmobiles of Russian Mechanics. Photo: “Russian Mechanics”

Taiga Bars 850

At Bars, the rubber bands on the hood keep coming off. And the transmission mode selector is inconveniently located - you keep knocking your knee on it. Photo: “Russian Mechanics”