Snowmobile Taiga 500: technical specifications, reviews

Currently, snowmobiles are becoming the most popular vehicles among hunters, fishermen and residents of the far north. This is explained by the fact that this type of equipment is practical and unpretentious; moreover, it can travel where all-terrain vehicles, due to their weight and overall dimensions, are not capable. There are quite a large number of different snowmobiles on the market, both imported and domestic. From the low-cost transport segment, the Taiga Varyag 500 snowmobile model from Rybinsk should be highlighted. This snowmobile is a new generation of its model range and differs from previous models in its lighter weight by 15 kilograms.

To present the machine, the Kola Peninsula was chosen, which is rich in everything necessary for testing such equipment, namely mountain peaks, avalanches, deep snow mass, rivers and streams, wet slopes, as well as muddy forest foothills. The entire run lasted for three days and during all this time this snowmobile performed excellently. The car really has high maneuverability, reliability and convenience. The snowmobile's steering wheel is high, which allows you to perform various maneuvers in a standing position. There is also a high windshield, heated steering wheel and gas trigger, and a double seat.

But in addition to all the advantages of this snowmobile, there is one minor drawback, namely the weak fastening of the hood and windshield. Apart from this, no weaknesses were identified in the machines.

Specifications

Dimensional data:

• The structural length of the snowmobile is 2990 millimeters.
• Width - 1380 millimeters.
• The total height is 1380 millimeters.
• The total length of the track is 3937 millimeters.
• The width of the caterpillar track is 500 millimeters.
• The height of the caterpillar track is 22 millimeters.
• The track width between the ski centers is 900 millimeters.

Operational values:

• Structural weight - 260 kilograms.
• The model of the installed engine is RMZ-500.
• Engine starting type - manual.
• The type of rear shock absorber of the propulsion unit is hydropneumatic single-tube.
• Fuel tank capacity is 40 liters.

Transmission:

• The type of transmission installed is CVT.
• Number of speeds - 4: low, high, reverse, neutral.

Brakes:

• Control type: hydraulic.
• Braking mechanism type: mechanical disc.

Suspension:

• Front suspension type: telescopic.
• Front suspension travel is 105 millimeters.
• Rear suspension type: slip.
• Rear suspension travel is 190 millimeters.

Electrical equipment:

• Ignition system type - CDI (capacitive programmable).
• Front headlight type: halogen.
• Heated steering wheel and throttle trigger are optional.

Top 2. Polaris WideTrack LX 500

Average price: 550,000 rubles.

Country: USA.

Rating: 4,5.

Polaris WideTrack LX 500 is an American utilitarian snowmobile with a powerful engine. Polaris is famous for its reliability; the owners of the car also note the simplicity of the design.

The Polaris WideTrack LX 500 is a typical wide track utility vehicle. The snowmobile can be used for long trips: the model is suitable for traveling long distances and can carry large loads - up to half a ton. The snowmobile cannot be called light, since its weight is 278.1 kg. Nevertheless, the chassis design allows Polaris to move through deep snow. Note that all snowmobiles from the WideTrack LX series are suitable for heavy work.

WideTrack LX 500 is one of the brand's most popular and reliable snowmobiles. The WideTrack LX 500 differs from the touring and sports models in its modified driver's position. The Polaris WideTrack LX 500 isn't a fast sled, but it has impressive traction. Snezhik accelerates to 80 km/h on powder, and on ice it will go more than 110 km/h. The Polaris WideTrak LX 500 tank holds 41.6 liters. The design of the snowmobile is very simple, the model is highly repairable. Some work can be carried out even while traveling.

WideTrack LX 500 has established itself on the Russian market as a simple but reliable model. The disadvantages of the unit include high gas consumption and difficulties in purchasing spare parts. In addition, Polaris is significantly more expensive than its Russian counterparts: the cost reaches 550,000 rubles. The Polaris WideTrack LX 500 is an unpretentious workhorse, which is why the snowmobile is popular among outdoor enthusiasts.

Engine

The Taiga Varyag 500 snowmobile is equipped with a carburetor two-stroke two-cylinder power unit of the RMZ-500 brand. This power plant develops a rated output power of 31.63 kilowatts, which translates to 43 horsepower. With a fairly small weight of the snowmobile, this figure is quite high. The maximum speed that a snowmobile can develop on a flat and straight section is more than 80 kilometers per hour. The DUCATI CDI programmable ignition system is responsible for optimal engine operation in all modes. The motor has an air cooling system, which does an excellent job of preventing overheating of the power plant and the joint lubrication system. The diameter of each of the two cylinders is 72 millimeters. Their total volume is 0.497 liters. The piston stroke is 61 millimeters. A Mikuni model float carburetor is installed. The exhaust system consists of a muffler with a resonator, and the intake system includes an intake silencer.

This engine can boast of its high reliability and excellent traction, which is one of the most important indicators for this type of vehicle.

Practical reviews on the operation of the Taig snowmobile

Popular opinion about the Taiga snowmobile.

You have decided to buy a Taiga snowmobile.
But before buying a snowmobile, you still want to ask for opinions from people who already own snowmobiles. We looked through many forums of snowmobile enthusiasts and compiled a list of comments with both positive and negative reviews. When reading, please note that snowmobile owners do not write phrases in their reviews: “Don’t buy Taiga”, “Buran”, “don’t buy Ski-Doo”. From this follows the conclusion: “to buy or not to buy a snowmobile, any of the manufacturers of snowmobile equipment, everyone decides for himself. As tasks are presented to the selected snowmobile, the requirements for it during operation increase. So, if for some it is enough to just ride across the field with their family, then for others it is necessary to hunt further in the taiga in difficult terrain or overcome mountainous terrain. In this article, we will provide reviews from snowmobile owners who have practical experience in operating domestic snowmobiles in different parts of the country, testing their operation in various weather conditions and sharing how “Taiga” and “Buran” cope with the tasks assigned to them. Leonid, Republic of Mordovia. “The Taiga in the fifth configuration has been in operation for four seasons. Satisfied with almost everything. Fuel consumption is 30-35 liters per hundred kilometers. The cross-country ability is excellent. A small shrub up to 7 centimeters in diameter easily crushes. 30 meters of cable and a winch can easily fit under the seat, and an ax is also there. “Slusa” easily tolerates water with ice and snow.” Sergey, Novosibirsk. “I decided to go around the stream - I slid onto its side - I stopped - I saw the melted ice and the lack of snow, I thought, “I’m going to go over and I’ll fail.” In principle, that’s what happened. It was in January 2022. I unwound the winch, hooked it to the towbar from behind and behind the poplar tree, fortunately it was a meter away from me, and pulled off at full throttle. "Taiga" has excellent cross-country ability in forested areas, as well as on different terrain. But you definitely need to put a bump stop on the front. The welding of snowmobiles now is not so great.” Alexander, Arkhangelsk. “My photo clearly shows Taiga’s “landing” (the mass of the snowmobile is concentrated entirely on the skis). In large snowdrifts, the snowmobile sits down with its entire bottom and gets stuck; in order to get it out, you have to crush the snow or even turn it around with your hands and put it on the trail. But the weight of the “Buran” snowmobile is placed at a decent distance under the caterpillar engine, if you sit down, it’s enough to simply trample the snow, swing it and drive off. I have nothing against double-ski snowmobiles, but my choice was the Buran (I really like to spend the night in a warm place).” Artem, Moscow region, Domodedovo city. My Taiga has already clocked 3,000 kilometers. I am transporting a snowmobile from Domodedovo to the Rybinsk forests. I'm hunting there with a friend. In the event of a serious malfunction, you will have to leave it there. Only a ranger has a snowmobile there, if you reach it on foot 40-50 kilometers and the equipment is on the move. I made a new mixture (one carburetor, a needle on the bottom on the 2nd groove, plus oil at more than 1:40, at the moment it’s still running. If possible, I put under the seat everything that could be useful for repairs. For minor repairs over several years of operation, I replaced a lot of things. But it’s good, at least not while hunting, but at the dacha (while riding through the fields). I come hunting a couple of times a year. Of course, there’s a desire for a foreigner to take it, but I’m not yet ready to throw away a certain amount of money. The taiga is currently completely satisfied with all its shortcomings. Stanislav, Perm region. “The taiga moves freely on loose snow with two people on board. At the same time, consuming approximately 25 liters per 80 kilometers.” Denis, Sakhalin. “There is a risk of returning home on skis or on foot.” Mikhail, Kemerovo region, Novokuznetsk. "I'll get into the conversation. This weekend we decided to conduct a test drive with the participation of snowmobiles: Taiga, Yamaha-Viking, Yamaha-Bravo. All models were previously run-in. We filled a full tank of gas on the one we came across along the way gas station, two friends and I set off to conquer the forest in a great mood. After driving 300 meters Bravo stood up. They tried to resuscitate him for more than an hour, but they did not come to the root of the problem. They attached it to Taiga and transported it home. While they were dragging Bravo, the Viking stood up and was also dragged to the house on the Taiga. The cause of the malfunction turned out to be common - gasoline, water. We connected a canister of proven gasoline as a tank, and the snowmobiles started up. We drained the tanks and filled them with new gasoline, the Yamahas started working as normal. By the way, gasoline was not replaced in Taiga. To check the proper condition of the equipment and prepare for the next weekend, I rode all three. My conclusions: Bravo, like a moped, sits too low. It doesn't pick up speed beyond 60 kilometers. On loose snow, with a large weight of a friend, the snowmobile moved confidently - the snowmobile is light. There is no reverse gear; you can turn the snowmobile around by hand, without much effort. The cost is less than Taiga. Viking: The landing is high - it shakes, the speed is no more than Taiga, if you sit on it, you won’t be able to pull it out without outside help. According to the test, I liked the Taiga with the usual configuration (starter, one carburetor, no separate oil supply). Excellent copy of Ski-Doo. There is no desire to spend money on the original; Taiga is an excellent choice as a budget snowmobile.” Evgeniy, Yakutia. “The Taiga snowmobile has many disadvantages compared to Buran. I will list them below. Less engine thrust (you can compare the piston group.) Therefore, when driving at high speeds, in most cases we get overheating. Complex adjustments.

1. The very inconvenient arrangement of attachments (body kit and location) of the engine makes the usual replacement of the CVT belt problematic (not enough space), not to mention carburetor adjustment with 2 Mikuni on a running engine.
2. There are a lot of plastic and rubber parts, at minus 40, it is impossible to use a blowtorch to start the engine.
3. It’s hard to climb uphill and has difficulty overcoming sharp climbs and steep descents – it blows away. The distribution of weight over the caterpillar and two ski tracks ensures the stability of the snowmobile, but tilting is difficult.
4. Has poor traction force.
5. Picky about fuel.
6. The windshield is low and does not protect the driver from snow and wind.
7. The open chassis does not protect against the ingress of dead wood and oncoming debris, etc. Plus, when driving on ice, it is much better than the open one of Buran.
8. While refueling in a strong wind, Taiga's entire seat was doused with gasoline.
9. The heating of the steering wheel immediately failed, the rear mudguard flew off, as when reversing in a snowdrift it was pulled up under the caterpillar, the spark plug tip was broken, the standard Taiga tow bar had worn out an earring on the sled carrier over 600 kilometers.
10. Large dimensions require more rolled out and wider tracks, which is not relevant for Buran.
11. Higher cost.

Common disadvantages that complicate the operation of the Taiga snowmobile in the Sakha Republic are given. Buran is capable of moving with a working, one right cylinder with one moving caterpillar." Dmitry, Volgograd. Let's object.

1. “Strange judgment. In extreme cases, it is possible to engage a lower gear. Heating occurs only in people with crooked hands. A lot of devices have been developed to take readings of the engine heating temperature.
2. I don’t think it’s more difficult than Buran’s.
3. Don't make snowmobilers laugh. If you don’t know, then you shouldn’t write any heresy. The adjustment is excellent. Replacing the variator belt takes no more than 2-5 minutes.
4. I haven’t used it, I can’t say anything.
5. The snowmobile's lean control depends on the spacer between the seat and handlebars.
6. I don’t argue, but a lower gear is also intended.
7. The choice of fuel these days is varied. For the wilderness, I think this is an important criterion.
8. Glass actually needs more.
9. What do you mean by "open"? Does your Buran have protective covers? I hunt in the forest and have no problems with dead wood. Pay attention to point 6.
10. I don't think this creates any problems.
11. As for the towbar, it is used according to the instructions, not according to your needs. There is a government attached to my mudguard. number, not lost or bent. The other spare parts you listed are consumables and you shouldn’t pay much attention to them.
12. The Taiga's dimensions are normal for use in forest clearings; in the forest itself it drives excellently. Of course, it’s a little wider than Buran, but the handling is much better.
13. The difference in price between Taiga and Buran is not too great.
14. From everything you have listed, the conclusion follows: I am the smartest and move on Buran, the rest of the Taiga are just suckers.”

Yuri, Sverdlovsk region, Verkhnyaya Pyshma city. “Good afternoon, forum members! "My dream has come true." Having asked questions and received answers to them in the topic: “I wish to ride a snowmobile and hunt” and got acquainted with the topic “Snowmobile for hunting” I still bought the Taiga in the fifth configuration. The dealer reduced the price when bidding on a snowmobile and delivered it to the place for a certain payment. I took it for a ride right away. Winter -7, excellent. To begin with, I drove through the streets of the village to get an initial acquaintance with the car. I put the equipment in the garage. I checked the tightness of nuts, electrical connectors, bolts, hoses and pipe connections. Almost everything is normal. I went outside again, but into a field in the snow. I experienced the controls and how to move around. I decided to try moving through large drifts and looser snow. When running in, I don’t give it full throttle; I dug in full throttle several times. The snowmobile got trampled and got out. I came to the conclusion that the technique respects agility and then runs perfectly. The steering was a little disappointing; it requires specific steering, so I got used to it. I took note of the ski pads, I think I need to get them. You need to tumble through loose snow, or lift your face so as not to fall through. On the second day. The snowmobile ended up spending the night in a heated garage. In the morning I drove the car to the gas station to get oil and gasoline in reserve. Temperature - 30. In Siberia, large changes in air temperature are common. I drove out of the garage onto the street, warmed up the Taiga and turned it off. The snowmobile sat for about 2 hours. I tried to start it according to the instructions, but it didn’t work. After thinking about it, I came to the conclusion that the engine was being run-in and had not gotten used to it. Gasoline with good oil, unscrewed the spark plugs and turned them to ground, the spark plugs warmed up, turned them on. Started from the starter on the first try. He rushed through my places, fields, ravines. Meanwhile, the temperature dropped to -35. If I had traveled on skis, it would have taken at least 5 hours, but on a snowmobile I flew in 30 minutes. I had no intention of hunting, my goal was to learn how to ride a snowmobile. Control on slopes is difficult, as was written in the topic, but it is possible to cope. On such terrain, I think it’s easier on one ski. But driving through the fields is a fairy tale, I didn’t try to accelerate more than 60, but there are a lot of impressions from driving in the Taiga.” Yuri, Sverdlovsk region, Verkhnyaya Pyshma city. “Greetings people! This weekend the temperature was -26, -28, I went hunting on a snowmobile for the first time. 18 days have passed since the date of purchase of the snowmobile, I drove 250 kilometers through fields and villages at temperatures from -23 to -30 (broke it in). The hunting was mainly in the pine forest. I followed the trail in Taiga after Buran. I drove through with difficulties, apparently I have little experience driving a snowmobile, but Buran definitely has a big advantage when moving through forested areas, which has been discussed a lot. I was convinced of this with my own hands. The Buran cuts with a wedge like an iron, it does not fall through, since it is made of iron, it only tears the bark off the trees. My Taiga falls over and gets caught. The conditions were definitely not suitable for running in a new snowmobile, I felt sorry for him, but he got it anyway. We drove out into the open space, then following the trail of the snowstorm stopped, and it was precisely in such terrain that my lack of experience in driving a snowmobile began to show itself. Buran made an excellent road in the forest and I followed the trail. But in the open space all the advantages of Buran over Taiga disappeared. He struggled and tried to gain speed, but it was no use. On Taiga I pressed the gas and the snowmobile easily flew onto the Glisser. Having accelerated, the Taiga became easy to control in open areas. It never became possible for me to shoot; I was fulfilling my assigned tasks. In the evening, with a glass of vodka and some meat, we sorted out all the flights, both the pros and cons. Next weekend we'll head into the forest again. Taiga hasn't brought me much trouble at the moment. The ignition switch and manual fuel pump are loose. The rubber casing of the ignition switch (which covers the cylinder from snow) completely freezes, which prevents the key from rotating independently from the “on” position. starter. There was a crack in the windshield, it looked like it had been hit by a branch. The bumper is dented in a collision with a birch tree. I won’t edit it, I’ll replace it with another one made from a steel pipe.” Igor, Moscow. “I contacted a friend and asked to make a list for the operation of his snowmobile Taiga ST-500 D in the fifth configuration. I am writing a copy of the list below verbatim: Snowmobile Taiga-500, purchased on February 11, 2008, at a price of 176 thousand rubles.

1. The mileage is 650 kilometers, the variator was repaired. CVT weights 1250 rubles, plus labor 1500 rubles, equals 2750 rubles.
2. Mileage 800 kilometers. Replaced transmission driven pulley 6,000 rubles, labor 700 rubles, equals 6,700 rubles.
3. Mileage 1300 kilometers, piston change. Piston Austria 4000X2 plus 1200 rings, plus labor 7000 rubles, plus gaskets 600 rubles. Total: 16800 rubles.
4. Mileage 2000 kilometers. The oil pump became unusable, which led to a major overhaul of the engine. 2 cylinders 7,000 rubles, plus 2 pistons 8,000 rubles, plus rings 1,200, plus crankshaft 5,000 rubles, plus bearings, gaskets, seals 2,500 rubles, plus labor 9,000 rubles. Total: 32,700 rubles.
5. Mileage 2000 kilometers. Upgrade for 1 carburetor. Mikuni carburetor made in Japan diffuser for 32 6000 rubles, plus intake manifold 1500, plus carburetor muffler 2000 rubles, the work was done by myself. Total: 9500 rubles.
6. Repair and purchase of small spare parts: tank cap, tee for fuel, hand pump drive, replacement with metal, throttle cable, failure of heated throttle grips, throttle grip, strengthening of the snowmobile seat body.
7. Mileage 2400 kilometers. With superhuman efforts, the snowmobile was sold for 130,000 rubles on February 25, 2009. With best wishes, your friend and ally Alexey!

I ask for your advice on which snowmobile to choose from the Taiga line for hunting? I’m thinking of taking the Taiga-Patrol with a 60-centimeter track or the Taiga-Patrol 550 SWT. Which configuration is better? We don’t consider foreigners, there’s no money for them.” Dima, Minusinsk. “Foreign ones are good, of course, but the prices are steep. I chose it myself for 3 months. I bought a Taiga of the 5th configuration in January. Passed the test. No complaints yet. Replaced it, starts with half a kick at -34. Equipped with wide ski covers, now all top type. But still Buran runs through the forest as a priority. "Like an elephant in the jungle." For the needs of hunting, I think it’s enough for now, in terms of speed and power.” Igor, Moscow. “Thank you very much! I will decide. If it’s not difficult, forum members write your opinion on the comparison of Buran ADE with Taiga.” Dima, Minusinsk. “Don't thank me! You're welcome, Igor. On my first Taiga, I traveled about 10,000 kilometers through the taiga with debris from dead wood. I ride where it’s a pity for a foreigner. I went several times with people to Burany and hunted together. They transported elk meat on sledges in one trip. Everyone votes in favor of Taiga. On Buran it is inconvenient to ride standing, alone and without heated handles. I refueled before leaving and drove up to 190 kilometers, depending on travel conditions. There may be a couple of unforeseen situations.

1. Don't kill Taiga in the first season. You should not, without special skills, drive into the very bowl and try to jump over dead wood at random; it is possible to cut the caterpillar on sharp fragments of branches that cannot be seen in a deep snowdrift. My first gooseneck fell into disrepair just like that.
2. Plus, I bought the first model Taiga with 1 carburetor. For a friend, if he has 2, it drags worse, because setting two equally will cause great difficulties. The first cylinder is bursting at full speed, and the second is freeloading. I have friends who converted it to 1 carburetor. I’ve read many opinions that Buran is very good at repairs. But I haven’t read a single comment on how much this wonderful coolness costs.”

Valentin, Omsk. “Personally, after a long selection, I purchased the Taigu-Patrol 550 SWT. I listened to the opinions expressed, they recommended Yamaha or another foreigner. But there is no extra money, pay two or even three times more for the Japanese. Buying used snowflakes is also a dubious proposition, depending on the driving habits of the former owner. I consulted with the manager of Russian Mechanics, and he assured that Taiga is in no way inferior to Western snowmobiles. I believed it and bought it! Please don't criticize too much. I’m still new to snowmobile technology, but I hope Taiga Patrol won’t disappoint me too much.”

Price

As described above, this snowmobile is a representative of the inexpensive price segment. The cost of the new all-terrain vehicle Taiga Varyag 500 ranges in price from 190 thousand rubles to 280 thousand Russian rubles. The main factors influencing the final cost of the machine are, of course, the equipment and year of production.

With all its advantages, high performance indicators and reliability, the Taiga Varyag 500 turned out to be a truly inexpensive technique, since currently on the market there are models from other brands and manufacturers with the same functionality and features, however, their cost is much higher.

As for operating costs, this snowmobile will not cause any significant losses. Plus, due to the expansion of the network of dealer outlets, parts and spare parts began to appear in large quantities on the markets, which also ensures ease of maintenance.

Top 3. Irbis Tungus 500L

Average price: 240,000 rubles.

Country Russia.

Rating: 4,2.

“Irbis Tungus 500L” is a domestic utilitarian snowmobile, produced entirely in Russia. Equipped with an 18.5 hp engine. With. The main feature of the Tungus is the modular frame, which has a tracked unit module with additional internal reinforcements. The weight of the model is 218 kg.

Torque is transmitted through the Safari variator. All configurations use a Buran type reverse gearbox with an oil volume of 150 ml.

The snowmobile is equipped with a roller-slide suspension, which is an extraordinary engineering solution. Both modules are located under the tracks, so the device overcomes obstacles well on various types of surfaces. Amenities: electric starter, heated grips, waterproof ignition switch.

You can go fishing or hunting on the Irbis; the obvious advantage of the snowmobile is its spaciousness. The permissible towing weight is up to 150 kg. You won’t be able to ride with the breeze on the Tungus: the maximum speed is 45 km/h.

The most common problems that users encounter when operating the unit are problems with the subframe and muffler. The percentage of calls to service centers with these breakdowns is more than 70%.

The average cost of this Irbis model is 240,000 rubles. The price is good, but you have to put up with the above-mentioned disadvantages.

Brake system • Suspension and brakes

• affordability;
• availability of a repair base and relatively inexpensive spare parts;
• Excellent performance of the snowmobile in shallow snow.

Dimensions and weight • Reinforced towbar allows you to tow cargo sleds weighing up to 250 kilograms.

Snowmobiles of Russian Mechanics. Our response to the Chamberlains

“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.

Do I need a license and registration for a snowmobile? : Suspension and brakes

When designing the Taiga 500 and Taiga 550 snowmobiles, the design team adhered to the principles of exceptional utilitarian design without compromising the basic technical characteristics and necessary comfort. The snowmobile comes standard with heated grips and throttle trigger, electric start, LED rear light and footrests.

Design features © Operational values

• Before installing a battery that has been stored for a long time at sub-zero temperatures, it is necessary to keep it indoors for several hours.
• When starting the engine, you must slowly pull the start handle towards you until resistance appears.
• Do not fill the fuel tank to capacity. Otherwise, excess gasoline may spill out.
• Do not change gears until the snowmobile has come to a complete stop. In this case, the motor should be running.
• You can start the engine only after thoroughly checking the serviceability of all components of the snowmobile.

User reviews about the model • With this equipment, the equipment can provide stable operation even in harsh conditions that require increased traction.

Functionality

Before the Taiga Varyag 500 went on sale, it was tested for several years on the Kola Peninsula. The snow bike passed all tests perfectly, but this is a very difficult region. The technology showed itself well when driving to mountain peaks, easily overcoming deep snow masses, driving along frozen rivers, conquering wet slopes and muddy forest foothills.

The snowmobile really has high cross-country ability, reliability and convenience. At the same time, the Varyag 500 is the lightest snowmobile in the TAIGA family (dry weight 265 kg), which provides the vehicle with maneuverability.

Suspension:

If the crankshaft rotates, but the power unit does not start, it is recommended to check the level of working fluid in the tank, turn on the ignition mechanism, pull up the button and put the safety cord cap on the switch. The model, which entered the production line in 2010, is designed on the basis of its predecessor Taiga 550 Patrol SWT, which has proven itself with its high performance characteristics.