Why China tech. thrives and Russia smolders

[Bob Riebe]

This article on Russian snowmobiles shows why the Soviet Russian attitude was the reason they are watch the Chinks eat up the U.S. of A.

https://b-cozz.com/buran-snowmobile/


Saturn

Experimental sample of twin-skis “Saturn” snowmobile (1975) equipped with RMZ-640 engine, single wide track (460mm) and two-speed gearbox with reverse gear. This machine having a 45 hp engine could reach almost 100 km/h top speed, with original design and a number of novelties, which other foreign snowmobiles did not have (e.g. floating variator discs, springless suspension and other).  - The director did not appreciate the machine (thinking apparently: “why one more headache?”) and ordered: “Destroy everything, including design schemes!”  [/color]



A few samples were made, destroyed later, as ordered by the director, who did not wish to distract resources from mass-series “Buran”.  [/color]]Experimental “Poisk” (rus. “search”), 1980, was on par with the world’s best models in technical specifications. Designers utilized liquid cooled engine (outboard “Privet”, 22 hp), riveted dural frame, hydraulic brake, an innovative ski suspension – telescopic with hydraulic shock absorbers. Track was supported by wear strips – an unseen design at that time. A few samples were made, destroyed later, as ordered by the director, who did not wish to distract resources from mass-series “Buran”.    [/b]

[oldandslow]

Slick Willie never gave them most favored nation status either. I guess they didn't offer him enough money.

[Casull]

I'm not that impressed.  My buddy had a couple of Artic Cats (mid to late 70's models) with 440 engines that could do better than 60 mph (100 kph), and that was with a belt drive.

[Bob Riebe]

You are not supposed to be impressed, those two were pretty much state of the art when they were rejected, instead this is the only readily available snowmobile that Russians  had, made in Russia, for decades.



After the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union, Russian industry prototypes beyond the Buran, were at best 10-15 years behind what U.S. and Lynx, the made in Finland single sport snowmobile manufacturer that survived the turn of the nineties though owned by BRP for almost 30 years now.
The Soviet system is why they are so far behind, although, there were at least one-half dozen different manufacturers in Europe and now there is one in the sport field and one in the service field.

[Bob Riebe]

Here is what China has, tech. and style near heads-up with U.S. machines at pennies on a dollar.

You think no one will buy, well over at a chain saw sight, dudes who use 3-4 chain saws every day, (when one needs sharpening, they just grab another one) and they are talking about how the Chinese Stihl knock-offs compare to real Stihl saws from experience not second party opinion.

https://www.made-in-china.com/products-search/hot-china-products/SnowMobile.html