Taiga Varyag 500: owner reviews, technical specifications, price, pros and cons

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.

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.

Modifications

The snowmobile is available for purchase in several trim levels, namely Taiga Varyag 550 (basic), Taiga Varyag 550 V, and Taiga Varyag 550 Limited. Let's take a closer look at each package:

The Taiga Varyag 550 V configuration is an extended configuration of this snowmobile. A power plant of the RMZ-550 model is installed, equipped with two Mikuni model carburetors, air cooling and a two-speed gearbox. Also used here was the DUCATI CDI programmable ignition system, which ensures optimal operation of the power unit regardless of operating modes.
Equipment Taiga Varyag 550 Limited. This package went on sale on October 1, 2016. The key features of this configuration are also two carburetors of the Mikuni models, allowing the engine to develop a rated power of 40.45 kilowatts or 55 horsepower. Instead of a conventional gearbox, the manufacturer equipped the snowmobile with a variator transmission (CVT). Otherwise, the Limited version is completely identical to the previous one, since it uses the same programmable DUCATI CDI ignition system, as well as air cooling.

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.

"Varyag 500" being tested

When testing the car, it was noted that a simple suspension still affects ride quality. But if you drive through the problem area while standing, the situation is easily corrected due to the high steering wheel. On the other hand, a small mass easily reaches heights. At least, this is the impression compared to how the other, heavier Taiga snowmobile behaves.

Reviews from pilots indicate that the Varyag has proven itself to be a durable and reliable machine. This was evident when the pilots covered considerable distances with melted snow, as well as areas with the so-called frozen storm. The car passed all tests with dignity. Therefore, in general opinion, simplifying the details and reducing the cost of the device, with the exception of minor inconveniences, generally did not worsen its quality characteristics. But you can save a lot of money.

Specifications

Dimensions
Snowmobile construction length	2990 mm
Width	1380 mm
Full Height	1380 mm
Full track length	3937 mm
Track width	500 mm
Track height	22 mm
Track width between ski centers	900 mm
Operational values
Structural mass	260 kg
Installed engine model	RMZ-500
Engine start type	manual
Rear shock absorber type	hydropneumatic single-pipe
Fuel tank capacity	40 l
Transmission
Type of installed transmission	variable speed drive
Number of speeds	4: low, high, reverse, neutral
Brakes
Control type	hydraulic
Brake type	mechanical disk
Suspension
Front suspension type	telescopic
Front suspension travel	105 mm
Rear suspension type	slimy
Rear suspension travel	190 mm
Electrical equipment
Ignition system type	CDI (capacitive programmable)
Front headlight type	halogen
Heated steering wheel and throttle trigger	optional

Comparison with Yamaha

The only company that has been able to gain a good foothold in the Russian market among budget snowmobiles is Yamaha Motor. It even managed to push aside the equipment of the domestic company, in particular, the Taiga snowmobile.

Reviews can be found in comparisons of the Viking and Varyag models. In general, according to many, it seems that they are similar in reliability. However, if domestic equipment breaks down, it will certainly be much easier to repair, since all parts are always available. But there may not be something at the dealership. Because of this, the process of restoring equipment can not only take time, but also cost significantly more.

At the same time, the ergonomics of the Viking are clearly superior to those of the Taiga snowmobile. The convenience for the pilot in the latter is an order of magnitude lower due to the weak suspension and excessively noisy engine operation.

Engine

The Taiga Varyag 500 snowmobile is equipped with a carburetor two-stroke two-cylinder engine RMZ-500. This power plant develops a power of 31.63 kW, which translates to 43 hp. With. The maximum speed that a vehicle can reach on a flat and straight section is more than 80 km/h.

The DUCATI CDI programmable ignition system is responsible for optimal engine operation in all modes. The motor has an air cooling system that prevents the power plant from overheating. The diameter of each of the two cylinders is 72 mm. Their total volume is 0.497 liters. The piston stroke is 61 mm. A Mikuni model float carburetor is installed. The exhaust system consists of a muffler with a resonator, and the intake system includes a muffler.

Technique for adjusting ski toe

check that the steering wheel is straight
loosen locknuts 15 of both steering rods 20, 27
by rotating the steering rods, ensure that when the skis are positioned “straight forward”, distance A in the front of the skis is greater than distance B in the rear of the skis by 10 mm (A – B = 10 mm)
tighten the tie rod locknuts.

Taiga tormented me, only I unlocked the gearbox, now it started working on either 1 or 2 cylinders, i.e. at idle it doesn’t work normally at all, but when driving it runs on 1 cylinder, then on two, and so on in a cycle, then 1 then 2, with the throttle equally pressed, TAIGA500 1 carb. It was the same with mine, I came home on a rope. Knowledgeable people from the site helped. The hall sensor was replaced and the order was correct.

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:

Parts for Taiga Varyag 500	Approximate price in rubles.
Hydropneumatic monotube shock absorber	4420
Snowmobile sled	7600
Ducati crankshaft	21200
Engine RMZ-500	151000
Receiver	2599
Fuel tank	3800
Variable shaft	3500
Drive shaft with wheels	7500
Centrifugal regulator	25000
MIKUNI carburetor	8800

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.

How to adjust the carburetor

The manufacturer and experts recommend adjusting the carburetors after the snowmobile has been run-in (300 kilometers). Here the owner has a choice - send it to a service center or make the adjustment himself. By following our instructions, even a beginner can handle the setup.

We check the opening of the carburetor throttles for synchronism; to do this, remove the intake noise muffler, take a mirror measuring 140 by 40 millimeters and look into the carburetor diffusers while smoothly squeezing the gas lever. If the throttles do not move synchronously, you should use the technical documentation for setting up for adjustment.
We look to see if there is any play on the sheath of the fuel corrector drive cables “must be in the closed position.”
Let's look at the position of the carburetor metering needle locks. According to the manufacturer's recommendations: the needle locks should be in the middle third groove.
We check the carburetor dosage details: GTZ 230 (main fuel jet);
ZHKH 55 (idle jet). We recommend replacing the idle jets with ZHKh 40, you can take them from the VM-34-560 carburetor.

Let's look at the position of the idle mixture quality screws. To correctly configure VM 34-619 carburetors with idle jet 55, we recommend tightening the screws as far as possible without much force, and then unscrewing them two turns. For carburetors VM 34-619 with ZHKH 40, we recommend unscrewing the screws by 1-1.5 turns.

We check the adjustments made for:

We clean the spark plugs from carbon deposits and set the gap to 0.7-0.8 millimeters.

Without throttling, we make a test run of 4-6 kilometers at a speed of no more than 45-50 kilometers per hour.

We stop the snowmobile, turn off the engine without idling.

We unscrew the spark plugs and look at the color of the soot. The presence of soot should be dark brown.

If the spark plugs are splashed or there is black carbon deposits, we recommend moving the locks of the metering needles to the upper, second groove and repeating the steps described in points A and D. It is also possible to adjust the idle mixture quality using screws. Be careful! Do not unscrew the screws more than two and a half turns.

After you have completed all the steps described above, we check the engine operation in different modes and measure fuel consumption. We recommend measuring gasoline consumption at a speed of 40-60 km/h, taking into account one driver, without passengers.

For more accurate readings you will need:

Fill the snowmobile's gas tank full and record the initial odometer data.
Carry out a test run, following the odometer readings, and calculate the distance traveled (S, km).
Add gasoline from a measuring canister to the gas tank, calculate the amount of fuel actually consumed (V, l).
Using the formula GT = V/S•100 (liters/100 km), we calculate the amount of fuel consumption of a snowmobile.

Recommendatory nature: since the Varyag 550 has an RMZ-550 engine with a “KOSO” exhaust gas temperature sensor included in the package, it is worth checking the temperature of the engine at maximum speed; the temperature of the exhaust gases in the cylindrical part of the resonator can read 730-750 degrees Celsius . If the given permissible temperature is increased, then we change the speed (let off the gas).

Which snowmobile to choose. (taiga)

NIKOLKA

passerby

Taiga leader or Buran?

Hello. Please tell me, I decided to buy a snowmobile, I don’t have enough money for a foreign car. Which of ours is better for fishing, Buran or Taiga leader?