Snowmobile for hunting and fishing Taiga Varyag 500

All lovers of traveling through snowy fields are well aware of the fact that first you need to select high-quality equipment. Otherwise, you won’t be riding a snowmobile, but it will be riding you. One of the most interesting domestic brands is the Taiga snowmobile. In fact, this vehicle is a kind of high-quality SUV among similar cars (unlike the Buran brand).

History of appearance

Taiga snowmobiles have been produced since 1997. This version was developed for use in army units located in the north and by rapid reaction brigades. For many years (until 2015), snowmobiles were prohibited for retail or wholesale sale to private individuals.

And only in the last few years have civilians had the opportunity to fully appreciate all the capabilities of equipment with the Taiga 500 brand. Many immediately began to compare them with Buran snowmobiles, deciding which is better.

The model range of this brand includes several lines of double seats:

1. Patrol;
2. Leopard;
3. Varangian;
4. Leader;
5. Satellite;
6. Attack.

There are also lighter single-seat options:

• Rybinka;
• TIKSY 250.

Which country produces snowmobiles?

A few words about it belongs to one of the most successful lines of domestic production. In turn, the company is a recognized leader in the design and production of all-terrain vehicles in the mid-price segment. The RM machine-building plant is located in the suburbs of Rybinsk, Yaroslavl region.

The manufacturer specializes in the development, design, and production of snowmobiles, ATVs, as well as spare parts and components for them. At each stage there is constant quality control.

About the Taiga line

The first Tayga snowmobile rolled off the production line in 1997 and almost immediately gained popularity among lovers of active winter recreation. Since then, several lines of all-terrain vehicles have been released, which, in turn, had a number of modifications within them. Among them there was even a children's snowbike - "Lynx", which, in accordance with the nominal characteristics, could withstand a weight of up to 40 kg. A number of modifications of the powerful Patrol snowmobile have been adopted by the military services of our country.

The Varyag 500 model was first presented in 2010. It belongs to the universal type and has the characteristics of a utilitarian all-terrain vehicle. The car is used for economic purposes for traveling through the snow to the store, walking livestock. Due to its lightness and mobility, it is well suited for this. Hunters and fishermen often choose this model because of its relatively low cost.

Technical specifications

In total, in addition to the basic version of the Taiga 500 (not to be confused with the Buran brand), there are 9 more versions of these snowmobiles. They are assigned special markers (for example, snowmobile Taiga St500d). Let us consider in more detail the description of the basic parameters of technical characteristics:

• Case features. The frame is made of high-quality steel and is all-welded;
• Hood. Made from fiberglass. Elements such as a windshield (tuning is possible), a headlight and an instrument panel with a speedometer are mounted on it;
• Engine. The main ones are RMZ - 500 (power 38 hp and 1 carburetor) or the newest RMZ - 500 - 10 (power 50 hp, 2 carburetors). In addition, there are differences in lubrication. In the first option, the oil is mixed with gasoline, and in the second, the lubricant is separate. There are also versions with engines for different types of gasoline (76, 80 and 92). Fuel consumption depends on the version and the speed developed by the Taiga 500;
• Transmission (automatic V-belt variator);
• Disc brakes (controlled using a cable);
• The suspension (front) is equipped with a spring or hydropneumatic shock absorber. The rear (slime) is also shock-absorbed;
• The gearbox is a gear drive with manual gear shifting, of which there are 4 in the taiga (neutral, low, high and reverse).

Engine

The Taiga ST-500D snowmobile is equipped with a two-stroke power unit of the RMZ-500 brand, which runs on the AI-80 fuel mixture. This engine has two cylinders with a total displacement of 497 cubic milliliters and one carburetor. Air cooling system. The rated output power reaches 27.95 kilowatts, which translates to 38 horsepower.

additional characteristics

1. Caterpillar. Its average width is about 500 mm. The cord is made of high-quality fabric, reinforced at the edges with fiberglass links in the form of rods;
2. Also included in the chassis are ski runners made of high-quality steel. This allows you to better navigate areas with bare soil. To soften the ride, plastic ski linings are used. The main feature is that there are always 2 skis (the Buran snowmobile comes with one). In addition, this element provides the possibility of tuning (for example, installing extensions for skis on a Taiga snowmobile);
3. Imported belts are installed (Dayco);
4. The sock is secured with rivets and is made of molded polyethylene;
5. With a total load capacity of 200 kg, it is possible to attach a trailer weighing up to 220 kg. And this despite the fact that the dimensions of the snowmobile are quite modest. If you don't need a trailer, then choose a model with its own trunk.

Design and equipment

The Taiga Varyag 500 snowmobile has a classic design: the chassis consists of one pair of guide skis and a Wide Track track. The steering wheel of the snowmobile is located high, which allows you to perform various maneuvers in a standing position. Also included is a windshield, heated steering wheel and gas trigger, and double seating for the driver and one passenger.

Advantages of a snowmobile

All models demonstrate the ability to reach speeds from 60 to 100 km/h even in heavy and deep snow. It also handles corners very well. In this regard, all models are much better than Buran snowmobiles. And this is primarily due to better stability.

Even when the size of the vehicle increases due to the trailer, the snowmobile demonstrates very good uphill climbs. In general, the Taiga behaves on the road like a full-fledged all-terrain vehicle, and can be a good alternative for fans of extreme off-roading. In addition, tuning fans note the good adaptability of modifications to modifications.

Snowmobile Taiga - owner reviews

“I’ll say right away that the impressions of the Taiga snowmobile are not pleasant. I first met him on a weekend trip with my family and friends. Previously I tried the Buran model and was also not satisfied with its single-lane design. Always falls to the side. Because of this, from the beginning I asked the organizers of the race what kind of snowmobile I would have, and they offered me a two-lane “Taiga”, and I agreed. Due to its powerful engine, it reached speeds of up to 60 km/h. And of course the snowmobile will be stable. And even on the sharpest turns, the runner rises slightly from the surface. A good plus for me is the double seater. "Taiga" is good for an ordinary winter trip through the forest. But my disadvantages to it are the lack of speed, the smell of fuel and poor traction. Well, this is my personal opinion, but for beginners they are not noticeable.”

Grade:

Dmitriy

“If they asked me what I thought about the Taiga,” I would not be able to say anything good, no matter how domestic this device was. In general, my wife's brother bought it and a week later the first breakdown occurred. The next day, we went to the sellers. And they, of course, were shocked. According to them, they have not sold a single defective snowmobile, high-quality product, etc., and this is the first such one to come across. Maybe that's how it is. In order not to repeat the mistake of my relative, be sure to take a ride on your future purchase. This is my story about this snowmobile.” Grade:

Nikolai

“As soon as the first snow fell, my family and I, on the very first weekend, went to actively relax at the ski resort. My husband suggested we go snowmobiling and chose it himself. His choice was "Taiga". The two-seater beast-machine with two runners held very firmly on the snowy road and confidently took turns. But there were some hiccups. “Ride like a breeze”, you can call the speed of this snowmobile 60 km/h. We were so engrossed in driving through the forest that we rode all day. Everyone in the family has great emotions. For winter, active recreation, I recommend it! Grade:

Julia

Noticed shortcomings

According to owner reviews, there are not many disadvantages. Some people note that under increased loads the smell of fuel is felt. Also, a snowmobile is often recommended for those who are just starting to train in extreme driving. Still, the taiga cannot replace a full-fledged SUV.

But for training, all models will be good. Experienced drivers often lack power when driving through deep drifts. But overall the reviews are mixed. Some people claim that a snowstorm is better, others say the opposite.

Many note rather high prices. But it’s worth noting right away that this is due to the large number of imported parts in the assembly. Even those elements that are produced here are often made from new imported materials (which will be better).

Do I need a license and registration for a snowmobile?

Without conditional rights are needed. Snowmobiles are classified as special equipment. To obtain the right to drive this type of transport (as well as an ATV), you need a category A driver's license. This category includes: off-road motor vehicles. This category can be obtained from the age of 16.

The fee for the license is 500 rubles. Snowmobiles must undergo mandatory registration within ten days at Gostekhnadzor, otherwise you will face a fine of 1,000 to 10,000 rubles. The cost of insurance is 23,500. This equipment can only be stopped by Gostekhnadzor employees, but not by traffic police inspectors.

But MTPL insurance is not needed. New snowmobiles that are less than a year old do not need to undergo technical inspection. And the technical inspection was completed by Gostekhnadzor without inspection. But for owners of equipment that is more than a year old, a technical inspection is required once a year. The cost of insurance is 400 rubles. Picture!

Criterias of choice

First of all, you should pay attention to snowmobile skis. They provide stability on snow and high maneuverability. On average, the normal track will range from 900 to 1000 mm. Please note that this parameter is calculated between the centers of the ski runners, and not from the edges.

If you are not afraid of independent tuning, then you can purchase a version with a more modest configuration. Otherwise, it is better to give preference to improved versions (even installing heated seats and windshield).

Naturally, a more powerful engine provides better cross-country ability. But which option to choose is up to you. You should focus on your needs.

Repair and service

Unless you are a specialist, it is better to entrust the repair of a Taiga snowmobile to a service center. Fortunately, the case provides fairly easy access to the structure. Although, breakdowns do not happen very often. This is due to the high quality of the spare parts used (most often imported) in the domestic assembly.

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Price

Currently, the new Taiga Varyag 500 snowmobile is sold on the manufacturer’s official website for 309,000 rubles. You can buy a used version for 280,000-295,000 rubles. and improve its condition with suitable spare parts:

With all its advantages, high performance indicators and reliability, the Taiga Varyag 500 turned out to be a truly inexpensive piece of equipment. Currently, there are snowmobile models on the market from other manufacturers with the same functionality and features, but at a much higher cost.