I hear the stock radials hook up the best in the snow. You can ride till there is about 6-8 inches. Then the snowmobile guys start getting mad for messin up their trails.

 

We got just a few inches in Saginaw on Sunday night. I had a few hours before work on Monday morning so I put the paddles on in and went out in the backyard and played around and took a few pics.... It hooked up really nice with the paddles! One of my stock tires got a flat somehow just sitting in the garage after taking them off on Monday, so hopefully it snows again soon!!! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

i got out and it was a blast, but we only got like 2 or 3" the stock tires did great but i still want maxxis 4-snow for when it snows more. its like driving a rally car, i was climing a 100' hill and one time i pulled 180 at the top and rode half way down sideways then hit a slick spot and spun around and rode the rest of the way down lookin at the top of the hill. what a blast, cant what for more snow.

 

Use the stock tires.

I have run every bike I owned in the snow.

Scrambler 400 4x4, Xplorer 400 4x4, LT250R, 400EX, and Raptor.

The best combo is the Raptor with BRAND NEW stock tires.

The fronts are fine as they have a round profile. It helps them float a bit in the snow. And the rears are great. I find the rears grab too much on dirt (especially lateral traction), but in the snow, they work fine.

The only other bike I like in the snow is the Banshee. The wheelspin keeps you floating.

I have run studs in most of the machines, and I have 2 boxes in my garage. But I don't bother putting them in, as I don't get on the ice too often.

When my wife was riding, I put them in her bike so she could stop.

If you are near a lake and ride alot, then studs make sense. I ride in the bike trails so it is more of a bother.

I don't even bother to go out riding if the snow is more than 6 inches. It is more of a wrestle than a ride. But get a bit of warm weather, and then a freeze, you get a crust. Then it is a blast.

We also run the rivers around here. That is a riot. But you need 2 weeks of -10C to get the rivers here to be safe. Even so, we have a couple of guys go thru each year. Luckily it isn't too deep, and we can pull the bike out. The guys shiver for hours......[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

I would leave the stock tires, or buy brand new stock tires for the sharper edges. The Razor tires I don't imagine are going to be better. They have a pretty flat profile and I would imagine they would load up with the snow. I used some Bandits and hated them in the snow.

If there is one art, it is using your weight to your advantage. You will most likely spend most of your time with your butt hanging off the back of the machine. If you try to ride sitting in the normal position, you are going to get frustrated. Ride with your butt on the back of the seat to get the traction. Even bouncing makes a difference.

Good luck.

RM

BTW, don't even try to keep up with a sled. Unless it is in the tight trails. On the lakes, you will get filled. (but at least on the lakes you don't ruin trails......)

 

ya, the razrs do suck in the snow. they are too flat across to get any traction.