You’ve probably heard of the Ski Doo—that iconic orange snowmobile with the long, nose that sticks out in front—but haven’t been able to bring yourself to try it out? Perhaps it’s a little too much work driving a sled every time you go outdoors, or perhaps it’s just not as fast as you’d like it to be? Whatever the reason, there is an easier way thanks to the invention of Ski Doo’s founders, Doug and Al White, and it is called the reverse ski doo.
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Benefits Of A Reverse Ski Doo
Let’s face it, the traditional ski doo only has two speeds: forward and reverse. Not exactly the most exciting options when you’re hitching a ride to the middle of nowhere during wintertime. Luckily, with a little bit of planning and pre-preparedness, you can make the most of your trips during wintertime with the reverse ski doo and have some fun.
Here are some of the benefits of having a reverse ski doo.
Noise Reduction
When you’re driving down the road, you’re usually not the only one on it. There are other cars, trucks, and bikes around you. While this may not seem like a big problem, it can become one when you’re trying to enjoy your time on the slopes. When you drive in a straight line down the mountain, you’re usually not going that fast enough to create any noises; however, once you start turning, especially in a tight turn, this can become a problem. The reverse ski doo significantly reduces noise because it doesn’t rely on forward motion to function.
Rocking The Ruts
A classic case of the tortoise and the hare. While the conventional sled can deliver smooth rolling action, it can’t handle dirt and ruts well. Thanks to its suspension and shock absorbers, the reverse ski doo is able to take much better advantage of these surfaces. This allows for greater speed and more exciting rides regardless of the terrain.
Easier Inclines
If you’re coming from behind and need to make a tight turn to avoid a collision, it’s probably best to go around the corner rather than trying to navigate it head on. This is made much easier with the reverse ski doo, as it allows for more positive control regardless of the direction you’re facing. When you’re traveling in a straight line on level ground, it’s easy to control; however, once you start climbing a hill, this becomes much more difficult because the forward gear is practically useless. The reverse ski doo allows for easy scaling of even the steepest hillsides because it doesn’t require you to constantly shift gears to maintain forward momentum. This is probably why, as stated by the Wall Street Journal, the reverse ski doo is one of the best cars for “off-road adventure driving.”
More Traction
Even though it doesn’t rely on forward motion for propulsion, the reverse ski doo still has the same amount of traction as a conventional sled; however, as soon as you start moving in reverse, the grip is much greater because the tires are at a more optimal angle. This means better acceleration and greater ability to maneuver in and out of ruts and potholes. The reverse ski doo also allows for more stable cornering given its wider track and taller suspension.
As you can see, the benefits of a reverse ski doo are pretty clear. Let’s face the facts: in the wintertime, you’re usually not going that fast anyway, and the fun factor of driving a bike or a sled down a snowy hillside is definitely high. The only real question is whether or not you want to invest in one.
How Do I Put A Ski Doo In Reverse
This is actually pretty easy. All you need are a pair of ordinary bike handles and a bit of ingenuity. There are numerous videos on YouTube that show you exactly how to do this.
The first step is to remove the front brake and the throttle from your bike. Next, you need to locate the shifter and put it in reverse. Once this is done, all you need to do is grab the handles and give it some gas. As soon as you do this, you will feel a jolt as the engine revs up and the tires start spinning. This is how a Ski Doo works. The key to putting it in reverse is simply having the throttle at the right location on the handlebars.
To sum it up, the reverse skijoo is a ton of fun and an easy way to add some excitement to your wintertime activities. If you’re a bit of an engineering genius and have a passion for bikes, carves, and off-roading, this is definitely a device you need to own. Just make sure you take good care of it and don’t run it under any circumstances, as this will most likely result in serious damage.